Valley News Dispatch category, Page 448
New Kensington businesses look to bright future as year’s last ‘Fridays on Fifth’ approaches
The last of the first Fridays on Fifth is coming this week in New Kensington, and business owners are hoping to keep the city’s momentum going through the winter until the monthly events return next year. Held on the fourth Friday of the month, the first Fridays on Fifth was...
Architectural firm proposes creating a master plan for Freeport Area High School improvements
Freeport Area School District officials might team with a familiar architectural firm to craft a master plan for high school improvements. The school directors and administrators observed a presentation from HHSDR Architects/Engineers at Thursday night’s school board meeting. It’s the same firm that worked on Freeport’s middle school and designed...
Harrison partners with ATI, TreeVitalize to transform vacant lot in Natrona
A vacant lot used as a staging area for ATI trucks in Natrona will be transformed with ginkgo trees and other varieties in a partnership between Harrison and the mill. Fifteen trees will be planted at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 3 in an effort to reduce water runoff and air pollution,...
The Stroller, Oct. 17, 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...
Trib journalists promoted to key roles
Several longtime Trib journalists assumed key leadership roles last week. Jason Cato, Matt Provenzo and Ben Schmitt have been promoted to deputy managing editor positions, said Trib Executive Editor Luis Fabregas. Dirk Kaufman is director of newsroom operations. “Their experience and talent will play a crucial role in this ever-changing...
Knead Cafe Craft and Vendor Fair in New Kensington brings attention to worthy causeVideo
A cozy, olive-colored building on Barnes Street in New Kensington was a busy place Saturday. The building is home to Knead Community Café, a unique place where good meals are served and no one goes hungry — no matter how much money they have. The owners, Kevin and Mary Bode,...
The Stroller, Oct. 16, 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. Cash bash to benefit Animal Protectors Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a Cash Bash Nov. 13 at the Comfort...
Freeport Halloween Carnival returns this weekend after covid hiatus
The second Freeport Halloween Carnival & Vendor Event is underway at James E. Swartz Sr. Memorial Field. Festivities kicked off Friday evening with an ’80s theme. Some people dressed up with neon head and wrist bands and outrageous sunglasses. It continues Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, but there is...
Long detours in store for 5-hour turnpike closure between Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh exits
Motorists who need to travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike between the Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh exits overnight on Saturday will face long detours to get around a bridge construction project. The turnpike will be closed in both directions between Allegheny Valley (Exit 47) and Pittsburgh (Exit 57) for five hours starting...
Buffalo Township couple seeks resolution to stormwater problems
Kimberly and Paul Gentile of Buffalo Township believe there is a simple solution to a problem that has plagued them for years. Two sets of storm drains along Woodbury Drive in the Woodbury Estates plan release water runoff through pipes onto their their backyard along Woodhaven Drive. The couple said...
Record crowd turns out to hear Brackenridge ghost stories
After five or six years portraying one of the region’s most iconic settlers — the late Henry Brackenridge — actor Hugh Fox said he slips easily into the role each year for the Prospect Cemetery ghost tour. “The organizer thinks I fit the bill and I quite like it,” said...
Lower Burrell lands $130,000 grant for Craigdell Road project, awards contract
Lower Burrell has secured a $130,000 state grant to fix stormwater drainage problems along Craigdell Road in the Kay Street area, with contract bids coming in lower than anticipated. Aging pipes in the Craigdell Road area need to be repaired before they worsen, said Matt Pitsch of Senate Engineering, the...
Arrest warrant issued in connection with fight that left Allegheny Township man severely injured
An arrest warrant was issued for a man accused of beating an Allegheny Township resident so severely that he was hospitalized with a collapsed lung, a brain bleed and several broken bones, according to authorities. District Judge Cheryl Peck Yackopec issued the warrant on Friday for William Gregory Goldberg, whose...
Farmer x Baker expands with 2nd location in O’Hara for takeout
A new takeout eatery has opened in O’Hara. Farmer x Baker opened its second location Friday, welcoming a steady stream of customers right away when the doors opened at 8 a.m. “We’re looking forward to serving our community locally sourced, healthy and delicious foods all year round,” owner Jennifer Urich...
6 candidates seeking 4 seats on Aspinwall council
Six candidates will compete for four open seats on Aspinwall council in the Nov. 2 general election. Democratic incumbents — Marcia Cooper, Jeff Harris and Lara Voytko — along with newcomer Mary Hancock, will take on Republican newcomers James Bonant and Sharon Donnick. Voytko, Hancock, Bonant And Donnick did not...
5 candidates vying for 4 seats on Fox Chapel council
Five candidates will vie for four open Fox Chapel council seats in the Nov. 2 general election. One Democrat and four Republicans are seeking four-year terms, according to Allegheny County Office of Elections records. Two incumbents are seeking reelection, and three newcomers are in the race. Here are the responses...
Burrell School District settles for $400,000 loss in property taxes with Arconic
After Arconic appealed a $653,100 real estate tax levy for property in Upper Burrell last year, the aluminum company and Burrell School District recently settled on a $403,000 tax reduction. Upper Burrell is also part of the settlement, and it will lose close to $39,000 in tax revenue annually. “The...
Vandergrift mayor running write-in campaign after close primary loss
Incumbent Vandergrift Mayor Barbara Turiak is running a write-in campaign for a second term in office. Turiak lost to Councilman Lenny Collini by about 12 votes in the Democratic primary in May. The general election is Nov. 2. There was no Republican candidate on the ballot on the primary ballot,...
Kiski Garden Center’s operator set to retire, business is for sale
A longtime Alle-Kiski gardening guru is retiring. Dave Vargo, owner of Kiski Garden Center in Allegheny Township, announced the sale of his business and his retirement last week. A large banner outside his business reads “Time To Retire — Garden Center For Sale.” Vargo, 68, said he did the math...
The Stroller, Oct. 15, 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. Kiski Valley museums to host open house tour Sunday Four Kiski Valley museums will host a free open house tour on...
Vandergrift WWII veteran, French Legion of Honor recipient dies
A Vandergrift veteran whose World War II service earned him the French nation’s highest honor has gone to his final reward. Paul P. Petrarca, 99, died Wednesday surrounded by his family. He served with the Army Air Corps after graduating from Vandergrift High School in 1941. In 2020, he received...
New Kensington man gets 4-to-11-year prison sentence for four 2019 crimes
A New Kensington man was ordered Thursday to serve from four to 11 years in prison for a series of crimes committed in 2019, including the strangulation of a former girlfriend. Kalell Dired McCord, 29, pleaded guilty in August to multiple counts in four cases filed over the last two...
State trooper found not guilty of harassing teen, still faces internal probe
A state trooper stationed in Armstrong County who was suspended without pay in September after being accused of harassing a 15-year-old boy was found not guilty of the charge. Trooper Nickolas R. Elliott, 30, was cleared of the harrassment charge during a hearing on Wednesday before Kittanning District Judge James...
2 seeking to fill Indiana Township supervisor’s position
Two candidates are seeking a supervisor’s position in Indiana Township in the Nov. 2 election. Democratic newcomer Jonathan Neumann will take on incumbent Michael Schurko. Both ran uncontested campaigns in the primary. Here are their answers to questions posed by the Tribune-Review: - Name: Jonathan Neumann Political party: Democratic Age:...
3 seeking Lower Valley Magistrate office
Three candidates are vying for the office of magisterial district judge that serves the six municipalities of the Fox Chapel Area School District The candidates are: Jen Evashavik, of Aspinwall, a former Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney; Matt Rudzki, of Sharpsburg, an attorney who currently serves as Sharpsburg mayor; and...
