Valley News Dispatch category, Page 266
Wayward Kiski River alligator headed to new home after capture
Apollo-area officials and volunteers are celebrating the successful and safe capture Sunday of an alligator living in the Kiski River. The gator, nicknamed “Chomper” by the search team and rescued by two adult male kayakers Sunday evening, had been the subject of an intense search over the past week. “They...
East Deer seeks noise exemption from Liquor Control Board for Pittsburgh Brewing concert venue
East Deer is seeking an exemption from the state’s Liquor Control Board rules on noise, as a concert venue is in the works at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. In June, the township commissioners approved a noise ordinance that was prompted, in part, by Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in the township’s Creighton neighborhood...
Alligator in the Kiski River spotted multiple times over the weekend; search efforts resume
New sightings of an alligator Sunday in the Kiski River have prompted officials and volunteers to focus their search in a new area in hopes of catching the wayward reptile. Kiski Area police Chief Lee Bartolicius confirmed Sunday there have been additional reports of alligator sightings since Friday. Officials would...
East Deer refers proposed billboard rules to planners; fate of 4 digital displays pending
As the fate of four proposed billboards in East Deer looms, the township commissioners Thursday referred its drafted rules regarding those signs to township and county planners. The proposal amends the township’s zoning ordinance regarding billboards and was advertised last month. Now, the next step in the process is to...
Frazer promotes 3 police officers, looking to hire 2-3 more full-timers
Three part-time Frazer police officers are now full time. Township supervisors on Tuesday approved the promotions of Sean Moore, Michael Shook and Cole Berg as full-time officers, effective Sunday, Aug. 6. Lori Ziencik, Frazer township secretary and supervisor, said the promotions were recommended by Chief Terry Kuhns. Kuhns said Moore...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from July 26-Aug. 2, 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,...
Faces of the Valley: Guardian Angels parishioner Joan Cupec ‘born into’ church volunteerism
As the Guardian Angels Parish Summer Festival draws hundreds to its carnival for four straight days, an army of volunteers is sweating in the basement kitchen, drumming up hot sausage sandwiches and French fries. Among the workers is Joan Cupec of Creighton, buzzing between stations to slice fruit or whip...
Remember When: Circa 1900 dams on Allegheny River eased some problems, caused others
The concrete locks and dams along the Allegheny River were built in the 1920s and 1930s, but three dams built around 1900 preceded them. Lock and dam No. 1 was located at Herrs Island near the present 31st Street Bridge. Lock and dam No. 2 was built slightly upstream from...
Million-dollar home listings on the rise in Alle-Kiski Valley
Ronald and Sue Zola of West Deer had no idea their beloved farm would garner a million-dollar price tag. Their family farm dates to the 1700s and is listed for $1.29 million. The couple’s decision to sell their 60-plus-acre farm to relocate closer to family resulted in a recent appraisal...
The Stroller, Aug. 6, 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. St. Margaret Mary parish to host annual festival The annual St....
New Kensington man, woman facing charges after police say they stabbed each other
A New Kensington man and woman are facing charges after police say they stabbed each other during a fight. New Kensington police and Westmoreland County detectives filed charges Thursday against Franz N. Wade, 61, and Tamara Lynn Ambrosi, 56. They each were charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a...
New Kensington church celebrates 42nd annual Italian Fest
Gina Abdallah of New Kensington knows the secret to a delicious cannoli is not its filling, nor is it the shell or nuts, or other accoutrements. It is the love you put into making it. “It’s what makes them tasty, the love,” Abdallah said. “I love doing it. I love...
Battle of the Barrel highlights Western PA Fireman’s Association annual convention in Arnold
There is no doubt that a firefighter’s duties are stressful. Whether they’re professionals or volunteers, they’re often confronted with dangerous situations. As firefighters from across Western Pennsylvania gathered in Arnold this weekend for the 130th Western Pennsylvania Fireman’s Association’s annual convention, they made sure to have a little fun while...
Plum marching band prepares for school year
If it seems as if the 2022-23 school year just wrapped up, consider that a new one is right around the corner. The first day of Plum School District classes is Aug. 23, but even before the start of the month, students already were preparing for activities to come. Among...
Fire at Brackenridge duplex under investigation, candle may be the cause
A fire that gutted the second floor and attic of a Brackenridge duplex Friday night may have been started by a candle, according to Allegheny County officials. Chief Matt Brown, the county’s fire marshal and chief of emergency services, said via email Sunday that the fire remains under investigation. However,...
The Stroller, Aug. 5, 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. Local churches collecting used mobility aides Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, and...
After much-hyped billboard goes up in Tarentum, longtime business seeks approval to raise one
The billboard wars might be heating up again in Tarentum. On the heels of a yearslong legal battle from Oliver Outdoor and the eventual erection of an electronic billboard on Fourth Avenue, another company is seeking to raise a billboard in town. Weleski Transfer, a longtime moving company with offices...
Avonmore man sentenced to prison for attacks on girlfriend, police
An Avonmore man was ordered to serve up to four years in prison in connection with a knife attack inside an Avonmore home last year and an unrelated confrontation with police. Richard William O’Brien, 47, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated simple assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest related to...
Pair ordered to stand trial in connection with June 12 shooting in Tarentum that injured 2
A man accused of firing at least eight shots at two people in Tarentum in May has been ordered to stand trial. A district judge also ordered a woman who police said instigated an argument earlier in the day that resulted in the shooting to stand trial. Steven Jermain Prezzie,...
Debris falls from railroad bridge spanning Route 28 in Harmar; work to impact southbound lanes next week
Restrictions are planned next week for the southbound section of Route 28 in Harmar after stones fell from an overhead railroad bridge and forced the northbound lanes to close for hours early Friday. According to PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan, the stones fell because the flashing covering concrete joints, which prevents...
Fate of Tarentum docks to be debated
Boaters who lease dock space in Tarentum could find themselves without a home on the water next spring. Council is debating whether to renew the borough’s 34 slips while it addresses aged electric codes and other safety violations. “It’s a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer,” said longtime boater Ray Fortuna, a...
Alle-Kiski Valley High School Reunion news Aug. 4, 2023
• Ken Hi Class of 1958 will have a reunion at noon Sept. 21 at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell. Classmates who have not yet received information should contact Marie Thompson Capo at 724-448-0841 by Aug. 23. • Plum High School Class of 1963 will have a reunion at...
Helicopter aids hunt for Kiski River alligator
A helicopter joined the search for an alligator reported to be in the Kiski River, but didn’t spot it. Since Sunday’s initial report, Kiski Township Police Chief Lee Bartolicius said multiple sightings of the reptile have been reported. He said authorities are working to locate it, safely remove it from...
The Stroller, Aug. 4, 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. Firemen’s convention plans parade, battle of the barrel The 130th annual...
Olympus submits DEP application for 5th well pad in Upper Burrell
A fifth natural gas drilling well pad may be on its way to Upper Burrell. Township officials received notification that Olympus Energy of Canonsburg is applying for an erosion and sediment control permit to the state Department of Environmental Protection for the proposed Artemis well pad project. Artemis would be...
