Valley News Dispatch category, Page 443
Republicans sweep ballots in Plum mayoral, council races
In the Plum mayoral race, Republican Mayor Harry Schlegel beat Democrat David Biondo, 3,524 to 3,390, for another four-year term. Eight candidates were on the ballot to fill four seats on Plum Borough council. The top vote-getters were all Republicans: incumbents Paul Dern and Mike Doyle, as well as newcomer...
No city real estate tax increase planned for Lower Burrell next year
Lower Burrell Council voted unanimously Monday on a $10.77 million preliminary budget that holds the line on real estate taxes for next year . The city’s proposed 2022 budget will keep real estate taxes at 24.75 mills. That means a property assessed at $20,000 would be subject to a real...
Sharpsburg’s Roots of Faith, Pittsburgh International Airport partner for coat giveaway
Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg is partnering with the Pittsburgh International Airport to dole out winter coats that never quite made it to their intended destination. For the fourth consecutive year, the ministry has received an array of warm weather clothes left at the airport by travelers and other visitors....
Guilty plea entered in New Kensington fatal overdose case
Westmoreland County prosecutors this week dropped a felony charge of drug delivery resulting in death against one of three men charged in connection with a 2018 fatal drug overdose in New Kensington. Matthew Covey, 50, formerly of Missouri, pleaded guilty to a lesser drug possession charge as part of a...
The Stroller, Nov. 3, 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. Community library to host pop culture trivia night Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a pop culture Trivia Night at...
Lenny Collini to become Vandergrift’s new mayor
Vandergrift will have a new mayor to start the new year. Councilman Lenny Collini, who was listed on both party ballots Tuesday, won 76.5% of the vote against a write-in campaign waged by incumbent Democrat Barbara Turiak, who received 23.5%. With all of Vandergrift’s six precincts reporting, Collini had 485...
Political newcomer ousts longtime supervisor in Allegheny Township
A political newcomer appeared to be successful in his campaign to replace a longtime supervisor in Allegheny Township. According to unofficial election results Tuesday night and with all precincts reporting, Republican James Morabito had 56% of the vote, defeating incumbent Supervisor Kathy Starr, who had about 44%. This is the...
Lindsay Fraser unseats Tom Kish as Brackenridge mayor
Brackenridge residents cast a ballot for change on Tuesday, electing a new mayor for the first time in 12 years. Political newcomer Lindsay Fraser, who is not affiliated with any party, handily won the election against Democratic incumbent Thomas Kish by more than 30%, with a total of 275 votes...
Oakmont police investigating thefts from unlocked vehicles
Oakmont police are investigating a rash of vehicle break-ins. Chief Michael Ford said a group of young men reportedly entered at least eight unlocked vehicles on multiple blocks between Fifth and Thirteenth streets sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Victims reported cash and other items being stolen. No forcible...
New Kensington gives preliminary approval to 2022 budget with no property tax hike
The property tax rate will not be going up in New Kensington next year. City Council on Monday approved an $8.47 million preliminary budget for 2022 that keeps the tax rate at 32.03 mills. The city would spend almost 4% more than its $8.16 million budget for this year. City Clerk...
Registered sex offender accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl in Kittanning a decade ago
A Lawrence County man has been charged with felony counts of indecent contact with a minor and indecent assault of a person under the age of 13 for an incident that happened in Kittanning about a decade ago, according to authorities. An arrest warrant was issued for Charles James Airgood...
Oakmont celebrates all things fall during annual festival
Despite a tenuous beginning with the weather, the Oakmont Fall Festival and Halloween parade went off as planned Oct. 30. Costumed children and their parents marched down Allegheny River Boulevard to kick off the day. The Riverview marching band led the 10 a.m. parade to celebrate the day’s festivities. The...
Freeport hires new police chief as officer and former chief resign
A retired Plum police sergeant has been named Freeport’s new police chief. Council unanimously voted Monday night to hire Matthew Feldmeier to head the borough force in what elected leaders called a transition within the department. Former Chief Eric Belton resigned to take a job with Plum police, and patrolman...
