Contested races on the ballot in all three wards for Franklin Park Council
All three wards will have contested races for Franklin Park Council on the Nov. 7 ballot. Incumbent Democrat Jiang Li, from Ward 1, will face off against Republican Douglas Kush. In Ward 2, Laura E Czekaj, a Democrat, is running against Republican Mark Butterfiled. Incumbent Democrat Brian Malkin is running...
2023 Halloween events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
To have your fall or Halloween event listed, send information to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084; or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Residents participating in trick-or-treat should turn on their porch lights. Community events Allegheny Township: trick-or-treat, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Apollo: trick-or-treat, 6 to...
The Stroller, Oct. 6, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Fall festival to celebrate autumn in Cheswick The Cheswick Fall Festival...
Arnold, New Kensington residents express shock that volunteer firefighter is suspect in arsons
Relief that a suspected arsonist in the Arnold and New Kensington area had been captured was tempered with shock that he was a volunteer firefighter and concern that one of the houses he is accused of setting ablaze was his grandmother’s home. “I can’t believe it was her own grandson....
Penn Hills artist helps increase visibility of Tarentum-based animal rescue, Paws Across Pittsburgh
For three years, nonprofit Paws Across Pittsburgh has been saving thousands of animals from high-kill shelters and other tragic situations, all with little fanfare in a nondescript Tarentum building. Enter Penn Hills artist Sean Coffey, who is helping to jazz up the facility’s exterior and draw some much-needed attention from...
Brungo, Fischer face off in District Judge race for McCandless, Marshall, Bradford Woods and Pine
Matthew Brungo is facing off against Eric Fischer in the Nov. 7 election for magisterial district judge seat in the district covering Bradford Woods, Marshall, McCandless and Pine. The pending retirement of Magisterial District Judge William K. Wagner has created an vacancy in District 05-02-12. Brungo is the Republican candidate,...
Haunted Guyasuta back with frights, frills
Family fun or fright of your life — participants of Haunted Guyasuta can decide their fate. The seasonal event, now in its 14th year, will offer a spooky-good time for all ages. It will be 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 at Camp Guyasuta, which is accessed off 23rd Street...
3 candidates vying for 2 seats on O’Hara Council
O’Hara residents will choose from among three candidates for two at-large positions on O’Hara Council. Shamus Petrucelli, of Frick Road and Rob Strohm Jr., of Dorseyville Road are the Republican candidates. Petrucelli also won enough write-in votes in the May primary to appear on the ballot as a Democrat, along...
Violins representing Holocaust musicians at McCandless event
Violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust will make music once again during “Finding Hope in Harmony: A Violins of Hope Evening with Interfaith Neighbors in the North Hills” Oct. 17. The free event will be held at the La Roche University’s Zappala College Center Campus Square, located in...
Penn-Trafford approves purchase of new administration building, security cameras
Penn-Trafford school administrators will get new offices in Bushy Run Corporate Park after the board agreed this week to spend $1.7 million on a new building there. The current administration building is located on Harrison City-Export Road less than a mile away from the high school. The building — which...
Kiski Township man shocked to find wayward alligator on his porch, 9 taken from neighbor’s property
When Tony Gularsky opened the door to his front porch, he had “a rude awakening”: An alligator was blocking his doorway. Gularsky, 60, of Kiski Township, had just gotten out of the hospital on Thursday, and he was expecting some friends were coming to visit him to see how he...
Police trooper testifies Derry husband researched ways to kill wife, defense says wife’s story not plausible
A Derry Township husband spent weeks researching potential methods to kill his wife, a state police detective testified on Thursday. State Police Tpr. John Beynon told a Westmoreland County jury William “BJ” Dankesreiter Jr., 63, conducted multiple internet searches about chloroform, other forms of anesthesia, and uses for fishing wire...
New Florence man claims he was targeted for retribution by police over officer’s killing
A New Florence man told jurors he was he severely beaten and blinded in his left eye with a targeted shot from a Taser as retribution for his role in the the 2015 death of a police officer. Ray A. Shetler Jr., 39, testified that a group of masked police...
