Valley News Dispatch category, Page 365
Suicide prevention Hope Squad introduced to Valley High School students
Hope was on the lunch menu Wednesday at Valley High School. Students were introduced to their school’s new Hope Squad, part of a national youth suicide prevention program, and asked to write positive and inspirational messages on paper hearts that are being placed on a tree in the library hallway....
Plum seeking bids to tear down 4 houses
Plum resident William Sexton will be happy to see the rundown shell of a house that stands practically in his back yard torn down. Sexton said the house, riddled with broken windows, on Siple Street near the turnpike has been an eyesore for several years. “People go in and out...
Remember When: Moon landing sparked excitement, celebrations in Apollo
With the recent announcement by NASA that the United States will resume missions to the moon, it’s a good time to recall the first moon landing in 1969. Apollo was front and center regarding celebrations surrounding the exciting event. The borough is the only municipality in the country that shares...
Emergency responders poised to upgrade equipment via federal grant money
Volunteer fire companies and EMS organizations across Southwestern Pennsylvania continue to benefit from federal grants targeted at local emergency responders. Since 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Department of Homeland Security has doled out more than 1,800 Assistance to Firefighters Grants across the country, totaling nearly $323 million. The most...
The Stroller, Sept. 28, 2022: 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Annual Walk for Hunger event seeks participants The Allegheny Valley Association...
Police say man holding bags of heroin answered officer’s knock at Harmar motel door
Police say a man admitted to having stamp bags filled with heroin in his hands when he answered a knock at the door from police at the Harmar motel where he was staying. Two people wanted on arrest warrants face multiple felony charges after police got a tip they were...
Plum EMT recognized as a ‘Star’ for stellar career at borough ambulance service
Dawn Marie Dern has been a star for Plum EMS for many years. With two decades of service to the ambulance company, the full-time emergency medical technician and quality assurance program specialist now has the plaque to prove it. Dern was one of 12 people in the state to receive...
Harrison Manager John Pallone resigns after 6 months
Harrison Manager John Pallone has resigned after six months on the job. Pallone, a former five-term state legislator and superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District, was not immediately available for comment. The township commissioners accepted his resignation during their meeting Monday. At least one commissioner said he believes Pallone...
Allegheny County fire marshal provides update on investigation of Plum house explosion
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office has released the scene of an explosion that destroyed a Plum family’s home just over five months ago, which will allow it to be cleaned up. Chief Matt Brown, the county’s fire marshal and chief of emergency services, provided a brief update Tuesday on...
YMCA officials dispel rumor of Vandergrift day care center closing, say school only undergoing licensing process
The operators of a Vandergrift preschool center are trying to dispel concerns among some parents that the program is being dismantled. In reality, the West Vandergrift Early Learning Center is in the process of obtaining state licensing, which is required, and there is no disruption in service, said Kelli McIntyre,...
Pumpkin sale at Fox Chapel church benefits Haitians
Haiti H2O: Hope to Opportunity will have a pumpkin sale from Oct. 6-9 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road. Each year, Haiti H2O sells pumpkins to support the communities in Haiti with which it partners. The pumpkin is an important reminder to Haitians of their independence, dating...
Gathering on Grant gains momentum in Vandergrift
A new seasonal monthly event in Vandergrift has proved to be a crowd-pleaser. Gathering on Grant, a community-based food and vendor festival, debuted in May. Lead organizer Eric Mikula said the event has been a great success. “It’s been wonderful. The response from our neighbors has been great. We have...
Building the Valley: One of nation’s largest building wholesalers sets up in Harmar
One of the nation’s largest building suppliers has opened a location in Harmar. ABC Supply Co. opened its doors Aug. 1 at 460 Nixon Road. “We’re a 40,000-plus-square-foot, all-under-roof supplier,” said site manager Mike Mrakovich. “We will be a one-stop shop for the Cheswick community and surrounding areas.” The facility...
The Stroller, Sept. 27, 2022: 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Local Marines to celebrate at birthday ball Westmoreland County Marines will...
Police say man accused of leading Frazer officers on chase arrested on separate charges
A Florida man who got away after leading police on a chase along Route 28 and trying to run down an officer who attempted to stop him with spike strips has been arrested, according to authorities. Frazer police have charged Derek Lewis Washington, 33, of Lauderdale Lakes with four felony...
Police: Surveillance leads to arrest of Arnold man on drug charges in Lower Burrell
A man with a history of felony convictions who is awaiting trial on bribery and other charges has been accused of dealing drugs by Lower Burrell police. Anthony Marsalis Howell, 35, of the 1700 block of Constitution Boulevard in Arnold was charged with two felony counts of possession of drugs...
Westmoreland County begins testing of voting machines in preparation for general election
Westmoreland County election officials Monday began the lengthy week-long process of testing all the voting machines and scanners to ensure they are operating properly before being sealed and transported to voting sites beginning seven days before the Nov. 8 election. The tests to be conducted on all 889 voting machines...
Faces of the Valley: Arnold firefighter returns to city, assumes leadership of Engine Company No. 2
Eric Gartley’s journey into the volunteer fire service started on his back porch in Arnold about 24 years ago. There, with his then-infant son, Gartley watched as volunteer firefighters from Arnold Volunteer Engine Company No. 2 responded to a stove fire at a house off Woodmont Avenue. He decided he...
Custom costume shop to open, by appointment only, in Vandergrift
A mother-daughter duo is combining their creativity to open a costume and mending shop in Vandergrift. Lauren Andrews, 28, grew up in Vandergrift and always had a keen interest in Halloween and dress-up. “I had four Halloween costumes every year. I was always winning the costume contests,” said Andrews, of...
New Kensington man arrested, jailed after fight; charges pending on second man
A New Kensington man is being held in the Westmoreland County jail after a fight with another man Saturday. Police charged Shawntre Malik Scott, 24, with a felony count of robbery and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and terroristic threats. Police said they have identified the other man involved in...
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 2022: 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Free workshop offered for youngsters experiencing grief Good Samaritan Hospice, a...
Donor families honored for gift of life at the CORE ceremony
Antwon Rice Sr. of Homewood was shot twice in the head during a crime in April 2020. When he died, his mother, Yolanda White made the difficult decision to donate his kidney and liver through the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), headquartered in O’Hara. “I didn’t even know...
New witch-themed Halloween festival slated for Vandergrift
Unleash the magic broomsticks! The inaugural Witching Hours Night Market is scheduled for the night of Oct. 15 in Vandergrift. Its organizers say more than 70 vendors are booked. The event will be held rain or shine, and Grant Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic. The market was organized...
Bethel AME’s longevity in Tarentum built from dedication of small, close-knit membership base
On the corner of Western Street and Heuser Way in Tarentum sits a stout red brick building, home to a small church that has stood the test of time. The Bethel AME Church serves a congregation of about 35 members and marked its 105th anniversary this year. “We’re a small...
The Stroller, Sept. 25, 2022: 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Tarentum scarecrow contest taking submissions Tarentum Recreation Board is sponsoring its...
