Valley News Dispatch category, Page 16
Alleged burglary in Freeport ends in ICE taking 3 men into custody
Three men were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday morning after they were caught in a vacant apartment in Freeport, police said. Chris Fabec, chief of Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department, said police were called about 4:30 a.m. to a Lane Court townhouse in the...
Harrison officials seek $3.2 million in grant money for sewer projects
Harrison Township officials are pursuing more than $3.2 million in grant money for proposed sewer projects. The commissioners voted to approve grant applications for six different projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority last week. “They are all state LSA (Local Share Account) grants,” Township Manager Amy Rockwell said. “There is...
The Stroller, Dec. 1, 2025: 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. New Kensington Christmas events...
Consultant’s report finds no evidence of Penneco liability in Plum house explosion
A private consulting firm’s report for a Delmont energy company being sued over a 2023 fatal house explosion in Plum has determined Penneco Oil Co. was not responsible — a conclusion sure to be challenged in court. Penneco and Peoples Gas were among those sued for negligence and wrongful death...
Hunter seriously injured in fall from tree stand in North Buffalo
Emergency crews used a side-by-side rescue vehicle to extract a hunter from a remote section of woods in North Buffalo early Saturday after the hunter suffered a fall from a tree stand. The hunter was then taken to a waiting life-flight helicopter to be transported to a hospital. Jamison Hughes,...
Power outages hit Harrison, Fawn and Tarentum on Sunday
Residents in Harrison, Fawn and East Tarentum experienced a series of power outages Sunday. An outage that began about 7:30 a.m. Sunday left residents of Harrison and Fawn without electricity for several hours. West Penn Power showed more than 5,000 customers without electricity in the area. But by noon, the...
The Stroller, Nov. 30, 2025: 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. Annual Harrison Christmas parade...
Owner of Brackenridge Heights Golf Course dismisses rumors of purchase; property remains on the market
The Brackenridge Heights Golf Course remains on the market after several years. If owner Ted Tomson has his way, the 83-acre property in Harrison will remain mostly green. “I’d like to see it stay a golf course,” said Tomson, owner of a scrap metal yard in Brackenridge and Harrison, and...
Vaccination rates in schools cause concern for parents, medical professionals
Lucas James relies on others to be vaccinated because, for now, he can’t be. A leukemia patient and stem cell transplant recipient, Lucas, 16, of Hempfield receives intravenous antibody treatments to help him rebuild his immune system. “(Doctors) said he may never be able to be vaccinated again if his...
Aspinwall’s proposed 2026 budget contains no tax hike, cuts to programs or services
Aspinwall officials hope to hold the line on real estate taxes in next year’s budget. Proposed revenue and expenses are expected to come to close to $3.9 million. Budget documents project the millage rate will remain 8.36 mills, including 0.5-mill for public safety. One mill generates about $150,000 in revenue....
Firearm deer season opens in the state, hunters flock to new Indiana Township game lands
Planning, preparation and patience are keys to a successful hunt, according to outdoorsman Greg Luce. A little luck doesn’t hurt either, as Luce proved on Saturday. Hunting in the recently opened state game lands in Indiana Township, Luce found himself about 30 yards from a large doe, roughly 160 pounds....
Late night police chase and extended manhunt in New Kensington leads to arrest in woods
New Kensington police say a man led them on an extended chase Friday night in which he allegedly drove head-on at a city police car, ending with his arrest in a drain tunnel in a wooded section of the city. Leonard Hayden Jr., 25, of New Kensington is charged with...
The Stroller, Nov. 29, 2025: 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 groceries available for...
Though not uncommon, hoarding ‘multiplies’ danger for fire crews
When New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba responded Wednesday to a house fire on Richdale Drive, he said, he’d never seen so much packed into a structure in his more than 40 years as a firefighter. “I’ve never seen anything like that — in that amount — before,” Saliba said....
Community, routine spur gym-goers to work out after the holiday
Judy Sproat of Buffalo Township is no stranger to working hard during the holiday season. “I worked as a nurse all my life. I always worked holidays and the day after,” she said. “I don’t take a day off.” Sproat, 75, brought the post-holiday habit into her retirement as she...
After 2-year vacancy, Rustic Ridge lot could see new home built next year
Builders may soon build a new home on one of the plots left vacant for two years after a 2023 Rustic Ridge house explosion in Plum that left six people dead. The land formerly occupied by the home at 143 Rustic Ridge Drive, which was leveled after sustaining enormous damage...
Pittsburgh Mills shoppers take comfort after initial road paving projects
Taylor Harris, 29, was pleasantly surprised when she arrived at the Walmart at the Pittsburgh Mills shopping complex Friday morning. “I think not ripping the bottom of my car out makes it easier to spend money,” Harris said. The New Kensington woman took an Uber to the store out of...
The Stroller, Nov. 28, 2025: 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. Tarentum Lions plan annual...
For many, Thanksgiving is about more than the food
This Thanksgiving, siblings Garry Wiles and Jamie Long got together to share more than just a meal. They honored their father, a Vietnam veteran, by keeping alive a five-year long tradition of sharing Thanksgiving dinner at the American Legion in Lower Burrell. “Our dad is a member here. He’s in...
Highlands to open pool for adult swim programs
The public will be able to enjoy the new $2 million pool at Highlands High School through a free, open swim program for adults. District officials plan to open the program as soon as January for people 18 and older to swim laps, engage in self-paced water aerobics or just...
The Stroller, Nov. 27, 2025: 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. Count your blessings this...
Firefighters battle blaze, hoarding at New Kensington home
Fire crews spent about three hours Wednesday battling a blaze at a home in the 40 Acres neighborhood of New Kensington that had heavy hoarding conditions, according to city Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. Volunteer fire departments from numerous Alle-Kiski Valley towns — including New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell, Plum...
Former Arnold police chief Eric Doutt waives hearing regarding drug charges in Armstrong County
Eric Doutt, a former Arnold police chief, is awaiting another court date after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Armstrong County on several felony charges. Doutt, 56, of Arnold was arrested Nov. 13 in connection with a drug investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office. He was...
Leechburg Area among 4 districts suing state’s largest cyber school for tuition costs
Leechburg Area is among four school districts that have filed a lawsuit against the state’s largest cyber charter school asking that tuition be dropped for local students. The suit claims Commonwealth Charter Academy, as well as the state Department of Education through lack of sufficient oversight, fails to provide students...
Paving project bumps New Kensington budget to $12.4M; taxes hold steady
Property taxes will not change under New Kensington’s $12.4 million budget for next year. Council this week approved the city’s budget in a 4-0 vote, with Todd Mentecki absent, said City Clerk John Zavadak. The property tax remains at 32.02 mills. A property assessed at the city’s median value of...
