Valley News Dispatch category, Page 263
Tarentum officials reassure residents in wake of violent crimes
Meridith Ross was inside her Corbet Street antique shop in Tarentum when she heard gunshots ring out just before 3 a.m. Monday. “I heard people screaming, then pow, pow, pow,” said Ross, who owns Redefined vintage store inside the former Harrison’s men’s shop near the corner of Fifth Avenue. “I...
West Deer breaks ground on new municipal building
State Sen. Lindsey Williams recalled that, when she took office four years ago, she toured the municipalities and school districts of the state’s 38th District to get to know them better. When it was time to go meet West Deer officials, she remembered the discussion of a need for a...
Officials identify Springdale girl who died Tuesday
Officials have identified the 5-year-old girl who died unexpectedly in Springdale on Tuesday. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Thursday that Diem McMunn-Gereshenski, of Springdale, was found unresponsive at a Springdale home at about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday. Diem was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Allegheny...
DEP acknowledges flying debris from implosion in Springdale was violation; agency waiting on test results
The flyrock and debris from the Springdale smokestack demolition earlier this month was a violation of state environmental regulations, said a spokeswoman for the Department of Environmental Protection. The former Cheswick Generating Station smokestacks, which stood about 750 and 550 feet tall, fell in a cleared coal yard north of...
Kiski Area addresses student safety concerns at intermediate school, plans to hire additional resource officer
The Kiski Area School District is collaborating with Allegheny Township officials in an effort to help curb ongoing safety issues at Kiski Area Intermediate School. “Since the return to normal in-person education (after the pandemic), we’ve seen a dramatic increase in fighting as well as other less-than-positive interactions,” said Allegheny...
‘Big cause of education’: Run in Plum benefits Fund for Advancement of Minorities
Considering that he runs one 5-kilometer event a year, Darryl Wiley conceded that his latest effort might not land him in the winner’s circle. “I’ll see you at the finish line,” he told fellow runners prior to the start of a June 11 race in Boyce Park. “I’m not going...
Leechburg Area School District’s proposed budget holds line on taxes
Leechburg property owners can expect no tax increase in their school property taxes for the coming school year. The Leechburg Area School Board unanimously passed its $15.6 million preliminary budget for 2023-24. “Folks have been hit hard with inflation and need a break,” board President Anthony Shea said. “Also, the...
Fox Chapel library auctions desks, benches handcrafted from site’s old walnut tree
A towering 80-year-old walnut tree that shaded the Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel has a new chapter in its story. The gargantuan tree was felled in August to make way for parking expansion at the facility along Fox Chapel Road – but it didn’t end up on a wood...
TSA finds West Leechburg man with loaded gun at Pittsburgh airport; 2nd person this week
A West Leechburg man was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers Wednesday for, they say, trying to carry a handgun through the security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport. He had a 9 mm gun loaded with 16 bullets, including one in the chamber, according to authorities. The TSA did not...
The Stroller, June 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. Tennis tournament to benefit Ewing sarcoma research The annual Kaelyn Rose...
Lower Burrell remembers, honors late councilman, judge, David A. Regoli with bench at city hall
To the Regolis, Lower Burrell and New Kensington are like an extended family. And that community provided a standing-room-only crowd in Lower Burrell Council chambers Monday, as the city unveiled a bench in honor and memory of David Regoli, a late councilman, judge and, to many, a friend. “To be...
Alleys and patchwork repairs to be focus of Aspinwall paving program this summer
Aspinwall’s paving program will focus on alleys and patchwork repairs this year. Council unanimously voted June 14 to award its paving program to Oakmont-based A. Folino Construction, which was the lowest of three bidders at $57,414. “We’ve used them before. They’re really good,” said council Vice President Lara Voyko, chair...
Greek Food Fest set to return to Oakmont
A relaxed atmosphere with plenty of food and fun is what people should expect at the upcoming Greek Food Festival in Oakmont. Even volunteers are ready to loosen up after all the pandemic adjustments the past few years, event co-chairman Andy Gavrilos said about the annual celebration at Dormition of...
Art makers showcased in annual Best of Blawnox spring event
Callie Krenn may not know art, but she knows what she likes. “I liked the one with the monkey,” Callie, 8, of Blawnox, said about a painting of a monkey. She was one of many who took part in Masterpiece Pursuit, a scavenger hunt during the Best of Blawnox’s second...
Arnold approves decertifying 117-year-old No. 1 fire department
A roomful of Arnold residents appeared to go through many of the seven stages of grief before the city’s council voted Tuesday to decertify the older of its two volunteer fire departments. Residents were in shock and angry that council was considering decertifying the 117-year-old Citizens Volunteer Fire Company No....
$1 million scratch-off ticket sold in Allegheny Township
A million-dollar scratch-off ticket was sold at a grocery store in Allegheny Township. Pennsylvania Lottery officials announced Wednesday a winning ticket for Hasbro’s “The Game of Life” was sold at the Giant Eagle, 41 Towne Center Drive. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket. Scratch-off tickets...
Plum appoints deputy superintendent as interim superintendent
The Plum Borough School Board voted June 13 to appoint Rick Walsh as interim superintendent. Board President Michael Devine said the district would begin negotiating a contract with Walsh to make him the next superintendent. Walsh has been with the district since 2018 as assistant superintendent and later deputy superintendent,...
Highlands educators present bullying, workplace morale concerns to school board
The Highlands School Board hosted a packed room as members of the Highlands Educational Association, comprising more than 100 educators in the district, presented its case on bullying and workplace morale for the first time Monday night. HEA President Rachel Crowell raised concerns about the surge in school violence and...
Brackenridge woman charged in connection with Tarentum gunfire
A Brackenridge woman has been charged in connection with a shooting Monday along Corbet Street in Tarentum. Freedom Brown, 41, faces two counts each of terroristic threats and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. Allegheny County Police said two people suffered minor injuries — cuts and bruises — while running from...
Police say man racked up $26K on credit cards he got using Fawn neighbor’s info
Allegheny County Police detectives accused a man of using his former Fawn neighbor’s banking information to open a dozen credit cards and steal nearly $26,000 after she cosigned a car loan in 2018 so he could drive to work. Jonathon Theron Sam Fry, 42, of the 3800 block of Riverview...
The Stroller, June 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. Flag Day observed today Today is Flag Day. Remember to display...
Lower Burrell Councilwoman Rosina Albanese resigns, citing work commitments
Lower Burrell Councilwoman Rosina Albanese has resigned. City council announced Albanese’s resignation at its meeting Monday night. Albanese was sworn onto council in 2020. In her resignation letter, she wrote that it was with a heavy heart that she make the decision to resign, “as I have thoroughly enjoyed serving...
Raising chickens permitted in many O’Hara neighborhoods
Fresh egg lovers and small poultry farm dreamers in O’Hara can now rejoice. But those who think chickens shouldn’t be allowed to be kept in a residential neighborhood aren’t so happy. Township council voted 6-0 at its Tuesday, June 13 meeting to approve a zoning ordinance amendment that allows “domestic...
Police investigating the death of a 5-year-old girl in Springdale
A 5-year-old girl died Tuesday morning after she was found unresponsive at a home in Springdale, leaving a tight-knit neighborhood in shock. According to Allegheny County Police, the girl was found about 8:45 a.m. at a row house in the 40 block of Duquesne Court. Allegheny County Police detectives are...
11 employers expected to attend PA CareerLink job fair in New Kensington
There will be a job fair Thursday in New Kensington with nearly a dozen employers looking to hire. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski, at 1150 Fifth Ave. Registration is suggested but not required. Those planning to attend can register...
