Valley News Dispatch category, Page 372
Children’s musical celebrates reading by bringing novel characters to life in Vandergrift
More than 23 young thespians from Armstrong and Westmoreland counties are busy rehearsing for the upcoming production of “The Enchanted Bookshop Musical.” The musical celebrates the joy of reading and is based on the popular children’s play “The Enchanted Bookshop.” The show is presented by Armstrong Community Theater and will...
Historic stained glass to be revamped at Central Presbyterian in Tarentum
It’s hard to miss the massive stained-glass windows at Central Presbyterian Church. “When people come in, they’re in awe,” said Gail Taglieri, secretary at the church along Allegheny Street in Tarentum. “It’s such beauty and art. The reverence I feel is a reminder that there’s something greater than ourselves out...
The Stroller, June 12, 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Casino Theatre to host youth musical Armstrong Community Theater will present its...
Harmar crash closes Freeport Road late Friday at the spot where train accident already restricted traffic
Lower Valley rescue crews and police responded to an accident late Friday on Freeport Road in Harmar near the Advance Auto Parts. At least one person was reported to have been taken to a hospital. The accident closed a section of Freeport Road where a train accident weeks ago had...
West Leechburg boy raises thousands — again — for Alzheimer’s research
He’s a pint-sized fundraiser with a sweet goal. Every year, Brody Toy, 10, of West Leechburg operates a tricked-out lemonade stand to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. A fifth-grader at David Leech Elementary, Brody has raised more than $16,000 since starting his fundraiser in 2016. “I’m just a boy with...
Introducing the Cheswick Christian Academy Class of 2022
Cheswick Christian Academy held its commencement ceremony Friday evening at Living Word of Plum church. Here is the Class of 2022: Cheyenne Martino, Emily Rosio, Reyna Mohney, Olivia Rochkind, Abigail Zuback, Daylin Rivera, Amelia Bach, Zane McManus, Nicholas Phillips, Giovanni Bair, Payton Blazevich, Alexander Ricci, Nathaniel Bonomo. Missing: Zephaniah Malloy....
The Stroller, June 11, 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Bike run to benefit Toys for Tots The sixth annual Toys for...
Freeport Area property taxes to increase; amount depends on where you live
Taxes will increase for Freeport Area School District residents next school year — but by how much depends on where you live. Those living in Buffalo Township will be hit substantially harder than those in Freeport or South Buffalo. That’s because the formula for the way property taxes are calculated...
Pittsburgh man gets up to 40 years prison for 2019 fatal Arnold shooting
Shawden L. Ross told a Westmoreland County judge Friday he understood the pain his victim’s family members experienced as he endured the same kind of loss. Ross, 36, of Pittsburgh was ordered to serve 20 to 40 years in prison for the third-degree murder of 27-year-old Lamont Simmons on April...
Bill to ban fracking in Allegheny County parks gets additional support
Allegheny County Council held a public meeting Thursday about a bill that proposes banning natural-gas drilling, aka fracking, in the nine county parks. The hearing was met with great fanfare from local environmental activists. The bill was first introduced in 2021, and the effort has increased its support since then,...
Parks Township police accuse woman of stealing nearly $10,000 from father’s bank accounts
Parks Township police charged a woman with multiple felonies after investigators accused her of stealing nearly $10,000 from her father by using his checking and savings accounts to buy merchandise, withdraw cash and forge checks without his permission. Jacqueline M. Kromka, 35, of the 3200 block of River Road, Kiski...
New patio at Casino Theatre in Vandergrift made possible by tourism grant
There’s now more room to roam for patrons visiting the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift. New patio furniture, including sponsored, personalized black and gray benches, were installed this spring on the terrace outside the theater, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An $11,800 grant from the Westmoreland...
State police searching for suspects who shot at vehicle along Route 28 in O’Hara
State police are seeking the public’s help in the search for two suspects wanted for shooting at a vehicle while driving along Route 28 in Harmar late last month. Investigators at the Kittanning station said a motorist reported that while driving near Exit 10 in O’Hara shortly before 9 p.m....
