Valley News Dispatch category, Page 341
Leechburg Area School District’s energy-saving renovations near completion
Leechburg Area School District is set for huge savings as it nears completion of renovations to ensure greater energy efficiency on campus. The district’s Energy Savings Project, implemented by Harrisburg-based McClure Co., began in June and is expected to wrap up in a few weeks. Eric Petrazio, McClure senior account...
Tarentum’s Pasta King gives takeout the royal treatment
Tarentum resident Dale Davis has earned his title as the pasta king. A longtime chef in restaurants across the Pittsburgh region, Davis made the leap to open the soul food takeout eatery Pasta King at 621 E. First Ave. in Tarentum just more than a year ago. “I started way...
Springdale Council promotes police captain to chief
Springdale has a new police chief, and he’s a familiar face to borough residents. Derek Dayoub was elevated from captain to chief this week by a 5-1 council vote with one abstention. Dayoub replaces George Polnar, who retired in June. A law enforcement member for 20 years, Dayoub will receive...
West Deer supervisors choose new colleague from 3 candidates
West Deer has a new supervisor. Supervisors chose David Harrison, a 32-year resident of the township who has served on various boards in the past, at a special meeting Thursday evening. He runs a consulting firm for sound and vibration engineering. A vacancy for District 4 supervisor was created when...
Tessa Pagone of Gibsonia crowned Miss Pennsylvania Jr. Teen
Tessa Pagone of Gibsonia was crowned the 2022 National American Miss Pennsylvania Jr. Teen at the state pageant held in Virginia in August. The Deer Lakes High School sophomore has participated in National American Miss pageants for six years and most recently competed in the age 13-15 bracket. She qualified...
Parents charged in New Kensington boy’s death
Both parents of 9-year-old Azuree Charles were charged Wednesday in connection with the New Kensington boy’s death in May. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said the boy’s father, Jean Charles, 40, of Brackenridge, is charged with first-degree murder, criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, unlawful restraint of a minor...
Freeport borough offices closed to public as council tries to hire backup secretary
One could make an argument that Freeport’s government is suffering from “long covid.” The term refers to having effects from the virus persist long after the infection is cleared. It’s much like Freeport’s situation with a borough building that has been closed to the public for the past two weeks...
Quick response to fire at Gilpin home prevents blaze from spreading
Firefighters from two municipalities were able to prevent a blaze from spreading after the awning of a home caught fire in Gilpin on Tuesday evening, according to authorities. Crews from the Gilpin and Leechburg volunteer fire departments were dispatched to a three-story frame home in the 3100 block of River...
Polkamaniacs to perform at Harrison Hills: ‘It ain’t your grandpa’s polka’
An eight-piece band in matching blue plaid suits will perform Saturday in Harrison Hills Park, and the musicians have a message for anyone who might attend: “It ain’t your grandpa’s polka.” “We’re a king-size plaidtastic stage show that no audience can resist,” said Michael Devine, a member of the Polkamaniacs....
Remember When: Nellie Bly, an Alle-Kiski Valley native, broke down barriers, stereotypes
The newest addition to greet passengers at the Pittsburgh International Airport is a statue of Nellie Bly — flanked by Steelers great Franco Harris and the “Father of Our Country,” George Washington. Bly was an Alle-Kiski Valley native. Born Elizabeth Cochran on May 5, 1864, in the Cochran Mills neighborhood...
Alle-Kiski Band Festival postponed to Thursday
The annual Alle-Kiski Marching Band Festival will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at Yuhas McGinley Stadium at Penn Hills High School. The day was changed from Wednesday due to expected inclement weather. Schools participating in the non-competitive event include Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport Area, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg Area,...
The Stroller, Sept. 21, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Annual Harvest Jubilee planned in Avonmore The Avonmore Harvest Jubilee will be...
