Valley News Dispatch category, Page 245
Plum man accused of fleeing from police after finding them searching his home
A Plum man is accused of fleeing from police this week after coming home to find officers serving a search warrant at his house. Police charged Mitchell Patrick Stewart, 31, on Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and several summary traffic offenses,...
Wife, daughter of Plum explosion victim Kevin Sebunia speak out about losing an ‘amazing man’ and the investigation
The wife and daughter of Kevin Sebunia, one of the victims in the fatal Aug. 12 home explosion in Plum, are sharing their story just over a month since the man they say had a “heart of gold” passed away. Kelly Sebunia, Kevin’s wife, and their daughter, Emily Brizee, sat...
River’s Edge outfitter on market for $2M in Gilpin
A popular river recreational business is on the market in Gilpin. The River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak at 3158 River Road is listed for sale by Coldwell Banker Realty for $2 million. Co-owners Neill and Evelyn Andritz have been a fixture at the family-run business for more than 16 years...
Input sought as Gilpin officials work to update 38-year-old zoning ordinance, map
Gilpin officials want to hear from township residents and business owners concerning ongoing efforts to officially rezone the township. Residents are asked to review the proposed zoning ordinance and fill out the corresponding online comment form by Sept. 25. “It’s time to bring our township into the 21st century,” Supervisors...
Man injured in accidental self-inflicted shooting in Arnold, authorities say
A man was injured in an accidental shooting Thursday night in Arnold, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office. The shooting was reported just before 7:30 p.m. outside in the 1400 block of Constitution Boulevard, said Melanie Jones, a spokeswoman for county DA Nicole Ziccarelli. Jones said a man...
The Stroller, Sept. 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. Super bingo planned at St. Vladimir Church St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic...
Proposed Springdale zoning overlay needs some revisions, planners say
The Springdale Planning Commission is advising the borough to take a closer look at its proposed mobility overlay. Members of the three-member commission, which serves in an advisory role to borough council, said Wednesday that some sections of the proposed ordinance, which would provide various zoning amendments and changes within...
Best of Blawnox’s 3rd annual fall festival showcases borough’s offerings
A fall tradition of showcasing Blawnox and what borough businesses and organizations have to offer continues at the end of the month. Best of Blawnox presents its third annual Blawnox Fall Festival from noon-3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Blawnox Community Park along Center Avenue. Festival coordinator Carol Hillwig said the...
Blawnox approves new garbage contract with current hauler; rates to increase by at least 14%
Blawnox residents should expect to see their garbage bills increase by at least 14% next year as a result of a new contract with Waste Management. Council voted 6-0 on Sept. 13 to approve a new three-year contract with a two-year option with the trash hauler. Councilwoman Meghan Kennedy was...
Official: Boil water advisory for Leechburg area could extend past Saturday
Depending on test results, the earliest a boil water advisory would be lifted for people in the Leechburg area would be Saturday, according to authorities. The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County issued a precautionary boil water advisory Monday for its customers in Leechburg, West Leechburg, Hyde Park and part of...
Target of undercover drug probe in Lower Burrell accused of selling crack cocaine
Lower Burrell police accused a man of being a crack cocaine dealer after officers working undercover bought crack cocaine from him. Jerrail Albert “Kobe” Carver, 30, of the 900 block of Evans Street in New Kensington was charged with two felony counts of possession of drugs with the intent to...
Freeport’s plan to pave portion of Dam Road on hold for now
A public-private road paving proposal in Freeport has hit at least a temporary obstacle. Freeport Council tabled action on a proposal from Freeport Terminals to pave a section of Dam Road with each picking up 50% of the cost. The reason council balked at taking action is a 60-foot section...
Kiski Township supervisors toss animal regulation proposal amid pet alligator escapes
Regulations governing the keeping of animals in Kiski Township are unchanged, for now. Facing a crush of public criticism and opposition, the township supervisors voted Wednesday to toss out the draft of an ordinance governing everything from pets to farm animals. It specifically would ban crocodilians, including the American alligator....
Allegheny Valley School District setting up clothes closets to fill a need for students
Danielle Britton was working as an intern in the Penn Hills School District when she decided to start a project to establish a supply closet, where students could pick up clothes and hygiene materials. When she graduated and got a job with the Highlands School District, she was able to...
Route 28 lane restrictions set for the weekend in Harmar
Route 28 motorists will encounter lane restrictions in Harmar beginning Friday. The restrictions, expected to last until Monday afternoon, will occur on two bridges so crews can perform work on expansion dams and the approaches to the bridges, according to PennDOT. Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and running continuously through...
School bus driver from Ford City accused of sexually assaulting teen at his home
A Ford City man who works as a school bus driver has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenager while on a break between shifts transporting school students. David Lorigan, 40, of the 1600 block of Third Avenue was arrested Sept. 7 and charged with felony counts of corruption of...
Dwindling donations, personnel leave Tarentum fire chiefs welcoming state talks about future
It wasn’t too many years ago that firefighters bristled at the mention of consolidation. “There’s a difference now,” said Brad James, assistant chief at Eureka Fire and Rescue in Tarentum. He’s been in the emergency service business for 40 years. “It doesn’t matter much anymore whether you’re for it or...
Aspinwall’s revived media policy raises freedom of speech concerns
Aspinwall is limiting access to how information is given out to the public, prompting some media experts to say this could be a roadblock to adequate communication with residents. All questions, requests and comments from the media must be submitted to Aspinwall Council President Tim McLaughlin and borough Manager Melissa...
The Stroller, Sept. 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. Avonmore to celebrate annual Harvest Jubilee The annual Avonmore Harvest Jubilee...
Leechburg’s Pink Day blossomed from flower sold in support of breast cancer research
More than 100 vendors, selling everything from honey to homemade dog treats, are expected to attend Leechburg’s 12th annual Pink Day on Saturday. It’s the most they’ve ever had for the event, which has raised about $217,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation since the first one in 2011, according...
Tarentum boaters start dismantling docks ahead of deadline
Tom Kish sat on his Tarentum boat dock Wednesday and watched 20 years of work, dreams, money and family memories go up in smoke. Friends helped him dismantle a wooden roof from his 28-by-24-foot deck and toss it into a fire along the Allegheny River shoreline. “This was a happy...
Dog park meeting being planned in Aspinwall, park to open Nov. 1
Aspinwall officials want to hear from residents about possible changes to the borough’s dog park ahead of its upcoming season. Dogs can roam free in the Aspinwall Recreation Area ball fields Nov. 1 through March 31. The infields are fenced off to limit damage to the baseball playing area. Residents...
Man accused of raping co-worker while they were providing care to special-needs clients at Pine apartment building
A Plum man was charged with rape after his co-worker at a Pine apartment complex accused him of sexually assaulting her. Shawde Steve Jenkins, 31, of Murray Court in Plum is charged with felony counts of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault along with a...
Plum names new high school, middle school principals
The Plum School Board filled the remaining vacancies in the district’s administrative team created by the departure and advancement of personnel. During a special voting meeting Tuesday, the board approved hiring Patrick Baughman as principal of Plum High School, Stephan Sereda as an assistant high school principal and Adam Szarmach...
Brackenridge revises 2 ordinances for seamless police enforcement with consolidated department
In a move to streamline police operations with Tarentum, officials in Brackenridge are revising two of their ordinances. Council last week gave Solicitor Craig Alexander the green light to prepare two draft ordinances that will mirror Tarentum’s and enable more seamless enforcement for the newly consolidated Tarentum-Brackenridge police force. Alexander...
