Valley News Dispatch category, Page 181
West Deer officials say new municipal building was necessary: ‘There is nowhere else to go’
Construction is ahead of schedule on the $10.6 million West Deer municipal building, which is expected to open by late October. People can watch daily progress through a livestream on the township’s website. “It looks great,” Supervisor John Hollibaugh said. “I’m happy with the progress, and I think everyone will...
East Deer, Lower Burrell gear up for big St. Patrick’s Day events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Two large St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are being held in the Alle-Kiski Valley on Saturday, March 16. St. Patrick’s Day weekend will see the largest event to date at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s East Deer headquarters. Irish City Celebration, an almost-all-day event, is expected to draw nearly 2,000 — more than...
Blawnox War Memorial to be upgraded through committee project
The Blawnox War Memorial will soon be updated and upgraded as part of a borough fundraising effort. Located at the intersection of Freeport Road and North Avenue, the memorial was established in 1991. Its inscription reads, “Dedicated to the men and women of this community who served in all wars.”...
2024 Easter events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Brackenridge • Free Easter celebration, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30 at Generations House of Worship, 1160 Parkside Drive. Children 11 and younger will receive candy bags and there will be a scavenger hunt for children 12 to 18, bounce houses and food trucks. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/ghoweastercelebration2024. Cheswick...
The Stroller, March 8, 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. Seed-sharing library opens in Harrison Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522...
Ethiopian-American new pastor in Lower Burrell says church is about community
The Rev. Owar Ojha Ojulu’s path to Grace Community Presbyterian Church in Lower Burrell is nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Ojulu, 46, recently was named minister of the church at 2751 Grant St. “Church is about the community. Church is about healing people. There’s no church...
Aspinwall officials to address parking via study
It is no secret parking is a problem in Aspinwall. Multiple residents have brought their concerns before council and requested that something be done. “It was one of, if not the most, commented on areas in resident feedback collected during the creation of the comprehensive plan, and it’s something that...
Deer Lakes teacher Mark Vukelich recalled as proud Lancer
Friends are recalling the late Mark Vukelich as a “lifelong Lancer.” A native of West Deer, Vukelich grew up in the Russellton neighborhood. He graduated from Deer Lakes School District in 1989 and went on to teach for 28 years at his alma mater. Vukelich died March 2 at 52....
Riverfront Theater Company opens season with ‘If/Then’
The Riverfront Theater Company opens its 2024 season with a dramatic production that is sure to spur the question, “What if?” The community theater group will present the Pittsburgh premiere of “If/Then,” a stirring and somewhat heart-wrenching show that follows a woman’s two possible life paths. “My character portrays two...
Plum firefighters expecting to use old borough building for training before demolition
Plum’s old borough building will serve one last purpose for the community before it’s torn down. Council is expected to vote Monday on allowing volunteer firefighters with the borough’s four departments to use the New Texas Road building for training. Council appears receptive to the idea. When Holiday Park Fire...
Stella’s Beer Barn reopening in New Kensington with new owner, no limits
Customers will be making fewer trips to and from their cars when Stella’s Beer Barn reopens Sunday in New Kensington. Stella’s will be operating with a distributor license, which removes quantity limits that had been in place when it operated under a restaurant license that had been shared with the...
Water main break results in remote learning day at Highlands Middle School; 2-hour delay for district due to power outage
Power outages and water woes disrupted school operations Thursday in the Highlands School District in Harrison. Highlands Middle School students and staff are learning remotely Thursday because of a water main break Wednesday night at the middle school. Students in grades 5-8 are affected. The remote day applies to only...
The Stroller, March 7, 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. Salvation Army accepting summer camp reservations Reservations for summer camp at...
Trib honors employees who embody company values
Trib Total Media has recognized six employees with its inaugural Core Values Awards. The awards honor employees who exemplify the Trib’s six core values of accountability, collaboration, evolution, integrity, ownership and respect. “These employees are our all-stars,” Trib Total Media President and CEO Jennifer Bertetto said. “Their values make sure...
Blawnox councilman steps down after moving to O’Hara
Blawnox Council has a vacancy. Councilman John Simmons has stepped down after serving the past seven years. He and his wife, Ellie, moved to his hometown of O’Hara. Simmons’ resignation was effective Feb. 29, and council was expected to accept it March 13. Whoever is appointed to fill Simmons’ seat...
Firsthand experience takes the boredom out of Western Pa. civics classes
It isn’t ego that makes Hal Biehl think his civics class at Riverview High School is so valuable for students. “I tell the kids on the first day of class, ‘This is the most important class you’ll have in high school no matter what field you go into because government...
Tarentum man facing sex assault charges arrested in another rape case
A Tarentum man awaiting trial on 2023 charges that he sexually assaulted a 6-year-old girl has been charged in an unrelated rape case. Allegheny County Police on Wednesday said Brian Lee Jefferies, 27, of Roup Street repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a girl when she was between 10 and 13...
Police investigating after man stabbed in West Deer
Allegheny County Police are investigating after a man was stabbed Tuesday evening in West Deer. The 60-year-old victim was taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison with multiple stab wounds. He was being treated in stable condition, according to Jim Madalinsky, county police public information officer. West Deer police were...
Blawnox, Southern Allegheny Valley fire departments upgrade protective gear
Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company is getting a new computer for its engine to aid with dispatch and pinpoint hydrant locations. Chief Jeff Stephens said some of his members also will receive upgraded bunker gear, fittings and adapters, all of which will boost protection at fire scenes. Purchases were assisted by...
Property owners get sticker shock from Westmoreland County tax hike
John Proffitt said he was shocked when he opened his Westmoreland County property tax bill this month. The 91-year-old North Huntingdon resident’s county tax increased to $592, more than 25% over last year’s $471. “It’s ridiculous for it to (go) up that much in one year,” said Proffitt, who owns...
New equipment helps Foxwall EMS with lifesaving measures
Foxwall EMS will have better capabilities to care for cardiac patients and people with severe respiratory issues thanks to the purchase of a portable ventilator. Paramedic Jenifer Swab said the equipment allows for precise control of a patient’s respiratory rate and other measurements of ventilation. It is military grade, weight-based...
The Stroller, March 6, 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. Concordia speakers bureau offers presentations The Concordia Lutheran Ministries Speakers Bureau...
Saxonburg’s borough manager headed to court, accused of shooting dog
Saxonburg’s borough manager is headed to Butler County Common Pleas Court on charges accusing him of shooting his neighbor’s dog. Charges against Steven May were held for court Tuesday after a hearing before District Judge Jack D. Ripper in which eight people testified. May, 43, is charged with a felony...
Judge gives Tarentum killer 15-40 years for beating, strangling, stabbing woman
Juan Hayden didn’t just fatally stab Susan Jeffries in 2019. First, he beat and strangled her. Hayden’s efforts to make the Tarentum woman suffer, along with his history of domestic violence, led prosecutors to seek the maximum penalty of 20 to 40 years in prison when he was sentenced Tuesday...
More lawsuits filed in connection with insulin deaths at Western Pa. nursing homes
Two more wrongful death lawsuits were filed Tuesday against Lower Burrell’s Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in connection with allegations that a Harrison nurse administered fatal doses of insulin to patients there. The latest lawsuits were filed on behalf of the families of former Belair residents Jack Allen Rogers and...
