Valley News Dispatch category, Page 161
Highlands’ Summer Fun Runs to bring reading, STEAM, snacks to children while school’s out
Highlands library specialist Kristen Gettens is ready for summer fun — but it’s not because the longtime teacher is counting down the days to vacation. She’ll be motoring the district’s Ram Van through Fawn, Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum to promote reading and prevent learning loss. “We are very excited about...
The Stroller, May 20, 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. Anniversary celebration set at Concordia at Rebecca Concordia at Rebecca Residence,...
Safety courses encouraged for motorcyclists as peak riding weather nears
Rhonda Diercks knows firsthand the importance of motorcycle safety. In 2020, another motorcyclist collided with her while she was riding her motorcycle, causing her to lose a leg. Now, she stresses the importance of safe riding to her students and instructors as facilitator of a state-approved motorcycle safety class held...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from May 9-15, 2024
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, the Tribune-Review’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate,...
Faces of the Valley: Teenage trio starts faith-based charitable endeavor in Freeport
Who says social media is all bad for young people? A YouTube video gave 16-year-old Dawson Gaillot the idea to start The Hope Project, a Catholic charitable venture whose first undertaking is a hygiene pantry along High and Fifth streets in Freeport. After watching the video in January, the Freeport...
Indiana Township teen Mira Owens takes top prize in Congressional Art Competition for 17th District
Sixteen-year-old Mira Owens pays a lot of attention to what’s around her. The self-taught artist from Indiana Township is an ardent observer, which provides all the inspiration she needs to develop her passion for art. “I have a sketchbook or drawing utensil with me everywhere I go, as well as...
Plum foundation honoring junior firefighter awards scholarship
A foundation created to remember a teen from Plum has awarded its first scholarship to a junior firefighter graduating from the borough’s school district. Jennifer Martinez created The Mark Matesic Memorial Foundation shortly after her 16-year-old son died by suicide in March 2022. Fascinated with trucks, especially firetrucks, since he...
The Stroller, May 19, 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 shredding event planned Thursday A free mobile shredding event will...
Highland Hose firefighters mark 50 years of service
Dave Torrence vividly remembers his first fire call in 1974 with the Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company — it was the night he joined the Tarentum department. “I got in bed and the whistle blew,” said Torrence, 72, a lifelong borough resident. “I just thought, ‘Here we go.’ ” Fellow...
Allegheny Valley School District budget proposes 2.65% tax increase
Property owners in the Allegheny Valley School District could see a 2.65% tax increase next school year. District Finance Director Hamsini Rajgopal is proposing a $25.8 million budget for the 2024-25 school year. A property owner with a median assessed value of $85,900 would pay $1,837 annually in taxes, Rajgopal...
Highlands launches summer tech internship
The Highlands School District is offering a unique summer internship for students who want to test the tech waters. Students in grades 8 to 11 have an opportunity to shadow the district’s technology department during two separate sessions that last about 10 days each. Positions are unpaid but Superintendent Monique...
Interest in policing rebounds, earns Burrell students spots in citizen police academy
Eyeing a career in criminal justice, Burrell High School student Mariah Kaiser wants to figure out why people commit crimes. “I’ve always been interested in law enforcement in general,” said Kaiser, 16. “I want to have a better understanding to why people do what they do.” Kaiser and eight other...
The Stroller, May 18, 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. Safety town camp planned for children Mary, Queen of Apostles School,...
New Kensington police investigate phone store robbery
New Kensington police are searching for a man who is accused of robbing a business Friday evening. Westmoreland County Public Safety officials said officers were dispatched shortly after 7 p.m. to the AT&T store at 270 Tarentum Bridge Road. No injuries were reported. Officials said the suspect was described as...
Man arrested after he tried to mail cocaine from New Kensington to California, police say
A man was arrested when, police say, he tried to mail about 2 pounds of cocaine to California from the New Kensington post office. Jonathan Ray Booher, 33, was arraigned Friday before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. on charges filed by the Office of Attorney General of...
Frazer police arrest California man linked to gift card scams in 6 states
A Walmart at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer proved to be the last stop in an alleged scammer’s nationwide crime spree. Frazer police arrested Zhixiang Chen, 19, of San Gabriel, Calif., on Wednesday after their license plate readers alerted them to a silver Toyota sedan linked to 16 other...
Members of Pittsburgh-area Mustang club pay visit to New Kensington career & technology school
The lone “pony” in the stable at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center had some visitors Friday morning. Members of the Greater Pittsburgh Mustang Club brought about a dozen of their Ford Mustang “pony cars” to put on a car show for students at the New Kensington school. They...
Golfers still hitting the links, trying to shoot their age, at 86 and 90 years young
Ron Owen of O’Hara is the “spring chicken” when enjoying a round of golf with longtime golfing friends at the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel. That’s because, at 75, Owen frequently covers 18 holes with his 86- and 90-year-old golf comrades Walter Meloy and Tom Bigley, both formerly of...
Leechburg elementary students ‘pumped’ for first science olympiad
McKenzie Rollinson enjoys science, even if it isn’t her best subject. “I’m not really good at science, but I’m pretty decent at it,” McKenzie, 10, said as she participated in the first-ever science olympiad this week at David L. Leech Elementary School in Leechburg. Students in third through fifth grades...
It’s all love for Kiski Area High School’s new tennis courts
After dealing with a web of cracks and faded lines for years, Kiski Area High School tennis players have a home court they can be proud of. The Kiski Area School District unveiled five restored tennis courts May 8 with a U.S. Open-style blue and green color palette. The courts...
Pancake tacos lead the lineup of sweet eats at G&G Restaurant in Vandergrift
A random plastic taco holder in Pittsburgh’s Strip District served as inspiration for a quirky, tasty twist on traditional pancakes at G&G Restaurant in Vandergrift. “I just looked at it and thought that would be cool to stick a pancake into,” said G&G co-owner Chris Kakias, creator of a variety...
Class Reunions in the Alle-Kiski Valley, May 17, 2024
Class Reunions • Freeport High School Class of 1964 is planning a reunion this year. Classmates are asked to send their telephone number, email address, home address and level of interest in attending to either George Contie Blackburn, 724-321-6418 or Georgie.blackburn@blackburnsmed.com or Carol Wetter Kepple, 724-353-1086 or rckepple@consolidated.net. • Burrell...
The Stroller, May 17, 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. A-K Valley Historical Society Flea-tique to open season The Alle-Kiski Valley...
Art therapy program boosts well-being of Allegheny Valley School District students
Students in the Allegheny Valley School District are turning to art as an additional way to support their mental well-being. Melissa Holler, the district’s director of pupil services, said the district has implemented an art therapy program. It has done so by contracting with the Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy,...
Lower Burrell first responders receive new fire truck, ambulance
Several years of fundraising and waiting finally paid off for Lower Burrell’s Kinloch Volunteer Fire Company. Kinloch took delivery of a new pumper truck at the end of April. The company has been raising money for the past two or three years to assist with its purchase, Chief Ted Hereda...
