July 28, 2021 |
By Sarah Turnbull | Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Borough’s ongoing paving project has posed challenges for residents. Deborah Kidd of Ohio Avenue reported marks on her driveway.
“I’ve tried pressure washing, and I cannot get them off,” Kidd said. “It’s only four years old.”
Borough Manager John Palyo agreed that the paving company should take responsibility for removing the marks. Residents should contact the paving company to have damages repaired.
In related news, council voted unanimously to reimburse residents whose vehicles were towed due to roadwork. Residents whose cars were towed should contact council for reimbursement.
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July 24, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, McKeesport and Region News
An 18-year-old died early Saturday morning following a shooting at a home on Soles Street.
Dontae McKenith was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Allegheny County homicide detectives said Phillip Payne, 16, surrendered to McKeesport police at 8 a.m. and will be charged in connection with the death.
County police Lt. Venerando Costa said detectives believe that McKenith and Payne were passing a handgun back and forth when Payne pointed it at McKenith and pulled the trigger, striking him at least once. Payne fled the scene before police and paramedics arrived, Costa said.
The investigation is ongoing and police did not say whether there was a motive for the shooting or it was accidental. Payne in awaiting arraignment on charges of criminal homicide and firearms offenses, Costa said.
Payne turned himself at the McKeesport police station without incident, police said.
July 23, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
Update: Owens surrendered to Allegheny County police at 2 p.m. Saturday (July 24).
A second teen-ager has been charged with homicide in connection with the March 13 shooting death of a Duquesne man.
Allegheny County police on Friday obtained a warrant for the arrest of Carlo Owens, 14, of Duquesne on charges of criminal homicide, robbery and conspiracy.
County police previously arrested another 14-year-old, Tyion Simmons-McClain, also of Duquesne, and charged him with criminal homicide and robbery. Both youths are charged as adults.
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July 23, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Residents in the affected area (see red area on map) have been advised to continue not to use the tap water for any purpose other than flushing toilets. Residents in the purple area have been told they can resume water use as normal. (Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County map)
A “do not drink” water advisory remains in effect for some residents of the city’s 10th Ward after traces of firefighting foam were found in water samples there. About 30 homes and businesses are affected.
However, the advisory has been lifted for most of the neighborhood, said Matt Junker, spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.
Meanwhile, an environmental group that has collaborated with McKeesport residents to test soil for lead contamination on Friday questioned why fire departments continue to use foams containing so-called PFAS — chemicals linked to low birth weight, nervous system and thyroid disorders and some types of cancers.
On Friday afternoon, Junker said further water line flushing and testing will be needed for a small section of 10th Ward near the scene of a large fire July 16.
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July 23, 2021 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements
Due to inclement weather, last Saturday’s Black Business Day in McKeesport was cut short, so organizers are holding a second event tomorrow (July 24).
The event is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Healthy Village Learning Institute, 1102 Fremont St., just off Versailles Avenue.
A limited number of spots are available for exhibitors. For details, visit Take Action Mon Valley on Facebook.
July 21, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Areas of darker colors show a higher number of positive COVID-19 tests over the past 90 days. Over the past three months, McKeesport has had the fifth-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County. (Data courtesy Allegheny County Health Department)
As COVID-19 cases begin to rise again in Allegheny County, the health department has warned residents that although we may be done with the pandemic, the pandemic is not done with us.
Seventy new cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday and 55 on Tuesday, said Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the Allegheny County Health Department.
Health department data also indicates that over the past 90 days, McKeesport has had the fifth-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County. West Mifflin is No. 7.
“Although these numbers remain significantly lower than during the spring surge, it is a notable increase from the 10 to 15 daily cases in June and early July, and a stark reminder that this virus is not done with us,” Bogen said Wednesday.
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July 21, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A former city man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with suspected drug trafficking.
A spokeswoman for Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman said Brock J. Cochran, 30, is charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and the synthetic painkiller fentanyl.
A grand jury returned the indictment this week in connection with an incident that happened June 29, the spokeswoman said.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years, a fine not to exceed $5 million or both. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case, Kaufman’s office said.
July 21, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Announcements
Preliminary test results indicate that drinking water in the city’s Lower 10th Ward is not contaminated with firefighting chemicals, a spokesman said.
However, another round of testing will be necessary before a “do not drink” advisory is lifted, said Matt Junker, spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.
In the meantime, customers are being urged not to use their tap water for anything except flushing toilets — that includes not using the water for showers and bathing.
On Wednesday afternoon, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko announced that shuttle buses will be available, beginning Thursday morning, to take residents to McKeesport Area High School if they want to use the showers there.
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July 20, 2021 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A Duquesne man is wanted in connection with an assault Tuesday morning in Wilmerding that also caused an “Amber Alert” about a possible child abduction.
Nicholas Lomax, 28, is charged by Allegheny County police with use of an electric device to incapacitate another person, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.
Lomax’s 8-month-old daughter was found, unharmed, in Versailles, county police said. She had been reported missing from McKees Rocks and was the subject of a child-abduction alert from Pennsylvania State Police.
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July 19, 2021 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Announcements, McKeesport and Region News
City officials said they are pressing the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County to quickly resolve the issues that have kept Lower 10th Ward residents from using their drinking water.
“I have been in constant contact with MAWC since Friday, and I will continue to see this process through,” McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said Monday. “We are doing everything within our power to expedite MAWC’s water-testing process to determine if any contamination took place during the Friday evening fire at McKeesport Auto Body.”
MAWC warned on Saturday morning that chemicals from firefighting foam “may have” entered the drinking water system in the area between the CSX Railroad tracks and the Monongahela River. Some homes on Romine Avenue, Rebecca Street, Arlington Street and West Sixth Avenue also are affected.
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