Voyager Jet Center Receives Prestigious Platinum Rating

PITTSBURGH , June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Pittsburgh -based Voyager Jet Center, the leader in private aviation services, has received the highly coveted Platinum rating from Aviation Research Group/U.S. Inc. (ARG/US), the world leader in specialized aviation information research and analytics. The ARG/US Platinum rating is the highest-level safety audit rating awarded within the private aviation industry and is widely recognized as the ultimate validation of excellence in operational practices and flight safety standards. Voyager Jet Center, committed to providing customers with the utmost private charter experience, is one of only 61 Part 135 operators in the United States to be recognized as Platinum by ARG/US out of approximately 2,400 total operators.

"I am extremely pleased to announce that Voyager Jet Center has been rated Platinum by ARG/US. Not only are we one of only three operators in the state of Pennsylvania to achieve Platinum, less than 3% of all Part 135 charter operators in the U.S. attain this extraordinary safety rating," said Richard M. Ryan , president, Voyager Jet Center. "This rare achievement is the direct result of hard work and dedication from our employees along with a strong commitment from ownership. Safe and efficient transportation is the mantra of Voyager Jet Center and our employees. The ARG/US Platinum rating validates our safety systems and processes," added Ryan.

The ARG/US-administered rating focuses on three major criteria: historical safety ratings, current aircraft and pilot background checks. Following a rigorous and comprehensive analysis of each area, ARG/US awards a safety rating of Does Not Qualify (DNQ), Silver, Gold, Gold+ or Platinum to Part 135 operators that meet or exceed these criteria. To attain Gold+ or Platinum, an on-site audit is required. Platinum is the highest level of ARG/US safety ratings available. The ARG/US audit is a true "process" and "systems" audit administered by trained and experienced aviation auditing professionals to evaluate the operator against industry best practice standards. A Platinum rating requires a functioning Safety Management System, a clear and workable Emergency Response Plan, and appropriate written standards, implementation, and records for all major aspects of Operations and Maintenance within a flight department or charter company.

About Voyager Jet Center

Voyager Jet Center, based in West Mifflin, PA. , is a leading private aircraft management and services company with a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Allegheny County Airport (AGC), the private aviation hub for western Pennsylvania ; and additional locations in Naples, FL ; Cleveland, OH ; and Bozeman, MT. Voyager Jet Center is the trusted provider in aircraft management and consulting, charter arrangement, aircraft fueling, sales, maintenance and hangar services. VJC-managed aircraft operate on Voyager Jet Center (VJC) certificate V0JA087M. Voyager Jet Center is one of only 61 Part 135 operators in the United States and three within Pennsylvania to be recognized as Platinum by ARG/US out of approximately 2,400 total operators. For more information about Voyager Jet's fleet or private aviation services, please visit www.voyagerjet.com .

SOURCE Voyager Jet Center

The Making of the Empire State Building with Homestead Steel

TourAnytime offers Pittsburgh audio tours via cellphone

You’ve walked by it countless times, the colorful Sprout Fund mural on Smithfield Street, and wistfully wished you knew what was behind the distinguished gentlemen under the hairdryers.

Now you can know, thanks to the free regional tours offered by TourAnytime of Pittsburgh. Hosted by the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, TourAnytime offers more than 100 walking, museum and individual tours 24/7 by cell phone through one phone number, anytime your schedule allows.

And MP3 tours with photos and videos are coming soon.

“What makes us unique is we’re not just about Pittsburgh but all of southwestern PA,” says Jan Dofner of Rivers of Steel. “This allows smaller heritage sites to get into the big picture with a technology that they might not have been able to do on their own.”

TourAnytime offers an array of vivid, self-guided tours, from the Battle of Homestead to the fabulous Sprout Fund murals that inhabit the local landscape. Museums, such as the Westmoreland Museum of Modern Art and Mattress Factory, find the technology works well for them too, says Jeff Leber, vice president and chief operating officer.

“It even works for coach potatoes,” he adds.

Roaming chargers may be incurred for anyone outside of the 412 area code, but otherwise the tours are free.

“For a region known for its industry, this illustrates that our industrial and cultural heritage is of interest to people,” adds Dofner, “People want to know the stories. We’re hardworking people and we forget how interesting our region is and what we have to offer.”

To begin a tour, simply go to the TourAnytime website and follow the simple instructions. www.touranytime.org

Homestead Works

Enjoy a peaceful walk along the Monongahela River and through the Waterfront’s retail district to learn about the remaining artifacts from one of the world’s largest steel mills: the Homestead Works.

