Valley News Dispatch category, Page 453
Turning grief to action, O’Hara family creates ‘Positive Painting Project’ to spread messages of hope
Local projects to promote mental health awareness and support the arts are spreading hope, one canvas at a time. The Positive Painting Project and The Katie Whysong Scholarship for the Arts were created this year by Alisa and Todd Whysong of O’Hara, in honor of their daughter, Katie. Katie died...
Victim identified in Upper Burrell bar shooting; suspect jailed
An Upper Burrell man has been charged with homicide in connection with a fatal shooting at an Upper Burrell tavern Saturday night. Daniel J. Moles, 61, was arrested and taken to the Westmoreland County Prison, according to court documents. The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday at Woodpeckers Pub...
Westmoreland housing authority seeks to tear down New Ken townhouses, sell parcel to UniFirst
A public housing complex is getting smaller, while a business is getting larger in New Kensington. UniFirst is acquiring 1.3 acres of Kensington Manor from the Westmoreland County Housing Authority. City council recently approved subdividing that portion of the complex off from the rest of it. UniFirst, which fronts on...
Burrell theater students collaborated with Seattle playwright to hone ‘Artist Retreat’
The Burrell High School Theatre Company this week will premiere “Artist Retreat,” a comedy by a Seattle playwright who collaborated with Burrell students on revisions over two years. Matt Smith, an old friend of Burrell music director Martin Connolly, penned the wild comedy following the travails of a retired dancer,...
The Stroller, Nov. 14, 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. Freeport Area High school set to perform, ‘Pippin’ Freeport Area High School will present the musical, “Pippin,” at 2 and 7...
Giving new life to old furniture, On the Edge opens in Tarentum
Upscale furniture on a shoestring budget is the motto of Tarentum’s new custom furniture store, On the Edge. “No matter who you are or what your background is, you can walk in and afford one of my pieces,” owner Tim Emery said. “My furniture is cool and edgy and for...
Lack of local police a surprise to some in Freeport
The news of no local police protection came as a surprise Saturday to many Freeport businesses. The borough 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. “I’m shocked,” Fifth Street Bistro owner Jess Stobert...
Tax forecast for 2022-23 in the Freeport Area School District: Up in Buffalo Township, down in Freeport and South Buffalo
Buffalo Township real estate owners in the Freeport Area School District might be facing a hefty tax increase for the 2022-23 school year. Brad Walker, Freeport Area’s business manager, said real estate owners in Buffalo Township, the district’s lone Butler County community, could be looking at as much as a...
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...