Federal judge won’t stop Comprehensive Healthcare’s $56 million sale of seven nursing homes
A federal judge on Thursday denied the request of the U.S. Department of Labor to halt the potential $56 million sale of seven nursing homes belonging to an embattled company about to go on trial for violating wage and hour laws. U.S. District Judge William V. Stickman IV said in...
Defense attorneys: Washington County DA seeking death penalty for political reasons
Defense attorneys in a Washington County homicide case are moving to disqualify the appointed district attorney amid allegations that he is misusing the death penalty for political gain as he faces a heated election in November. Jason Walsh, who was appointed to fill the position when District Attorney Gene Vittone...
North Allegheny homecoming travels ‘Through the Decades’
North Allegheny High School’s Sept. 29 homecoming parade had a theme of “Through the Decades” in honor of the school district’s 75th anniversary this year. Homecoming festivities began with a carnival and food trucks. The NA Tiger Marching Band led a parade around the school and Homecoming Queen and King,...
Programs scheduled at Hampton Community Library
Hampton Community Library has plenty of programming to welcome fall, including: • “What a Wonder-Fall World!” drop-in story time, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 30. Stories, songs and crafts designed to celebrate discovery as children interact with their environment. All ages and abilities welcome....
Short-term lane restrictions expected on the Sewickley Bridge
PennDOT officials announced a short-term lane restriction on the Sewickley Bridge in Moon Township and Sewickley Borough will occur tonight, weather permitting. Motorists should expect to encounter single-lane alternating traffic on the bridge from 7 p.m. Thursday to about 5 a.m. Friday. Officials said crews from JET Excavating Co. will...
No vaccine card needed to get updated covid shots at local pharmacies
To get the latest updated covid vaccine, you no longer need that paper vaccine card you may have been carrying in your wallet for the past few years. The CDC announced Wednesday that, because the federal government itself is not distributing covid vaccines, the organization no longer will be giving...
Injuries reported in East Huntingdon motorcycle crash
A motorcycle-vehicle accident along the New Stanton-Ruffs Dale Road in East Huntingdon Thursday afternoon resulted in injuries, according to reports from the scene. Fire departments from Mt. Pleasant, East Huntingdon, New Stanton and Yukon responded to the accident, which was reported at 4 p.m., a Westmoreland County Public Safety supervisor...
Norwin area: Hillcrest Intermediate School recognized by Apple; North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue open house set and more
Hillcrest Intermediate School recognized by Apple Hillcrest Intermediate has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its 2023-2026 program term for its commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to create exemplary learning practices, the district said. “This prestigious designation reflects our continued commitment to innovation,...
Light and Unite in Aspinwall remembers babies on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day
Leanne Jacobs-Rohan knows she will go to a corner and sob — it’s what she’s done the past nine years each April 24 and Oct. 15. April 24 is the date her son Hazen died. Oct. 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. “I grieve every day, but those...
Penn Hills funeral home earns Pursuit of Excellence Award
Soxman Funeral Homes Ltd. is one of only 104 funeral homes from around the world honored with the 2023 National Funeral Directors Association Pursuit of Excellence Award, placing it among an elite group of funeral service professionals. Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients are recognized for adhering to the highest ethical...
Garfield groups confront market-rate development push with affordable housing projects
Rick Swartz believes the 25 affordable houses his group is building in Garfield will help transform a neighborhood that illustrates how Pittsburgh is tackling development, blight and housing-market trends. The Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. executive director walked through the wooden-beamed skeleton of a home under construction at 234 N. Aiken Ave., pausing...
Murrysville area: Concealed-carry seminar, upcoming library programs, local live music and more
Murrysville woman named club president The International Women’s Club of Monroeville recently introduced Louise Esposito of Murrysville as the club president for the 2023-‘24 year. Esposito has been a member since 1996. Esposito was born in New York. Her mother was Italian and her father was Swiss-French. She grew up...