Adjacent to the Monongahela River, this site was the primary battleground between the Pinkertons and the locked-out steelworkers. For more information about the Battle of Homestead, try our Battle of Homestead Walking Tour. Directly across the river from the start of this tour are the Carrie Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark.

Battle of Homestead

Recently featured as one of the “Ten Days That Unexpectedly Changed America” on the History Channel, the 1892 Battle of Homestead walking tour provides detailed accounts of the events before, during and after the battle between the locked-out steelworkers and the Pinkertons.

This site, adjacent to the Monongahela River and across the river from the Carrie Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark, was the primary battleground between the Pinkertons and the locked-out steelworkers. This site is also a trailhead for the Great Allegheny Passage Trail (Pittsburgh to Washington, DC) so a walk or bike ride can be part of this adventure.


Tour Location

This three-mile walking tour takes place at the Waterfront development in Homestead, West Homestead, and Munhall, PA, the former site of the Homestead Works. The tour loop conveniently begins and ends at the Pump House & Water Tower, the site of the “Battle of Homestead” (located at 880 East Waterfront Drive). This site is located across the street from the US Steel Research and Technology Center.

Tonawanda News series on waterfront development

Eat'n Park 'Rocks'

Join us at the Waterfront Eat n Park Restaurant for a special 60th Anniversary Celebration event on Friday June 19, 2009 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

This fun-filled evening will feature Smiley and his Cookie Cruiser with special prizes, games, Smiley Cookie decorating AND a Guitar Hero raffle!

You'll also be treated to a special performance by the star of our new commercial, Nashville recording artist and Pittsburgh-native Sarah Marince!

Police chief announces retirement

The phone rang in Baldwin police Chief Chris Kelly's office.

"Ex-chief Kelly," he answered with a smirk.

His wife was on the other line.

But after Tuesday's borough council meeting, the secret was revealed.

Mayor Alexander Bennett read Kelly's retirement announcement with a quivering voice during the meeting Tuesday to a dead silent council.

The retirement is effective as soon as council approves his petition, but Kelly will remain with the department to help with the transition for the next chief.

Kelly, 54, retires after 35 years as a police officer, including the last 20 as Baldwin's chief. He cited health reasons as part of the reason for his retirement.

Through his career, Kelly said he suffered 13 major head injuries, was stabbed once, and fell three stories through a burning building, among other injuries. He recently had surgery on his hand after being hit by a car.

Kelly described the policing as "a young man's game."

"You don't bounce back."

However, the decision to retire did not come quickly.

"When you make a decision to retire, it's very traumatic," Kelly said. "You wrestle with it every night."

Council members were wrestling with the announcement during and after the agenda meeting. They sat quietly for half a minute after Bennett finished reading Kelly's letter.

"A man this community is definitely going to miss," councilman Butch Ferris said, breaking the silence.

Even after the meeting, words were few and far between. Councilman Michael Stelmascyzk said he was sad to see the chief go, and councilwoman Joan Etzel said the council was "taking it in."

"He brought this department to a true, honest police department," Bennett said. "He will probably never, ever be replaced."

Council approved by a 6-0 vote, with Ferris absent, a $21,500 pay raise for Kelly in April, setting his salary at $115,500. He received the raise after council conducted a study of chief's pay at comparable departments.

Kelly described his career as "a storybook," and credited his fellow officers for his accomplishments through the years.

He began his career in Homestead in 1974. His first day on the job, a day he recalls with vivid detail, helped establish a code he has lived by in the 35 years since.

Toward the end of his shift, he and his partner arrived at an old woman's house to deliver a death announcement, Kelly said.

When the woman answered the door, his partner handed her the number of the coroner's office and left with no further explanation, despite the woman's confusion about what was happening.

"From that day, I learned to never leave people in that condition," Kelly said. "Compassion goes a long way."

Bartender, Manager Robbed At Waterfront Restaurant

HOMESTEAD, Pa. -(WPXI)- A popular night spot in the Waterfront area turned into the scene of a robbery overnight.

Shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday, the night manager and bartender at Rock Bottom, one of the larger clubs in the Waterfront complex, were leaving the club with the night receipts when someone held them up.

No one was hurt and investigators are not saying how much money was taken.

Police are still searching for the suspect.

Watch WPXI Video Click Here

Munhall hires two former Homestead cops

Boroughs try to balance police forces

Homestead's loss is Munhall's gain, at least when it comes to some police officers in the neighboring boroughs.

