Valley News Dispatch category, Page 409
Sharpsburg library’s little pantry in need of donations
Sharpsburg Community Library leaders are seeking donations, not of books but of food. The Little Free Pantry that sits outside the library entrance on Main Street has been a much-needed complement to the site’s existing services. “If I put something in today, it’s gone by tomorrow,” library Assistant Jamie Cozza...
Freeport and Gilpin police clear Second Street Park after gun was found earlier
Out of an abundance of caution, Freeport police brought in Gilpin police and their police dog Monday to check for weapons after a gun was found earlier in Second Street Park. “At no time was there ever a viable threat to public safety,” Freeport Police Chief Chris Fabec said. A...
Police: Man chased woman from New Kensington day care with 3-year-old son in her car
A West Mifflin man is accused of stalking the mother of his son and pointing a gun at her during a car chase with the 3-year-old in her car. New Kensington police on Tuesday filed charges against Roosevelt Javon Wright, 23. Police said the incident began about 9:30 a.m. March...
Petition protests Burrell School District making graduation caps and gowns all blue
More than 1,700 people have signed a petition on change.org protesting Burrell School District’s decision to use just one color for graduation caps and gowns. Traditionally, Burrell’s ceremony has featured both of the school’s colors: senior boys wearing blue caps and gowns with girls donning white. But the administration recently...
Misuse of books reported at the Sharpsburg Community Library
Sharpsburg police are investigating reported book tampering at the Sharpsburg Community Library, which library officials consider to be attempts at censorship. Branch Manager Sara Mariacher said multiple books were hidden or removed from displays between February and mid-March. A police report was filed March 24. “The library and its board...
Former New Kensington-Arnold superintendent now Harrison manager
Harrison Township commissioners hired John E. Pallone as township manager by a unanimous vote. Pallone, a former five-term state legislator and superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District, will be paid $80,000 per year. Pallone replaces part-time township manager Richard G. Hill, who resigned March 11 “to pursue other opportunities.”...
Leechburg Public Library, Community Association to hold comedy show to raise funds
Residents can get a good laugh on Saturday night while helping to support a local library and organization. The Leechburg Public Library and Leechburg Area Community Association are holding a comedy night on Saturday at the Marconi Club. The 90-minute show is for ages 21 and older. There will be...
Restoration of Apollo’s historic Drake Log Cabin complete
The Apollo Area Historical Society had the town’s historic Drake Log Cabin “chinked” recently to restore the mortar mix between the logs. Bob Reintgen, a historic carpenter from Latrobe, and his team of workers installed new chinking between the logs on the front of the 206-year-old log home. Using material...
The Stroller, March 29, 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. Family Feud game night to benefit local fire departments A Family Feud Game Night will be April 23 at Oklahoma School House...
Building the Valley: Frankie’s Friends Cat Clinic creating training center for ‘quick fix’ spay and neuter technique
For as far back as Dr. Becky Morrow can recall, people concerned about the welfare of cats have been on the losing side of a battle to find enough homes for the animals available for adoption. “For too many years we’ve been trying to bail out the bathtub by adopting...
Lane from Highland Park Bridge to Route 28 North closed
The lane from Highland Park Bridge to northbound Route 28 closed Monday morning, part of the yearslong work on interchanges around the bridge. Construction will keep the lane closed through late June. PennDOT’s suggested detour calls for exiting the bridge at Aspinwall, taking Freeport Road to Fox Chapel Road and...
Springdale Township woman saves neighbors from burning homeVideo
A Springdale Township woman picking up her grandson after school saved a man and a woman from a fire that destroyed their home Monday afternoon. The fire at 103 Carson St. was reported shortly after 3 p.m. Barbara Arnold was at her grandson’s nearby bus stop when she said she...
‘Shrek’ comes to life at Kiski Area High School
Kiski Area High School is set to unleash everyone’s favorite ogre and fairy tale creatures with its upcoming production of “Shrek The Musical.” Director Robert Capanna said he wanted to present a fun show this year, especially after two years of covid-related conditions. “We wanted a big, hilarious and fun-for-the-whole-family...
Oakmont officials award 2022 road repair project to Youngblood Paving
Oakmont officials have tapped a Wampum-based business to pave several borough roads this year. Council unanimously voted March 21 to award a $290,450 contract to Youngblood Paving. Youngblood was the lowest of six bidders, and this is its first time working for Oakmont, according to borough officials. Borough manager Scot...
Valley High grad sells illustrations of St. Vladimir church to assist with church reconstruction
Graphic designer Shane Henderson long has admired the intricate architecture of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold. Even as a child growing up in New Kensington, before developing an eye for art, he recognized the church’s artistry. “I always thought St. Vlad’s was such a cool-looking building and so...
The Stroller, March 28, 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. Manos Gallery seeking entries for children’s art exhibit The Manos Gallery in Tarentum is accepting entries from children age 5 to 18...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum woman works to educate, spread message about quilts’ role during slavery
From when she was born, Ethel Hayden remembers quilting being a big part of her life growing up. The Tarentum resident found herself sitting in front of a quilting frame with her fingers weaving the cloth fabric to create quilt blankets at home with her siblings after school. Her mother...
Springdale Borough still awaiting reimbursement from Springdale Township for contractor payment
Springdale Township will delay making a final decision on whether to reimburse Springdale Borough $34,000 for costs incurred during a waterline replacement project several years ago. The problem stems from 811 calls mismatched to the location of old water and natural gas lines along Butler-Logan Road in the township. The...
Glassware, furniture and art: Tarentum’s new Vintage Owl has a bit of everything
With every inch of its narrow aisles packed with milk glass, Victorian dolls and embroidered doilies, a new store along West Seventh Avenue in Tarentum is a picker’s dream. The frog-shaped cookie jar and the Hummel figurines, like most of the items at The Vintage Owl, come with a story...
Natrona Heights Presbyterian earns grant for roof repairs
A nearly century-old church situated prominently along Broadview Boulevard in Harrison was among 17 religious sites to earn a recent grant from the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church, built in 1928, will receive $5,000 to repair its slate roof. Church Elder Chad Gourley said the roof...
Franklin Regional approves sporting clays student club sport
Tony Bucciero was at a sporting clay fundraiser when his shooting foursome included the coach of a youth clay-shooting team. “He was telling me they had 80 kids, more than the football team, and that they had to cut it off at 80,” the Murrysville resident said. Over at the...
The Stroller, March 27, 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. Help needed at New Kensington Salvation Army The New Kensington Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help out at the center,...
Freeport EMS fires whistleblower
Freeport EMS fired the executive director who found financial irregularities revealing an almost $100,000 misappropriation tied to a former EMS treasurer. The EMS board fired Chris O’Leath earlier this month, Mayor Jim Swartz confirmed. O’Leath, who also serves as a firefighter in Arnold, was given access to the EMS’s finances...
Good eats in downtown New Kensington showcased by Restaurant Ramble
Donna Hare of Upper Burrell hadn’t visited New Kensington in more than 20 years. But a new food and commerce-themed event held there Saturday changed that. Hare and five of her friends attended the 2022 Restaurant Ramble & Spring Fling. The group said they all were happy to support local...
Girl Scouts drive cookie sales with drive-thru option in Brackenridge
A drive-thru sale Saturday in Brackenridge offered motorists a convenient way to score their favorite Girl Scout cookie. Girl Scout Troop 28807 leader Jessica DePascale said the troop introduced the drive-thru option for purchasing cookies last year because of the pandemic. The 11-member troop braved snow showers and freezing temps...
