Holiday Displays Bring Cheer During Pandemic

January 04, 2022 |

By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News

Russell Morgan’s house on Fawcett Avenue in White Oak is one of the winners of the borough’s second-annual holiday home decorating contest. (Submitted photo courtesy White Oak Borough)


When Russell Morgan moved to White Oak two years ago, he knew he wanted to share his love of Christmas with the community.

“I’m fond of creating, and of Christmas. My favorite part is the look of it, and other peoples’ reactions,” Morgan said.

The borough of White Oak announced the winners of the Second Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest and the Gingerbread House Contest.

Categories in the home decorating contest included Best Traditional, Clark Griswold, Buddy the Elf, and Kids’ Choice.

 
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Davis Officially Announces Lt. Gov Bid

January 04, 2022 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections

State Rep. Austin Davis of McKeesport is congratulated by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Tuesday morning. Davis announced plans to run for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania at Kennedy Park, Downtown. (Tube City Almanac photo)


State Rep. Austin Davis on Tuesday officially kicked off his bid to become Pennsylvania’s next lieutenant governor.

The 32-year-old McKeesport Democrat said he was running to send a message “to those who say our state and our country is too divided to repair.”

“To those who say our best days are behind us, that we are no longer a beacon of hope and opportunity, I offer myself and my story as proof to the contrary,” said Davis, standing next to the statue of John F. Kennedy along Lysle Boulevard, near the site where the former president gave a speech in 1962.

Davis was joined by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor. Shapiro had told KDKA-TV in December he wanted Davis to be his running mate.

 
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W.O. Swears in New Council Members

January 04, 2022 |

By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News

Members of White Oak borough council taking the oath Monday included Council Members Jason Russell, Joelle Harbert, Loree Scharritter and returning Council Member Julie Opferman. (Sarah Turnbull for Tube City Almanac)


The borough of White Oak swore in members of council, mayor and tax collector at Monday’s reorganizational meeting.

Magisterial District Judge Thomas G. Miller administered the Oath of Office for Council Members Joelle Harbert, Julie Opferman, Jason Russell and Loree Scharriter; Mayor Ina Jean Marton, and tax collector Lisa Pitchford.

“People who get involved in municipal government are usually involved in other activities,” Miller said. “I think you will all do a very good job.”

 
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Council Members, City Clerk Take Oaths

January 04, 2022 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

At Monday’s meeting, Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi, second from left, administered the oath of office to McKeesport City Council Members Brian Evans and Jim Barry Jr., and City Controller Ryan Sturgess. Not shown: City Council Member Jill Lape. (Tube City Almanac photo)


At a short meeting on Monday, members of McKeesport City Council were sworn into office and meeting dates were set for 2022.

Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi administered the oath of office to Council Members Jim Barry Jr. and Brian Evans, City Controller Ryan Sturgess and City Clerk Annette James.

Council Member Jill Lape was unable to attend and was sworn in earlier in the day at Riazzi’s office.

Barry, Evans, Lape and Sturgess were elected to four-year terms in November. James, who has served as city clerk for seven years, is appointed by Mayor Michael Cherepko and city council.

 
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Hearings Begin for Proposed House, Senate Maps

January 03, 2022 |

By Emily Scott © Public News Service | Posted in: Politics & Elections

With the deadline for approving Pennsylvania’s new voting-district maps fast approaching, the commission in charge of creating House and Senate maps is hosting public hearings this week to receive feedback from residents.

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission will host eight hours of public hearings on Thursday and Friday in Harrisburg.

Carol Kuniholm, chair of the advocacy group Fair Districts PA, said creating new maps once a decade based on population changes is never an easy task. She pointed out in the proposed Senate map, there is concern about a pattern of large deviations from the ideal district population, which needs to be addressed.

 
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January NAMI Meeting Canceled

January 03, 2022 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements

The McKeesport affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness has canceled its planned Jan. 5 meeting, a spokeswoman said.

The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 2 in Room 122 of the Frable Building at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. It offers understanding and support unique to those who are affected by these conditions.

 
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Fate of Vacant Penn-McKee Awaits Report

January 02, 2022 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Editor’s Note: The writer of this story has a conflict of interest. See note at the end of this story.

(Tube City Almanac photo)


The fate of McKeesport’s long-vacant Penn-McKee Hotel likely depends on an engineer’s report due later this month.

The in-depth study, being completed by KU Resources on behalf of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, will help advise city redevelopment officials on whether the historic structure near the McKees Point Marina can be stabilized for re-use, or must be torn down.

“Right now, we are gathering all of the facts so that we are able make a responsible, educated decision on the future of the Penn-McKee,” McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said.

Nearly $1 million has been set aside for environmental remediation of the structure, said Matthew Craig, executive director of the YPA. The organization was retained in 2018 to study the history of the area around the Penn-McKee, as well as possible re-uses for the building.

Located on Fifth Avenue at Strawberry Way, the Penn-McKee is like a person who has abused drugs and alcohol for decades “and then they go to the doctor and hope they can erase all of their bad choices,” Craig said. “It has sat vacant for too long.”

 
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NV Twp. Manager Retiring, New Head Named

December 31, 2021 |

By Kristen Keleschenyi | Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News

After serving North Versailles Twp. for more than two decades — most recently as township manager — Patricia Logo is now preparing to retire.

At the December commissioners’ meeting, board President Frank Bivins thanked Logo for her efforts to guide the township through a period of financial difficulty. “Since she’s been here, she’s done a wonderful job,” Bivins said. “We were in the hole when she got here and she brought us up to where we’ve got a surplus.”

Logo’s last day will be Jan. 28.

 
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W.O. Council Votes Down 2022 Budget

December 30, 2021 |

By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News

CORRECTION: This article incorrectly reported the vote at Monday’s meeting. It has been corrected.


The borough of White Oak failed to pass its 2022 budget at Monday’s special council meeting.

Council members Julie Opferman, Charles Davis and Louis Bender voted yes. Council members George Dillinger, Joe Nagy, George Pambacas and Ken Robb voted no.

Pambacas expressed concern that although the spending plan was balanced, it would cut into the borough’s fund balance, or surplus.

 
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Thank You for Your Continued Support

December 29, 2021 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements

Our goal is to continue to provide coverage of news and events in McKeesport, Duquesne, North Versailles Twp., White Oak and the surrounding area. We'd even like to grow, but first, we need to get back to full strength.

We don't ask for money very often. If you can help us, we would very much appreciate a donation this year.

We are an IRS-registered 501(C)(3) charity, which means your donation may be tax-deductible.

If you are financially able, and would like to make a gift, please consider doing so.

Donations may be made by check or money order to:

Tube City Community Media Inc.
P.O. Box 94
McKeesport PA 15134

Or via PayPal at: http://www.tubecityonline.com/contact/

 
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