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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August 27, 2022 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: West Newton News
West Newton Public Library’s annual “You, Me and A Cup of Tea” fundraiser will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Le Grande Ballroom, South Second Street, West Newton.
Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at Gary’s Chuckwagon Restaurant and at the library, 124 N. Water St.
Participants also can mail a check to West Newton Public Library, P.O. Box 221, West Newton, PA 15089. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Tickets are a limited supply. Call (724) 633-0798 for more information.
August 26, 2022 |
By Elizabeth Laughlin | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City School District has opened a new esports arena for its students. It is the first in the Pittsburgh area specifically designed for middle school students.
The arena, which includes Xboxes and vibrant-colored chairs, is in the K-8 building and was previously a school board meeting room.
It officially opened on Thursday at 1 p.m. with a grand opening and ribbon cutting.
The esports arena was funded by Robert Morris University, the Penn State Readiness Institute and the Heinz Endowments, as well as federal COVID-19 relief funding.
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August 26, 2022 |
By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Crime and Police News, McKeesport and Region News
A city man has been charged in connection with a Thursday morning fire that destroyed a vacant home on Ridge Street.
Darryl E. Chapman, 37, no address available, is charged by McKeesport police with arson, recklessly endangering other persons, causing a catastrophe and criminal mischief, according to documents filed in Allegheny County Night Court.
Chapman was awaiting a preliminary hearing on Friday evening, court officials said.
The fire is being investigated by the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office.
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