February 07, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
The son of a former McKeesport police officer who was fired in 2021 has been charged in connection with the murder of a current police officer, and with wounding another.
Johnathan Jermia Morris, 31, is awaiting preliminary arraignment on charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, assault on a law-enforcement officer and attempted murder of a law-enforcement officer in the first degree.
Morris is accused by Allegheny County police of fatally wounding McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski, 32, and injuring Officer Chuck Thomas Jr., 35, after they responded to a domestic dispute at the home of Morris’ mother, Candace Tyler.
Emergency personnel said Morris is currently under police guard at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Oakland, where he was flown following the incident Monday afternoon.
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February 06, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News
A mile-long possession of emergency vehicles, led by three motorcycle police officers, escorted an ambulance from UPMC McKeesport hospital to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday evening.
The McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service vehicle carried the remains of city police Officer Sean Sluganski, 32, who died after being shot Monday afternoon near the intersection of Versailles and Grandview avenues. Sluganski was fatally wounded by a suspect as he and another officer, Charles Thomas Jr., 35, responded to a request for help during a domestic disturbance.
The suspect in Sluganski’s murder, whose name has not yet been officially made public, was shot by a third, unidentified McKeesport police officer near the intersection of Versailles and Patterson avenues.
According to unconfirmed reports, the suspect fired at least 15 rounds at Sluganski and Thomas. Allegheny County police homicide detectives are investigating and said Monday that neighbors and business owners had been “very helpful” in providing witness statements.
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February 06, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
The Allegheny County sheriff’s office is covering some police calls in the City of McKeesport following an incident on Monday afternoon in which one officer was killed and another injured.
Pennsylvania State Police and the Allegheny County police also are assisting, county officials said.
“The City of McKeesport is in many ways the ‘heart’ of the Mon Valley,” the sheriff’s office said in a prepared statement. “Today that heart is broken by senseless violence, and another stark example of the danger that our law enforcement officers face every day, on every shift and on every call.”
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said Monday at a press conference that the city will “continue to do everything we can to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and use all of the resources available to us.”
A prayer vigil has been scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight (Feb. 6) at the Beulah Park campus of the McKeesport United Methodist Church Shared Ministry, located at 1615 Grandview Ave., just a few blocks from the shootings.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who lives not far from the scene, said his thoughts, and those of his wife, Blayre, are with the officers, their families and the community. “This tragedy hits close to home for me and my family,” Davis said.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. also issued a statement of condolences.
“My condolences are with the family of the officer killed in McKeesport and I’m praying for the recovery of the second officer injured,” Casey said. “My office has been in contact with local officials to offer support.”
“Deepest condolences go out to the family of the McKeesport police officer killed today while serving the community,” State Rep. Nick Pisciottano of West Mifflin said. “My thoughts go out to the second injured officer and his family as we all hope for a swift recovery.”
February 06, 2023 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
BREAKING STORY: This is a breaking story and is subject to change.
Mayor: ‘Pray for our city and we’ll get through this’ ...
Suspect in custody following incident
A city police officer is dead and another was seriously wounded following an incident Monday afternoon near the intersection of Versailles and Grandview avenues.
The area was closed to the public and motorists and pedestrians were advised to avoid the neighborhood. The nearby McKeesport Area High School campus was placed on exterior lockdown, though classes were dismissed at the usual time.
UPMC McKeesport hospital also was closed to everyone except emergency personnel and patients.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, police Chief Adam Alfer and state Sen. Jim Brewster joined Allegheny County police at a press conference just before 4 p.m.
“Please keep the family in your prayers, and all police officers in your prayers at this time,” Cherepko said, his voice breaking. “Pray for our city and we’ll get through this.”
The names of the officers involved have not yet been made public. It is the first death of a McKeesport police officer in the line of duty since 1993.
Allegheny County police said city officers responded at around 12:30 p.m. to what was described as a “domestic dispute” between a mother and her adult son at a home on Wilson Street, about a block from the intersection of Grandview and Versailles.
Investigators said the suspect walked away as police attempted to question him. A family member warned the officers that the suspect might be armed.
County police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said that as the suspect walked along Grandview Avenue, with the officers behind him, he suddenly turned and fired, striking them.
The suspect then continued on foot to the intersection of Patterson and Versailles avenues, county police said, where he encountered another McKeesport police officer and opened fire. That police officer returned fire, striking the suspect and wounding him.
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February 06, 2023 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Politics & Elections
Persons who want to run for municipal offices this year should submit their nominating petitions no later than March 7, an Allegheny County spokeswoman announced.
The Elections Division today announced that nomination petitions are now available online and in the office for candidates seeking to run in the May 16 municipal primary.
The nomination petitions must be printed or copied as duplex (double-sided, front-to-back, head-to-head) on plain white 8.5” x 11” (letter-size) paper. This requirement cannot be satisfied by printing each side of the nomination petition on a separate sheet of paper and affixing the sheets together, the county said.
Petitions, along with instructions, are available online.
Voters will be electing mayors in some municipalities, including McKeesport, along with members of city and borough councils, township commissioners, school board members and other municipal offices.
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February 06, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Source: University of Pittsburgh and Women for a Healthy Environment)
Trace amounts of chemicals used in firefighting foam can still be detected in the water supplies of lower 10th Ward residents, almost two years after a massive fire that destroyed a local auto-repair shop.
