Valley News Dispatch category, Page 402
Dogs get their day at Harrison Hills Park; off-leash area planned by Allegheny County
Dogs will soon have a space to run leash free at Harrison Hills Park, and some local pet owners found the announcement by Allegheny County worthy of a tail-wag. “I’m thrilled,” said Bev Bogan of Harrison. “We have been wanting this for 10 years.” Bogan and others won’t have to...
Former bartender at Harrison Polish club accused of passing counterfeit $100 bills
A former bartender at a private club in Harrison faces a felony forgery charge after police accused her of passing counterfeit $100 bills she had stashed in her bra. Amber Snyder, 35, of the 800 block of Short Street in Tarentum, also faces two misdemeanor forgery charges in connection with...
The Stroller, March 11, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community Easter Egg hunts, breakfasts with the Easter Bunny 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. March for Parks fundraiser planned March 26 The 20th annual Westmoreland County March for Parks...
ATI ends joint venture in Russia
Specialty steelmaker ATI is pulling out of its joint venture with a Russian-based metal production and titanium-magnesium operation, no later than the end of the year. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker notified the Securities and Exchange Commission in a filing Wednesday that it is expecting to wind up the joint venture with...
Missing Armstrong man found in Allegheny River
The body of a New Bethlehem man missing for a few months was found Thursday morning at Lock 8 in the Allegheny River, the Armstrong County Coroner said. The victim, Shawn Hilliard, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene in Washington Township, the coroner said. The cause of death is...
West Penn Power agrees to nearly $1.2M fine in 2018 West Deer electrocution death
Nearly four years after a West Deer man died after coming into contact with a fallen live wire, Pennsylvania’s utility oversight board has agreed to a nearly $1.2 million settlement with West Penn Power, which must also undertake remediation work meant to prevent the series of failures that led to...
Snow in forecast won’t put freeze on St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday in Lower Burrell
A weekend weather forecast calling for at least several inches of snow won’t be enough to put a damper on the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Lower Burrell, according to organizers. “A little bit of snow isn’t going to stop the fun,” said Terry McClain, who organized this year’s...
Upper Burrell firm donating up to 1% of March sales to support Ukrainian refugees
Polyconcept North America, an international business in the Westmoreland County Business and Research Park in Upper Burrell, is donating up to 1% of its March sales revenue to humanitarian relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees. The main page of the company’s website is promoting its efforts, stating: “We’re proud to support...
Teacher strike authorized, but not set, at New Ken-Arnold
Teachers in the New Kensington-Arnold School District authorized a strike if a new contract isn’t reached in the near future. The New Kensington-Arnold Education Association represents 151 teachers and professional staff who have been working without a contract for nearly eight months. Ashley Pujol, union president, did not provide an...
The Stroller, March 10, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community Easter Egg hunts, breakfasts with the Easter Bunny 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. Free formal attire to be distributed Saturday The Cinderella’s Closet at North Apollo Church of...
Officials in Freeport, Gilpin to hold talks about feasibility of merging police forces
Freeport officials say they want to explore the feasibility of merging the borough’s police department with Gilpin Township’s force to help increase patrols and, if possible, save money. Borough officials recently floated the idea of a merger as a way to avoid a situation like the one in November in...
Missing Leechburg girl found safe
A 13-year-old Leechburg girl who had been missing since Tuesday night has been found Thursday, Leechburg police said. Leechburg Police Chief Jason Schaeffer said Thursday night that Aeryona Dongilli was safe and would be returning home to her family....
Therapy dogs help New Kensington-Arnold students practice their reading skills
It’s not every day a student can experience petting a furry friend and receiving dog kisses during a reading lesson. But that’s just what happened Wednesday morning at New Kensington-Arnold School District’s H.D. Berkey Elementary. Therapy dogs paid a visit to the first and second graders to help provide emotional...
Nurses at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital plan to strike early Sunday
Nurses at ACMH Hospital in the Kittanning area are set to strike Sunday after months of contract talks with no results, union officials announced . Cassie Wood, a registered nurse and president of ACMH Nurses United, said the strike is set to take place daily from 7 a.m. to 7...
Highlands Elementary students ‘Bite into Books’
Librarian Susan Wilson held up a colorfully illustrated book about a fire-breathing dragon that eats tacos as she announced to the second grade class at Highlands Elementary School that it was time to “Bite into Books.” “Oh my gosh, I thought you really meant we had to eat that book!”...
Fire marshals still investigating fatal fire in New Kensington, fire responders lauded for their efforts
State police fire marshals continue to investigate the cause of a fire Sunday that swept through a duplex in New Kensington and resulted in the death of one woman. New Kensington fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said the fire was reported a few minutes before 6 p.m. Sunday. The blaze...
Harrison zoning board to weigh Aldi proposal for Freeport Road
Harrison residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposal by grocery giant Aldi, whose company officials are eyeing a site along Freeport Road. J.R. Perry, Aldi’s Saxonburg Division vice president, confirmed last month that plans are in the works for a store in the Natrona Heights section...
Tarentum residents will face instant penalty for unsafe, eyesore properties
A new quality-of-life ordinance approved by Tarentum Council is expected to keep residents accountable for their properties, council members said during a meeting Tuesday night. Council enacted new guidelines aimed at keeping properties tidy and safe. The ordinance outlines health and safety requirements that target high grass, junk vehicles and...
The Stroller, March 9, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community Easter Egg hunts, breakfasts with the Easter Bunny 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. ServSafe course offered at Lenape Tech Lenape Technical School will offer a ServSafe Food Safety...
Federal judge orders New Kensington landscaping company to pay $150,000 in back wages, penalties
A New Kensington landscaping company has been ordered to pay $150,000 in back wages and penalties after an investigation found the employer denied overtime pay to its workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the investigation found that Shurina Brothers LLC did not pay employees time-and-a-half for overtime hours...
Police: Man injured after crashing into 2 parked cars, porch in Leechburg
A motorist was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon after crashing into two parked cars and a porch in Leechburg. Police Chief Jason Schaeffer said the crash occurred about 5:40 p.m. in the 200 block of Pershing Avenue. Firefighters had to free the driver from the car . He was transported to Forbes...
Allegheny Health Network to boost nurses’ pay
In an effort to retain nurses by making their pay more competitive, Allegheny Health Network announced Tuesday plans to boost wages for nonunion nursing staff. The pay raises are part of $92 million for increased pay and workplace enhancements the network plans for this year. “You always want to maintain...
Former state representative from Apollo stumps for lieutenant governor
Old friends reunited at a meet-and-greet for Republican lieutenant governor candidate Jeff Coleman on Tuesday at Ryan’s Creek House near Ford City. A former state representative and Apollo councilman, Coleman is campaigning across the state with a focus on bipartisanship and civility at a time when politics are facing division...
Pittsburgh man charged with starting brawl at Zone 28 in Harmar
A Pittsburgh man picked a fight with numerous patrons at Harmar’s Zone 28, leading to a massive brawl inside the bowling alley and entertainment complex, according to police. Damiene Young, 28, is charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, harassment and failure to disperse in connection...
Oakmont pizza shop owner shot 6 times during robbery feels ‘lucky to be alive’
The owner of an Oakmont pizza shop shot six times during a robbery Sunday said he feels lucky to have survived and is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support he has received. Greg Scampone said he was working the counter at the Fox’s Pizza Den he owns on Allegheny River...
