Tube City Community Media Inc. is seeking freelance writers to help cover city council, news and feature stories in McKeesport, Duquesne, White Oak and the neighboring communities. High school and college students seeking work experience are encouraged to apply; we are willing to work with students who need credit toward class assignments. Please send cover letter, resume, two writing samples and the name of a reference (an employer, supervisor, teacher, etc. -- not a relative) to email@example.com.
Ads start at $1 per day, minimum seven days.
Parish is recognizing city officers who responded to February 2023 tragedy
McKeesport police Chief Mark Steele, Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, South Allegheny school police Chief Adam Alfer and Ethel Balas of St. Stephen’s met at International Village this month. (Tube City Almanac photo)
A Downtown church is continuing its practice of providing $300 gift cards to McKeesport police officers who were on duty when a tragic shooting claimed the life of one officer and seriously injured another.
This month, members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church provided retired McKeesport police Chief Adam Alfer with a $300 gift card for Alfer and his spouse to use at a restaurant of his choice.
Funds were donated by members of the parish, said Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre, priest in charge of St. Stephen’s.
McIntyre said the church’s goal is to provide a $300 gift card to each of the city police officers who were on duty when McKeesport police Officers Sean Sluganski and Charles Thomas Jr. were shot by an armed suspect in February 2023.
Sluganski died of his wounds and Thomas was seriously injured.
Five cards have been provided so far, McIntyre said, including one to the Sluganski family.
Alfer, who now serves as police chief for South Allegheny School District, said the gesture was thoughtful and has ensured that each of the officers on duty that day know that they are remembered.
“It’s giving my wife and I a night out at a place we wouldn’t normally get a chance to go,” said Alfer.
A city man is charged by Allegheny County police with homicide, murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and firearms violations in connection with the shootings. A trial has been set for March 2025.
Originally published August 26, 2024.