IN McKeesport Spring 2019 | Page 31

Tube City Center tenants shared their thoughts on what the building means for the City of McKeesport and neighboring communities: “When someone is charged with a crime, it is a life-changing experience. As such, the support center will serve as a warrant office for those police departments ensuring that individuals are only charged with crimes that are supported by evidence and that search warrants are properly executed when necessary. The center will also serve as a regional intelligence hub allowing police departments to share information in a manner that is more accessible and efficient.” Stephen A. Zappala Jr. Allegheny County District Attorney “We’ve been steadily growing since 2015, and the space in Tube City Center will offer us the additional room we need to better collaborate with the community. We’re grateful for the new office space and thankful to our donors for supporting us, and for the support of Senator Brewster and Mayor Cherepko, especially.” Jason Togyer, Tube City Community Media “The Mon Valley Independent is trying to expand our local coverage area and be accessible to more people than we currently serve in McKeesport and the surrounding communities. It is important to have print media there to give the public the information about what’s happening in their community.” Emil “Moe” Galis, The Mon Valley Independent NAACP Invites Community to Breakfast In celebration of Black History Month, the NAACP McKeesport Unit hosted its annual pancake breakfast -- inviting members and the whole community to come together for a hearty breakfast, bake sale, artifacts display, and mime performance at the Jacob Woll (Main) Pavilion on the morning of Saturday, February 23. Each year, this event is a fruitful fundraiser for the local NAACP, as well as a great opportunity for the unit to share its mission with the City of McKeesport. “Mayor Cherepko was very accommodating, as we sought the best location to move this business into McKeesport. It’s a perfect fit for us. To be a charter tenant in a new development, which is key in the revitalization of downtown McKeesport, is an exciting venture. ” Ronald Vezzani Jr., Flashover Fire Apparatus & Equipment Co. “The Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University and YouthCAST partnered in 2018 on a pilot program designed to help young people in McKeesport tell their own journalistic stories through words and photography. The project received funding from The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Point Park University’s Department of Community Engagement and the Center for Inclusive Excellence. The CMI and YouthCAST hope to continue this partnership with additional grant funding in the future.” Andrew Conte, Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ SPRING 2019 29