September 05, 2022 |
By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service | Posted in: State & Region
One goal of youth and family support services is to keep kids out of juvenile detention, but for those who are accused of serious crimes, Pennsylvania doesn't have enough space in its detention centers, and it is being described as a crisis.
A report by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission outlined the effects of facility closures on accessibility to services. Since 2006, some 15 juvenile detention centers have closed in the state, including Allegheny County’s Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, which had its license revoked in 2021.
There are now 14 facilities providing secure detention services across the state, and 61 of 67 counties must vie for beds at just seven of them. The report indicated staff shortages mean not all the beds can be used.
The closest juvenile detention facilities to Allegheny County are in Erie, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
Abigail Wilson, director of child welfare, juvenile justice and education services for the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services, said a few factors are contributing to the lack of available beds.
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September 05, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Crime and Police News, Duquesne News
A 14-year-old from Duquesne died Friday evening following a shooting near the intersection of Caroline Street and Priscilla Avenue.
La’Japonis Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene, the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Allegheny County police said Roberts was a passenger in a car in the 700 block of Priscilla Avenue when someone opened fire just after 5 p.m. The driver fled the scene, police said.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
September 05, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
More than 30 shell casings were recovered Sunday evening from the scene of a shooting on Craig Street in which an innocent bystander was injured.
Allegheny County police said a 68-year-old woman who was sitting on her porch was injured when unknown gunmen targeting a house in the 1100 block of Craig Street opened fire.
In addition to the unidentified victim, who was struck in the arm, two houses and three vehicles were damaged, county police said.
The incident happened just before 5:30 p.m., police said.
Police recovered a mix of rifle and handgun casings and said they believe the shooters, who fled on foot, were targeting a specific house.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
September 01, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News
(UPDATED with bond information)
A former McKeesport Area School District teacher is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bond after being charged in connection with 11 alleged incidents of child sex abuse.
Eric V. Fairman, 26, is charged by Allegheny County police with multiple counts of indecent assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minors and criminal use of a communications facility. Allegheny County police said Fairman surrendered this morning.
McKeesport Area school officials said Fairman resigned from his position at Founders Hall Middle School on Wednesday, when the district learned he was being investigated. He had worked there since September 2021.
Fairman also has been removed from coaching positions at West Jefferson Hills School District, school officials there said.
Police allege the incidents occurred in 2020 and 2021 in Pleasant Hills and Jefferson Hills borough, where according to published reports, Fairman served as a girls’ assistant basketball coach and former ninth-grade baseball coach at Thomas Jefferson High School.
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August 31, 2022 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area High School Tiger Marching Band 2022 leaders and seniors are, clockwise from right, Luciano Lanz, Zachary Manfredo, Nicole Upperman, Makayla Elash, Shyaire Flohr, Connor McGrew, Cooper Kuchma, Tina Wos, Brianna Schmidt and Savanna Auckerman. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)
From the theme of this year’s McKeesport Area Tiger Band Show, the audience may expect to see a lot of glitz and sparkle.
But “All That Glitters,” according to those who collaborated on its production, refers to way more than outward appearances.
“I have always liked the ‘positive,’ uplifting concept/style shows,” band director Drew DeCarlo said during summer camp when describing what can be found in the finished product.
“This season's show portrays that we all shine in our own unique ways,” he added. “Throughout the season we will be talking about how each student in the ensemble has that unique talent that needs to be uncovered.”
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August 30, 2022 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: Crime and Police News, North Versailles Twp. News
A North Versailles Twp. man died Saturday evening after a shooting in the Crestas neighborhood.
Lyndale Irish-Knight, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene just after 5 p.m., the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said.
Allegheny County police said in a prepared statement that police and paramedics were dispatched to a business in the 400 block of Porter Street at approximately 4:47 p.m. when a caller to 9-1-1 reported a shooting. There, police found the victim, later identified as Irish-Knight, suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso, officials said.
County homicide detectives are investigating but few details have been released. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
August 30, 2022 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial
Vickie Babyak is a photographer and freelance writer from Dravosburg:
Bee balm (Monarda), native to eastern North America, and black-eyed Susans (Rudbekia hirta), native to eastern and central North America, naturalized in the western part; both plants are perennials attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
The end of summer is near and the first day of autumn arrives on Sept. 22. In reaction to the shorter length of days, seasonal changes can be observed in surrounding trees and plants.
Each season displays its own beauty with growth that is attractive to humans and supportive to the environment.
Native plants are particularly important to nature and some bloom throughout autumn before winter arrives, providing necessary nourishment for a wide-range of diverse wildlife.
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August 30, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Announcements, West Newton News
West Newton Public Library is accepting donations of gently used books and old jewelry for upcoming sales.
A spokesperson said that following the recent successful used book sale, the library needs to replenish its book sale room. The library is seeking newer adult fiction hardcover, paperback, biographies, non-fiction, children’s books, DVDs and audio tapes.
The library is not currently accepting used cookbooks, Bibles, encyclopedias or textbooks for resale.
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August 30, 2022 |
By Bonnijean Cooney Adams | Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News
Director Jesse Bush (with back to camera) provides input as band members get familiar with the music and drill for “X Marks the Spot” during the first week of camp. (Photo by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)
Serra Catholic Marching Band will transport its audiences on a search across the Seven Seas in pursuit of buried treasure through the pirate-themed “X Marks the Spot.”
Director Jesse Bush said while exploring options for the band’s competition season, he was drawn to music written and arranged by Randall D. Standridge, whose work has been featured in previous years.
He said he and the students liked the music, so created a theme through “Setting Sail,” “The Mysteries of the Sea” and “Battle for the Gold.”
With a preview show under their belt, the band is looking forward to the Sept. 10 start of their Tournament of Bands competition season as the performance evolves, is tweaked, and finishing touches added.
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August 27, 2022 |
By Jason A. Mignanelli | Posted in: Sports
Turnovers decided the clash between two defending WPIAL football champions on Friday night in Haler Heights, as North Catholic defeated McKeesport’s Serra Catholic 37-14 in a non-conference game.
North Catholic begins this season as the reigning WPIAL AAA champions, but has moved up to WPIAL AAAA for this upcoming season.
Serra Catholic won the WPIAL Class AA championship last year and will continue play in WPIAL AA. Friday night was Serra’s first game defending their title.
“North Catholic played a great game,” said Mike Anitori, longtime statistician for Serra Catholic. “I’m not taking anything away from them. However, the game could be summed up as a battle of poor field position and turnovers by Serra Catholic.”
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