Valley News Dispatch category, Page 455
Fired Harrison man highlights tension over vaccine exemption requests
The battle over covid-19 vaccine mandates has pulled religion into the spotlight as experts say more people than ever claim vaccines conflict with their religious beliefs, an assertion employers must try to evaluate amid a deep vaccination divide. Shane Chesher, 34, of Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood, was among a number of...
Leader of Community Library of Allegheny Valley retiring after 3 decades
Kathy Firestone has worked as a librarian for three decades and yet rarely has time to pick up a book. That might change soon. Firestone, of Allegheny Township, is retiring Saturday from her post as executive director at Community Library of Allegheny Valley in Harrison. “I have no plans,” she...
Butler-Freeport Trail lands $280K grant to pave 1 mile of trail for disabled, elderly
The Butler-Freeport Community Trail landed a state grant for about $280,000 to lay 1 mile of an asphalt trail over a section of the existing trail in Winfield Township for elderly and disabled trail users. The mile-long section will start at the Cabot trailhead in Winfield, near the intersection of...
Christmas tree project returns in West Deer with 4 trees to benefit local organizations
A West Deer preschool teacher is continuing her tradition of bringing a Hallmark-like holiday setting to town with her Christmas tree program. Caylin Zaremski leads the “Our Trees of Light” project that aims to give back to the community by setting up township Christmas trees. The idea was birthed from...
Police say Indiana County man tried to meet with teen girl in Arnold for sex
An Indiana County man was charged with two felonies Wednesday that accuse him of trying to meet up with a 15-year-old girl in Arnold for sex. Authorities say he thought he was communicating with her on social media and by telephone for two weeks. But instead of meeting the girl...
The Stroller, Dec. 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. Westmoreland County Marines to supply Christmas groceries Westmoreland County Marines will provide Christmas groceries to local veterans’ families in need. To...
Wolf draws fire, praise for veto of bill to allow concealed weapons without a permit
Pennsylvania’s gun owners still need to obtain a license-to-carry permit to carry a concealed weapon in the state after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a Republican-passed bill Thursday that would have allowed gun owners to carry that concealed gun without the permit. Wolf said he vetoed the bill as a matter...
Plans delayed to raze administration building at Allegheny Valley Hospital
Demolition of the administration building at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison is still on tap but work is delayed while officials determine what’s best to take its place. The 93-year-old building that abuts the hospital along Carlisle Street was scheduled to be torn down just before the covid-19 pandemic hit....
Leechburg-based charity to host holiday dinner for veterans, service members
A Leechburg nonprofit is hosting a dinner Sunday to show support for veterans and military personnel. Limited tickets are still available for the sixth annual Five Forces Christmas for Vets dinner. It’s being held at the Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Department’s School House Hall along Thorn Street in Oklahoma Borough. Guests...
The Stroller, Dec. 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. Therapy dogs welcome to join program at Allegheny Valley Hospital Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison, is expanding its pet therapy program and...
Jingle Bell Rock to ring out at Casino Theatre in Vandergrift
A rockin’ Christmas concert is coming to Vandergrift. The annual Jingle Bell Rock holiday fundraiser concert returns to the Casino Theatre on Saturday after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Keeping closer to family-friendly event than epic rock show, the music...
Freeport Renaissance Association presents Small Town Christmas
Sleigh bells will be ringing in Freeport as a holiday celebration returns Saturday. The Freeport Renaissance Association presents its Small Town Christmas. The association had virtual and socially distanced activities last year, and there was no parade. “I just think it’s going to be a really good opportunity for community...
Gilpin supervisors hope to hold the line on taxes, boost public safety spending in 2022 budget
Gilpin residents should expect to see more township police coverage and no change in real estate taxes as part of next year’s budget. Supervisors recently approved their preliminary 2022 spending plan, which includes a boost to public safety spending while keeping the tax rate at 11 mills. Projected revenues are...
The Stroller, Dec. 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. Evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus planned in Apollo Apollo Area Historical Society and Apollo Events Committee will sponsor a free...
A dip into the past: Melwood pool holds memories but no water
Motorists passing an expansive concrete area along Melwood Road in Allegheny Township may ask themselves, “What’s That?” Once a popular community pool and entertainment destination, Melwood Park Pool is empty, overgrown, dilapidated and faces an uncertain future. The pool opened in 1926, measures 100 by 300 feet, and was owned...
Butler County Community College to resume classes, reopen campuses Monday after ransomware attack
Butler County Community College will resume classes and reopen its campuses Monday, Dec.6. College officials made the announcement Tuesday evening. Both fall semester credit and noncredit classes were brought to a standstill and the campus closed as a result of a ransomware attack. The main campus in Butler Township and...
Holiday model train display available for viewing on weekends in West Deer
The Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church Model Railroad Association has erected an impressive holiday train display at the church’s recreation hall in West Deer. Visitors are welcome Dec. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays....
Brackenridge man arrested after, police say, homeowner finds him eating ice cream at kitchen table
A Brackenridge man was arrested after a borough resident told police he returned to his Cleveland Avenue home Thanksgiving Day and found the man sitting at the kitchen table eating ice cream. Richard Troup, 46, of Sixth Avenue was charged with two felony counts each of burglary and criminal trespass...
Upper Burrell woman accused of stealing car, driving it while high on crack
An Upper Burrell woman was arrested on felony charges after police accused her of stealing a car and driving it while under the influence of crack cocaine. Barbara Jane Miller, 30, of Keibler Beach Drive, is being detained in the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh after failing to post a...
New Kensington cat rescue ‘swimming in kittens,’ seeking donations for their care
A New Kensington cat rescue is asking for help caring for nearly three dozen kittens it has taken in recently. “We’re swimming in kittens,” said Rachelle Ebel, assistant clinic manager at Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue. The 34 kittens were among 75 cats at the Fifth Avenue clinic Tuesday. The rescue...
The Stroller, Nov. 30, 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. Friends of Community Library conducting fundraiser Friends of Community Library of Allegheny Valley are selling Places of the Heart pieces to...
Building the Valley: Pair of Freeport Area mothers manage businesses and families together
The covid-19 pandemic brought two longtime Freeport Area friends even closer together in ways they never would have imagined. Marcie Marasia of Buffalo Township and Beth Linhart of Freeport have been friends for about a decade. They each have three children and bonded, in part, because of the kids. When...
Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena in Harmar offers multisport fun, events, pub and meeting space
While former Steelers player John Banaszak was enjoying retirement, the three-time Super Bowl champion and longtime college football coach was ready to make a return to sports in his own way. He recently became president of Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena in Harmar. He knew the owners, Karyn and Bob Brooks,...
Coffee With Cops planned in Fox Chapel
Newly appointed Fox Chapel Police Chief Michael Stevens is on a mission to promote unity in the borough. A “Coffee With Cops” meet-and-greet is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 10 at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road. “The purpose of the coffee with cops is...
The Stroller, Nov. 29, 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. Pittsburgh Penguin ticket campaign to benefit local children’s charity Local children’s charity Superheroes Believe in Miracles is participating in the Pittsburgh...
