Valley News Dispatch category, Page 208
Clean finish: Penn Hills native calls it a career after 35 years in the ring
The end of last year was the end of an era for a Springdale man. Shawn Patrick, known in Western Pennsylvania pro wrestling circuits as “The Pride of Springdale,” is putting away his bow tie and suspenders after 35 years as a referee. The 1983 Dynamo grad and former Springdale...
‘They fit just right’: Kids of Steel at Acmetonia Elementary win running shoes
Some students at Acmetonia Elementary School will now be running in style. Representatives from Kids of Steel, a program that promotes healthy living for children and families, presented red, white and blue Brooks Trace running shoes for each of the 28 fifth- and sixth-grade students at Acmetonia’s running club Wednesday....
Power restored after St. Lad’s demo goes awry
Conrad Zylinski was in the middle of cleaning his oven Wednesday when the power to his Spruce Street home in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood went out. He blamed crews from Minniefield Demolition Services, who are working this week to raze St. Ladislaus Church. “A guy running the crane knocked a bunch...
Plum mobile home park appeals borough’s denial of expansion plans
The owner of a Plum mobile home park is appealing the borough’s rejection of its expansion plans. Plum Creek MHC filed an appeal in Allegheny County Court seeking to reverse the borough zoning hearing board’s denial of its request to add 21 manufactured home sites — for a total of...
West Leechburg firefighters take delivery of new firetruck
West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department officials are ramping up fundraising to pay for a new custom firefighting vehicle. The department purchased a 2023 Pierce Saber Tanker for $572,000 using two loans, one from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the other from Kansas State Bank. The new truck replaces a...
Oakmont to make improvements to borough’s wastewater treatment
Oakmont residents can expect a change in their water treatment over the next few years. In 2021, borough officials began a project to improve and modernize the wastewater treatment plant on Ann Street. “With the recent improvements and upgrades to the Plum Creek Interceptor and renovation to the Plum Creek...
At-large council seat available in Tarentum
There is an at-large council seat available in Tarentum. Residents from any borough ward can apply to fill the four-year term. Council Vice President Lou Ann Homa said she’s hoping for someone who wants to help the borough succeed and is able to work with the current council. “I’d also...
Oakmont Bakery serves up Mason Rudolph cupcakes for Steelers playoffs
As soon as the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a playoff spot, Samantha Serrao knew Oakmont Bakery needed a new football-related treat. The Rudolph Cupcake was born — a shoutout to quarterback Mason Rudolph ahead of Sunday’s wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills. “It was kind of like a group effort,” said...
Historic mansion reopens as cafe in Leechburg
A long-shuttered historic mansion in Leechburg has reopened as the 1st Street Cafe. The cafe occupies the space in the building formerly known as the Addison House Restaurant & Lounge. Serving specialty coffees and homemade desserts, the cafe opens at 6 a.m. and is the retirement project of Devra Gromley...
Plum school renovation options could come with tax increase
Plum property owners could be facing another tax increase, this one to pay for school building projects. On Tuesday, financial advisers gave Plum’s school board four options to pay for potential building projects. The options would add anywhere from $117 to $275 to the annual tax bill for residents of...
Charah files notice to appeal injunction decision regarding boiler house in Springdale
The owner of the former power plant in Springdale has 21 days to show how an Allegheny County court erred in granting a preliminary pause to imploding the boiler house at the site. Allegheny County Judge John T. McVay Jr. ordered Tuesday that Charah Solutions has 21 days to file...
The Stroller, Jan. 10, 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. Food sale to benefit hospital auxiliary Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will...
Tractor-trailer cab burns in Oakmont, no injuriesVideo
No one was injured but traffic had to be detoured when a tractor-trailer cab caught on fire Tuesday afternoon on Allegheny Avenue near the Riverside Community Church in Oakmont. Oakmont firefighters responded to the blaze just before 5 p.m., according to fire Chief Joe Flanick. The fire occurred as the...
Redcat Power working to resolve arcing transformer in Tarentum
Tarentum officials are working to resolve an arcing transformer. The malfunctioning equipment is near Third and Bridge streets. The borough’s Redcat Power staff are on the scene. “We want to assure all residents that we are fully aware of this matter and are actively responding to resolve it,” Manage Dwight...
Age no barrier for newly elected female mayor in Leechburg
Doreen Smeal of Leechburg received a unique gift on her 70th birthday. A mayoral title. She was sworn in Dec. 29 as the second female mayor of the borough she has called home her entire life. “I live in my late grandfather’s house,” Smeal said Monday while stopping by the...
Plum honors Rustic Ridge resident for heroism, elevates interim manager
Plum has honored a man for his heroism in the aftermath of the Rustic Ridge explosion, while also taking a step to help the borough’s government move forward from the August catastrophe that left six dead. Greg Renko, president of the Rustic Ridge homeowners association, received a proclamation honoring him...
Police accuse Parks Township man of stealing thousands from relatives’ bank account
A Parks Township man is accused of stealing more than $9,000 from his parents’ bank account, police said. Brandon Watterson, 52, was charged via summons Friday by state police with six felony counts, including theft, theft by deception and access device fraud. Watterson faces a preliminary hearing March 28 before...
No injuries reported in Lower Burrell school bus crash
No injuries were reported Tuesday morning when a school bus carrying students rear-ended a car in Lower Burrell. The fender bender occurred about 9:30 a.m. in the area of Puckety Church Road and Route 56. Police described the incident as minor. The Burrell School District was on a two-hour delay....
Fox Chapel Area School District officials approve new security upgrades
Fox Chapel Area School District officials are starting off the new year by spending nearly $379,000 on security upgrades. Board members unanimously voted Monday night to approve an approximately $254,900 proposal from Convergint Technologies and a five-year deal with AEC Group at a cost of about $123,700. The meeting agenda...
Harrison police warn of attempted Kia, Hyundai thefts
Would-be thieves appear to be targeting Kias and Hyundais in Harrison, according to township police. Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said there has been an uptick in people trying to steal the two makes of vehicles over the past month, with at least five cases reported. “They both seem to...
The Stroller, Jan. 9, 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. Donations welcome for veterans canine support dogs Angels for Everyday Heroes,...
Surviving crash ‘truly a miracle’ for Citizens Hose EMT
A Citizens Hose EMT is lucky to be alive after being struck by a vehicle and thrown nearly 30 yards while responding to a Harrison road made treacherous by ice and snow Saturday. Kelly Jackson of Tarentum was clipped by a vehicle as it slid down Burtner Road before striking...
Crash injures at least 1 on Route 8 near Etna
Route 8 between Kittanning Street and Route 28 in Etna has reopened in both directions after being closed for several hours Monday afternoon following a crash in which two men were hospitalized. Allegheny County dispatch said calls for the vehicle rollover came in about 2:30 p.m. Etna police and firefighters...
Man accused of felony aggravated assault following West Deer bar fight
A West Deer man faces a felony aggravated assault charge after, police say, he hit a man with a pool cue. Michael Richard Skiles, 49, was arrested and charged Friday. A preliminary hearing before District Judge Tom Swan is scheduled for Jan. 24. West Deer police said they, along with...
Tarentum looking to fill council vacancy
Tarentum Council has a vacancy to fill but it won’t be clear until Tuesday who can apply for the position. Council President Scott Dadowski won two seats in the November election, his 2nd Ward term and the at-large position. He declined to say which seat he will accept until Tuesday’s...
