Category: News || By Staff and Wire Reports

City residents who want to recycle their natural Christmas trees should place them at the curb on their regularly scheduled pickup days.

Responding to inquiries from city residents, City Clerk Patricia Williams told Tube City Almanac that according to Public Works Director Nick Shermenti, any trees left at curbside will be recycled by McKeesport's contracted trash haulers, Nickolich Sanitation.

For more information, call city hall at (412) 675-5020.

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McKeesport Still High in Reader's Digest Poll: McKeesport is flirting with the Top 50 in a nationwide poll of cities by Reader's Digest magazine.

Through its "We Hear You America" project, the Pleasantville, N.Y., based magazine has promised to donate 21 prizes totaling $5 million to cities whose residents "cheer the loudest" about their community, or about a certain local need or project.

Prizes will be awarded to individual projects, and to municipalities based on the number of "cheers" they receive.

McKeesport's participation is being urged by Annette James, special assistant to Mayor Regis McLaughlin.

"It would be a great way for the city to get some needed funds --- even if it's just a little --- to help with things like demolishing abandoned buildings," James says. "This would be a great way for (McKeesporters) to help out their community with very little effort."

A grand prize of $40,000 will be awarded to one municipality, along with a second prize of $25,000 and four third prizes of $10,000 each. Runner-up prizes of $10,000 will be awarded to each community receiving the most votes in its population category.

People entering are also invited to submit stories about their hometowns, and why they can use the money. Voters must be 18 years of age and provide a valid email address, but may vote up to 10 times per day through Feb. 7. For more information, visit the Reader's Digest website.

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Hartwood Lights Through Jan. 9: The annual Celebration of Lights at Hartwood Acres Park is open through Sunday, an Allegheny County spokesman said.

Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. today and tomorrow, 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 6 to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

"This is the final opportunity this season for visitors to enjoy more than two million lights along the three-mile drive," Allegheny County Parks Director Andy Baechle said in a prepared statement.

The 629-acre county park is located in Indiana and Harmar townships, about 45 minutes north of McKeesport, near state Route 8. Vehicles must enter the park from Saxonburg Boulevard. The suggested donation is $12 per car, $3 per person for non-profit organization buses, and $5 per person for for-profit organization buses. Proceeds are donated to WTAE-TV's Project Bundle-Up and other local charities.

The Allegheny County Celebration of Lights has raised more than $3.5 million for charity to date, a spokesman said.

For additional information on the Allegheny County Celebration of Lights and Hartwood Park, including directions, visit the county's website.

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