Valley News Dispatch category, Page 149
Kiski Township supervisors formally accept ex-police chief’s resignation
Kiski Township supervisors have formally accepted the resignation of former police Chief Lee Bartolicius. Armstrong County Commissioner Anthony Shea confirmed Thursday to TribLive that township supervisors accepted Bartolicius’ resignation during a meeting Wednesday night. TribLive first reported on Bartolicius’ ousting June 21. Shea did not attend the meeting, but he...
Freeport man shares patriotism with annual reading of Declaration of Independence
Nick Triveri of Freeport wears his patriotism on his sleeve every Fourth of July. For the 14th year, the 71-year-old organized a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Riverside Park in Freeport. “I feel the Fourth of July is a whole lot more important than just shooting off fireworks...
The Stroller, July 4, 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. Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the holiday! Springdale Community Day scheduled Saturday...
New Kensington-Arnold School Board discusses approaching Burrell about merging
Challenges faced by the Burrell School District have New Kensington-Arnold’s school directors wondering if the right time has come for the neighboring districts to again consider merging. New Kensington-Arnold School Board member Bob Pallone raised the subject of approaching Burrell officials with the proposal at his board’s meeting Tuesday night....
Oakmont’s vegetation-control goats back to work after escape
Phyllis Anderson has jokingly referred to herself as “the GOAT,” (Greatest of All Time) since Oakmont brought in working goats two years ago to clear brush along the Allegheny River. But the assistant borough manager wants residents to know that the goats’ escape from their enclosure this week was no...
Police find drugs, $57K after arresting accused drug dealer in New Kensington
A New Kensington man police say was dealing drugs, including cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana, was arrested Wednesday morning. Tarique Taron Godson, 31, was apprehended after city police and officers with the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force carried out a search warrant at a house in the 400 block...
Oakmont Country Club work could produce harmless natural gas odor
If residents near Oakmont Country Club catch a whiff of natural gas this summer, it’s probably nothing to worry about. The club, which will host the 2025 U.S Open golf tournament next June, has construction underway, including some projects involving natural gas work. The club insists members and nearby residents...
Arnold man charged in fatal North Braddock vehicle-pedestrian wreck
An Arnold man was driving under the influence of marijuana when he fatally injured a 75-year-old man in North Braddock in November, according to Allegheny County Police. County police charged Tyrell Jimmie Knight, 37, with charges including homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Harry Harold King...
New Kensington-Arnold superintendent’s contract extended despite proposal to shorten it
One board member’s effort to shorten a contract extension for New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck failed Tuesday night. The board ultimately voted 8-0 to give Superintendent Chris Sefcheck a new five-year contract that will run from Tuesday through June 30, 2029. It replaces his previous and initial five-year contract that...
The Stroller, July 3, 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. Boaters bash planned July 13 in New Kensington Allegheny River Development...
Last ride remembers Leechburg man’s adventurous life
Scottie Joe Hawkins got one last ride on his truck Tuesday. Family and friends hoisted his casket onto the flatbed of the tractor-trailer Hawkins used to make his living, repurposing it as a hearse to take him to his final resting place. A special platform was built onto the flatbed...
Pickleball courts become highlight of improved Renton Park in Plum
On a recent morning in Plum, the pop-pop-pop of pickleball paddles could be heard emanating from Renton Park. The 2.5-acre park tucked away in the borough’s Renton neighborhood has become a destination for residents since the borough invested about $750,000 in improvements, including three courts for the popular game. Barbara...
Lower Burrell considers ordinance on fireworks
Lower Burrell is looking to establish rules for fireworks in time for future holiday festivities. “The city wanted to enact a fireworks ordinance to make it clear to residents what they can and cannot do,” Mayor Chris Fabry said. “Since the state legalized so much a few years back, there...
Software set to modernize Springdale Township water service
Springdale Township commissioners continue their push to modernize the township’s water distribution system with a recent software purchase. The township bought software from Diversified Technologies of Bloomsburg that will run numerous functions in the water system. It will be integrated with the remote-read water meters the township is in the...
Neighbors look for closure after body discovered in river near Springdale
Closure is about the best neighbors of Bunnie Lee can hope for now that it appears his body has been found, 11 years after he disappeared. “Now, we have closure, but it brings a lot of questions,” said longtime East Liberty neighbor Dorret Payton. “He was missed. He still is.”...
Holiday alters trash collection in Arnold, New Kensington
Trash collection this week will be a day early or a day late depending on whether you live in Arnold or New Kensington. In Arnold, garbage collection will be one day early this week because of the Independence Day holiday. Residents should have garbage out before 6 a.m. Wednesday. Recycling...
The Stroller, July 2, 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. Free rides available to medical appointments Wesley Family Services now offers...
Sunken cars common in the Allegheny River, authorities say after Springdale discovery
Most underwater discoveries in Pittsburgh’s rivers are accidents, said Eureka Fire-Rescue Chief Brad James, whether it’s by recreational boaters or, as was the case Sunday in Springdale, divers conducting training exercises. James doesn’t dive, but he has been with the Tarentum-based company for more than 40 years and wasn’t shocked...
New Kensington-Arnold to consider extending superintendent’s contract
The New Kensington-Arnold School Board will vote Tuesday on extending the employment of Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. Sefcheck’s original five-year contract started July 1, 2021, and runs until June 30, 2026. The new five-year deal would start Tuesday and end on June 30, 2029 — effectively extending his employment by three...
Elaine Jasso pours heart into Sheldon Park’s Booker Center
Elaine Jasso has become a surrogate grandma to hundreds of children in Harrison. As program coordinator for the Deborah D. Booker Community Center in Sheldon Park, Jasso, 73, plans daily activities at the facility that’s run by the Allegheny County Housing Authority. Sometimes, her role is to provide a listening...
Deer Lakes student with rare genetic disorder searching for perfect bone marrow match
Caisen Bedillion is a typical teenage girl who loves cheerleading, roller coasters and horror movies. The 13-year-old from West Deer, however, has endured an atypical amount of medical challenges. “Since she was born, she had a number of medical problems and delays at every turn,” said her mom, Erin Bedillion....
The Stroller, July 1, 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. Rubber ducky race to raise funds for Leechburg anniversary A rubber...
Universal Lunch initiative would mean free meals for all students, regardless of family income
Hungry kids can quickly turn into hangry students. Rumbling stomachs can lead to classroom distraction and discipline issues, research shows, along with feelings of isolation for children whose families struggle to afford school lunches. “Not only do we see the benefits of full bellies in academics, but it’s social, too,”...
Cool Water Saloon hosts fundraiser for Mackenzie Mitchell, who lost everything in fire
Molly Uskuraitis knows what it’s like to lose it all. Her Vandergrift home all but burned down nine years ago, torching its contents and killing her pet dogs. Slowly and with support from the community, she was able to rebuild her home and her life. Now, her friend and coworker...
Human remains found in vehicle discovered in Allegheny River near Springdale
Human remains were discovered in a vehicle recovered Sunday from the Allegheny River near Butler Street in Springdale. Allegheny County Police said the Murrysville Medic One dive team was training in the river in the area of Butler Street when the vehicle was found. The divers notified emergency dispatch that...