Lower Valley Community Food Bank expecting higher demand for food distribution
The Lower Valley Community Food Bank will hold a food distribution from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday near the rear entrance of the Springdale Borough Building on School Street. The food bank serves Cheswick, Harmar, Indiana Township, Springdale and Springdale Township. Advance registration is not required. Director Kathy Otterbeck expects...
The Stroller, Nov. 2, 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. Help needed at Vandergrift Meals On Wheels Vandergrift Meals On Wheels is in need of regular and substitute volunteers to help...
Veteran local comedians to perform this weekend at Casino Theatre in Vandergrift
A night of comedy is coming to Vandergrift. Professional comedian Shaun Blackham will headline a 90-minute show Saturday in the historic Casino Theatre. Blackham, who lives in the Mamont section of Export, has opened for famous comedians, including Adam Sandler, Steven Wright, Tracy Morgan, Mitch Hedberg and Dave Attell. “This...
Report: Armstrong High students led vulgar chants during hockey game against Mars Area
Armstrong School District students are no longer allowed at hockey games after high school students chanted vulgarly at a female goalie at a recent game against Mars Area. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League is investigating, and its executive committee will discuss the incident during a meeting Wednesday or Thursday night,...
New Kensington man gets 1 day in prison for stealing brother’s VA benefits
A New Kensington man will spend one day behind bars for stealing more than $130,000 of his older brother’s veterans benefits to buy himself luxury items — including a diamond ring, GMC Sierra pickup truck and Harley Davidson motorcycle. Andrew Ziacik, 57, also must pay $75,000 in restitution to his...
1935 Seagrave fire truck’s a relic worth preserving, Leechburg firefighters sayVideo
Jim Vigna of Leechburg knows companies just do not make fire trucks like they used to anymore. He is reminded of that fact whenever he tends to the borough volunteer fire company’s 1935 Seagrave. The roughly 25-foot-long truck was acquired the year it was made in a Columbus, Ohio, factory,...
Valley’s Muzzy Colosimo gets emotional as he retires from coaching
The past couple of days have been pretty emotional for Muzzy Colosimo since he announced his retirement from coaching football and was on the sidelines guiding his Valley football team one last time Friday evening. His son, Willie, who coached with him at Valley and Greensburg Central Catholic and with...
Local veterans invited for free dinner, camaraderie at Sharpsburg VFW
Local veterans who served at any time and in any location are welcome to the Sharpsburg VFW for a free dinner on Sunday. “We don’t care where you live, where you served or for how long,” Post 709 Commander Pat Corcoran said. “This is veterans celebrating veterans. “We’d love to...
Arnold native hopes to bring neighbors out, together with food truck event
Jamie Cutler wants to bring Arnold residents together and figures a food truck rally is a great way to do that. “I wanted something good for the community, especially since we’ve been down because of the pandemic,” said Cutler, 45, an Arnold native. “I want to get people out and...
The Stroller, Nov. 1, 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. NK Salvation Army to offer holiday assistance The New Kensington Salvation Army will accept applications for assistance for holiday food and...
Armstrong coroner: 26-year-old man killed in Kittanning Township crash
A 26-year-old man died in a crash on Route 422 in Kittanning Township early Sunday morning, officials said. Armstrong County Coroner Brian Myers identified the man as Cade O. Costigan of Kittanning. According to Myers, Costigan was driving east on Route 422 around 4 a.m. when his vehicle veered off...
2 incumbents, 2 newcomers face off for pair of Springdale Township commissioners’ seats
The ballot in the Springdale Township commissioners race offers voters two familiar names and two political newcomers. The four candidates are vying for two commissioner’s seats. Commissioners Tim Sweet and Shirley Redman, both Democrats elected in 2017, are seeking second terms. Tim Basilone and Bradley Stanzione, both Republicans, are seeking...
