Valley News Dispatch category, Page 417
Alle-Kiski Valley fire companies awarded state grants for equipment, training
Summit Hose firefighters will be equipped with new portable radios thanks to a state grant awarded this month. Chief Josh Fox said his department is expected to receive $15,000 through the state fire commissioner’s office. “We’ll use it to cover several new radios to replace ones that are now old...
The Stroller, March 4, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Irish celebration to raise funds for recovery ministry Addiction Recovery Ministry will host an Irish celebration event at 4:30 p.m. March 27...
Gas prices continue climb on local and national level
Barb Constant of Plum didn’t mince words about gas prices Thursday, which skyrocketed 12 cents to $3.82 a gallon, up from $3.70, across the Pittsburgh region. “It sucks, but there’s nothing we can do about it,” Constant said as she fueled her car at the Sheetz station on Pittsburgh Street...
Part of Sarver Road in Buffalo Township closed Thursday, no reopening date given
PennDOT closed a portion of Sarver Road in Buffalo Township on Thursday. The closure is at the intersection Sarver Road and Monroe Road. A detour has been posted using Route 356 (South/North Pike Road). The detour is about 9 miles long. PennDOT officials said there is no estimated time for...
Gas prices continue climb on local and national level
Barb Constant of Plum didn’t mince words about gas prices Thursday, which skyrocketed 12 cents to $3.82 a gallon, up from $3.70, across the Pittsburgh region. “It sucks, but there’s nothing we can do about it,” Constant said as she fueled her car at the Sheetz gas station on Pittsburgh...
Police file felony charges against West Deer man involved in standoff, house fire
A West Deer man was charged with felony aggravated assault after police accused him of shooting fireworks at officers before barricading himself inside his home and setting it on fire. William J. Bryar, 54, also faces charges of reckless endangerment and arson in connection with an incident at his home...
Arnold to consider proposal for gas station, convenience store on Freeport Road
Arnold Council will consider a proposal for the redevelopment of a former gas station along Freeport Road. Mike Thakkar of Yashvi Oil said he wants to open a gas station and convenience store at 1610 Freeport Road. The property is between Woodberry Road and Warren Avenue. The property and its...
Valley freshman Sidnie Shirey won’t let disability keep her from swimming, inspiring othersVideo
Sidnie Shirey stands on the pool deck beside the starting block. She is confident. She dives in the water and her core muscles and legs go to work, helping her cut through the water. She is strong. As she approaches the wall to make each turn, she hopes to gain...
New Kensington police investigating fights at Valley High School
New Kensington police are investigating two fights that broke out at Valley High School on Wednesday, police Chief Bob Deringer said. According to New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck, about 10 girls got into a shouting match that escalated into a fight Wednesday in the hallway outside the cafeteria and near...
Arnold man rejects, then accepts, plea deal for sexual assault of teen
An Arnold man will serve up to three years in prison for the sexual assault of a girl in her mid-teens. Marcel Lynne Hayes, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one felony count as part of a plea bargain. Hayes initially rejected the deal but ultimately accepted after a Westmoreland County...
The Stroller, March 3, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Bowlers needed for party to benefit Animal Protectors The Pins for Pets bowling party to benefit Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will...
Talks at home, school can help children process Ukraine war images, information
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been dubbed the TikTok war by some, as videos of the violence have surfaced across that and other social media platforms favored by many of today’s youths. “It makes it more real for them, not just some distant event,” said Jaime Rininger, who teaches geography...
‘Smashing bots’: High schools battle in regional robotics competition
Riley Davison’s Wednesday was filled with excitement for one reason: “smashing bots.” The Pine-Richland senior was among dozens of high school students who crowded in Robert Morris University’s John Jay Center for the 17th annual BotsIQ, a regional competition in which student-made robots fight each other gladiator-style. In one corner,...
Vandergrift resident pours creativity into new candle and craft business
Stuck at home for long stretches during the pandemic, Shannon Gourley picked up the craft of making candles. “It gave me something to focus on,” said Gourley, a Vandergrift resident and the mother of four. Now, she has turned that creative accomplishment into a business, selling candles and promoting other...
Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos, beloved as civic booster, dies
Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos, known as a tireless advocate for his borough and a driving force behind countless projects, died Wednesday. “He’s going to be a hard act to replace,” Council President Tom Foster said. “He was trying to revitalize Leechburg one project at a time.” Foster said he was...
Penn Hills graduate, Upper Burrell resident publishes her own book
After living in others’ fantasy worlds, Penn Hills High School graduate and Upper Burrell resident Jenna E. Faas was ready to create her own. Writing has been a core passion for Faas, who remembers her mom reading books to her before bedtime at 5 years old. Although she was unable...
West Deer police standoff ends with house fire
A man is in custody after holding police at bay in West Deer and setting his home on fire Wednesday, according to authorities. Police had much of the 3500 block on Huntertown Road blocked off and fire crews were called to extinguish the smokey fire shortly after noon, according to...
Ashes to Go draws people for mobile blessings
Lexie Vigna of West Leechburg has a jam-packed academic schedule as a college student. Home this week on spring break, she found time to observe Ash Wednesday in front of CoCo Coffeehouse in Leechburg, receiving “Ashes to Go.” “It’s very convenient to do this while I’m here studying at the...
New Kensington-Arnold School District makes face masks optional
Face masks are now optional in the New Kensington-Arnold School District. At a school board meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said the change was effective immediately. The school board did not have to vote on the change, as it was already outlined in the district’s health and safety plan....
State trooper responding to wreck on Route 28 accuses driver of carrying gun illegally
State police from the Kittanning station charged a man with felony gun possession after he got into a crash along Route 28. Naszer Simmons-Christopher, 20, of Duquesne, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license along with carrying a loaded weapon, driving under the influence and traffic violations, according...
New Kensington teen’s Eagle Scout project benefits homeless veterans
After delivering care packages he had assembled for homeless veterans, Nick Graham had an opportunity to speak with a veteran who had walked in to the offices of the nonprofit Veterans Leadership Program in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. “Seeing how someone who fought for our freedom and fought for our country...
The Stroller, March 2, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. ‘Hello, Dolly’ to be performed at Apollo-Ridge HS Apollo-Ridge High School Drama Club will present the musical, “Hello, Dolly!” at 7 p.m....
Paws Across Pittsburgh eyeing new bus to keep up with pet rescues
Diane Raible’s newest foster is an 8-month-old pit bull mix who was shot through his thigh at close range. “His name is Axel, and he’s such a good boy,” said Raible, co-vice president of the Tarentum-based Paws Across Pittsburgh. Axel underwent three blood transfusions and an amputation, but is expected...
New Kensington-Arnold teachers rally for new contract, threaten strike vote
First grade teacher Mick Dombroski feels like he’s living in the movie “Groundhog Day.” Over and over again, he said, the New Kensington-Arnold School District can’t approve a new contract with its teachers union until after the previous deal has expired. Most districts settle on new contracts before that happens,...
Freeport Area High School to present Disney’s ‘High School Musical’
In a case of art imitating life or life imitating art, Freeport Area High School will present Disney’s “High School Musical,” running Thursday through Sunday at the district’s middle school. The story centers on two East High students, Troy and Gabriella, and their audition for a school musical in which...