Of Munhall's four new full-time hires, two were part-time officers in Homestead.

Homestead Mayor Betty Esper said while she wishes all the borough's officers well when they leave for advancement, "I would have expected a little more consideration," she said of the way the moves were made.

She said she was not given the standard two weeks notice from Jason Trout and Shannon Tracy when they announced plans to leave Homestead to go to Munhall.

Their departure left Homestead a few officers short despite the recent hiring of three new part-time officers.

Ms. Esper said while the force has 11 full-time and 3 part-time officers, more are needed this time of year.

"Ideally, we would like to have three more part-timers, especially in the summer when school is out and the Waterfront is busy with tourists, and Kennywood and Sandcastle are open," she said.

While the recreational sites are located outside Homestead, lots of motorists pass through the borough on their way there.

"We're in the center of a traffic situation," Ms. Esper said.

It will take a couple of months for additional hires for Homestead, she said, as the Civil Service Commission has to put out notices, advertise and more.

In Munhall, Mayor Raymond Bodnar said he is pleased with the borough's force of 22 full-time officers, including Ms. Tracy, its first female officer.

"She's a very good officer having been with Homestead. She's one of the guys, she knows how the ballgame goes," he said.

He also said the force's youth won't be a detriment.

"We've never been this young in a long time, only one guy over age 50.

Experience comes with being on the job and getting to know Munhall.

"Our experienced guys more than make up for the others,'' he said.

Besides Ms. Tracy and Mr. Trout, the new hires are Leon Nyapas and James Williams.

Annual salaries begin about $28,000. Following their six-month probationary periods, the new hires will receive full benefits.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Thursday, June 12, 2008
By Margaret Smykl

World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

Phone: (412) 462-6222

Address: 415 W. 7th Ave.
West Homestead, PA 15120

www.nancybsbakery.com

Fan helps Bucs' cause with catch

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin argues with home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg as a Diamondbacks home run is changed to a book rule double after a fan reached out and caught the ball in fair territory in the second inning at PNC Park, June 9, 2008.


Andrew McDonald, a Pirates fan from Munhall, did more than just root for the home team Monday afternoon at PNC Park.

He played a little defense, too.

With one out in the second inning, Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks hit a high, deep fly ball. Right fielder Xavier Nady gave chase, then turned to either play the bounce off the wall or watch it sail out of the park.

McDonald, sitting in the front row of Section 144, brought his mitt to the game. As the ball zoomed toward him. McDonald stood up, reached out and caught it on the fly.

"A nice catch," Pirates third baseman Jose Bautista said.

Fans in the ballpark applauded McDonald's catch, then groaned as Reynolds rounded the bases for a home run.

Still, it was a nice play by McDonald, 17, who was an outfielder for the Steel Valley High School baseball team.

"I'm stunned," McDonald said. "When I saw it coming, I had to push my friend out of the way to catch it."

But, wait ... had the ball cleared the railing atop the Clemente Wall when McDonald made the catch?

Instant replay is not used in major league baseball. However, video replays appeared to show McDonald snagged the ball just below the railing.

Pirates manager John Russell came onto the field and argued that point. The four umpires huddled for a minute or two to talk it over.

The verdict: no home run.

"It was a tough call, but they got it right," Russell said.

Reynolds, who by now was in the dugout, was awarded a double and sent back to second base. That set off Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, who bolted out to angrily protest the call.

Melvin used one of those magic words you should never yell at an umpire, and was ejected by home plate ump Jeff Kellogg.

Worse yet for Arizona, Pirates pitcher Zach Duke got the final two outs of the inning and Reynolds was stranded at second base.

"Duke should thank me for that," McDonald said, laughing.

However, McDonald believes the umps blew the call.

"I honestly think it was a home run," he said. "I'll have to go home and look at the replay."

Reynolds got his revenge in his next at-bat. With two outs in the fourth, Reynolds blasted a solo homer -- this time, undisputed -- over the center-field wall.

By Rob Biertempfel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

PAWC, PennDOT projects disrupting traffic in Munhall

Portions of E. Eighth Avenue in Munhall will be closed and traffic will be disrupted for approximately one month due to Pennsylvania-American Water Co. and PennDOT projects.

PAWC contractors began replacing 4,000 feet of cast iron lines with ductile iron pipe last week in the roadway from Andrew Street to the Rankin Bridge.

"Pennsylvania-American Water contracting crews will be working weekdays from 7 a.m. to dusk," PAWC spokesperson Gary Lobaugh said. "We are anticipating work to be completed by late June, or early July at the latest."

