Valley News Dispatch category, Page 160
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...
Barb Kalina marks 25 years as St. Joe’s costume designer, making kids’ comfort her priority
When Barb Kalina began lending a hand with St. Joseph High School’s theater program in 1997, she spent a week washing and ironing 40 white aprons for the production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” “That was my entire duty,” said Kalina, a Lower Burrell resident and retired reading specialist from...
The Stroller, June 30, 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. Concordia speakers bureau offers presentations The Concordia Lutheran Ministries Speakers Bureau...
The Waterworks Fine Wine and Good Spirits store on the move
The Fine Wine and Good Spirits Premium Collection in The Waterworks near Aspinwall is moving a few doors down. A sign posted on a store window informs customers that the current location in the strip shopping center along Freeport Road will close July 14. A new location will open the...
‘It just keeps expanding’: Oakmont Greek Food Festival celebrates 50th anniversary
Frank and Karen Sansosti have been married for 50 years, as long as the Oakmont Greek Food Festival has been around, and almost as many as they’ve attended it. The allure is simple for the North Huntingdon couple. “The food,” Frank Sansosti said. “You don’t get lamb every day.” Whether...
As interest in WNBA grows, so does stylist career of Burrell standout Sydney Bordonaro
Lower Burrell native Sydney Bordonaro now can add fashion to the list of her basketball successes. As a Burrell High School student, Bordonaro led the Bucs to their greatest seasons in basketball history from 2011 to 2015, setting numerous school records and making the all-state first team her junior and...
The Stroller, June 29, 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. Independence Day event to feature recitation Nick Triveri will read the...
Westmoreland County coroner: Woman identified who died in Lower Burrell porch fire
A woman died after suffering burns in a porch fire Friday night in Lower Burrell, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Carson identified the victim on Saturday as Jennifer Bates, 42, Lower Burrell. Carson said her death was the result of a residential porch fire. Lower Burrell police and...
Leechburg Area passes final budget for 2024-25 school year that includes tax hike, tax decrease
Leechburg Area School District members passed a final budget for the 2024-25 school year that includes a tax increase for some residents and a slight decrease for others. While the district will collect about the same amount of real estate taxes as the school year that just ended, there will...
Weather forecast not stopping inaugural Buffett tribute concert at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. officials are hoping Saturday’s stormy weather outlook will be “Nothin’ But a Breeze” as plans march on for the inaugural Jimmy Buffett tribute concert at the East Deer site. “We are moving forward with having the concert and festivities,” brewery spokeswoman Rachel Semelbauer said Friday. “We are...
Permitting process nearing completion for demolition of Colfax school in Springdale
The process aimed at demolishing Colfax Upper Elementary School in Springdale is continuing with permit applications to the state, architect Antone Canzian reported to the Allegheny Valley School Board. Canzian said about 80% of the contract documents needed for the project have been completed. He intends to have the project...
Family-oriented movers Weleski Transfer marks 115 years in Tarentum
Mary Anne Oshnock decided to work part time at Weleski Transfer Inc. in 1974, when she was in high school, for job experience before college. A student at Highlands at the time, Oshnock was interested in getting into the business field. She ended up staying a Weleski employee for 50...
Junior Fire Camp in Aspinwall, Sharpsburg draws a dozen teens
The first Junior Fire Camp hosted by the Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services was a hit, officials said. A dozen local teens, 13 to 17, participated in the two-day event. Hosted June 22-23 at the stations in Sharpsburg and Aspinwall, participants learned the ins and outs of fire safety and...
Leechburg homeowner embraces a ‘no-mow’ lifestyle
A Leechburg man has found an eco-friendly solution to his aversion to pushing a lawn mower. “I hate mowing lawns,” said Danny Hilliard, a steel industry writer, international traveler and avid fisherman. Hilliard decided to implement a “no-mow” lifestyle three years ago with the purchase of a historic residence along...
The Stroller, June 28, 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. Dinner to aid Avonmore fire victim A dinner to benefit Mackenzie...
Sharpsburg Mayor Brittany Reno resigns; letters of interest being accepted
Sharpsburg’s first female mayor has resigned with more than a year remaining in her first term. Council unanimously accepted the resignation of Brittany Reno on Thursday, June 27. She was not at the meeting. Her letter of resignation was obtained by TribLive after the voting session. “I thank you all...
Sheldon Park event aims to build positive relationship between residents, police
Something as simple as letting children check out a police car and blare the vehicle’s sirens can make a lasting impact, according to Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Chief Mike Vogel. As a flurry of children at Harrison’s Sheldon Park interacted with township and housing authority officers Thursday, Vogel said...
Arnold reopens Roosevelt Park as city officials grapple with how to handle vandalism
While a spate of vandalism prompted Arnold officials to close Roosevelt Park this month, it won’t deter the city from moving forward with plans to improve it, officials say. The park, completely fenced in with gates on Drey and Rankin streets, was closed for about two weeks after teens dumped...