Authorities ‘actively investigating’ homicide of New Kensington 9-year-old Azuree Charles
Authorities are still investigating the now-more-than-month-old homicide of a 9-year-old New Kensington boy, according to a statement Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli released Thursday. Azuree Charles was found dead May 4 outside his East Ken Manor home on Haser Drive. Authorities have not disclosed how Charles died, and no...
Harrison Hills off-leash dog park on pace to open in fall
An off-leash dog space at Harrison Hills Park is on track to open this fall. Joel Perkovich, Allegheny County landscape architect, is eyeing a summer start for construction of the 1.3-acre site along Woodchuck Drive, across from the Laurel Shelter. “It’s a big open field right now,” Perkovich said. “It’s...
New Kensington shootout suspect faces hearing in July
A preliminary hearing for a man charged with attempted murder in a May shootout on Fifth Avenue in New Kensington has been scheduled for July. Deontae Delshaw Boyd Jr., 21, of Rankin will have a hearing July 7 before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. Boyd was scheduled...
The Stroller, June 10, 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Verona and Oakmont to host Allegheny County Firefighters The Allegheny County Firefighters...
Authorities launch homicide investigation in death of shaken baby syndrome victim — 29 years after incident
Authorities are investigating the death of Samantha Delariva, 28, of Allegheny Township, who died last year from head injuries suffered as an infant. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office reported Wednesday — about six months after her death — that the cause of Delariva’s death was abusive head trauma and...
Introducing the Deer Lakes High School Class of 2022
Here is the Deer Lakes High School Class of 2022: Abbygail Nicolle Adamsky, Olivia Marie Antonace, Ryan John Ashbaugh, Edward John Auer, Bryce Donald Austin, Colton Donald Bach, Adisa Ballanca, Bridget Ruth Barie, Nathan Leonard Barker, Jaden Michael Barnhart, Johnathan David Bashioum, Gage Ashton Beacom, Nathan Jack Bennardo, Jenna Marie...
Car leaves New Kensington Wendy’s parking lot, hits car on Tarentum Bridge Road
No serious injuries were reported Thursday after a car went through a guardrail in the parking lot of a New Kensington restaurant and hit another car on Tarentum Bridge Road. A bystander reported the crash at Wendy’s to 911 about 2:40 p.m., a Westmoreland County emergency dispatcher said. New Kensington...
New Kensington chief says quick response to van fire behind station prevented catastrophe
A quick response by firefighters after a van erupted in flames Thursday in the alley behind New Kensington’s No. 3 fire station prevented the flames from spreading to nearby homes, according to authorities. Residents fled from several nearby homes after a Volkswagen van that was being driven by a man...
Alle-Kiski Valley native says turning 100 ‘is unbelievable,’ plans large birthday bash
Jean Magness woke up in her North Apollo home Thursday and pondered turning 100 years old by conducting a weather check. “I was hoping it would be a nice day on my birthday,” Magness said. “This day is good. I’m very glad to be here. It looks pretty good. “I...
Brackenridge playground surface could get $100,000 revamp
The slide at Brackenridge Memorial Park will have a softer landing if the state approves a grant to redo the playground surface. Council is seeking nearly $100,000 through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Borough Engineer Gordon Taylor said that money would pay for a soft rubber pad...
Romanian men accused of planting credit card skimmers in Frazer, Monroeville now charged in Washington County
Two Romanian nationals accused last month of planting skimming devices at Sam’s Club stores in Allegheny and Butler counties were charged this week with targeting a store in Washington County. South Strabane police filed criminal charges against Colceag Constantin, 41, and Raul-Mihani Cojucaru, 40, after a skimmer was found on...
Tarentum Farm Market opens season with fresh flowers, berries and barbecue
It’s fair to say that customers were clamoring for the opening of the Tarentum Farm Market on Wednesday. A small crowd gathered mid-morning, browsing fresh-picked strawberries, pepperoni rolls and specialty cupcakes. The parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church of Tarentum was transformed with colorful flower baskets, bright-red tomatoes and...
