Valley News Dispatch category, Page 163
Interim principal appointed at Burrell’s Stewart; middle school principals promoted
A Burrell School District administrator will stand in as Stewart Elementary’s principal in what could be the final year of the school. Autumn Turk, Burrell’s director of curriculum and development, was appointed interim principal at Stewart for the 2024-25 school year, school directors voted Tuesday. “She’ll do both jobs for...
Kiski Township police chief no longer in charge; Southern Armstrong nixes merger talks
Lee Bartolicius is out as Kiski Township police chief, a township official confirmed, sending the department back into disarray and spoiling merger talks with Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department. Township Secretary Patrick Bono said he was informed by township supervisors this week that Bartolicius is “not here anymore,” with Officer...
Deer Lakes School Board resistant to posting meetings online, says member Leonard Verdetto
People who can’t tune in live to the Deer Lakes School Board meetings are out of luck, according to new board member Leonard Verdetto. The board meets the second and third Tuesdays of each month in the high school library. Meetings are available live on Zoom, through which people can...
The Stroller, June 21, 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. Freeport Pride Stroll planned Sunday The fifth annual Freeport Pride Stroll...
Alle-Kiski High School Reunion News – June 21, 2024
Publicize your class’s high school reunion announcement. Send information as soon as possibleto vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. • The Pegtown Reunion will be at 1 p.m. July 28 at Apollo Spring Church Sportsman Club, 1945 Route 56, Kiski...
W.L. Roenigk co-owner remembered as humble driver and loving family man
Most people dread it, but Dave Roenigk died doing what he loved: cutting grass. On Wednesday morning, he was mowing and waving to passing cars near the Buffalo Township headquarters of his family’s school bus company, W.L. Roenigk. He was trimming along a pond, with plans to teach his grandchildren...
Plum SummerFest at Larry Mills Park returns with traditional 3-day event
Plum’s three-day seasonal celebration at Larry Mills Park has begun. SummerFest kicked off Thursday evening with a mix of carnival rides and games across from nonprofit and community group booths and food trucks. It is the same layout as last year with C&L Shows providing all the bells and whistles,...
Burrell School District budget raises taxes 5.8%
Burrell School District officials say the district is suffering from stagnant property value growth, and taxpayers will foot the bill for it. The district’s final 2024-25 budget of $36.6 million includes a 5.8% property tax hike. The 6.5-mill increase will bring the district’s millage rate to 117.5, the highest of...
Growing demand prompts $2.5M expansion at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel
Books are still the star of the show at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel, but the space draws a growing number of people for classes, programs and lending of nontraditional items. “Although the library offers a place for people and small groups to work or study in quiet, patrons...
The Stroller, June 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. Back the Blue fundraiser to include music, car show The fifth...
New rate designs recommended for Springdale water customers
Springdale officials are considering two options for changing the way it bills for water service, one of which could raise rates for residential customers. The borough in May decided to undergo the rate study, saying that since the $7 million water plant was completed in 2020, officials have not done...
Former North Braddock cop indicted on drug trafficking charges
Editor’s note: This story was changed to remove references to the arrest happening in Plum. Incorrect information was provided by the state police. A former police officer was indicted on drug trafficking charges. Craig William Gibson, 47, of McKeesport, a former North Braddock police officer, is accused of trafficking drugs...
Police say Harrison shooting could have been a drug deal gone bad
Allegheny County Police describe a shooting Monday in Harrison’s Sheldon Park plan as a botched drug deal. According to court documents, Albert Pittman, 15, of Harrison approached a 33-year-old man at the housing complex and “asked for bud,” meaning marijuana. As the pair walked around one of the apartment units,...
Driver may have fallen asleep in fatal Buffalo Township crash
Police continue to investigate after one person was killed after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning along Ekastown Road in Buffalo Township. Butler County 911 said the crash involving a vehicle and pedestrian was reported shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday. The Butler County Coroner’s Office pronounced the victim dead...
East Deer commissioners oppose idea for bike lanes along busy Freeport Road
East Deer commissioners put the brakes on a plan to install bike lanes along Freeport Road as part of the township’s leg of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Chairman Tony Taliani said he opposes the idea because of the effect on already-tight parking on the west side of the road....
Philips Respironics moves could net more workers in Westmoreland County
Dutch health technology giant Philips Respironics’ planned phase-out of manufacturing operations in Westmoreland County may result in 300 job cuts at its Murrysville and Upper Burrell locations. The news was disappointing to local officials, but they are confident local economies can rebound. The company will be missed, Upper Burrell Supervisor...
Oakmont Bakery parking lot plan aims to ease traffic near busy sweet shop
Oakmont officials are considering vacating land along Cedar Way to make room for Oakmont Bakery to build a new parking lot. According to bakery owner Marc Serrao, the idea for the lot came as a solution for the consistent traffic on Third Street. “We are trying to keep people from...
The Stroller, June 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. Volunteers, household donations welcome for Hospitality Homes The Hospitality Homes division...
Plum police ask for help identifying man at scene of burglary
Plum police are asking for the public’s help to identify a man seen at the scene of the burglary of a house of worship in May. The burglary at the Imamia Organization of Pittsburgh on Pierson Run Road happened May 21 and was reported to police May 23, police Chief...
Illuminated crosswalk signs installed along Freeport Road in Blawnox’s business district
Motorists driving through Blawnox have some new lights to look out for. The borough recently installed solar-powered illuminated crosswalk signs at four intersections along Freeport Road. They are located at North, Cable and McKinley avenues as well as Humbolt Street. Police Chief Patrick Goodman said those locations were approved by...
15-year-old arrested in Harrison shooting
Allegheny County Police charged a 15-year-old boy as an adult in connection with a shooting Monday in the Sheldon Park housing complex in Harrison. Albert Pittman of Harrison’s Natrona Heights section is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, tampering with physical evidence, firearms not to be carried without a license...
Police say Arnold woman smeared attacker’s shirt with her blood as evidence
A 67-year-old Arnold woman smeared her own blood on the shirt of a man attacking her in her home so there would be evidence in case he killed her, according to police. Cue Anthony Freckleton, 28, is accused of forcing his way into the woman’s home Monday night and sexually...
Re:Build begins manufacturing operations in completed 1st phase of New Kensington park
A little over a year after the announcement of an $81 million investment in New Kensington, the first phase of Re:Build Manufacturing’s facility is complete. It consists of about 100,000 square feet of space in the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park, which spans New Kensington and Arnold along the Allegheny...
The Stroller, June 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. Monthly Breaking Bread dinner planned at Knead Community Cafe Knead Community...
Market begins heating up for 2025 U.S. Open rental properties in and around Oakmont
A rental frenzy is underway in Oakmont and surrounding communities in anticipation of the 2025 U.S. Open Championship. Some homeowners already are looking to cash in, potentially raking in big bucks, by renting out their homes to golf fans, who will be flocking to the borough for the June 12...
