Valley News Dispatch category, Page 215
No real estate tax increase, more money for firefighters in Lower Burrell’s 2024 budget
Lower Burrell Council has approved a 2024 budget that includes no tax increase for property owners and a larger donation to the city’s volunteer fire departments. City council approved the budget this week. It totals slightly less than $11.2 million and maintains a millage rate of 24.75 mills. At that...
Allegheny Township promotes 2 corporals to sergeant, hires others to bring police force to 13 officers
The Allegheny Township supervisors have approved the promotion of two officers and hired full-time and part-time officers. Promoted were Cpls. Mark Junod and Charity Hollis, who were elevated to the rank of sergeant. Junod has served in the department since 2007 while Hollis has been a township officer since 2014....
The Stroller, Dec. 15, 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. Gift card collection to aid A-K HOPE Center The Alle-Kiski Area...
Freeport official forms coalition to promote child seat safety and provide loaner car seats to the public
Roberta Bouch of Harrison takes her great-grandmother responsibilities seriously. A part-time caretaker for her two young great-grandchildren, Bouch was unsure whether the two child safety seats in the backseat of her vehicle were installed properly. “When I first put the car seat in a few years ago, I contacted a...
Fire study recommends Fox Chapel area departments merge
A fire protection study by the state Governor’s Center for Local Government Services recommends fire departments from Sharpsburg, O’Hara, Blawnox and Aspinwall merge into a regional department. The study was prepared with input from officials in those communities. Its final report was released earlier this year. The study finds the...
Plum approves Dollar General development, housing subdivision on Saltsburg Road
Plum Council has given its final approval for the construction of a new Dollar General store and approved a subdivision that could lead to the construction of three new houses, all along Saltsburg Road. At its meeting Wednesday , council unanimously approved without further discussion the land development plan for...
Springdale planners hold off on renewing demolition permit for power plant site
Springdale planners on Wednesday pressed pause before making a recommendation on renewing a demolition permit at the borough’s former Cheswick Generating Station. Cheswick Plant Environmental Redevelopment Group, a subsidiary of property owner Charah Solutions, and Grant Mackay Co. requested renewal of the demolition permit, which expires Jan. 17. “The next...
Leechburg inmate, 19, accused of asking girl to expose herself during video call from jail
A man being held at the Westmoreland County jail was arraigned Thursday on child pornography charges after authorities said a 16-year-old girl exposed herself to him during video calls. Dylan Walmsley, 19, of Leechburg has been at the jail since his April arrest on weapons violations stemming from a fatal...
Lower Burrell makes rules for medical marijuana dispensaries, growers
Lower Burrell has new rules about where medical marijuana dispensaries, growers and processors can operate in the city. Council this week approved the regulations, which allow medical marijuana growers and processors to be located in light manufacturing- and manufacturing-zoned districts as a special exception use. The dispensaries cannot be within...
Warrant suspect accused of fleeing from police in Harrison ordered to stand trial
A man accused of trying to ditch a stolen gun and drugs as he fled from police officers attempting to arrest him for warrants in two counties has been ordered to stand trial. Warren Paul “Boo” Greenleaf Jr., 39, of College Avenue in Mt. Pleasant, was charged Nov. 15 with...
The Stroller, Dec. 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. Santa Claus has scheduled visits in several local towns and townships....
Valvoline proposes building oil change shop off Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington
A $1.4 million drive-thru oil change business is proposed along Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington. The Valvoline Instant Oil Change would be between the main entrance to Giant Eagle and Shamey’s Gas Station in front of Quality Inn. City council approved creating the lot, about three-fifths of an acre,...
Freeport Area student-produced documentary to air on WQED
An award-winning media course has united aspiring student filmmakers and resulted in benefits that go beyond book learning at Freeport Area High School. Students channeled their inner lights, camera, action for months, filming a behind-the-scenes peek into all aspects of creating a high school musical. Junior and senior students enrolled...
