Valley News Dispatch category, Page 393
Vandergrift woman’s trial set to start later this month in homicide of Greensburg man
Jury selection in a 2018 Vandergrift fatal shooting is set to start April 20. Attorneys on Friday set the date for trial to begin for Ashley Croft, 38, of Vandergrift. She is charged with homicide in the death of John Edward Smail, 31, of Greensburg, at her apartment on Oct....
Oakmont firefighters to get new ladder truck, sell 2 old vehicles
Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department plans to replace two old trucks with a new, larger ladder truck. A 2022 Sutphen Aerial platform truck is scheduled to be delivered in August. The vehicles being sent to auction are a 1971 Mack Aerial ladder truck and a 1996 Pierce Engine. Fire Chief Joe...
Tarentum man sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison for New Kensington shooting
A Tarentum man was sentenced Friday to three to six years in a state prison after pleading guilty to shooting four times at a woman’s moving vehicle in New Kensington. Sean Talley, 22, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, a weapons violation, receiving stolen property and simple assault in three cases....
Volunteers sought for Tarentum cleanup day
Tarentum Councilwoman Carrie Fox is hoping to see at least 500 pounds of trash piled up in the borough on Saturday, April 23. That’s the day when volunteers can participate in the Great American Cleanup, a national effort to spruce up streets, parks and public spaces. “Everyone deserves a clean...
New Kensington-Arnold, teachers union bracing for strike; no talks scheduled
No further talks are scheduled between negotiators for the New Kensington-Arnold School District and its teachers union ahead of a strike the union says will begin Monday, union and district representatives said Friday. However, the district has not yet canceled classes for Monday. “We want to provide ample time for...
So far, so good for traffic in Allegheny Township along Route 356 construction zone
The first few days of the summerlong renovation project on Route 356 in Allegheny Township has passed without any major problems. Route 356 will be closed in three segments, with activity underway initially in the area from Weinels Crossroads to Piper Road. The entire project is expected to last until...
Parks Township couple creates way to comfort dads after loss of a baby
The tiny footprint is protected by wings. It belongs to Molly Rose, whose mom and dad have memorialized her making a mark in this world on the back of a black T-shirt. She will never walk on this earth, but her parents hope the image will become part of the...
Gilpin man, 45, killed in house fire; search for cause continuesVideo
A Gilpin man died in a house fire early Friday morning when he was unable to escape the burning structure, the Armstrong County coroner said. Jeremy Wildie, 45, who lived along Banfield Road, was found near the rear door of his residence, Coroner Brian Myers said. Wildie was not able...
The Stroller, April 8, 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. Please include a daytime telephone number. Donations welcome for Easter meals, treats Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank is accepting donations that will be used to...
Leechburg parents frustrated by unplayable high school baseball field
Parents of boys on the Leechburg Area High School baseball team are frustrated their kids don’t have a field at which to play home games. West Leechburg resident Adrianne Burke, who has two boys on the team, said most parents are disappointed because they’ve been waiting on improvements to the...
Students can learn about careers in STEM through free New Kensington summer program
Space is limited but still available in a new program that will be held in New Kensington this summer for high school students interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Applications for “BELONG in STEM” are being accepted through April 10. It is being offered free with support...
Police: Ohio man charged with assaulting man, woman in Allegheny Township
An Ohio man has been charged with assault in connection with a fight Wednesday in Allegheny Township. Bradley Diana, 22, of Columbiana was arrested after police said he sliced another man’s head with a large metal file and punched a woman during an altercation at the Sandalwood Apartments. Police said...
Volunteers needed for Plum’s annual Clean-Up Day
Volunteers are needed for Plum’s sixth annual Community Clean-Up Day, scheduled for April 23. They are asked to report to the public works facility at 2001 Old Mine Road between 8-8:30 a.m. A continental breakfast including coffee and Oakmont Bakery goods will be provided. Participants receive T-shirts, gloves, trash bags...
New Kensington-Arnold teachers set to strike beginning Monday
Teachers in the New Kensington-Arnold School District will walk off the job Monday if they and the district can’t agree on a new contract by then. The New Kensington-Arnold Education Association sent a formal strike notice to district Superintendent Chris Sefcheck after talks Wednesday night failed to produce a settlement,...
The Stroller, April 7, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Toiletry collection to benefit Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Spherion Staffing and Recruiting in Upper Burrell is collecting toiletries through the end...
Deer Lakes mom inspires Curtisville elementary students with her children’s book
When Brandy Donze’s daughter, Zoey, asked to take the children’s book she illustrated to school to share, Donze was delighted to say yes. That copy of “Willow Wings” didn’t make it home from Zoey’s school, Curtisville Primary Center in Deer Lakes School District in December. “I was like, ‘Oh, you...
Cheswick merger with Allegheny Valley Fire Department in final stages
After a two-year process, Cheswick will soon be merging its fire department with the Allegheny Valley Fire Department. The merger agreement is in the final stages of the process. After the state approves it, Cheswick officially will consolidate with Allegheny Valley, said Kevin Funkhouser, Allegheny Valley’s fire chief. He said...
Tarentum Council eyes tighter ordinance for abandoned vehicles
Tarentum council will consider beefing up the borough’s ability to get abandoned vehicles off the street. Mayor Bob Lang is proposing that council tighten an ordinance that currently gives owners 10 days to remove an uninspected or unregistered vehicle from the road. Police are able to tag an illegal vehicle...
Plum’s Easter celebration drive-through for 3rd straight year
Plum officials are gearing up for the borough’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza. It will take place April 16 in drive-thru fashion for the third straight year at the public works building, 2001 Old Mine Road. The free event is for borough residents only and limited to the first 700 children who...
Vandergrift hires a street paver to repave 8 streets, but needs to come up with a bit more money
Vandergrift Council has awarded a $147,000 contract to A. Folino Construction of Oakmont for this summer’s paving program. The amount allocated for paving by Westmoreland County is $137,000. Vandergrift officials had thought that the county’s allotment would be enough to pay the whole cost, but the price of asphalt has...
Arnold burglary nets at least 2 years in prison for West Leechburg man
A West Leechburg man was ordered to serve at least two years in prison for stealing nearly $44,000 of equipment from an Arnold landscaping business site last year. Randy D. McGuire Jr., 32, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to burglary and other offenses in connection with thefts of tools and other...
Bless A Dress to give away 3,000 prom gowns at event in Harmar
Those still in search of a prom dress are in luck: The organization Bless A Dress is holding its annual free prom gown event this week. An estimated 3,000 gently used, donated dresses will be up for grabs at the three-day event, starting Thursday, at the Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena...
New Kensington honors first responders for recent efforts to save lives
New Kensington Council bestowed commendations on several first responders and a marina employee who all, successfully and unsuccessfully, tried to save lives in recent tragic incidents in the city. Police officers Christian Leonarski and Jerry Hobeck and Assistant Fire Chief B.J. Kersey were honored for efforts to try to save...
The Stroller, April 6, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Animal Protectors welcomes donations Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley, 730 Church St., New Kensington, is accepting donations to help with daily operations...
New Starbucks in Harmar preps for opening
Harmar residents will be able to get their java at another Starbucks as the franchise is set to open its newest freestanding location on Freeport Road on Friday. Store manager Keri Chitester said her crew just started getting things organized Tuesday morning. She said the store’s focus is on hiring...