He said the lines being replaced are approximately 80 years old and will improve fire flows, or the amount of water available for fire protection, for customers in Munhall.

"PennDOT then will go in and resurface and mill Eighth Avenue in Munhall," PennDOT spokesman James Struzzi said. "We are working with the water company to allow them to put in the water lines first so that they don't dig into the road after it is resurfaced."

PennDOT work will begin when PAWC is finished, and Struzzi said the work should not take very long, but didn't have an estimate yet.

By STACY LEE, Daily News Staff Writer
06/10/2008

Mill towns face blocks to economic progression

In Homestead and in other Mon Valley boroughs that supported steel mills, there is a common, false perception that brownfields are only the ruins of what was left behind when the mills closed.

Meredith Meyer Grelli contends that misperception is an economic development obstacle for communities like Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall, which are trying to pull themselves out of a decades-long malaise.

"There is definitely an impression that brownfields are only big pieces of unusable land, and yet they are more than that," said Ms. Grelli, program coordinator of the Western Pennsylvania Brownfields Center at Carnegie Mellon University.

In economic development terms, she said, there is a broad definition of what qualifies as a brownfield. More than just a swath of chemical-drenched land, it can also be an unused piece of property crumbling under the decay of years of abandonment.

And in the three Mon Valley communities that sit just over the train tracks from The Waterfront -- a big shopping and entertainment complex seated on 430 acres formerly used by the Homestead Works of U.S. Steel -- there is about 40 acres of land to redevelop.

Much of it is made up of brownfields, which include many of the long-abandoned light industrial and manufacturing properties in Homestead and West Homestead, Ms. Grelli said. She is coordinating a redevelopment push in the three boroughs focusing on community input from residents and business owners.

And what may seem mostly a question of semantics is a key part of the recommendations a panel of national experts gave to borough residents, community leaders and county officials last week, after a three-day workshop on how the three boroughs can redevelop their business districts while using The Waterfront as a resource.

The panel's key recommendations from last week's workshop titled, "The Avenues: Beyond the Waterfront," include forming an intergovernmental agreement among the boroughs, hiring a facilitator to steer the redevelopment efforts and asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide an official to help the communities seek funding for development efforts.

Getting an EPA official attached to the tri-boroughs' redevelopment is critical because the federal agency can leverage grant funding for a wide range of projects, said Marshall Williams, a railroad and strategic connections expert from Tennessee.

"You need an advocate who can work with you to secure funding you might not otherwise get," said Mr. Williams, one of six national experts, including academicians, architects and community planners, at the workshop.

So far, Allegheny County has invested about $10 million for infrastructure upgrades in the three boroughs, and is working with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and others to rehabilitate buildings in the area, said Dennis Davin, director of the county's Department of Economic Development.

Ms. Grelli, together with community leaders, started this redevelopment push last year, conducting interviews with residents and small business owners. She said much of the work involves marketing and getting economic development groups in the Mon Valley on the same page.

"There are a lot of groups trying to do the same thing in the area, and our goal here is to make sure that we're all working together on a clear plan," she added.

A planning committee, formed last year to study the area, presented the recommendations from last week's workshop at a public hearing held at the Moose Building on Eighth Avenue in Homestead, last night.

The next step of this project, Ms. Grelli said, "is all about establishing a strong community vision going forward. We want to establish who is accountable and how this [redevelopment plan] will work for these communities."

Thursday, June 05, 2008
By Karamagi Rujumba, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Suspect Arrested In Braddock Homicide after chase in Munhall

MUNHALL (KDKA) ― A suspect wanted in the murder of a man in Braddock has been arrested.

Police spotted David Fitzgerald driving through Braddock and followed him through West Mifflin and Munhall where he crashed his car into another vehicle and a house on 11th Street in Munhall.

Fitzgerald is expected to be charged with criminal homicide in the May 24 shooting death of Radee Berry.

Berry's body wasn't discovered until the following day.

Flag Day June 14

Ex-Munhall Cop Accused Of Foot Fetish Solicitation

Trial Ordered For Curtin After Hearing

RANKIN, Pa. -WTAE- A fired Munhall police officer accused of relationships with two teenage girls ages 15 and 17, whom he allegedly solicited via his MySpace account, will go to trial on the charges against him.

Police said Michael Curtin, 36, offered the two girls $1,000 each on the Internet to kiss their feet and suck their toes.

Investigators said Curtin also admitted offering money to still more underage girls to satisfy his foot fetish.

