Faces of the Valley category
Building the Valley: Veteran duo takes the wheel at Harrison auto shop
A longtime auto repair shop in Harrison has reopened under new management — and a bit of divine intervention, according to the new owners. Ekas Auto Care along Freeport Road was purchased by Ashley and Ryan Stadelmaier of Freeport, both veterans who served as U.S. Army helicopter technicians. “My husband...
Young Leechburg entrepreneurs take over Boulder Landscape, Excavation and Supply
Be it residential lawn care or an industrial project, folks in the Leechburg and Gilpin area will be seeing some familiar faces as the weather heats up. Leechburg natives Chace Wadsworth, 23, and John Wagner, 24, are cornering the local market in landscaping services. The men have worked together since...
New Kensington-born singer, songwriter, drummer Cam Chambers impacts Pittsburgh music scene
For Cam Chambers, a Pittsburgh-based vocal producer, singer and drummer, music is synonymous with love. “It’s written in love. The intention is to love something — whether it’s yourself, whether it’s a person, whether it’s a moment, and that’s a reminder,” he said of music. “The process of being around...
Former Valley News Dispatch reporter returns to her roots in new contemporary, romantic fiction
When former Valley News Dispatch reporter and editor Patricia Vido started writing her debut novel “For Love of Billie” 10 years ago, she was sure of one detail: its setting in the Alle-Kiski Valley. “That’s the most important piece of a story,” Vido said. “The Alle-Kiski Valley is where I...
From shop class to 3D printing: transforming tech education at Valley High School
It was winter 2002 when Rick Shaner graduated from then-California University of Pennsylvania with a degree in technical education and was out job hunting. “I was thinking, nobody’s going to be hiring now,” Shaner said. “I stopped at Kiski, Burrell and Valley just to get substitute teaching packets.” When he...
New Kensington welcomes ‘bigger & gayer’ Evanly Bakes
New Kensington bakery Evanly Bakes has made a sweet expansion under the slogan “bigger & gayer than ever.” Baker Evan Morgan-Newpher and his business partner, Kate Heller, joined New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo on Saturday to cut a red ribbon announcing the new location’s grand opening. Evanly Bakes, now at...
Explore Amish culture at Dutchman Amish Market in Vandergrift
Aundrea “Andie” Martin has always appreciated Amish culture and the products created through Amish practices. Martin, from the West Lebanon neighborhood of Young Township, Indiana County, has embarked on a mission to bring Amish creations to a larger population. She’s doing it through her store, The Dutchman Amish Market in...
Faces of the Valley: O’Hara runner makes Three Rivers Heritage Trail a better place
When Keith Arner committed to running the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2023, he hit the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Millvale regularly. Fast-forward three years, and the O’Hara resident is still running. But now he spends more time on the trail making sure it’s at its best for other walkers and...
Building the Valley: STEM Academy planned for New Kensington
A planned after-school STEM academy in New Kensington aims to put the city on the map. The nonprofit, R&D Impact Foundation plans to open the SparX Academy at 1250 Fifth Ave., said Nicole Roberts, the foundation’s director of program management. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “It’s going...
‘I’m capable’: Special Olympics athlete Sheena Black to compete in national games
When Sheena Black found out she would be competing in track and field at the Special Olympics USA Games this June in Minneapolis, she couldn’t contain her excitement. After 34 years as a Special Olympics athlete and earning 259 medals, she will have her first chance at running on the...
Faces of the Valley: PR director leaves Allegheny Valley School District after 3 decades
To Jan Zastawniak, it’s a great thing to be a Dynamo. The Springdale alumna and longtime borough resident retired in December from Allegheny Valley School District, where she worked as public relations director for more than 30 years. But Zastawniak was never lacking for other responsibilities at Allegheny Valley. She...
Faces of the Valley: North Apollo man celebrated for 50-year career journey
Gene Burns has guts. At least that’s what his first manager, Don Brewer, at Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority, said when Burns showed up on his doorstep on New Year’s Eve in 1975 asking for an interview. Less than a month later, Burns began what would become a 50-year...
Building the Valley: Veteran-owned 12 Bravo BBQ seeks to spotlight Harrison VFW
Frank Frantz isn’t afraid of a little heat. The South Buffalo resident is becoming known locally for his tangy “Bravo” barbecue sauce and slow-cooked brisket, sold the past few years from a roving food truck. He has joined fellow chef James Palumbi of Saxonburg in opening an indoor version, 12...
