Archive for December, 2008
By The Tribune-Review
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 ]
By Elizabeth Spiker
I have been telling this story to a few people for years now. I’d like to share it with everyone because, quite simply, it will make you believe in people. We could all use a story like that.
A few years ago, I was teaching English at Steel Valley High School. For those who don’t know, it’s a small school district serving Munhall, Homestead and West Homestead. Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch is one of Steel Valley’s most famous alums. The kids all walk. There are no buses from the school district. The kids are a mixed bag of black, white and Asian and come from varying economic backgrounds. While no one I ever taught came from a “wealthy” family, I did teach many poor students for whom school was often a safe haven from their home lives.
When I would tell people my livelihood, they would often say, “My, I couldn’t ever teach school! Kids today are just awful.” Or, “Surrounded by teenagers all day? No thanks!”
[ Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08336/931924-294.stm ]
ABOUT
A collection of news articles focused on the communities of Pittsburgh’s Steel Valley.