Motorcyclist injured in New Kensington accident
A motorcyclist is in the hospital after an accident on Tuesday evening in New Kensington. The accident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. in the 1100 block of Seventh Street, according to a Westmoreland County dispatcher. EMS transported the motorcycle driver to an area hospital, the dispatcher said. No further information...
Leechburg fire company’s carnival continues through weekend
The annual Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company carnival opened Tuesday and continues through Saturday night at the fire company grounds, 268 Canal St. Gates open at 6 p.m. nightly and admission is free. There is a cost to ride the rides and play carnival games. There is food, rides, games, and...
Trial for sex trafficking of teen ends in guilty plea for Turtle Creek man
A Turtle Creek man pleaded guilty Tuesday to the sex trafficking of a 14-year-old runaway from New Kensington. Davon Allen Fuqua, 36, cut short his trial midway through testimony from his accuser, who told a Westmoreland County jury she was transported with a prostitute to have sex with two older...
Harmar to maintain Springdale Township road to help residents
Harmar supervisors approved an agreement allowing the township to permanently maintain a section of road in neighboring Springdale Township. Under the memorandum of understanding, according to township engineer Matt Pitsch, Harmar will maintain Crone Hollow Road from its intersection with High Street in Springdale Township to the Harmar line. As...
Indecent graffiti in Kennedy Park in Vandergrift draws ire from parents
The last thing Vandergrift resident Sarah Cooper expected to find at her local park during an outing Sunday with her young son was X-rated graffiti. Cooper said her 10-year-old son noticed vulgar images of male genitals and obscene words spray-painted on two stone pillars at the entrance to Kennedy Park....
Man charged with cocaine trafficking in North Carolina arrested on new charges in Arnold
A man released from custody on a $500,000 bond for drug and weapons charges in North Carolina was arrested at a house in Arnold where, police said, they found cocaine and a pistol. Alvinn Davonn Twine, 32, was arrested after officers from the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and agents...
New Kensington mother accused of locking teen kids out of home
A New Kensington woman is facing child endangerment charges after, police say, she changed the locks to her home, locking out her teenage daughter and son. Police filed two counts of endangering the welfare of children against Shayla Marie Covington, 35, of Leishman Avenue on Sept. 14. She is scheduled...
Christian-based fundraiser on tap Sunday in West Leechburg
West Leechburg resident, author and tax collector Kevin Smith is hosting a Christian-based charitable dinner to help raise funds for the West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. Smith will discuss his book, “God Discovery: How Science and Logic Reveal the Existence of God,” during the God Discovery Banquet on Sunday, Sept....
Building the Valley: Leechburg salon owner expands by adding boutique
A Leechburg salon owner has expanded her footprint in the area by adding a clothing boutique. Brianne Sofaly, owner of Elevated Hair Co., opened Oak + Pine. The store is online only, but Sofaly said there are plans to have a physical space for customers to shop. The 26-year-old said...
The Stroller, Sept. 20, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. A-K Band Festival set Wednesday The annual Alle-Kiski Marching Band Festival will...
Tarentum seeking nearly $300,000 in grants for 2 water line projects
Tarentum Council is eyeing more than $300,000 in grants from Allegheny County to improve borough infrastructure. Council last week approved two applications to the county Department of Economic Development for projects along West 11th Avenue and Collins Way. “Ultimately, both projects are about the safety of our residents,” Manager Dwight...
Logans Ferry Road in Plum anticipated to reopen Friday
Thousands of drivers who regularly use Logans Ferry Road in Plum have another reason to look forward to Friday. The stretch of Logans Ferry between Entrance Drive and Columbia Road, near New Kensington, which has been closed since Aug. 2, is anticipated to reopen Friday, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said...
Police use dog to capture woman they say sped through Mt. Vernon yard sale
A New Kensington police dog was used to apprehend a woman police say fled from an officer in Parnassus and sped through a neighborhood yard sale in Mt. Vernon on Friday afternoon. Alyssa Nicole Depanicis, 32, was arraigned Saturday on several felony charges including fleeing, escape and resisting arrest, misdemeanor...
