Valley News Dispatch category, Page 165

A boy is recovering in a local hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Arnold. Arnold interim police Chief Rob Haus said the incident took place around 3 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Freeport Road and Rankin Street. Haus said the child was flown via medical helicopter for...

A Harrison nurse charged with killing two nursing home residents and attempting to kill 17 others by deliberately giving them lethal doses of insulin indicated her wish to plead guilty during a short court appearance Friday. Heather Pressdee, 41, appeared to be frustrated with her defense attorneys when they asked...

Public criticism comes with being an elected official, but Vandergrift officials think it’s going too far. At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Lenny Collini brought up criticisms of the mayor and council appearing on social media. “I’m extremely uncomfortable with the social media going around about our town,” Collini said....

Catholics celebrating Valentine’s Day might want to find a seafood restaurant or meatless dining option — or choose a different day to celebrate altogether. The Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Diocese of Greensburg confirmed this week that they are adhering to fasting and no meat on Ash Wednesday, which is...

Brackenridge resident Liz Myers says being a “girl mom” sometimes means having to stand up for certain rights. A Highlands School District policy that bans middle school students from carrying purses, belt bags and fanny packs around the school has Myers fighting for her daughter’s privacy, she said. As outlined...

There’s more to Valentine’s Day than roses and a box of chocolates — although a sweet cocoa treat never disappoints. Businesses across the region have found clever ways to elevate their offerings and make gift-giving a unique experience. From brandy-soaked cherries to bacon dipped in dark chocolate, these sweets help...

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. Annual bird count event planned in Harrison Hills Park Friends of...

To have your nonprofit’s fish fry added to this listing, send information as soon as possible to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. All menus are subject to change and availability. Events begin either Ash Wednesday or Friday, Feb. 16. Allegheny Township Markle Volunteer Fire Department, 470 Joyce St., 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through...

Grant Becker had just left work at the Pittsburgh Mills shopping complex in Frazer when he heard a giant crunch. Becker’s car hit a pothole on Pittsburgh Mills Boulevard that he said was more like the size of a crater. “It was humongous,” said Becker of Springdale Township. “It had...

Courtney Kobelenske is excited about the possibilities a new community center in Lower Burrell can provide. “I think it would work well for people that need it. We could use it, other individuals could use it,” said Kobelenske, who organizes the AK Inclusion Games and helps to coordinate work opportunities...

A Westmoreland County jury deliberated more than five hours before returning guilty verdicts against a Vandergrift man for the sexual assaults of two children. Following a three-day trial that ended Wednesday night, Timothy Robert Johnson, 38, was found guilty of nine felony counts including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, conspiracy, indecent...

Police had to twice use a Taser on an Arnold man as officers struggled to arrest him in December, according to court records released this week. At least one police officer was injured. The incident began after New Kensington Officer Tyler Balla saw Anthony Marsalis Howell, 36, of Arnold walking...

A new Sheetz under construction in Plum is tentatively scheduled to open in May, a spokesman for the Altoona-based convenience store chain said. When the new convenience store and gas station on Golden Mile Highway at Presque Isle Drive opens, the existing smaller store nearby at Pine Valley Drive will...

An anonymous member of the Plum School District community recently gave the district $500 to cover student lunch debt at Holiday Park Intermediate School. While generous and appreciated, the donation took only a small bite out of what is routinely a big problem. The district is carrying more than $45,000...

The lesson in Scott Andrews’ fifth grade English Language Arts class Wednesday was about sentence structure. But as students worked through their assignments, it wasn’t just Andrews teaching. Chelsea Brody, a special education teacher, was working in tandem with Andrews and the students as part of a co-teaching program at...

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. Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds for Burrell Education Foundation The annual Burrell...

Preliminary discussions between O’Hara and Blawnox officials about merging police departments have begun. The plan so far is to have Blawnox officers become township police and serve under Superintendent Jay Davis, O’Hara Manager Julie Jakubec announced at a workshop meeting Feb. 6. She repeatedly stressed talks are in the very...

A spicy way to honor a Sharpsburg man and support his hometown will take place later this month. The Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off is planned for Friday, Feb. 23, at the borough building, 1611 Main St. The event takes place the day after National Chili Day and is designed...

Members of Highlands varsity band boosters fear that someone is running an online scam to collect craft show registration fees and defraud the group from its profits. “I’ve had a couple people call to let me know they’ve received emails to pay with PayPal,” said Desirae Dunmire, the boosters’ vice...

Plans for more development along New Kensington’s Tarentum Bridge Road commercial district have been approved. City council on Monday unanimously approved three resolutions related to the construction of a Harbor Freight tools store and a Starbucks cafe in Riverview Plaza. Their construction follows a new Aldi grocery store, which opened...

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. Grants available to Westmoreland County performing arts groups The Westmoreland County...

People who attend Indiana Township supervisor meetings, particularly ones involving proposed development, know seating can be a problem. There soon might be a way to watch the local government in action without having to travel to the town hall. Supervisors are expected to decide whether to livestream their meetings. Their...

Fox Chapel Area sophomore Theo Tedesco is a self-described steward of the Earth, passionate about bringing science and exploration to underserved children. He has spent three summers volunteering at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, helping youngsters discover the 134-acre sanctuary that is Audubon Society’s headquarters in Fox Chapel. The 16-year-old also...

A New Kensington police officer had to threaten to use a Taser on a man who fought with officers inside a city cell, police said in court records. The incident happened after officers went to a Fifth Avenue business Friday night in response to a report of an intoxicated man...

Sharpsburg officials want renters to feel safe and confident while living in the borough. One way they plan to accomplish that goal is through a recently enacted ordinance. The law is designed to protect tenants from retaliation for engaging in individual or collective action to secure healthy and safe housing...