Valley News Dispatch category, Page 10
Burrell grows initiatives to support students experiencing grief
About 30% of Burrell School District students have experienced the loss of an immediate family member within the past year, according to Greg Egnor, the district’s director of pupil services. “The amount of grief that students in our district have experienced this year has been a lot,” Egnor said. “Trauma...
Gilpin begins ‘preventative measures’ in regard to data centers
In the coming months, the Gilpin supervisors plan to be proactive by having conversations about how best to regulate potential data centers in the township. During a meeting Tuesday, the supervisors authorized township Solicitor Tim Miller to draft an amendment to the township’s zoning ordinances regarding data centers. “Right now,...
The Stroller, Feb. 22, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Fox Chapel HS students...
East Deer scrap yard fire forces closure of Freeport Road, halt to train traffic
Vehicles and trains alike were not able to travel through East Deer for hours on Saturday because of a scrap yard fire at Pitt Penn Recycling. Freeport Road had to be closed and Norfolk Southern trains stopped because firefighters had to run a hose from a hydrant on the opposite...
Tarentum teen charged in 2 shootings; gun linked to a 3rd
A Tarentum teen wanted in connection with multiple shooting incidents was taken into custody this week by Pittsburgh police. Marcell Fields, 18, was charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, reckless endangering and multiple weapons charges. City and Pittsburgh Regional Transit police said Fields took part in shootings...
Alle-Kiski Senior Citizen News: Feb. 21, 2026
Armstrong County Senior Centers Apollo Monday: 10 a.m., program about managing your finances. Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Details: Charlotte at 800-368-1066 or Amy at 724-478-1410. The center is at 707A N. Fifth St., Apollo. Freeport Tuesday and Thursday: bingo. The center is at 102 Fifth St., Freeport....
The Stroller, Feb. 21, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Super bingo to benefit...
Churches, fire departments, American Legions welcome fish fry patrons on 1st Friday of Lent
Mt. Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church and the Lower Burrell American Legion were among the church and secular groups that joined Friday in holding Lenten fish fries. The New Kensington fundraiser is led by parishioner Roseanne Tronka. The former wedding coordinator and caterer is familiar with serving food to lots...
House in Washington Township goes up in flames, neighboring houses sustain smoke, water damageVideo
Fire destroyed a Washington Township home Friday evening its two residents were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, fire officials said. Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze at 423 Hoover Drive around 7:20 p.m. Township Assistant Fire Chief Bob Baustert said a father and his adult...
Ice jams cause flooding risks along Allegheny River
Emergency crews and weather experts are keeping an eye on ice jams on the Allegheny River in Emlenton, Venango County, to determine what might be heading toward Freeport, Harrison and points farther south over the next two days. “There’s some ice jams happening upstream and impacting structures by the water...
Less than a day after Westmoreland Transit OKs $64K for tariffs, Supreme Court strikes them down
Less than one day after the Westmoreland County Transit Authority board agreed to pay an extra $64,000 in tariffs for a new fleet of buses, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Trump exceeded his authority in imposing the trade duties. The board met Thursday to authorize the payment to cover...
Fawn-Frazer storage tank slated for overhaul
The Burtner Road water storage tank in Fawn, parts of which are original to the 1970s, will be overhauled this year. Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority was awarded a $422,000 state grant for the work. The money comes from the state’s Small Water and Sewer Fund. The authority will pay $74,500...
Tarentum cuts hours at spray park to lessen strain on water system
Tarentum’s popular spray park will operate under shorter hours this summer while the borough maneuvers through a multimillion-dollar water system overhaul. The park along First Avenue will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – about three hours less than usual. “This adjustment is intended to ensure we maintain...
Gilpin Township supervisors propose tax on skill machines and amusements
The Gilpin supervisors are discussing a tax that would affect owners of skill machines and mechanical amusement devices. Supervisor Gary Hall said the township stands to make thousands of dollars by incorporating one. “It’s become very common in many municipalities, in most municipalities, that they’re taxing the ‘Pennsylvania skill games’...
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...
The Stroller, Feb. 20, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Tickets on sale for...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Feb. 12-18, 2026
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, TribLive’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate, please...
Art depicting life: Blawnox’s historic sculpture is symbol for small town
A wooden sculpture titled “The Steelworker and Family” has long been the symbol of Blawnox, but only recently has the artwork’s backstory come to light. Historian and author Tom Powers said the sculpture is enjoying renewed interest after he chose it to adorn the cover of the borough’s recent centennial...
Fox Chapel residents ask local leaders to consider resolution for noncooperation with ICE, Border Protection
Several Fox Chapel residents encouraged their elected leaders to pass a resolution establishing a policy regarding enforcement of noncriminal federal immigration laws. Specifically, they asked for something stating borough police will not assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or those from U.S. Customs and Border Protection related to civil...
Smoky blaze leaves crews fighting Buffalo Township fire for more than 5 hours
Fire crews from numerous Alle-Kiski Valley towns battled a house fire for hours Thursday afternoon on Edgewood Drive in Buffalo Township. The blaze was initially reported at the single-story ranch home around 1:30 p.m. Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Tyler Hill said crews battled the “stubborn basement fire”...
Father of Sean Dicer charged with trying to assault TV news crew
The father of a former Highlands School District teacher accused of sexually assaulting students now has legal problems of his own. Harold Dicer, 77, of Plum is charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct after, police say, he attempted to drive his SUV into a television news crew. Dicer...
Lower Burrell to donate additional 1.6 acres for Stewart School redevelopment
The Lower Burrell Planning Commission on Wednesday gave support — and some land — to Burrell School District’s redevelopment plan for the former Stewart Elementary School property. But not before questioning some of its details. The commission unanimously approved a 1.6-acre lot line revision for property owned by the city...
Pittsburgh Mills owner acquires Macy’s store marked for closure
The owner of the Pittsburgh Mills mall property in Frazer has acquired a new property. Residents don’t have to leave the mall to see it. According to the Allegheny County Real Estate portal, Pitt Realty LLC, purchased the Macy’s store attached to the mall. Pitt Realty is a limited liability...
The Stroller, Feb. 19, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Bowling fundraiser to aid...
PennWest lags behind IUP, Slippery Rock in enrollment gains
A simple glance at the headlines paints a drastically different picture among the three Western Pennsylvania universities in the State System of Higher Education. Slippery Rock’s enrollment last fall increased 2.75%, its largest gain in nearly a decade; and its retention rate of 86.4% is the best in university history...
