Valley News Dispatch category, Page 126
Authentic, transparent and timely school communication crucial during threats, expert says
Years ago, when there was an emergency at a school, the incident was addressed sequentially. The incident would occur, schools and law enforcement officials could investigate, handle the situation, and then communicate what happened to students’ families. Now, with the internet and social media, much of that has to happen...
The Stroller, Sept. 27, 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. Adventures with Wine dinner...
Sharpsburg begins 2025 budget planning
Sharpsburg officials have begun planning for next year’s budget. The timeline for crafting and passing the 2025 spending plan was announced Sept. 26. It is as follows: • Oct. 10: Council workshop meeting with heavy emphasis on the budget • Oct. 16: Special budget meeting • Oct. 22: Special budget...
First Energy, Duquesne Light send manpower south for Hurricane Helene
First Energy is sending 200 of its workers south to help communities recover from Hurricane Helene. Todd Meyers, spokesperson for First Energy, said the 200 would be diverted from utilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and Maryland. While the majority of the workers will be line workers, vehicle mechanics...
Judge rules young boy’s statements admissible in grandfather’s assault trial
Statements made by a 3-year-old boy who claimed he was assaulted by his grandfather two years ago in Vandergrift can be used in the court case against the grandfather, a judge ruled Thursday. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio rejected a defense bid to end the case against Timothy...
Riverside Park close to becoming home of pickleball in Oakmont
Pickleball is within sight for Oakmont residents. Borough Manager Scot Fodi said the basketball courts at Oakmont Borough Park are in the process of being converted into a three-court pickleball facility. The new basketball court planned for the upper level of the park is moving along at a pace similar...
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 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. Festival to raise funds...
Highlands School District used remote learning Thursday after another threat
Highlands School District students learned remotely Thursday following another threat, according to officials on the district’s Facebook page. Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said she was notified late Wednesday evening by Harrison police about another threat made to the district. “Although the threat is determined to be unfounded, out of an abundance...
Shared gym, lounge and other upgrades coming to Fox Chapel fire station
Upgrades are coming to the Fox Chapel fire station by the borough building. It’s part of a nearly $568,000 investment in the emergency response department along Fox Chapel Road. Council unanimously approved a contract with FMS Construction Co. of Sharpsburg in August. Work is expected to begin sometime in October...
Apollo 5K aims to raise awareness of human trafficking
It might come as a surprise to many just how prevalent human trafficking is in Westmoreland County. The county is ninth in the state for human trafficking incidents, said Kristen Malone-Bodair, education outreach program manager for the Blackburn Center. The Blackburn Center coordinates the Westmoreland Human Trafficking Task Force, whose...
Route 28 closure caused by downed power line
A downed power line was to blame for traffic snarls late Wednesday morning along Route 28 and Freeport and Burtner roads in Harrison. The line was reported down across all lanes of the highway shortly after 11 a.m. State and local police had to close the highway between Burtner Road...
Cybersecurity system eyed for Springdale water treatment plant
In an effort to stave off cyberthreats to its water treatment plant, Springdale is considering the installation of a cybersecurity system. Dan Copeland presented fellow council members with two proposals from Gannett Fleming for a cybersecurity system at the water plant. One costs $11,500 and the other costs $19,000. “I...
Highlands threats lead to charges against juvenile, police say
A juvenile has been charged in connection with threats made against the Highlands School District on Tuesday, according to Harrison police. The threat, made on social media against the district, was investigated by Harrison police and deemed unfounded, according to the school district. Because the suspect is a juvenile, and...
The Stroller, Sept. 25, 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. Fridays on Fifth event...
With school threats increasing, school resource officers patrol the front lines
Rob Acquaviva has eyes all over Burrell School District. The five-year school resource officer serves the district’s four school buildings and works as a law enforcement officer, public safety educator and informal counselor/mentor to students. “The hope of the school resource officer is, if something were to happen, the kids...
Trump visit, interactions, security put Kittanning market in limelight
For about a week, Ryan Sprankle knew someone with former President Donald Trump’s campaign would be stopping by his supermarket in Kittanning — a state or local surrogate, he figured. Details were sparse after an initial text from a member of the local Republican committee. Trump staffers called Sprankle on...
Apollo shooting injures 1, rattles neighborhood
Gayle Moore said her 15-year-old daughter woke her just before midnight Monday night to say she heard three gunshots near their Apollo home. Still half asleep, Moore told her daughter to go back to bed. About 15 minutes later, her daughter returned to Moore’s room and informed her the street...
Lower Burrell, Highlands, Fox Chapel deal with threats at schools
Lower Burrell police are serving search warrants following threats made Monday against Burrell High School on social media platforms, Chief John Marhefka said. “We are conducting a thorough investigation, which takes time,” he said. Superintendent Shannon Wagner said students received and reported the social media posts Monday, and all district...
The Stroller, Sept. 24, 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. Summit Hose to host...
Burrell and Fox Chapel Area schools implement 2-hour delay, virtual learning after social media threats
Safety concerns have prompted a “flexible instruction day” Tuesday for students in the Fox Chapel Area and Burrell school districts. A delayed start for students will be in effect at both districts. A “concerning social media post” reported Monday by students prompted the virtual instruction and a 2-hour delay at...
Leechburg, school district leaders to discuss safety protocols after school threat
What officials are calling a miscommunication over an unfounded school threat could lead to better emergency protocols in Leechburg. Officials from Leechburg and Leechburg Area School District plan to meet privately Tuesday to discuss protocols for emergency situations affecting the borough and school district. Borough Public Safety Director and Councilman...
Remediated industrial property in Springdale Township could make way for new municipal complex, educational opportunities
Former industrial land in Springdale Township has the potential to reconnect and help revitalize the area, political leaders and Duquesne Light officials said last week. Duquesne Light unveiled a natural wetland on industrial property near the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale. John Bigi, the company’s environmental lead, said the...
Lower Valley first responders get boost for infrastructure, vehicles
A new patrol vehicle for the Springdale Police Department is one of three upgrades coming to first responders in the lower Allegheny Valley. State funding will assist the police department, Springdale Volunteer Fire Department and Lower Valley Ambulance Service in obtaining equipment for their agencies. The police department was awarded...
The Brinery offers a fast-casual, scratch-made, culinary adventure in Sharpsburg
In the first several weeks at his new Sharpsburg restaurant, The Brinery, Chef Joe Bardakos kept running out of food. Hungry customers were less than thrilled, but it signaled to Bardakos that his culinary creations were on target. “It was super humbling,” said Bardakos of Reserve. The Shaler native and...
The Stroller, Sept. 23, 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. Fund aids shelter animals...
