Valley News Dispatch category, Page 11
The Stroller, April 3, 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. Entries welcome for Tarentum...
Work to restore historic Massy Harbison cabin in New Kensington to continue despite funding setback
Renovations to the Massy Harbison cabin in New Kensington are moving along, but repairs originally meant to be finished this summer may become a multiyear process. The Massy Harbison-Fort Hand Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, which serves the Alle-Kiski Valley, has been restoring the cabin that found its...
Auto pioneer Gary Bowser dies at 81
Family members recalled Gary Bowser as an automotive titan who never forgot his humble beginnings. Bowser of Murrysville died peacefully surrounded by family March 28 after a brief illness. He was 81. “He was originally from Kittanning, and he never forgot where he came from,” said Bowser’s son, Gary. “He...
Almost 100 communities need new road salt supplier after vendor ends contract with council of governments
A lot of Allegheny County communities need a new road salt supplier. The South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG), which runs a purchasing alliance for road salt, learned this month its salt vendor will not renew its contract with SHACOG for the coming winter. According to an April 1...
Respect the chair: April Fools’ Day prank targeting parking chairs in New Kensington draws ire, smiles
Don’t worry, New Kensington isn’t declaring war on the Western Pennsylvania “parking chair.” A Facebook post, masquerading as a city announcement and posted on April 1, was exactly what is was meant to be: an April Fools’ Day prank. The post surfaced in a Facebook group simply titled “New Kensington,”...
Officer-involved shooting in Lower Burrell deemed justified
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli deemed the use of force justified in a February officer-involved shooting at a home in Lower Burrell. The gunfire exchange between officers and Jordan Lindner happened on Feb. 14 after, police say, he shot into a home on Rodgers Drive and then at officers...
The Stroller, April 2, 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. Community Good Friday service...
Tarentum Book Club, the 2nd-oldest in the state, marks 125 years
Members of The Tarentum Book Club — the oldest club in the Alle-Kiski Valley — aren’t surprised people are clamoring to join. “Everyone in the club values it,” member Mary Jane Jacques said. “Whatever committee you’re on, we all do our very best.” As the club marks its 125th anniversary,...
Shopping experience lauded at Sharpsburg’s Harvest on Main market
Harvest on Main Community Market in Sharpsburg’s business district just logged its first month since opening its doors, and operations are going smoothly, according to volunteers. The only hiccup thus far is an apparent delay in being able to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Bonnie DeMotte, executive director of...
2 Pagans motorcycle gang members held in jail on bail after preliminary hearing
Two Lower Burrell men who police say are members of the Pagans motorcycle gang are being held in the Westmoreland County jail on $300,000 bond following a January assault at Mogie’s Irish Pub. Robert Browne, 27, and Devin Colucci, 25, face charges of assault, robbery, theft, harassment, disorderly conduct and...
New Kensington man pleads guilty for baseball bat assault
A New Kensington man was ordered to serve at least four years in prison for the assault of a house guest with a baseball bat. Brian Mikesell, 51, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault in connection with an incident at his home on March 12, 2025 that...
Former Freeport Council president accused of assaulting man after traffic collision
Former Freeport Council President — and current tax collector — Richard Fennell is facing an assault charge after, police say, he punched a man during a traffic incident. Fennell, 57, had served on council since 2024 before resigning in January to take up the borough’s vacant tax collector position. On...
Oakmont’s Riverside Park playground to close for accessibility upgrades
May won’t just be bringing flowers in Oakmont this year. It will also bring a refurbished children’s playground in Riverside Park. The park’s playground closed last week to undergo significant refurbishment, according to a post from borough officials. “Anticipated to reopen by the end of May, the new design will...
Las Hachas in New Kensington to close, but maybe not for long
New Kensington axe throwing spot Las Hachas will close this weekend, but the venue’s future could still include targets and blades. The storefront owners, Brian Mangone and Brian Heidenreich, along with building owner Olde Towne Overhaul, are looking for a new tenant who wants to keep it an entertainment destination....
State police accuse Massachusetts man of sexually assaulting 2 girls in Manor Township
A Massachusetts man is facing a dozen felony charges after being accused of repeatedly forcing two girls to perform sex acts in Manor Township. Kole Anthony Glaister, 23, of Blackstone, Mass., is charged by state police with indecent deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 16 years old, sexual...
Flag-raising ceremony at Harrison hospital part of AHN’s salute to organ donors
Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison will host a flag-raising ceremony next week to raise awareness about organ donations. The initiative takes place each April as part of National Donate Life Month and is observed across Allegheny Health Network sites. It started Wednesday at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh’s North Side...
The Stroller, April 1, 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. Gift card donations help...
Abode Kitchen & Bar opens in Oakmont
A new dining destination is big on brunch in Oakmont. Abode Kitchen & Bar is the latest Oakmont dining option from restaurateur and entrepreneur John Keefe’s portfolio of borough eateries and bars. His others are Carnivores, The Pub at 333, Vinnie’s Tavern, Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco, Michael A’s Italian and The...
Fox Chapel Area School District, community partners prepare for 5th annual health and wellness event
A community event launched by Fox Chapel Area School District is about to hit a milestone. The fifth annual free Community Safety, Health & Wellness Event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 in the Aspinwall municipal parking lot. The event will feature vendor booths, a touch-a-truck...
On a small Greek island, a former Pittsburgh attorney discovers a new chapter worth writing about
Emails to cheer up a sick friend have been parlayed into a collection of essays by former Pittsburgh attorney and Fox Chapel resident Laura Aristidou Candris. Her literary debut, “Greek by Osmosis: My Life on a Small Greek Island (With Mama Kiki’s Recipes),” reached Amazon’s bestseller status in the Cyclades...
Sharpsburg Councilman Corey Ochai resigns; opportunity available
Sharpsburg Council has a vacancy. Councilman Corey Ochai has stepped down from his elected post to refocus on family and art. He tendered his resignation at a council meeting March 26. Ochai was in the first year of his second term. In his letter, Ochai thanked the community for its...
Westmoreland County Housing Authority to implement new ‘house rules’ for visitors
Visitors to Westmoreland County Housing Authority properties will soon face new “house rules” as officials look to crack down on bad behavior and improve safety. The agency’s board on Tuesday authorized Executive Director Michael Washowich and management to draft and implement standardized guidelines for guests. The move will codify what...
Penn State adds course to support students at closing branch campuses
Penn State has launched a new course to help guide students at its seven commonwealth campuses that will close in a year. The Degree Completion and Transition Support course will automatically appear on eligible students’ online dashboards, Penn State officials announced this week. According to Penn State, the course will...
Last call for doughnuts as New Kensington franchise closes doors
It was mostly business as usual for New Kensington’s Donut Connection on its last day of service. About noon Tuesday, the drive-thru saw a steady stream of cars and a few mingling eat-in customers. Dozen-sized boxes were filled with frosted and glazed doughnuts. Franchise owner Gayatri Patel said the shop’s...
A-K Valley schools get part of $3 million from state for free hygiene products
Alle-Kiski Valley school districts will get money from the state to keep bathrooms stocked with hygiene products. About $3 million allocated in the state budget is being distributed to districts across the state. Locally, the breakdown includes about $7,600 for Fox Chapel Area; $5,800 for Kiski Area; $3,600 for Highlands;...