A parent had felt that her daughter had some contact that she felt wasn't quite right with a person who they believed to be a police officer in Munhall," said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt.

During Curtin's preliminary hearing on Wednesday in Rankin, police and prosecutors acknowledged that the investigation began and widened as a result of the teen coming forward.

Six alleged victims testified on Wednesday, along with a detective who said Curtin admitted using the Web site for solicitations.

"Certainly, much of the things that came out in court today were disturbing," said defense attorney Steve Greenberg. "However, I do believe that this case has been tremendously overcharged by the Commonwealth. I think that when we get to court that many of the charges held for court today will not be held."

Curtin faces more than a dozen charges, including corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minors and criminal solicitation of indecent assault and prostitution from the MySpace probe of his alleged foot fetish.

The probe led to additional charges, involving corruption and the endangering of three additional underage girls. He's accused of indecent assault against two of them, and providing girls alcohol and letting them drive his car.

In his MySpace postings, police said Curtin actually mentioned in one solicitation, "I'm a Munhall cop."

As far as they know, police said they believe all of the alleged activity happened while Curtin was off duty.

The Munhall Borough Council voted unanimously to fire Curtin in February.

Curtin has been released from jail on $100,000 bond.

Munhall Community Day 2007

Click On Poster to Enlarge

One wounded in Homestead shooting

One person was wounded in a shooting Monday night in Homestead, Allegheny County emergency officials said.

Police were called at 8:07 p.m. and found someone shot in the street in the 100 block of East 14th Avenue. The victim was taken to an area hospital by paramedics, but the extent of the wounds was not known last night.

Allegheny County homicide detectives were investigating.

The Tribune-Review
Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Amity Street Crossing

The Norfolk and Southern Railroad knew that the Amity Street Crossing needed some repair work done. They told the Borough of Homestead that the repair work on the Crossing would only take one day. When they did do the repairs, they realized a little more work needed to be done and rather than schedule it for another day or time, they went ahead and made the repairs without the Borough 's consent.

From now on, the railroad will have to to obtain a permit to do any repairs or closing of that Crossing.

The Borough of Homestead apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone.

Denise Kelly
Borough of Homestead

Steel Valley Commencement

STEEL VALLEY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Class of 2008
G R A D U A T I O N

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
7:00 p.m.
William V. Campbell Athletic Field


Commencement Speaker:

Charlie Batch

Charlie Batch is a native of Homestead, PA and a 1992 graduate of Steel Valley High School. Charlie went to Eastern Michigan University, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice.

Charlie was drafted by the NFL's Detroit Lions, where he spent the first four seasons of his career as the starting quarterback. Charlie is staring his tenth season in the NFL and has spent the past five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.



In case of rain the ceremonies will take place in the
Steel Valley High School Auditorium
on June 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Eat-n-Park Smiley's Beach Party Concert

Smiley's Beach Party Concert
Eat-n-Park, Waterfront
Pittsburgh Country Singer Sarah Marince

Tuesday June 3, 2008
5:30 pm

Plus Smiley and the Cookie Cruiser

245 E Waterfront Drive
Homestead PA 15120
Phone:(412) 464-7275




Sarah is an accomplished seventeen year old country singer from Pittsburgh, PA, that boasts an impressive resume. She performs regularly around the Pittsburgh area opening for National country acts such as Lonestar, Trisha Yearwood, Phil Vassar and Gretchen Wilson. She recently opened the Taylor Swift/Jake Owen's show, the Gary Allen/Trace Adkins show and the Mark Wills/Travis Tritt concert! Sarah was a featured opening performer for the Oak Ridge Boys at the landmark Capital Music Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia and was invited to participate at the 2007 Jamboree in the Hills, the largest, four day country music festival in the United States! In March of 2007, Sarah had the honor of being an invited performer at the legendary "South by Southwest Music Festival" in Austin, Texas where she opened for Rachel Fuller and the accomplished Pete Townsend.

The National Anthem is a staple in Sarah's repatoire of songs. She peforms regularly for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins and has sung the National Anthem for President Bush.

Sarah's first oringial song,"She's Got Credit" debuted on local country radio this year and helped her win a spot in the upcoming state finals of the National country music contest, The Colgate Country Showdown 2007.

Sarah has just returned from Nashville where she recorded her debut release "Somebody Like You" with Joe West & Dave Pahanish at Gasoline Productions, Inc. The first single "Just Look At Me" is actively in heavy rotation on Froggy 98.3 FM and is garnering tremendous positive reaction. Call and request