Valley News Dispatch category, Page 264
Slide restricts traffic on Plum road used as detour during New Texas slide repair
A slide has restricted traffic on a Plum road that is part of a detour for another road that’s closed while crews repair a slide. PennDOT crews placed a temporary traffic signal on Leechburg Road near Elicker Road on Friday, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said. “A slide has developed on...
Public park memorial set for Tarentum stabbing victim
Friends of Tarentum stabbing victim Thomas Baczynski are hoping for a wave of orange in the borough’s Riverview Memorial Park on Saturday. A memorial service, scheduled for 4 p.m. at the park’s amphitheater, will double as a “Celebration of Life” for the man who friends recall as loving and quiet....
Woman gets probation for 2020 arson at Bell Township home
A former Bell Township woman was sentenced Tuesday to two years of probation in connection with a 2020 arson at her home. Britny A. Parks, 30, now of Texas, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of failure to report/control a dangerous fire. Other charges, including arson, were dismissed. The plea...
Pair’s Facebook auctions of pet items benefit local, international animal shelters
Two animal-loving friends have gone above and beyond in raising money to help local and international animal shelters. Lindsey Perriello, a Lower Burrell native who works a full-time job while also running her own pet care and dog-walking service, and retired Plum resident Kim Tamburri have raised about $13,000 through...
The Stroller, June 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. ‘The Big Bad Musical’ to be performed at Casino Theatre Armstrong...
Farmers lament potential losses as lack of rain impacts local crops
James Goldscheitter’s prayers were answered. The rain finally arrived. Now he and other local farmers are hoping the modest amount — and a forecast with a chance of rain Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — is enough to boost their floundering crops. Rain that fell Sunday evening and continued into Monday...
Departing Plum superintendent brought pride back to district, school board president says
Superintendent Brendan Hyland is leaving the Plum School District better than he found it, according to the district’s school board president. The board is expected to accept Hyland’s resignation, effective June 30, at its meeting Tuesday night, a day after North Allegheny board members voted 6-3 to hire him as...
Arnold Council to consider decertifying 1 of 2 fire departments
Arnold Council may vote Tuesday to decertify one of the city’s two volunteer fire departments. A vote to decertify the No. 1 fire department will be on the council’s agenda, said Councilman George Hawdon, who is in charge of public safety. Hawdon declined to discuss details of the matter ahead...
Arnold woman accused of fatally shooting dog she recently adopted
An Arnold woman is accused of shooting and killing her dog on Sunday. Arnold police charged Susan Mullenax, 49, of Alcoa Drive with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals. She was arraigned Sunday and released from the Westmoreland County jail after a professional bondsman posted her $25,000 bail,...
Bullying, staff turnover among concerns by Highlands teachers to be presented to school board
The Highlands School Board will hear Monday night from the teachers union about concerns throughout the district, including bullying and turnover rate for staff. The Highlands Education Association plans to make a presentation during the board’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. It will be in person in the high school...
Police investigate shots fired in Tarentum
Two people suffered minor injuries after gunshots were fired early Monday near Corbet Street in Tarentum, authorities said. The victims were not hit by gunfire, according to Allegheny County Police. Officers responded about 2:45 a.m. to the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Corbet Street, near the railroad tracks. At 5:15...
The Stroller, June 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. Volunteers needed at Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley Animal Protectors of...
Motorcyclist dies from hit-and-run in Plum
A man died Sunday night after being involved in a hit-and-run collision in Plum earlier in the day, authorities said. James W. Baker, 66, of Penn Hills died about 8:40 p.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office. Baker was riding a motorcycle in the 100 block of Unity...
Plum superintendent resigns to assume post at North Allegheny
Plum Borough School District announced Sunday that Superintendent Brendan Hyland was resigning to take the same post at North Allegheny School District. Hyland’s resignation takes effect June 30. The announcement came via a press release emailed to parents from school board. “Dr. Hyland has been an integral asset and catalyst...
Expression of faith in a rainbow of colors continues with ‘sawdust carpets’ at new site in Springdale
A local Catholic church’s decades-old tradition of celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi by creating temporary visual expressions of faith using a rainbow of colored sawdust marked its 80th year on Sunday at a new location. While the venue has changed, the cooperative weather did not. Nobody on site could...
New owners plan renovations to Leechburg B&B, eye former church as rental venue
A Chicago couple have traded in their big-city lifestyle for small-town living. “I wanted to buy an old church or house — and I got both,” said co-owner Jason Fitzpatrick, who originally was from Butler County. Fitzpatrick, 48, and husband Thomas Murphy, 32, who married seven years, began their search...
Faces of the Valley: Ken Kaminski has volunteered his time in the Alle-Kiski Valley for nearly 50 years
Ken Kaminski has blazed a trail volunteering in nature, emergencies and fires across the Alle-Kiski Valley since he was 14. Giving back to his community is a mainstay for the 63-year-old Allegheny Township resident. Kaminski’s nature-loving mission involves volunteering as president of the Roaring Run Watershed Association in Kiski Township....
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from May 31-June 7
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,...
Remember When: New Kensington beauty salon owner best known for piloting hot-air balloons
The late Ron Barth of Lower Burrell was best known by many as the pilot of a hot-air balloon that was a familiar sight in Alle-Kiski Valley skies for more than 25 years until the mid 1990s. Barth purchased his first balloon in 1971 for less than $6,800. He took...
Funding deadline causes cancellation of proposed garden, playground in New Kensington
Two organizations will not move forward with plans for a community park and garden along 10th Street in New Kensington. Westmoreland Community Action and Wesley Family Services had proposed building them on vacant city-owned lots on either side of Third Avenue. The city’s planning commission in February had recommended approval of...
Lower Burrell eyes master plan for parks, meeting scheduled this month
Lower Burrell residents should keep an eye out for park plans and ideas this month. Last Monday, planner Carolyn Yagle of Environmental Planning & Design LLC in Pittsburgh provided an update on Lower Burrell’s parks master plan. The study, which began last year, includes an inventory of the city parks...
The Stroller, June 11, 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. Free shuttle service available for NK, Arnold residents The New Ken...
Westmoreland human services director has personal stake in crisis intervention program
Rob Hamilton was a troubled young man. He struggled with homelessness and drug abuse during his formative years and, upon returning home from military service, couldn’t stay out of trouble. It wasn’t until he reunited with then-Blairsville police Officer Robert “B.J.” Shaw that Hamilton’s life changed. Shaw, rather than shuffling...
Vocational prowess earns spot in national skills championship for recent Kiski Area grad
Jack Skroupa has a knack for working with his hands that has his career heating up just one week after graduation from Kiski Area School District. Skroupa studied heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center and already landed an apprenticeship because of his skills....
Prosecutor accuses Harrison contractor of taking $50K for new kitchen cabinets and not doing the job
A remodeling contractor from Harrison is accused of taking more than $50,000 up front from a woman for new kitchen cabinets that he never installed. A detective with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office accused Dylan Seelnacht, 30, of the 300 block of Primrose Lane with two felony theft counts...
