Valley News Dispatch category, Page 28
Springdale to impose fines for vacant, abandoned properties
After passing a new ordinance Tuesday, Springdale may soon begin fining owners of vacant or abandoned properties in the borough. Springdale Borough Manager Terry Carcella said it’s part of an “aggressive” new plan to combat neglected properties in the area. “By doing nothing, that won’t work for the borough,” he...
Artists think big, paint small at ’24 Minis’ exhibit in Tarentum
Even if you’re painting a life-size depiction of baby birds, you don’t need a huge canvas. That’s part of the reason why Murrysville artist Betty Trout decided to focus on multiple families of robins in her backyard as the subject of her entry in the “24 Minis” exhibit at the...
Allegheny Valley to construct handicapped parking lot at new turf field
Allegheny Valley School District says it’s in the initial stages of building an ADA-compliant parking area near its new artificial turf field across Butler Road from Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School. Superintendent Patrick Graczyk said the district is in discussions with FieldTurf USA, the contractor that recently installed the turf, to...
Business tax proposed in Blawnox
Blawnox officials are considering implementing a business tax that would charge $400 to those providing goods or services in the borough. The potential new revenue stream for the small Allegheny County municipality was proposed at a council meeting on Sept. 10. Borough officials hope to have a draft ordinance ready...
Railroad tells East Deer it doesn’t have to follow town procedures to construct buildings
Norfolk Southern railroad’s plans to construct two buildings have stirred some ire among the East Deer commissioners. Chairman Tony Taliani told his fellow commissioners the railroad officially notified the township of its plans via a letter from an engineer, Michael Gay. The site for the buildings is a tract owned...
The Stroller, Sept. 18, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Leechburg’s annual Pink Day...
Tri-City Duty Crew moving forward after approval from Arnold Council
The formation of the Tri-City Duty Crew, a joint crew of firefighters to cover daylight fire calls in New Kensington, Arnold and Lower Burrell, cleared another hurdle toward becoming a reality. Arnold Council approved an ordinance to establish an agreement with the other two cities. It followed that action by...
Temporary disruptions expected in Tarentum during pole replacements
Temporary traffic disruptions are expected in Tarentum over the next two weeks. Crews will begin replacing utility poles throughout the borough on Monday, starting along West Fourth Avenue. Work is part of the borough’s planning and maintenance program. The project will target nine locations, the last of which was added...
Tarentum Area Lions Club foots the bill for paving project at Harrison church association
Pushing heavy carts full of food across gravel and potholes hasn’t been easy for volunteers at the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches in Harrison. The nonprofit serves nearly 500 families twice a month with produce, meat and dairy products. And, the group sees more than 17,000 people at the office...
Old Thunder Brewing reveals official Blawnox centennial brew
Blawnox officials have tapped Old Thunder Brewing Co. to create the official beer of the borough’s centennial celebration. The 100th anniversary event is set for noon-8 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Blawnox Community Park. Old Thunder co-owners Josh Taylor, Rob Dillman and Zach Gordon debuted cans of its festive libation,...
The Stroller, Sept. 17, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Free American Sign Language...
AHN closing primary care office in New Kensington as workers vote to unionize
Allegheny Health Network officials said a decision to shutter a longtime primary care office in New Kensington is unrelated to its office staff voting to unionize. United Physicians at 305 Seventh St. is expected to close by the end of the year, said Sarafina James, AHN senior public relations analyst....
Butler County man accused of raping young girl recharged after previous case dismissed
Butler County authorities have refiled charges against a Winfield man, accused of raping a young girl, after a previous case was dismissed before trial. Penn Township Police say Michael Garrett Saunders, 49, repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl when she was 11 and 12 years old. Saunders was initially arrested in...
2 dogs die in Tarentum house fire, residents displaced
No injuries were reported in a fire that tore through a Tarentum home on Tuesday, but two dogs died. Four dogs escaped, officials at the scene said. The blaze, in the 900 block of Porter Street, was reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. and quickly was upgraded to a second alarm....
Arnold, New Kensington American Legion posts merge, citing declining membership
A decline in membership has led the Arnold and New Kensington American Legion posts to merge. Arnold’s Post 684, and New Kensington’s Post 347, are combining to create the Ar-Ken American Legion, said Commander Gill Thomas. “Most Legion members, nowadays, are Vietnam era,” said Thomas, who was Arnold’s post commander...
Freeport Area eyes state budget impasse; finances OK for now
Although the state budget impasse could soon threaten Pennsylvania school districts’ operations, Freeport Area officials are not reaching for the panic button — yet. The state’s budget allocates millions of dollars in education subsidies every year, which are critical for financing district operations. Freeport Area was projected to receive almost...
The Stroller, Sept. 16, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Pet supply collection planned...
Rape charge dismissed as part of New Kensington man’s plea deal
A New Kensington man pleaded guilty Monday to reduced charges following allegations of a violent sexual assault last year in Arnold. As part of a negotiated plea deal, prosecutors dismissed felony charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault, aggravated assault and sexual assault against Marque Angelo Sanders in return for guilty...
Portion of Burtner Road to close in Harrison and Fawn
A portion of Burtner Road in Harrison and Fawn will be closed through the end of the month for slide repair work. The closure is expected to start at 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to PennDOT. Work will target the portion of Burtner Road from Pleasantville Road to Bachman Drive. PennDOT...
Plum seeks bids for O’Block Elementary addition, renovations; rough price tag: $28 million
After years of planning, the Plum School District has begun seeking bids for its large-scale addition and renovations to O’Block Elementary School. The district released the project for bidding with a deadline for contractors to submit proposals set for Oct. 7. The school board will award contracts Oct. 28. The...
Blawnox marks 100 years forged by ‘working-class ethic’
Historian Tom Powers is giving residents a peek into the evolution of Blawnox as the town prepares to celebrate its centennial. Born from a forested riverbank that transformed into Depreciation Lands, Blawnox was originally known as the village of Hoboken before growing into a bona fide manufacturing hub. “Even with...
Freeport Area superintendent thinks national recognition serves as confirmation of district’s decisions
As Freeport Area High School’s recent ranking by a national publication boosts community pride, Superintendent Ian Magness says it could be a reality check for some. In late August, U.S. News & World Report released its assessment of 24,000 high schools throughout the United States with 18,000 judged on six...
As Plum flushes fire hydrants, borough warns residents may experience discolored water
Starting later this month, Plum residents may see discoloration in their water. That’s because the borough’s municipal authority will begin its hydrant flushing program on Sept. 29 to ensure all fire hydrant systems are clean and operational. The program will extend until Nov. 26. No work will occur on the...
Building the Valley: Fawn’s Eddy Woodworking a family rite of passage
Woodworking isn’t easy. But 78-year-old Larry Eddy makes it look that way. He — and his family — have been turning flat pieces of plywood into 3D art walls at his woodworking shop off Route 908 in Fawn. The interactive, tactile walls are ordered by West Deer-based TFH Sensory Needs...
Ford City woman charged after 3 dead infants found in rental home
Police have charged an Armstrong County woman after they discovered three dead babies inside the house she had been renting, they said. The investigation into Jessica Marie Mauthe, 39, of Ford City began when the landlord of a property in the 100 block of Oak Lane, Cadogan Township, was cleaning...
