Valley News Dispatch category, Page 160
Proposed budget would raise taxes 2.65% in Allegheny Valley School District
The Allegheny Valley School Board has approved a 2024-25 proposed budget that raises real estate taxes by 2.65%. If the budget gains final approval at the June board meeting, a taxpayer who owns a property with the average assessed value of $85,900 will pay $1,837 in school taxes, an increase...
The Depot, a digital resource center and laundromat, hopes to finally move forward in Tarentum
By this time next year, people might be able to find digital resources and do their laundry all in one Tarentum storefront. Wheels are in motion — after a three-year delay — to transform an East Fifth Avenue building into a gathering and training space. The Depot is a former...
Movie nights, maybe a grandstand, coming to East Deer Memorial Park
If 9-year-old Jaelyn Gordon had her way, East Deer Memorial Park would have a spray park. The Deer Lakes third grader spends plenty of summer days at the playground and said it can get “burnin’ hot.” “My favorite thing is the swings, but we need some sprinklers to cool us...
Italian eatery Totaro’s planned for Tarentum
Al Colelli grew up in a big Italian family, watching at his mother’s knee while she whipped up favorites such as meatballs and marinara. The Arnold resident picked up a thing or two. “I’ve been cooking for awhile, and I love to do it,” said Colelli, 52. “Call me crazy,...
The Stroller, May 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. Lower Valley Little League to host golf outing A golf outing...
2024 Alle-Kiski Memorial Day events
All events are on May 27 unless otherwise noted. Apollo Apollo Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will sponsor a program at 9 a.m. at Memorial Square in Apollo Plaza. Air Force veteran Michael Mollick will be the speaker. Gary Baer, worship leader at Apollo First Evangelical Lutheran Church, will be...
Upper Burrell looks to sell 3 acres in Lincoln Beach
Upper Burrell is considering selling 3 acres of vacant land it owns in the township’s Lincoln Beach area after receiving interest from prospective buyers. “We’re anxious to sell it. … It’s not being used for anything,” said Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III, who estimates a handful of people have...
Lower Burrell Farmers Market to open for season with 60-plus vendors
An array of more than 60 vendors will be available Saturday to kick off Lower Burrell’s farmers market. The Joseph “Bud” Myers Lower Burrell Farmers Market will begin its summer season from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Bon Air Elementary School parking lot. “The market is all about...
Kiski Area budget would see tax hike in Westmoreland, tax cut in Armstrong
Westmoreland County property owners in Kiski Area School District could see a tax hike next year, but those in Armstrong County could get a tax cut. A preliminary budget approved this week would raise the tax rate 6.8% in the district’s eight Westmoreland County communities while decreasing the rate 7.7%...
Pickleball coming soon to Oakmont’s Riverside Park
Oakmont is hopping on the pickleball bandwagon. Council voted Monday, May 20, to award the contract for the Oakmont Borough Park Improvement project to Dun Rite Construction & Paving of Tarentum. The more than $251,000 project will take place at Riverside Park to help foster a community-friendly activity space. “I’d...
The Stroller, May 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. Commemorative book planned by Leechburg Anniversary Committee The Leechburg 175th Anniversary...
Burrell merges athletic and facilities director positions, furloughs 1 as district assesses tax hike
In an effort to save money, Burrell School District officials have combined two administration jobs, creating a new position to oversee its athletics department and building operations. The school board on Tuesday appointed Brian Ferra as director of athletics and building operations. The district eliminated the facilities director position held...
Deer Lakes School Board eyeing 6.9% property tax increase
Deer Lakes School District residents likely will see a tax increase after the board approved a tentative $43.8 million budget. The plan calls for a 6.9% increase in property taxes, setting the rate at 24.25 mills, up from 22.69. It was approved Tuesday by a vote of 7-2, with board...
More vendors are welcome at First Fridays in Sharpsburg
Crafters, candle makers, jewelry designers, food vendors and others looking to set up shop would be hard-pressed to find a better price for a spot than free. When and where is this opportunity? That would be First Fridays in Sharpsburg. The monthly event, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the...
Aspinwall, Fox Chapel councils approve funding boosts for Foxwall EMS
Aspinwall and Fox Chapel councils have approved increased annual contributions to the boroughs’ ambulance provider. Foxwall EMS officials had requested $40,000 and $60,000, respectively, from the communities they serve. Acting EMS Chief Gino Mollica said the money was necessary to boost salaries and wages for staff retention and recruitment. “I...
Natural gas well fracking plans on hold in Indiana Township
A decision regarding a rezoning request in Indiana Township that could pave the way for new gas well construction won’t come for two months. The township’s planning commission voted 4-0 Wednesday night, May 22 before an overflow crowd to postpone its decision on a proposal by Cranberry-based MPF Management for...
Experts encourage property reassessment at Allegheny County public hearing
Allegheny County could be on a collision course with a countywide property reassessment, and experts at a Wednesday public hearing encouraged the county to take that step. Several public school districts across Allegheny County have voiced support of a countywide reassessment, and Pittsburgh Public School district has actually sued to...
Kiski Area AD Peterman retiring after long career in athletic administration
Kiski Area senior Eliza Miller will run the 1,600 meters Friday morning and the 800 meters Saturday afternoon at the PIAA Class 3A track and field championships at Shippensburg. John Peterman will be there to watch her compete in her final high school event before heading off to Duquesne. For...
Memory of slain police chief sparks project to line Arnold, New Kensington road with flags
When Raymond Laughlin watched the funeral procession for Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire make its way along Freeport Road in New Kensington more than a year ago, it occurred to him that lining the road with American flags would have been a fitting tribute to McIntire. Thus was born the...
The Stroller, May 22, 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. Fridays on Fifth event to feature food, music and more The...
Gun thefts from cars surge; police urge owners to secure firearms
The rate of guns being stolen from cars has tripled over the past decade, and in many cases the thieves didn’t have to work very hard to get their hands on another person’s weapon, officials say. Often, they’re swiping firearms from unlocked vehicles parked just outside gun owners’ homes. “Such...
Indiana Township rezoning would accommodate fracking off Route 910
Indiana Township resident Michael Quinn is frustrated by thoughts of more fracking in his community. His home along Eisele Road sits not far from a gas well constructed in the past several years. “The noise is constant — a din — and the truck traffic is ridiculous,” Quinn said in...
Defense seeks dismissal of charges for father charged with son’s murder in New Kensington
Lawyers for a Brackenridge man who faces a potential death penalty for the alleged murder of his 9-year-old son in New Kensington claim prosecutors violated the state’s standard for a speedy trial. They asked a Westmoreland County judge Tuesday to dismiss homicide and other related charges against Jean Charles, 44,...
Fox Chapel Council approves new solar panel project for public works facility
Fox Chapel officials are continuing their efforts to improve energy efficiency through solar means. Council unanimously approved a $70,700 contract with Energy Independent Solutions to install solar panels at the public works operations facility behind the borough building along Fox Chapel Road. The vote took place May 20. EIS was...
Stay cool: Find your pool’s opening day and hours
Swimming pools across the region are set to open soon. Here’s when pools near you will open for the summer season: Allegheny County • Boyce Park Wave Pool, Monroeville: Opens June 1, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For more information, visit alleghenycounty.us or call 724-325-4667. • Deer...
