Local category, Page 2306
Renovations to Leechburg’s Riverfront Park create ‘jewel’ along Kiski River, mayor says
A riverfront venue in Leechburg is newly spruced up and available for the public to rent. The white gazebo in Riverfront Park was constructed in 2004 but had fallen into a state of deterioration, Mayor Wayne Dobos said. “The park is a community asset that had started to fall by...
The Stroller, Sept. 8, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. The Stroller will return to the print edition of the Valley News Dispatch Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Sept. 11. Free meals...
Driver critical after pickup hits utility pole in Downtown Pittsburgh
The driver of a pickup truck suffered critical injuries when the vehicle struck a utility pole early this morning in Downtown Pittsburgh, according to authorities. The crash occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of Commonwealth Boulevard and Liberty Avenue. Emergency responders found the driver unconscious and pinned inside...
Pennsylvania to send 5 weeks of $300 checks to eligible jobless
Pennsylvania will start distributing $1,500 in federal unemployment compensation to those without a job since the beginning of August because of the covid-19 pandemic. “Everybody who is currently receiving unemployment (compensation), with very few exceptions, will qualify for that benefit,” state Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak said Tuesday. Unemployed...
Franklin Regional students return to class amid covid-19 restrictions
Students in the Franklin Regional School District returned to classes Tuesday, and elementary students got to check out the newly renovated Sloan Elementary School. The board last month pushed back the start date to Sept. 8 after state guidelines changed regarding the coronavirus. Students through eighth grade had three options...
Millvale man hit, killed by train near Shaler Township
A Millvale man died when he was struck by a train on Monday afternoon in Shaler, according to authorities. The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on the northbound Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks near the 3-mile marker of Route 28, according to emergency dispatchers. The site is near the entrance...
West Virginia University suspends in-person classes as covid-19 cases increase
West Virginia University on Monday suspended in-person classes at its Morgantown campus for undergraduate students for at least two weeks. Additionally, the university placed 29 students under interim suspension from its Morgantown campus Sunday, due to violations of the university’s student code of conduct. The university has limited social gatherings...
Man in critical condition after shooting in Pittsburgh
A man was hospitalized Sunday night after being shot in Pittsburgh, police said. Pittsburgh police said officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert of multiple shots fired in the 2100 block of Watson Street in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood around 6:45 p.m. Officers did not find a victim at the scene. A...
Bishop Zubik calls for day of fasting and prayer for racial reconciliation
Bishop David Zubik is calling for people to pray and fast Wednesday for racial reconciliation in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will join other dioceses across the United States as part of the effort. “In solidarity with all people who suffer from discrimination and violence due to their...
Westmoreland County adds 9 new coronavirus cases
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported nine new cases of covid-19 in Westmoreland County on Monday. There were 20 new cases on Sunday, 7 on Saturday and 10 on Friday. The seven-day average for the county is 12 cases. There have been 78 cases in September. The county’s total cases...
Covid-19 doesn’t stop picture day at Burrell School District
Covid-19 just can’t stop some traditions: The annual “picture day” at Burrell School District is set for Sept. 28 and 29. The students will be smiling without masks for their class photos, with additional arrangements in the works for class pictures from home, said Gregory Egnor, director of student services...
Pittsburgh police seek information about confrontations between protesters, public from weekend
Pittsburgh police are seeking more information about confrontations between protesters and the public Saturday as they investigate videos that have surfaced on social media. But a protester said Monday the videos don’t properly capture tensions on both sides of the demonstrations that began Downtown. Spokeswoman Cara Cruz said authorities are...
Allegheny County records third day with no coronavirus deaths
There were no deaths attributed to covid-19 in Allegheny County over the last three days, according to officials. With no additional deaths announced Monday, the total stands at 349. There were no deaths reported on Sunday or Saturday, while 5 deaths were reported on Friday. The county recorded 39 new...
State police looking for Saltsburg man who they say had stamp bags marked ‘covid-19’
State police are looking for a Saltsburg man who they say had cash and 677 stamp bags, some of which were marked “covid-19,” in a safe found during an Indiana traffic stop. Monty Gene Smith, 36, was charged on Friday with drug and related offenses after troopers pulled him over...
In brief: Hungry goats, community collections and more around the North Hills
Marshall hosting hungry goats to clear invasive plants A herd of goats is being brought in to help clear invasive vegetation along a section of the Harmony Trail in Marshall. From Sept. 13 to 23, goats from Allegheny GoatScape will be clearing knotweed and other plants on a hill about...
The Stroller, Sept. 7, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. The Stroller will return to the print edition of the Valley News Dispatch Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Sept. 11. Superheroes Believe...
Trio of peacocks are people-pleasers at Allegheny Township farmVideo
Three peacocks rule the roost at Legacy Acres Farm in Allegheny Township. Meet Kevin, Houlahan and Radar — three pet Indian peafowl, commonly referred to as peacocks, owned by Susan Hughan. Hughan, 65, spent her childhood playing with her neighbor’s peacocks while growing up near Leechburg. Her grandmother shared her...
KDKA reporter’s daughter recovering after trampoline accident
Pam Surano, a KDKA TV news reporter, was attending Mass at a church in Pittsburgh’s Hill District when she noticed calls from her daughter lighting up her phone. She ignored the first couple calls, making a mental note to call her back when she was done praying. When the third...
Social media followers, police, lead to discovery of stolen PGH Halal Truck
A food truck specializing in halal foods was stolen from a West Mifflin parking lot overnight. But it was found relatively quickly thanks to its social media followers and local police, according to its Facebook page. PGH Halal Truck, which offers gyros, pitas, salads, rice dishes, hummus and baklava, alerted...
Mutt Strut event providing medical service dogs to veterans moves to online platform
For retired Army Captain John Kelly, dog is much more than man’s best friend. His dog, an 88-pound German Shepherd named Ranger, is “a doctor with four legs and a coat of fur.” Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs — a national nonprofit that trains and donates service dogs to veterans...
Johnstown woman arrested with 260 ecstasy pills
A 25 year-old Johnstown woman was arrested on multiple drug charges Thursday night after state police discovered 260 Ecstasy pills in her purse during a traffic stop near the intersection of State Routes 56 and 711 in East Wheatfield, Indiana County. State police from Indiana said Kaitlyn Marie Krise, was...
Fire chief: New Kensington house destroyed by fire went up in flames twice before
A New Kensington house that was destroyed by a fire early Saturday morning has caught on fire twice before in recent years, fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said. “It was about three years ago … we had a small fire in the bedroom in the third floor,” Saliba said. “Then...
Westmoreland County adds 20 new coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County saw 20 new cases of covid-19 added to its total Sunday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported. There were 7 new cases added on Saturday and 10 cases on Friday. The seven-day average for the county is 11 cases. This is the highest total for the county since...
Sing for Their Supper and Crafts planned
Downtown Irwin will be the site of the 13th annual Sing for Their Supper and Craft Show, an annual fundraiser for the Westmoreland County Food Bank, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 12. Those who think they have a great singing voice can entertain by singing along with a...
Allegheny County announces 62 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths
Allegheny County on Sunday recorded 62 new coronavirus cases with no additional deaths. The county’s total number of cases stands at 10,771. The 62 new cases - 59 were confirmed and three probable - were out of 771 test results. New cases range in age from four to 97 years...
