Valley News Dispatch category, Page 440
Small crowd, big effort for Salvation Army Red Kettle Race in Brackenridge
Participants of the third annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Race in Brackenridge didn’t appear to mind that the temperatures only crept into the mid-30s on Saturday morning. “It’s not something you really want to get out of bed for on an early winter morning, but it’s a great cause,” said...
Freeport has no cops after chief quits at end of 1st shift; state police covering borough
Freeport hasn’t had a police officer on duty since Nov. 3, when the newly hired police chief quit at the end of his first shift. With no officers left on the force, state police are handling calls in the 1.3-square-mile borough of about 1,700 residents, officials said. Retired Plum police...
Determined Highlands kindergartner says, ‘They cut off my foot. And I’m getting a new one!’
Highlands kindergartner Annabel Grant isn’t shy when classmates ask why she uses a wheelchair. “They cut off my foot,” the 5-year-old says bluntly. “And I’m getting a new one!” Born with fibular hemimelia — the absence of a fibula bone — in her lower right leg, Annabel doesn’t appear to...
The Stroller, Nov. 13, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Toys for Tots sign-ups scheduled Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots served by the Allegheny Valley Detachment will have sign-ups online...
Tarentum lands Allegheny County grant to cover East 7th Avenue sewer project
A $73,000 storm sewer separation project in Tarentum is expected to wrap up by the end of the year — and it will cost the borough less than $300. Council on Tuesday was awarded $72,752 from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County. “We originally thought the project was going to...
Friends continue direct delivery of Thanksgiving meals to those alone, in need
Two friends are teaming up again to help folks living alone enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Last year, as the pandemic highlighted social isolation during the holidays, Molly O’Brien of Fox Chapel and Bethanie Stein of Aspinwall started their own, small-scale effort to provide meals directly to people in need....
Kiski Township police charge man with strangling, raping woman during dispute over missing cell phone
Kiski Township police arrested a man after a woman accused him of strangling and raping her during an argument that started over his missing cellphone, according to authorities. Jordan Michael Coleman, 32, of Acheson Avenue, North Apollo, is charged with four felonies in connection with the Oct. 28 incident, according...
Free Thanksgiving dinners in the Alle-Kiski Valley
A free Thanksgiving dinner is being offered in several communities in the Valley during the Thanksgiving holiday season. All events are on Nov. 25 unless otherwise listed. Please note that registrations are requested at some locations. Arnold A free community Thanksgiving dinner will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at...
The Stroller, Nov. 12, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Dinner to benefit Leechburg fire victims A barbeque dinner to benefit Craig and Melissa Hubert of Leechburg who lost their home...
Fisher Hall renovation at Burrell Lake Park ready for the public
The newly renovated Fisher Hall in Burrell Lake Park sports clean, modern industrial chic decor while keeping its rustic vibe. After a closure of more than a year for the work amid operating complications during the pandemic, the longtime social hall in Lower Burrell is now available for rent. City...
Alle-Kiski Valley observes Veterans DayVideo
The men and women who have served in the military were honored at several Veterans Day observances in the Alle-Kiski Valley on Thursday. Veterans Day initially was known as Armistice Day, held on Nov. 11 because that was the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918....
Highlands Elementary salutes local veterans with song, breakfast
Students at Highlands Elementary School applauded local veterans during a celebratory breakfast Thursday. But there were deeper lessons learned over pancakes and sausage. “I know what a POW is,” said third grader Connor Smith, whose special guest was his grandfather Grover Smith, who served in Vietnam as a Marine. “Before...
New Fox Chapel council members seek to boost communication with residents
Improved communications between Fox Chapel and its residents will be the priority for two newly elected council members, each said. Democrat Sarah Hanna and Republican Brad Harrison earned four-year terms in the Nov. 2 general election, along with Republican incumbents Harrison Lauer and Andy Bennett. “The number one thing that...
Allegheny Valley School District searching for substitute teachers, custodians
Like many businesses around the Alle-Kiski Valley, the Allegheny Valley School District needs employees. Specifically, substitute teachers and custodians, a problem the school board discussed at its agenda meeting Tuesday. “We are in a position where we need substitutes,” Superintendent Patrick Graczyk told the board. He said the problem was...
Route 66 in Gilpin reopens after crash
Minor injuries were reported in a crash that closed part of Route 66 in Gilpin Thursday morning, state police said. Crews responded to the highway around 6:30 a.m. for reports of a crash involving a tanker truck, Tribune-Review news partner WPXI reported. The road, which was closed between Schenley and...
Women of Alle-Kiski Engaging collect items for Veterans Leadership Program
They’ve served us. Now it’s time for us to serve them. The Women of Alle-Kiski Engaging spent two months collecting nonperishable food and personal products to be donated to the Veterans Leadership Program, which helps those who served in the military with everything from housing and career development to wellness...
The Stroller, Nov. 11, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Spaghetti dinner to benefit cancer patient A spaghetti dinner to benefit breast cancer patient Cristy Keibler Suppa of Upper Burrell will...
Springdale High School drama club to perform in front of live audience for 1st time since 2019
Springdale High School drama club students are eager to perform a production in front of a live audience for the first time since 2019. The school will perform “The Wildman” by J. Omar Hansen. The one-act play is a comedic hillbilly retelling of the ancient folk tale “The Heartless Giant.”...
Traffic stop leads Kiski Township police to arrest man on parole violation for drug conviction
In a traffic stop Wednesday, Kiski Township police arrested a man wanted for a parole violation on drug charges from 2019, according to authorities. An officer on patrol along Route 56 stopped Damien Kemerer, 32, of Vandergrift after he ran a stop sign at Balsiger Road, according to a criminal...
New assistant principal joins O’Hara Elementary
An elementary school in the Fox Chapel Area School District has a new assistant principal. Benjamin Canan, 34, joined O’Hara Elementary School this month as program principal, the official name for the role. He said he seeks to bring a personalized approach to helping lead the school and promises to...
New Ken-Arnold to cast broad net in replacing head football coach ‘Muzzy’ Colosimo
New Kensington-Arnold School District will cast a wide net as it searches for a new varsity football head coach. The school board Tuesday accepted the resignation of William “Muzzy” Colosimo and will advertise the coaching position. Colosimo did not attend the meeting. Colosimo, 71, previously said he felt it was...
1,000 rounds of ammunition disappear on way to Allegheny Township Police Dept.
Allegheny Township police Chief Duane Fisher didn’t have to open the box delivered to his station Monday to know there was something wrong with the delivery of ammunition for his department. “As soon as I saw the (United Parcel Service) driver get out of the truck carrying the box rather...
Police memorial flag causes a flap in Aspinwall
A flag honoring fallen police officers is causing a flap in Aspinwall. Council members fielded comments during last week’s meeting from about 15 residents either supporting or opposing the flag that has flown outside the borough building for 12 years. Aspinwall resident Karen Hart took to social media to express...
West Deer Police to hold 25th annual toy drive for families in need
West Deer Township is ringing in the holiday cheer with its 25th annual toy drive. Former West Deer Police Chief Jon Lape started the drive to help families experiencing hardship during the holiday season. This year will be first time Lape is not leading it after his retirement in June....
Gift baskets sought for spaghetti dinner benefitting New Ken firefighter battling cancer
Donations are being sought to stage a spaghetti dinner benefit for a New Kensington volunteer firefighter battling cancer. The city’s fire department and the New Kensington Eagles are jointly sponsoring the benefit dinner for Chris Ploski on Jan. 8, Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Davis said. Ploski, 59, a firefighter with...