Building the Valley: Family creates cozy country charm with Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township
Giggles filled the air at Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township as Chrissy Klingensmith pushed her 1-year-old future granddaughter, Hadley, through the shop in a wheeled office chair. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly captured the family spirit behind the business. The cafe, which opened last March,...
Faces of the Valley: Lower Burrell teen making difference in local — and even global — politics
Sophia Walsh remembers being told that to become involved in politics, the local level is the best place to start. The Lower Burrell teen is already making her mark. Walsh, 17, was selected to be Lower Burrell’s junior council person, which is a nonvoting role but aims to provide a...
Building the Valley: Secondhand shop for kids ‘fills need’ in Vandergrift
Dylann Sowers says she opened her new storefront in Vandergrift with the community in mind. Kiski Kids Closet, located downtown on Grant Avenue, is a secondhand shop focused on affordable children’s clothing. It opened in mid-December. Sowers, 28, of Parks Township has three young boys of her own, which offered...
Faces of the Valley: 6-year-old BMX racer from Tarentum climbs to No. 1 national ranking
Not long after she began to walk, Elliana Zimmerman learned to pedal. The Tarentum youngster, now 6, went from a Fred Flinstone-style balance bike to pedaling — quickly — around a bumpy BMX track, according to her mother, Alexis. “When she was little, it made me nervous,” Alexis said. “She...
Faces of the Valley: Teacher provides special experiences for New Ken-Arnold kindergarten students
Julie Erb remembers one of her kindergarten students years ago telling her all they wanted for Christmas was a blanket. “A lot of kids, we don’t know them. Kids in the past have told me there’s no Christmas tree at home,” said Erb, a kindergarten teacher at Martin Elementary School...
Faces of the Valley: Harrison’s Bill Porter revels in connections made through Salvation Army kettle campaign
Bill Porter likes to talk. It’s a good thing, since he spends about seven hours a day chatting with strangers as a bell-ringer for the Brackenridge Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. He sets up outside Giant Eagle at The Waterworks five days a week and says he revels in making...
Faces of the Valley: Giuseppe Lopreiato of Brackenridge credits old-school work ethic — and wine — for success
Giuseppe Lopreiato immigrated from Italy in 1960 with nothing but a strong work ethic and a knack for making wine. His wife, Maria, came first, settling with family in Brackenridge. Lopreiato stayed behind in his native Sant’Onofrio, working as a farmer and saving money to eventually follow. “It’s good here,”...
Faces of the Valley: Oakmont author celebrates faith, unique genre in breakout book
Glenn Armocida has lived many lives in his 66 years. The Oakmont author started his journey as a writer at a young age while growing up in Plum. Even then, he enjoyed reading and creating his own stories. With support from his parents and teachers, he attended the University of...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum pastor marks 50 years in ministry, counts puppets, baseball as passions
Pastor, puppeteer and avid Red Sox fan. That’s how the Rev. Bob Dayton describes himself. Parishioners at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum, however, go further in their descriptions: supportive, worldly and well-rounded. “I have nothing but good things to say about him,” Barb Diller said. “When he first came to...
Faces of the Valley: Buffalo Township teen earns prize in World War II essay contest
Logan Smith, 13, said he didn’t know much about the Battle of Midway in World War II before he began to pen an essay about it earlier this year. But the Buffalo Township teen said he read up on the fight and submitted his text to the American Battle Monuments...
Building the Valley: New Lower Burrell salon has ‘modern, antique vibe’
Hayley Lorent’s goal when she started in cosmetology as a 15-year-old was to own her own business one day. A decade later, at age 25, Lorent has opened Velvet Shears at 2948 Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. “I like that it’s Leechburg Road-facing,” said Lorent, of West Leechburg. “It was...
Faces of the Valley: Upper Burrell’s Betty Beestrice has township’s history at her fingertips
If you want to know something about Upper Burrell, ask Betty Beestrice. You’ll not only get a detailed answer, but after she sifts through the numerous pictures, newspaper clippings and other documents she and her late husband, Bill, have collected over the years, you’ll walk away with at least 10...
