Valley News Dispatch category, Page 229
Friends recall Eureka Fire-Rescue EMS Manager Shannon McKruit as caring, dedicated
Members of Eureka Fire-Rescue in Tarentum are mourning the loss of a woman many referred to as the station “mom.” Shannon McKruit, EMS manager at the Third Avenue department, died Monday at 52. “I wonder if she ever realized the impact she had on thousands of people,” fire President David...
Arnold residents will get a chance to comment on manager’s firing after the fact
Arnold residents will get an opportunity to comment on last week’s firing of the city’s manager, but they’ll have to wait until next month. The firing of Mario Bellavia will be on the agenda for council’s regular meeting Oct. 10, Solicitor Jaclyn Shaw said. But Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel...
Brackenridge man set to complete 150-mile walk to boost Tarentum church project
At 70-plus years old, Mick McArdle of Brackenridge decided to tackle the Great Allegheny Passage from Cumberland, Md., to Point State Park in Pittsburgh — 150 miles total — to raise money for a new community center in Tarentum. “I’m a little tired,” McArdle said, on Day 8, having just...
Vandergrift library director resigns unexpectedly; board seeks replacement
The Vandergrift Public Library is hiring for its top position. Sarah Buzzard of Vandergrift is stepping down from her role as library director, and the board is accepting applications for a replacement. Buzzard submitted a resignation letter during the Sept. 18 board meeting. “Sarah will be missed at the library,”...
Lower Burrell honors girl who raised money for police dog
Kaley Bastine was told she had to attend Lower Burrell’s city council meeting this month, but she wasn’t told why. After the meeting started, though, she was happy to be there. The city honored Kaley, 11, of Harrison with a proclamation recognizing her efforts to raise money for Lower Burrell’s...
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to appear at Lernerville Speedway tonight
Fans will again swarm a racetrack to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. Though he won’t be returning to racing, the 26-time NASCAR Cup Series winner will likely draw quite a crowd Tuesday night at Lernerville Speedway. He will attend the $50,000-to-win Commonwealth Clash as part of the High Limit Sprint Car...
With membership ‘busting at the seams,’ Harvest Baptist Church launches $7 million expansion
A Harrison church that started with seven members in a meeting room at a local Holiday Inn is marking its 40th anniversary and launching a $7 million expansion. “It’s to the point now that we’re busting at the seams,” said Marc Likins, pastor of Harvest Baptist Church off Route 908....
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 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. Apollo Meals on Wheels seeking volunteer help Apollo Area Meals on...
Repairs to restrict morning Tarentum Bridge traffic
Traffic will be restricted on the Tarentum Bridge Tuesday morning, PennDOT announced. Single-lane restrictions will happen in both directions on the bridge from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. PennDOT said crews will conduct slider plate repairs on expansion dams during what it described as a “mobile operation.” Drivers are advised...
Police arrest woman on drug charges after officer spots transaction at Vandergrift convenience store
Vandergrift police say an Armstrong County woman was arrested after an officer saw her buying crack cocaine while parked at a convenience store gas pump. Melissa Elaine Ferraro, 39, of the 100 block of Girty Road in South Bend Township was charged with a felony count of possession of drugs...
Chipotle at Pittsburgh Mills complex set to open
Burrito lovers in the Alle-Kiski Valley soon will have a new place to get their fix. Representatives from Chipotle Mexican Grill announced the restaurant will open Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Mills complex in Frazer. The new restaurant is at 1003 Village Center Drive, in the Lowe’s parking lot, across from...
Plum to begin taking orders for new military banner program
Plum is rolling out a revamped program through which borough residents can honor family and friends who have served in the military. The new military banner program will launch Oct. 2 on the borough’s website at plumboro.com. The borough is partnering with CHi Signs & Designs of Penn Hills. The...
Plans advance for new playground at Acmetonia Elementary School
Acmetonia Elementary School students are one step closer to getting a playground. The Allegheny Valley School Board approved a contract with Play & Park Structures to build a playground at Acmetonia Elementary School at a cost not to exceed $155,086. The proposed playground has been discussed by the board for...
The Stroller, Sept. 25, 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 town hall meeting planned Wednesday The Leechburg Ministerial Association will...
Dancing, crafts showcased at annual Powwow in Indiana Township
Lenny Kaminski burned white sage on Sunday as he displayed his wares at the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Annual Pow Wow. He burns the sage, said to have spiritual powers by some Native Americans, when he carves the figures of First Nations people he sells each year at...
Middle Road Volunteer Fire Department hosts ‘push in’ for new fire engine
Middle Road Volunteer Fire Department in Indiana Township celebrated the purchase of a new fire engine on Sunday afternoon with a traditional blessing, wet down and push in. The wet down was performed with the department’s previous first engine, a 36-year-old Sutphen. Volunteers used the old engine’s hose to wash...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Sept. 14-20, 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,...
Pittsburgh Regional Transit eyeing additional service for Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison
Critical mobility needs in Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison are being targeted through a proposal from Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The agency is seeking funding for the creation of two microtransit zones in Allegheny County. One would be in McKeesport, and the other could serve people in the three Alle-Kiski Valley towns....
Faces of the Valley: Lower Burrell’s Abby Koscianski sets example in firefighting, leadership
Firefighting is in Abby Koscianski’s blood. When she was little, Abby and her brother, Joey, would play and pretend to go on calls as a firefighters with Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3. Their parents, Femo and Lisa Ficca, met while volunteering for the company. When Koscianski was 14,...
Faces of the Valley: Leechburg resident Matthew Hooks helps Civil War history live on
Matthew Hooks’ passion for the past can’t be contained. A self-described history nerd, Hooks helps generate interest for countless others through his Civil War reenactment group. As co-founder of the 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company F, the Leechburg resident is eager to share his hobby in hopes of educating and...
Dragon boat racing team of breast cancer survivors readies for annual festival
It’s not just that Lynn Jablonowski didn’t have any boating experience. She was also actually afraid of the water. But she’d overcome breast cancer, and with help from members of the Hearts of Steel dragon boat racing team, she overcame her fear of water, too. Everyone on the Hearts of...
Plum School District pays $30K to settle teacher grievances over use of paid leave during sabbaticals
The Plum School District agreed to pay just over $30,000 to settle grievances over sick leave days involving three teachers. The school board approved the settlement with the Plum Borough Education Association, the district’s teachers union, on Sept. 12 . After a representative initially said the agreement would not be...
New Kensington accepts bid for road paving, approves more alley murals
Two blocks of a downtown New Kensington street are expected to be resurfaced by the end of the year. City council accepted an $86,300 bid from Tresco Paving to resurface Third Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets. Tresco submitted the lowest of six bids, the highest of which was $127,400,...
6 Alle-Kiski Valley communities working on joint plan to combat blight
Six Alle-Kiski Valley communities will be taking part in a regional property conditions assessment and blight mitigation plan. The municipalities — Arnold, New Kensington, Allegheny Township, East Vandergrift, Vandergrift and West Leechburg — are among the eight members of the Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council, formed in 2021 and through which they...
The Stroller, Sept. 24, 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. Open house event planned at Vandergrift Public Library Vandergrift Public Library...
