Archive for December 2nd, 2008

When General Motors Corp. closes its metal stamping plant in West Mifflin on Dec. 12, Jeff Hall of West Newton is hoping there still will be a jobs bank program to provide income for its laid-off autoworkers.

But, the controversial program that was designed to ensure a trained work force would be available when the Big Three automakers increased production after a downturn, may be on the chopping block as the Big Three automakers plead their case to Congress today for $25 billion in government loans to remain afloat.

“This deal with Congress scares me,” said Hall, 56, who is the financial secretary for the United Auto Workers Local 544, which represents about 100 workers who will lose their jobs when the plant closes. Hall, a maintenance man, said he is part of a skeleton crew that will continue working for a few months to maintain the plant.

[ Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_600976.html ]

A former West Mifflin police detective reported to the Allegheny County Courthouse and was taken to jail Monday to begin his six- to 12-month sentence for his conviction of corruption charges.

Noel Missig, 40, of West Mifflin, a 12-year veteran of the force, was convicted by a jury in July of assaulting a juvenile suspect and lying about the seizure of video poker machines from a borough business. The jury acquitted him of charges he planted drugs during an arrest.

Missig’s family cried as sheriff’s deputies escorted him away. The case stems from an FBI and state police investigation that spanned four years and led to federal and state charges against former West Mifflin police Chief Frank Diener, who resigned in October 2005.

[ Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_600994.html ]