Valley News Dispatch category, Page 3
Arnold Council hires financial clerk as new city manager
Mario Bellavia has stepped down as Arnold’s city manager, and council wasted no time naming a successor. Jennifer Schwartz, 43, of Lower Burrell was hired unanimously as the new city manager. Schwartz has served as a financial clerk at city hall for the past six months. Her new job begins...
The Stroller, Jan. 15, 2026: 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. Sport show and flea...
Upper Burrell data center nets 1st tenant at former Alcoa research site
The planned data center in Upper Burrell already has its first tenant. TECfusions officials announced that TensorWave, an artificial intelligence cloud platform, will be deployed at its Upper Burrell site located at the former Alcoa Research and Development campus. TECfusions spokeswoman Melissa Farney described TensorWave as a “neocloud.” A neocloud...
Plum man identified as pedestrian killed by vehicle in Lower Burrell
Police are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Greensburg Road in Lower Burrell. Harry J. Thomas, 62, of Plum was walking west on Greensburg Road when he was hit by a vehicle, according to Westmoreland County Coroner John Ackerman. The incident...
New Kensington-Arnold reaches early-bird contract agreement with teachers
New Kensington-Arnold School District and its teachers union have agreed on a new contract that will increase teachers’ pay by an average of 3.5% and have them paying more gradually for healthcare. School directors voted 8-0 to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the New Kensington-Arnold Education...
Harrison Hills to spruce up park, playgrounds
Playgrounds are getting an upgrade at Harrison Hills Park. The Allegheny County-owned facility in Harrison will see several projects this year, including new walkways, play equipment with safety surfaces, landscaping, signs and items to help with accessibility. Harrison Hills encompasses more than 500 acres of woods, streams, waterfalls and ponds....
Portion of walking trail closed at O’Hara Community Park
Walkers who use the trail at O’Hara Township Community Park will be forced to detour for a couple of months. A portion of the trail is closed through at least early March. It is necessary for work to be done on a Sycamore Run retaining wall, which supports the upper...
Blawnox man sentenced for child sexual assault
A Blawnox man was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the sexual exploitation of a minor. James W. Muir, 60, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge...
EMS authority meeting postponed for Harrison, Tarentum, Brackenridge
A special meeting scheduled tonight to form a paid ambulance authority in Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge is postponed. Eureka Fire-Rescue personnel posted to Facebook, apologizing for the short notice....
Plum begins vast addition, renovation project at O’Block Elementary
A few months from now, Plum’s O’Block Elementary is set to look much different. The building, which houses kindergarten through fourth grade, will receive a large addition and major renovations throughout its interior and exterior. District officials, together with a half dozen O’Block students, held a groundbreaking ceremony at the...
Arnold inks contract with public works employees
Arnold’s new contract with its public works employees calls for small raises over the next three years. The deal, reached by council and the public works union last week, calls for a 75-cent hourly wage increase this year, an 80-cent increase next year and an 85-cent jump in 2028. With...
‘We want to be thoughtful’: New Kensington-Arnold to consider realigning grades
Primary school buildings in the New Kensington-Arnold School District could look different in two years. According to Superintendent Christopher Sefcheck, the school board’s Education Committee will meet next week to consider a plan that would place: • kindergarten and first grade at Martin Elementary; • second and third grades at...
Building the Valley: Family creates cozy country charm with Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township
Giggles filled the air at Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township as Chrissy Klingensmith pushed her 1-year-old future granddaughter, Hadley, through the shop in a wheeled office chair. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly captured the family spirit behind the business. The cafe, which opened last March,...
More sexual assault charges filed against former Highlands teacher Sean Dicer
An adult graduate of Highlands School District has come forward, accusing former teacher Sean Dicer of indecent assault and adding to the onslaught of sex-related allegations against him. In the latest allegations, the incidents are said to have happened inside a classroom at the former Fairmount Elementary School about 20...
Allegheny Township man accused of trying to purchase 6-year-old girl
Allegheny Township police have accused a township resident of offering to purchase a 6-year-old girl from her mother. Theodore Magee, 43, offered to purchase the girl who, authorities say, he had sexually assaulted, according to a criminal complaint filed against him. Magee is charged with a half-dozen felonies, including aggravated...
Court date looms for former Harrison funeral director accused of pet cremation fraud
Tina Moore has been counting the days, for nearly a year, until former Harrison funeral director Patrick Vereb has his day in court. Vereb, 71, of Hazelwood was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office with taking money for pet cremations and disposing of the animals in landfills. He also...
New walking club in Lower Burrell aims to build community
Lower Burrell Councilwoman Carley Logan hopes a new program the city is starting is more than just a walk in the park. The city is launching a free “Nature Neighbors Walking Club” this spring. “I want it to be an opportunity for people to make connections in the community,” Logan...
The Stroller, Jan. 14, 2026: 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 rides available to...
Riverview administrator receives recognition from Penguins as top principal
David Turk is getting his moment in the limelight. A man of many hats, Turk is Riverview’s junior high principal, the district’s data analyst and communication specialist. He is also charged with regularly updating the district’s social media accounts and website. Turk is in his fourth year with the district...
The Stroller, Jan. 13, 2026: 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. Nothing But Net: Annual...
Family ties: Local jazz stalwart Don Aliquo, 96, to play gig with son and granddaughterVideo
Don Aliquo Sr. has performed music with his son. He’s performed music with his granddaughter. But on Thursday, the longtime Pittsburgh jazz musician and Lower Burrell resident will get a chance to take the stage with both of them. “It will be great, I can’t wait,” said Aliquo, 96, who...
Cheswick Council names member to vacant seat as incumbents start new terms
A slate of mostly incumbent council members filled out their ranks by appointing a familiar face as they began their new terms on Cheswick Council after victory in November’s general election. Adis Halimic, who previously was appointed to council and came in fifth place in the November election, will take...
Ticket sales kick off for Pittsburgh Brewing’s annual St. Patrick’s Day event
Ticket sales have opened for Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In the third year of the event, the party — dubbed Irish City Celebration — has become a staple in the East Deer community. In 2025, around 2,500 people spent their Saturday enjoying live music, food trucks...
Allegheny Township splits with manager
Allegheny Township has parted ways with its manager. Supervisors on Monday approved concluding the township’s contract with Daniel Miller, whose term as township manager expired at the end of last year. Miller started working as township manager in July 2024. His annual pay at the time was $102,000; current salary...
Familiar faces take seats on Springdale Council
November’s election victors — three of them incumbents — took their seats on Springdale Council this month. This year’s council will only differ slightly from last year’s in both its members and leadership. Deborah Piontek, the top vote-getter in November, was the sole non-incumbent council member to be sworn in....