Leaders of merged Aspinwall, Sharpsburg fire departments elected
A Sharpsburg firefighter will take command of the newly merged Aspinwall and Sharpsburg fire departments after winning an election over longtime Aspinwall Fire Chief Gene Marsico to lead the department. Mike Daniher becomes the inaugural chief of Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services, or SAVES. The deputy chief is J.C. Teyssier....
Aspinwall officials approve nearly 22% tax hike for next year
Aspinwall property owners will have to pay about 22% more in real estate taxes next year. Council voted 6-1 at its Dec. 13 meeting to adopt its 2024 budget and set the millage rate at 8.36 mills, a hike of 1.5 mills. Councilwoman Patti McCaffrey dissented. Borough Manager Melissa O’Malley...
Plum residents worried, angry as council approves nearly 40% increase in property tax rate
Plum residents voiced concerns and, at one point, erupted in anger as council approved a nearly 40% increase in borough property taxes Wednesday. Council voted 6-1, with Dave Vento against, to increase the borough’s 2024 property tax rate by 1.85 mills, from 4.78 mills to 6.63 mills. It will support...
3rd person accused of failing to keep gators from escaping in Kiski Township
Another person is facing charges in the case of wayward alligators in Kiski Township. Stephanie A. Suman, 26, of the 1300 block of Brownstown Road in Kiski Township, was charged via summons last month with two misdemeanor counts each of reckless endangerment and cruelty to animals. Police say she risked...
Indiana Township ambulance service closing after 28 years
After working under the same roof for almost three years, employees with Seneca Area Emergency Services soon will be working as West Deer EMS Service. Seneca Area EMS announced Tuesday night that it will close as of Jan. 1, after operating for 28 years. Seneca Area EMS covers the western...
Aspinwall community cookbook now for sale, benefits nonprofit Aspinwall Neighbors
A new cookbook features recipes from more than 60 Aspinwall area residents and business owners. “Home to Home: Shared Recipes from Your Aspinwall Neighbors” is described as a culinary journey around Aspinwall. The book is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Aspinwall Neighbors, a community organization dedicated to bringing people together...
The Stroller, Dec. 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. Toy donations being accepted in Washington Township The Washington Bell Lions...
Just Be Claus: Group dishes $900 tip to Springdale Township waitress
Kayla Webster was working a hectic Saturday, waiting tables at David’s Diner when a surprise stopped her in her tracks. “I thought she was going to hit the floor,” diner co-owner Pam Morrow-Wolfe said Tuesday, recalling the moment Webster stumbled into the kitchen, pale and appearing in shock, clutching a...
3 years after covid shutdowns, Fox Chapel Area Adult Education maintains online learning as convenience for students
While the covid pandemic shut down most of the world in 2020, it opened an opportunity for online learning. Fox Chapel Area Adult Education, kicking off its winter class schedule, has learned to lean on the convenience of Zoom to draw a wider enrollment for language, cooking and fitness sessions....
Springdale residents’ attorneys pleased with court decision that orders more community involvement with power plant demolition
Attorneys representing the residents seeking to block an implosion of the boiler house say they’re “thrilled” with a recent court decision that sets procedure before the demolition can be considered. “The court determined that the plaintiffs were all harmed by the June 2 implosion, suffering harm to their homes, damage...
Donations sought to help children who have been through ‘unimaginable circumstances’
A New Kensington business is seeking donations and contributions from the community to help children from three families who have endured horror and hardship this year have a happy Christmas. Operation Christmas Memories was started 15 years ago by The Beermuda, which is now Ash Taphouse and owned by Jenn...
Woman charged with assaulting officer arresting her for false 911 calls
Southern Armstrong County Police accused a woman of assaulting an officer Tuesday morning when he arrested her for repeatedly calling 911 to report a break-in at a home in Gilpin they say never happened. Auriahna Claudette Price, 33, of the 200 block of South Jefferson Street in Kittanning is charged...
