Valley News Dispatch category, Page 115
Hearings delayed for Pagans member, others charged in New Kensington drug, gun case
Preliminary hearings for four people accused of running drugs in New Kensington, including a member of the Pagans motorcycle gang, were delayed Thursday. Bill Robert Rana, 44, who at one time was sergeant at arms for the Pagans Pittsburgh chapter, Marc D. Farabaugh, 42, Stephanie Lynn Miller, no age available,...
National organization spotlights Burrell for career-readiness programming
Burrell School District is a nationwide model for how educators can tailor their curriculum to get students ready for the real world. The district recently was announced as a “Lighthouse” system for future-ready learners from the American Association of School Administrators. Only six school districts nationwide got the recognition this...
New Aldi in Allegheny Township greets first shoppers with gifts
The Alle-Kiski Valley’s newest Aldi supermarket opened shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, with eager shoppers already waiting in line outside. Many of the first customers in line received prizes, including Sarah Bilinsky, 18, and Zach Knox, 19, both of Vandergrift. They were first in line, having waited outside the store...
McCahill Park reconstruction underway in Fox Chapel
A major renovation project is underway at McCahill Park in Fox Chapel. Over the past several weeks, Dun Rite Construction crew have excavated, moved large materials and equipment and performed other related work at the recreation site off Hemlock Hollow Road. It’s all part of an estimated $820,000 upgrade that...
Harmar maker of artificial lungs moves to O’Hara
A Harmar manufacturer of artificial lungs has found a new home just 5 miles from its startup space at the Pittsburgh Applied Research Center (U-PARC), sold by the University of Pittsburgh in September. Advanced Respiratory Technologies signed a five-year lease in O’Hara’s RIDC Park. The company will take a previously...
Fox Chapel Area Rotary smashes record with Charity Golf Classic
The St. Margaret Foundation and Blawnox Community Food Pantry came away big winners as the primary beneficiaries of this year’s Charity Golf Classic by the Fox Chapel Area Rotary. The record-breaking fundraiser brought in more than $65,000 during the event Sept. 16 at Hill Crest Country Club in Lower Burrell....
Then & Now: The Great Pumpkin of Aspinwall has been enthralling visitors since 1995
For more than 25 years, residents of Aspinwall and the surrounding areas have been flocking to the zero block of Fourth Street to see the latest creation of the “Great Pumpkin of Aspinwall.” Joel Keefer, 73, has been carving oversized pumpkins since the mid-1990s. What started as a 450-pound surprise...
Fox Chapel Follies returns with new show at Pittsburgh Field Club
While artificial intelligence can cause some folks to feel anxious, frustrated and a host of other emotions, Phil Beard has found humor. The Aspinwall writer and director has taken the thought of a chatbot as his muse for the upcoming Fox Chapel Follies’ show, “ChapGPT.” Crafted in the spring and...
Too young to vote, Springdale students perform civic duty in a different way
While too young to cast their own ballots in the general election, 11 Springdale High School students got a taste of civic duty as student poll workers Tuesday. “It’s definitely a unique experience,” said Zachary Reynolds, 17. “I thought it was fun.” Teacher Connor Green works with the Allegheny County’s...
The Stroller, Nov. 7, 2024: 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. Holiday art exhibit set...
Aspinwall residents participate in parking study data collection; report to be filed by year’s end
Aspinwall resident Mary Pollice is frustrated with the parking situation in her borough, particularly near her home. “Our parking sucks because the whole one side of Fifth Street has (Route) 28 in their backyard,” Pollice said. “There’s no alley and no garages for them. My side has an alley. Some...
‘Overjoyed’ or ‘disgusted’? Western Pa. voters weigh in on Trump presidential victory
Philip Manns stayed up until 2 a.m. watching the election returns on TV on Tuesday, pleasantly surprised by now President-elect Donald Trump’s performance Election Day. “I was watching all night, and I was just surprised he was doing so well,” said Manns, 81, of Hempfield. “I think the pollsters all...
