Valley News Dispatch category, Page 179
Cheswick man sentenced to federal prison for failure to register as a sex offender
A Cheswick man has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender, officials announced Friday. U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the 21-month sentence on Roy W. Knoch, 51. Authorities said from May 2022 until around November 2022 Knoch failed...
Stewart Elementary students get a look at the sky through portable planetarium experience
Students at Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell got a closer look at Stonehenge and Pittsburgh’s night sky — all from the “comfort” of the school’s gymnasium floor. On Thursday and Friday, members of the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh visited the school...
Girl recovering after being hit by vehicle in New Kensington
A 9-year-old girl hit by a car Thursday evening in New Kensington is expected to be OK, city police said Friday. The incident on Seventh Street at Meade Avenue was reported at 5:40 p.m., a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said. Dan Hockenberry, who lives on one corner of the four-way...
Book vending machine doles out reading excitement at Riverview’s Verner ElementaryVideo
A new addition to Verner Elementary School has young students turning the page on how they think about vending machines. For two weeks, the mystery surrounding what was inside a large, covered box in the school’s hallway had K-6 students guessing what the surprise might be. The young Riverview School...
Arnold Council sets the framework to agree to a new police contract next month
Arnold Council will vote at its April 9 meeting on several measures involving the police department, including contract revisions. Five actions were listed on council’s March agenda when it met this week, but all were tabled. Those items included: • A four-year contract for newly hired police Chief Josh Stanga;...
The Stroller, March 15, 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. Apollo Meals on Wheels seeking volunteers Apollo Area Meals on Wheels...
It’s ‘lights on’ for Southern Armstrong police cars at night
Motorists traveling in Freeport, Gilpin and Ford City can’t say they didn’t notice the police car anymore. All seven police cruisers in the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department’s fleet now travel at night with steady red and blue lights illuminated, a move that officials hope will make police more visible...
7th man pleads guilty for role in New Kensington man’s shooting death
A Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Thursday for his role in the events that led to the July 2022 shooting death of a man outside a New Kensington apartment building. Raquan Carpenter, 20, was among the seven men and teens charged with criminal homicide in connection with...
Springdale looks for new football field, coach for upcoming season
The Allegheny Valley School Board is hoping to answer two key unknowns about the district’s football program at its meeting Tuesday — where the team will play and who will be its coach. The school directors will consider authorizing the administration to secure an off-site football field for the fall....
VOPP Trail project to be discussed at Plum meeting
The first public meeting in Plum on a $20 million trail connecting the borough with Penn Hills, Oakmont and Verona will be held in April. Plans for the VOPP Trail — short for Verona, Oakmont, Penn Hills and Plum — will be discussed during the gathering from 6 to 8...
Escape bags, protective wear to be upgraded at Citizens Hose
Personal escape bags with gear to rappel down buildings will be among the items upgraded at Citizens Hose in Harrison, the township’s primary rescue company. “If the guys are on the second or third floor and they have to go out the window, we have to have these in good...
Aspinwall adds a new full-time police officer, raises fees for certain permits, applications
The Aspinwall Police Department recently added some manpower. Council approved the hiring of a new full-time officer, Marcus Brommell of Shaler. Brommell was sworn in by Mayor Joe Noro on March 13. His start date was scheduled for March 16. Brommell, 35, said he moved from Connecticut to Shaler about...
First Fridays in Sharpsburg growing every month
An effort to showcase Sharpsburg businesses and promote the borough is gaining momentum. First Fridays was launched by the Sharpsburg Business Group and organized by Katie Sirianni of Love, Katie Distilling in January. Several businesses stayed open a little later. Some had special promotions. North Canal Street closed between Main...
Another top administrator resigns from Leechburg Area School District, plans to return to teaching
The Leechburg Area School District is losing another administrator — but not the employee. Doug Rodgers is leaving his role as middle and high school principal to return to teaching in the district next fall. The board voted to accept Rodgers’ resignation Wednesday, although school officials referred to him only...
Driver injured in Upper Burrell crash
A motorist was transported to the hospital Thursday morning after their vehicle overturned in Upper Burrell. According to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher, first responders freed the motorist from the wreckage that happened shortly after 7 a.m. on Seventh Street Road, between White Cloud Road and Dewey Drive. Additional details...
The Stroller, March 14, 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. Tribute concert to Patsy Cline planned A concert featuring the music...
Plum School District budget projection shows tax increases for next 5 school years
Plum School District property taxes could increase every year for the next five school years as the district works to fund its operations, pay for a $30 million building project and bring back full-day kindergarten. District administrators still are working on the $74.1 million 2024-25 budget. The school board is...
Unveiling of New Kensington ‘wings’ to precede 3rd annual Restaurant Ramble
The 13th Wings Across Westmoreland about to be unveiled in New Kensington will be the first to feature color. The wings are set to debut in a park at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street during a ceremony Saturday, March 23, just ahead of New Kensington’s third annual...
‘Arts Alive’ exhibition shows off talents of Alle-Kiski Valley high school students
Each year, the Alle-Kiski Arts Consortium pulls together “Arts Alive,” a display of artworks by area high school students, at the Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery. The show will be open to the public until March 22. The show is made up of art produced by students from five...
Misty Slavic resigns as Kiski Area superintendent
Kiski Area is the latest school district in Westmoreland County searching for a new superintendent, as Misty Slavic announced she will step aside after more than two years leading the district. School board members were informed Monday with a 90-day notice. In an email to TribLive, Slavic attributed her resignation...
Pirates Pierogies highlight Highlands engagement night
It was almost better than a ballgame at PNC Park when Highlands Middle School hosted its Parent Engagement Night on Tuesday, complete with a race against the Pittsburgh Pirates Pierogies. The district’s mascot, Rammie, gave Jalapeno Hannah and Sauerkraut Saul a run for their money on the track at Golden...
Glen’s Frozen Custard production facility to open soon in Lower Burrell; stands reopen Thursday
A new Glen’s Frozen Custard production facility in Lower Burrell soon will be churning out products. The facility at the location of the former Clementine’s Family Restaurant at 2604 Leechburg Road is set to be operational in a few weeks, said Eli Wilson, Glen’s president and fourth-generation owner. The building...
Beattie students advance to Hershey for SkillsUSA project that helps peers in need
Malea O’Neill was shocked to learn just how many of her fellow students at A.W. Beattie Career Center often lack basic necessities in their daily lives. “It was honestly sad to learn how much of a need there is for things that I have always taken for granted. Hearing that...
The Stroller, March 13, 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. Bowling party fundraiser to aid Animal Protectors The Pins for Pets...
Regional riverfront plans in Tarentum, Cheswick move forward
Plans for fishing and boating access along the riverfronts in Cheswick and Tarentum just took a step forward. Officials in both boroughs have been eyeing their riverfronts for more than a year with the goal of developing parks that could attract more recreational use that boosts local economies. But money...
