Valley News Dispatch category, Page 210
Death penalty prosecution can continue against New Kensington man accused of child’s murder
A Westmoreland County judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors have enough evidence to bring a New Kensington man to trial and seek the death penalty for the alleged first-degree murder of a 2-year-old boy in 2020. Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears rejected defense claims that medical evidence was insufficient to prove...
Narcotics agents say Tarentum man on parole for drug conviction arrested for selling cocaine, heroin
A Tarentum man was accused of being a drug dealer after state narcotics agents found cocaine and heroin in his SUV and at his home. Sir John Withrow, 33, of the 100 block of Second Avenue was charged Dec. 21 with two counts of possession of drugs with the intent...
Harrison woman with 4 kids in car charged with DUI, speeding
State police accused a Harrison woman of being drunk and speeding with four children in her car, including an infant who wasn’t buckled in a baby carrier. Tiffany Lynn Carter, 36, of Princeton Avenue was charged Dec. 29 with four felony counts of endangering the welfare of children along with...
East Deer couple faces 11 felony counts, accused of causing 1-year-old’s skull fracture
An East Deer couple face nearly a dozen felony charges after police accused them of causing a skull fracture to a 1-year-old while fighting with the child’s mother. Catalina Hirth, 26, and Lewis Davis, 23, both of the 100 block of Clarks Pike Road, were charged by Allegheny County Police...
Oakmont council swears in new members, selects leadership
Oakmont Council welcomed two new members and one returning member during its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan 2, as Nancy Ride, Jennifer Paris and Deborah L. Ormay were sworn in to serve four-year terms. It is Paris’ and Ormay’s first time serving in an elected office. Ride...
Standout basketball player, coach sentenced to jail for indecent assault, must register as sex offender
A former standout high school and college basketball player who was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage student at a skills school he operated in Ford City was sentenced to 23 months in jail and must register as a sex offender. In October 2022, South Buffalo police charged Mark Anthony...
Blasting began Thursday in West Deer
Some residents in West Deer heard a siren and a blast Thursday around 1 p.m. They’ll have to get used to the commotion — at least until Weaver Homes finishes excavating part of the Ridgewood Heights housing plan. For an estimated three weeks, contractors will set off a charge every...
Oakmont councilwoman resigns, replacement sought
Editor’s note: This story has been amended to correct the the date of council’s next meeting and the names of current council members. Oakmont officials are looking to fill a vacant council seat after the recent resignation of councilwoman Tracey Holst. Holst, a Democrat, submitted her resignation letter Dec. 31....
Morning Roundup: Police say gunfire ends in vehicle crash in Penn Hills; ambulance crashes in Lawrenceville
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Jan. 4: Police say gunfire ends in vehicle crash in Penn Hills Penn Hills police said gunfire resulted in a vehicle crashing into a home Wednesday on Crab Hollow Road, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The incident...
Arnold food pantry warned about leaving food outdoors; service will continue
A few boxes of bananas earned an Arnold food pantry a code violation warning last Saturday. But the warning won’t stop food from being available to those who need it. City code enforcement left a warning notice at The Speed Family Blessing Box and Pantry for leaving four boxes of...
The Stroller, Jan. 4, 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. Local trout club plans annual sport show and flea market The...
Plum welcomes 4 new council members, prepares to make interim manager permanent
Plum has four new council members and might soon have a permanent borough manager with a familiar face. Newly elected Councilmen Dave Majernik, Jerry Purcell and Steve Schlauch were sworn in to office by District Judge Mike Doyle during council’s reorganization Tuesday. Doyle, previously council president, resigned from council in...
Late Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire remembered at candlelight vigil, with his own day in the Highlands School District
A police chief, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his community, was honored a year after his death. Close to 200 people gathered for a vigil at Brackenridge Memorial Park on a cold Wednesday night, warmed a little by candles but mostly by each other, in memory of...
Apollo man accused of selling stolen guitar, biting trooper ordered to stand trial
An Apollo man accused of assaulting a state trooper who arrested him on charges of stealing an electric guitar from a home and selling it to a music shop has been ordered to stand trial. Jack Russell Frain, 34, of the 500 block of Crowe Street was charged with a...
Sharpsburg Councilmembers sworn in; leadership selected
Sharpsburg Council welcomed a few new faces and appointed familiar leaders at its reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Mayor Brittany Reno swore in newcomers Kacie Cope and Corey Egwrube Ochai as well as incumbents Sarah Ishman, Adrianne Laing and Jonathan Jaso to their new seats. Cope, Ishman and Jaso won four-year...
The Stroller, Jan. 3, 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. Library announces 26th annual Quilt Show Community Library of Allegheny Valley...
Lower Burrell ready to hit the ground running with new council
When Lower Burrell Council meets and reorganizes Wednesday evening, almost everyone behind the dais will have spent fewer than five years in their current roles. But that’s not a cause for concern, says incoming Mayor Chris Fabry. “Thanks to my relationship with (outgoing Mayor John Andrejcik), this administration is going...
Aspinwall Council welcomes new members, appoints new leadership
Aspinwall Council added new members and new leadership to start the new year. Mayor Joseph Noro swore in newcomers Mark Chimel II and Louis Curcio Jr. to their first four-year terms at a reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Incumbent Heth Turnquist was sworn in to his second term on council. He...
Shots fired, no one injured in potential burglary at Kiski Township home
A Kiski Township man fired shots inside his home during a potential burglary, township police reported. Chief Lee Bartolicius said officers responded to the call for a burglary along the 1400 block of Ridge Road around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. Officers learned the homeowner fired several shots inside, but no one...
Springdale Manor residents return to their apartments after gas leak led to evacuation, no injuries reported
The eight-story Springdale Manor high-rise was evacuated Tuesday night because of a natural gas leak. The incident was reported at 7:43 p.m., and the roughly 90 residents were starting to return to their apartments just before 10 p.m. The leak was in the building’s boiler room, according to police and...
Arnold police chief, 2nd officer leave as new mayor, council seated
Arnold police Chief Eric Doutt quit before the city’s new mayor and council could vote to demote him Tuesday. Another officer, Richard Pechin, is leaving with him. Newly elected Mayor Shannon Santucci had long stated her intent to remove Doutt as the city’s police chief. Santucci, newly elected Councilman Aaron...
Fox Chapel officials hold line on real estate taxes, garbage bills
Fox Chapel property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes or for garbage collection in 2024. Council voted 6-0 last month to adopt its 2024 budget and maintain the tax rate at 2.95 mills. Councilman Thomas Karet was absent. The borough has not raised real estate...
East Deer floats idea of amusement tax
East Deer is looking to cash in on future events held at the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. facility. While details are preliminary, the township intends to establish an amusement tax. Generally, amusement taxes are imposed on admission fees to events. They can be either flat fees or percentage-based. Commissioners Chairman Tony...
Crowd control plans in place for Saturday’s celebration of life for David ‘Mogie’ Magill
Lots of traffic and extra police are anticipated Saturday afternoon in Lower Burrell. Hundreds of people are expected to attend a celebration of life for David “Mogie” Magill, a popular Alle-Kiski Valley restaurant owner who was shot and killed two weeks ago. City Councilman Chris Fabry said there won’t be...
Police say man who broke into Washington Township building returned to confess
Washington Township police accused a man of breaking into a building used for storage along Greensburg Road after an employee saw a pickup speed off and then return while police were on the scene investigating. Robert Allen Gill, 39, of the 1200 block of Sixth Avenue in Ford City was...