Democrat Pisciottano defeats Republican Dintini to replace retiring Brewster in state Senate
A Democrat Pennsylvania State House member will step over to the state Senate to replace the retiring Jim Brewster in the 45th Senatorial District. With more than 99% all precincts in that district reporting, Nick Pisciottano, a two-term state representative, won the seat over Republican newcomer Jennifer Dintini, receiving 53%...
Proposed Plum budget carries no property tax increase after hike last year
Plum property owners would see no change in their borough property tax bills under a proposed $26.3 million 2025 budget, finance director Michael Whitico told council during a presentation last week. The tax rate was increased by nearly 40%, from 4.78 mills in 2023 to 6.63 mills in 2024, which...
Meeting slated for upcoming trestle bridge demolition in Springdale
Springdale residents on Thursday will get a chance to learn more about an upcoming bridge demolition at the former power plant. The 6 p.m. meeting, held at the borough building, is focused on the demolition of a trestle bridge over Pittsburgh Street, overnight road closures and detours. “The meeting is...
The Stroller, Nov. 6, 2024: 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. Food, pet supply drive...
Democratic incumbent Mandy Steele captures 2nd term in state House
Fox Chapel Democrat Mandy Steele has won second term representing the 33rd state House District in Harrisburg. Steele, 47, collected 55.65% of the vote to Republican challenger Gary Lotz’s 44.18%, according to unofficial tallies that show 100% of precincts reported in the district. The 33rd District includes Harrison, Brackenridge, Fawn,...
No change in garbage fee for New Kensington residents after big hike this year
It won’t cost any more to throw out the trash in New Kensington next year. After a hefty increase for 2024, the annual fee for solid waste, leaf and branch collection and recycling will be unchanged for 2025. City Council on Monday voted 4-0 to approve the second year of...
Victim identified as Harrison man in Sheldon Park shooting; suspect in custody
A man was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon in Harrison’s Sheldon Park neighborhood, according to Allegheny County Police. The victim was identified as Jaysen Randall, 20, of Harrison, according to the county Medical Examiner’s Office. Mike Vogel, chief of police for the Allegheny County Housing Authority, confirmed one person was...
West Deer eatery La Vite closed
A popular West Deer restaurant has closed without explanation. La Vite Ristorante shuttered its doors Oct. 30 according to social media posts. Joe Voloch, director of operations at No Offseason Sports, where the restaurant was located, confirmed the eatery had closed and said he doesn’t foresee it reopening. “It surprised...
Property tax in Lower Burrell expected to hold for 4th straight year
Property owners in Lower Burrell likely won’t be paying more in city taxes next year. Council approved a proposed budget last week that would set the city’s 2025 millage rate at 24.75 mills, the same rate as this year. It would be the fourth consecutive year without a tax increase,...
Back to the drawing board for a solution to West Leechburg’s property tax inequity
Leechburg Area School District officials are back to square one in their search for a solution to rising property tax rates in West Leechburg. For almost eight months, district officials have been looking for a solution to the tax rates produced by a State Tax Equalization Board formula. The goal,...
The Stroller, Nov. 5, 2024: 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. Free meal distribution planned...
Arnold man pleads guilty to killing pedestrian with car in North Braddock
An Arnold man will serve two to four years in state prison after pleading guilty Monday to homicide by vehicle in a crash that killed a 75-year-old Braddock man. Tyrell Jimmie Knight, 37, was charged in the Nov. 9, 2023 death of Harry Harold King. According to Allegheny County Police,...
Frazer supervisors to consider zoning change to encourage residential development
The Frazer supervisors want to make it easier to develop land near the Pittsburgh Mills mall and the Route 28 corridor through the township. With the mall building foundering, officials say, other development in the area is important. So they’re considering changes to allow for residential construction in the township’s...