However, says Pitt researcher Carla Ng, the amounts of chemicals known as PFAS in the water are so small that they may not be the worst exposure most people face.
“It could be that your drinking water is not your main exposure to PFAS,” says Ng, an assistant professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering who is affiliated with the university’s Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water Research, Education & Outreach. “You may want to cut the other products out of your life that may have an even bigger impact.”
And compared to the initial samples taken in 2021, Ng says, the level of chemical contamination in the water is substantially lower, which is good news. But traces of PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, and PFOS, or perfluorooctane sulfonate, are still a concern.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also can be found in fast-food wrappers, microwave-popcorn bags, pizza boxes, candy wrappers, plastic water bottles, non-stick cookware, cleaning products, stain-resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets, and even personal care products, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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February 05, 2023 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Politics & Elections
The 35th Legislative District seat has been vacant since December, after former state Rep. Austin Davis of McKeesport won election as Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor.
Two endorsed candidates and an independent write-in candidate are vying to replace Davis in a special election to be held this Tuesday (Feb. 7). We asked freelance writer Elizabeth Laughlin to interview each of them.
In alphabetical order by last name, they are:
Matt Gergely is the finance director for the City of McKeesport. He previously served in a similar capacity for the McKeesport Area School Board, and as McKeesport’s city administrator. This is his first run for elected office. He is the endorsed Democratic candidate.
Tube City Almanac’s story | Candidate’s website: www.facebook.com/TeamGergely
Don Nevills is a business owner from Clairton and a retired chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy. He has served as a member of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Clairton and on the Clairton Municipal Authority Board. Nevills previously challenged Davis as a write-in candidate. He is the endorsed Republican candidate.
Tube City Almanac’s story | Candidate’s website: www.electdonnevills.com
Paul Shelly Jr. is the owner of Paul Shelly Restorations, a home-remodeling company in McKeesport. He previously served as a McKeesport city councilman and was a volunteer on John Fetterman’s successful U.S. Senate campaign. Shelly is running as an independent write-in candidate.
Tube City Almanac’s story | Candidate’s website: www.facebook.com/paul.shelly
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February 05, 2023 |
By Elizabeth Laughlin | Posted in: Politics & Elections
Website: www.facebook.com/paul.shelly
Paul Shelly Jr. is running a write-in campaign for the 35th Legislative District seat. The election is Tuesday (Feb. 7).
Tell me about yourself.
I was born and raised in McKeesport—I’m a Mon Valley boy—and I am committed to the community. I love it here, and I love to see our people prosper. I raised four children, and I would say that’s what I’m most proud of. I started out by working for Westinghouse, and I have a master’s degree in computer science. I mentored and coached kids basketball, football, and baseball at the Boys & Girls Club, as well as at McKeesport High School. I also have my own painting company, Paul Shelly Restorations—we paint houses.
Why is running for state representative so important to you?
Truthfully, I have never wanted that role. I was working for the Fetterman campaign, and someone said, “Why not you?” I wanted to get Mon Valley guys elected. I think we have a lot of career politicians—what have they done? It’s humbling to win an election. I have Democrats, independents, and Republicans backing me up. We need to get new people involved—fresh ideas. Nobody has a monopoly of good ideas. I aspire to be a leader, and I like meeting people and hearing their concerns.
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February 05, 2023 |
By Elizabeth Laughlin | Posted in: Politics & Elections
Website: www.electdonnevills.com
Don Nevills is the endorsed Republican candidate for the 35th Legislative District. The election is Tuesday (Feb. 7):
Tell me about yourself.
I’m a 14-year Navy veteran and a business owner of 28 years. I’ve owned various tattoo shops, including one in the Southside of Pittsburgh, and a cotton candy store. I was a member of the Clairton Redevelopment Authority Board and the Clairton Municipal Utilities Authority Board. I live in Clairton, and I represent the people—not a party, not an agenda. I believe that in the 35th District, we’re underrepresented [in Harrisburg], if represented at all.
Why is running for state representative so important to you?
I’ve always served the people—I’ve always enjoyed helping others, speaking with them. I’ve done over 20,000 tattoos, and through talking to others, I learned that people just want to live a comfortable life.
I started my political campaign in 2019, when I ran for Congress. But I refocused to my local community and being able to bring change. What can I bring back to the local community? I’m tired of the politicians doing what they want. I take this job like the military—it’s 24/7. I’m always on call.
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February 05, 2023 |
By Elizabeth Laughlin | Posted in: Politics & Elections
Website: www.facebook.com/TeamGergely
Matt Gergely is the endorsed Democratic candidate for the 35th Legislative District. The election is Tuesday, Feb. 7:
Tell me about yourself.
I was born and raised in McKeesport. I’m a ’98 graduate of McKeesport High School and an IUP college graduate of 2002. I have been involved with politics life-long, such as being a part of political consulting and the city administrative staff for the mayor. I was also business manager of the McKeesport Area School District for three years.
Why is running for state representative so important to you?
I contemplated running for a long time, from the day Austin Davis won his election. And I realized this [position] is something you can’t pass up—it’s what I want to do, and I was a step ahead of everything with my experiences.
But I will say the most important thing I want people to know is that this election is not about me, at all. It’s about the constituents of the 35th District and their issues and concerns. We are going to do everything in our power to address the addiction to crime and violence that unfortunately plagues our communities at times.
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