Valley News Dispatch category, Page 213
Washington Township business accused of starting work on parking lot addition without approval
The Washington Township supervisors postponed the approval of a parking lot addition to a business which, a neighbor says, started construction without it. Tarp America and its owner, Michael Gazzo, requested the supervisors’ approval for an unlighted 60-foot-by-60-foot parking lot expansion and signs at its location, 920 Route 380. Tarp...
Ring camera video, photo lineup help police ID Vandergrift man charged with attempted homicide
Editor’s note: Through a negotiated plea deal in November 2024, Karaffa pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. The two counts of aggravated assault and the recklessly endangering another person charge were dismissed. The attempted homicide and illegal possession of a firearm charges were withdrawn. He was ordered to pay court costs,...
Freeport Area could raise taxes next year based on higher state inflation index
Freeport Area school directors will have more leeway to raise real estate taxes for 2024-25 than in the past 11 years. Brad Walker, Freeport Area’s director of finance and operations, said the district’s real estate tax inflation index calculated by the state will be 7.1% for the next school year....
The Stroller, Nov. 14, 2023: 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. Monthly Breaking Bread dinner planned at Knead Community Cafe Knead Community...
‘It’s not just everyday house dust’: Expert testifies as effort continues to halt implosion of boiler house in Springdale
A toxicologist and a safety consultant were the latest two individuals to testify in the injunction case where 16 Springdale residents are seeking to block an implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station. S. Thomas Dydek, a Texas-based toxicologist, and Jon Pina, a consultant with Evergreen...
Murder trial begins for Apollo man charged with wife’s killing
Prosecutors told a Westmoreland County jury Monday there was no mystery as to who killed an Apollo woman last year at a Lower Burrell storage facility. Assistant District Attorney Katie Ranker said Alfred Keith Steele shot his estranged wife in the head with a 9 mm pistol as she leaned...
Tarentum taxes expected to remain steady, but utilities will rise
Tarentum residents likely won’t see a property tax increase in 2024 after council approved the borough’s preliminary budget Tuesday. But electric and garbage collection bills are expected to rise. Supply costs for the borough’s electrical distribution system are set to nearly double, meaning the price hike will be funneled to...
Dollar General opens in Fawn, expected to create up to 10 jobs
The Dollar General along Route 908 in Fawn is open. The store sits at the intersection of Saxonburg Road, which is a convenient drive for Harrison residents who live near the township line. Fawn Secretary/Treasurer Pam Ponsart said it appears to be popular in its first week. “There’s lots of...
Atlanta man to go to trial in Westmoreland County over accusation of car insurance fraud
A Georgia man has been ordered to stand trial in Westmoreland County Court on charges that he falsified the date of a collision by a month so he could add the crashed car to his policy and file a claim. An agent with the state Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section...
Upper Burrell eyes $1.25 million budget with no tax increase
Upper Burrell’s $1.25 million proposed budget for 2024 does not include a tax increase for residents. “We have a balanced budget,” Supervisor Mike Conley said. “There’s no tax increase. We’re holding the line.” The proposal is similar to this year’s budget, Supervisors Chairman Ross Walker said. An average township home...
The Stroller, Nov. 13, 2023: 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. Leechburg to mark 175th anniversary celebration The borough of Leechburg will...
New Amazon mini-fulfillment center in South Buffalo is first of its kind in Western Pennsylvania
Amazon has arrived in rural South Buffalo. An outdoor mini-distribution center opened in mid-October in the rear parking lot of the township professional building inside RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park. Township supervisors unanimously approved a lease agreement this fall with Amazon, permitting it to operate from the parking lot. The township...
Kiski Area High School marching band earns Class AA national title in IndianapolisVideo
Adalynn Jodon could hardly keep her feet still after getting off the bus at Kiski Area High School on Sunday evening. With a combination of excitement, fatigue, joy and relief, the trumpet playing senior stepped onto the familiar parking lot a national champion. “It feels awesome,” she said standing a...
Penn State and NFL standout LaVar Arrington, others honor veterans and highlight needs at Springdale ceremony
Penn State football and NFL great LaVar Arrington has a long list of accomplishments and accolades from the field. But what he wants to be remembered for is his advocacy for veterans and first responders. In front of a group of veterans Friday morning at the Springdale Veterans Association, Arrington,...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Nov. 2-8, 2023
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, the Tribune-Review’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate,...
Building the Valley: Essential Fermentation brews fresh taps, seasonal scratch menu
“Come for the beer, and stay for the food.” That’s the message for the dining public from Essential Fermentation Restaurant & Brewery owner Loren Salsgiver. Essential Fermentation, which opened in May 2022, is settling into its business model and navigating a second year in business after deciding to open during...
Remember When: Stepped-up shipbuilding effort during World War II played role in victory
Throughout American history, private ships have been used in times of conflict. This first use occurred on June 12, 1775, at Machias, Maine, when a group of American colonists captured the British ship HMS Margaretta after hearing of the uprisings at Lexington and Concord. When informed of this event, the...
The Stroller, Nov. 12, 2023: 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. Plum HS drama department to perform ‘One Stoplight Town’ The drama...
Hydrant system where Plum house exploded not enough to fight fully engulfed house fire, Plum fire chief saysVideo
The fire hydrant system in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood of Plum, where a house explosion killed six people in August, is not adequate for fighting a single fully engulfed house fire, according to a borough fire chief who was on the scene that day. “Due to the fire load, the...
Aspinwall officials considering EV charging stations
Electronic vehicle charging stations could be coming to Aspinwall. Borough officials are exploring the installation of three stations each capable of charging two vehicles. They would be provided through Duquesne Light’s Community Charging Program. The three stations is a minimum program requirement. The six parking spaces needed for the three...
Police say man who shot Monroeville officer was wanted for stealing ex-girlfriend’s Jeep
A Clairton man charged with shooting a Monroeville officer Friday while leading police on a chase in a stolen Jeep was wanted for allegedly stealing it Oct. 23. Monroeville police have charged Bruce Alvarado, 38, with the theft of the Jeep Cherokee from his former girlfriend during an argument with...
2 senior health care facilities for sale in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Two senior care living facilities with million-dollar price tags are on the market in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Pine View Personal Care Facility in Parks Township is listed for $1.5 million, and Pleasant Ridge Mature Living in West Leechburg is listed at $1.6 million. Cheryl Scanga and her husband, owner Tommy...
Clairton man charged in shooting of Monroeville officer
A Clairton man is charged with attempted homicide and other crimes in connection with the shooting of a Monroeville police officer during a police chase that ended with a crash in Allegheny Township. Bruce Alvarado, 38, remains in the Westmoreland County jail after being denied bail Saturday. Monroeville police Chief...
Police say Harrison man used stolen driver’s license, bank card to withdraw $7K
A Harrison man is accused of using a stolen driver’s license and bank card to withdraw more than $7,000 from the owner’s bank accounts. Rodney Gaschler, 57, of Walnut Street was charged Thursday with felony counts of forgery, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and access device fraud, along with...
Veterans Day extra special for Upper Burrell WWII soldier Norman Myers as he celebrates 100th birthday
Apollo native and Army veteran Norman Myers was among the first soldiers to enter Tokyo after World War II for the ceremonial raising of the American flag on Sept. 8, 1945. “When they dropped that bomb, if you didn’t keep your feet 4 foot off the ground, you didn’t make...
