Valley News Dispatch category, Page 48
Mexican national pleads guilty to ‘Kingpin’ role in drug ring linked to New Kensington
A Mexican national pleaded guilty this week in Pittsburgh federal court to charges related to a domestic and international narcotics and money laundering conspiracy. Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza, 55, who was illegally residing in Phoenix, Ariz., is one of 35 people charged in an indictment unsealed in January 2024 in a conspiracy...
Buffalo Township supervisors hold off on solar farms vote amid residents’ concerns
The Buffalo Township supervisors are holding off voting on controversial solar farms again as residents continue to voice opposition. Board President Ron Zampogna said the move was at the request of the project’s developer, Atlanta-based SolAmerica, whose representatives could not attend this week’s supervisors’ meeting. It’s the second voting delay...
Buffalo Township solicitor recommends changes to proposed public comment limit
Buffalo Township’s solicitor has recommended substantial changes to its current draft of an ordinance that would place limits on public comment. The resolution, which was tabled at an unusual morning meeting late last month and again at Wednesday’s township supervisors meeting, came after a public hearing for two proposed solar...
Plum mayor pushing for borough deer cull; council president skeptical
Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel says the borough needs to kill more deer. Allegheny County’s seventh-largest municipality, he said, is suffering from whitetail “overpopulation” that is causing public safety concerns and proving to be a nuisance to residents. Schlegel said this week he would like to see borough council move forward...
Want to be Arnold’s city controller? Petition the court, solicitor says
Arnold’s next city controller — whomever that may be — already needs some help from residents. City Solicitor Jaclyn Shaw said 10 interested registered voters need to petition the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas to fill the vacancy for city controller. Arnold has been without a controller since Toni...
Arnold resurrects Civil Service Commission, Redevelopment Authority
Arnold reactivated its civil service commission and redevelopment authority after all members of both groups resigned last month. “They both collapsed at the same time,” Mayor Shannon Santucci said. “I just made phone calls and asked people if they’d be interested.” Santucci estimated she made about 24 phone calls to...
Yoga and working out go hand-in-hand at New Kensington studio
Leah Delaney thinks the peace of yoga and the strenuous exercises of a fitness boot camp are a perfect mix. That’s why Delaney, owner of AngelWing Yoga and Wellness in New Kensington, is expanding her studio to incorporate exercise and fitness classes, including kickboxing, weight training circuits, body sculpting and...
Sharpsburg Market Garden is a growing opportunity for volunteers
People don’t need to have a green thumb to help out at the Sharpsburg Market Garden. Tucked away near the intersection of Middle and 13th streets is where free fresh vegetables can be found. A handful of volunteers on Friday evenings tend to 25 beds each about 3 feet wide...
The Stroller, July 9, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Celebration to aid Trim...
Robert Haus appointed as Arnold officer-in-charge — again
What’s old is new again within the Arnold Police Department. Mayor Shannon Santucci on Tuesday appointed Robert Haus as officer-in-charge of the department. “We had to make a move,” Santucci said. “It’s the best resolution for the police department and the community at this time.” And it’s a move that’s...
EQT buys Olympus for $1.8B, consolidates grip on Southwestern Pa. natural gas
Pittsburgh-based natural gas producer EQT Corp. has acquired local competitor Olympus Energy for $1.8 billion. The deal, which officially closed last week, consolidates EQT’s control over regional natural gas deposits at a time of rising demand. “This strategic transaction strengthens our position as the leading natural gas producer in the...
Turkey-raising ceases at Pounds Turkey Farm in Allegheny Township, market remains open
There are fewer mouths to feed this summer at Pounds Turkey Farm in Allegheny Township. About 3,000 fewer, as owners Tim, Beverly and Rick Pounds announced Tuesday their long-lamented decision to cease raising fresh turkeys annually on the family farm that has been in operation since 1935. Beverly Pounds and...
Accessible playground, park project pitched for Arnold
When Devin Moore takes his daughters to parks and playgrounds in the New Kensington area, he finds they struggle with, or can’t use, some or all of the amenities there. And he thinks his isn’t the only family experiencing that. That’s why Moore is pitching an idea to New Kensington...
Former Penn Hills police officer charged in alleged road rage incident
A former Penn Hills police officer has been accused of intentionally spinning out another driver and later resisting arrest in Plum. Dennis Pape, 49, faces misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person, obstructing administration of law or other government and resisting arrest in addition to some summary charges. According to...
Blawnox teen wins full-ride Coolidge Scholarship, only 5 in nation awarded
A rising senior at Fox Chapel Area High School just got a major boost on her career path. Ulyana Kubini, of Blawnox, earned the prestigious Coolidge Scholarship — a full presidential scholarship that covers four years of tuition, room, board and expenses. It can be used to pursue undergraduate studies...
The Stroller, July 8, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Bike run planned Aug....
Police investigating deadly shooting in Penn Hills
Allegheny County Police are investigating a deadly shooting in Penn Hills that left one man dead just after 6 p.m. Monday. At the 11000 block of Frankstown Road, police said they found one adult male shot, who was later pronounced dead at an area hospital. Preliminary investigations indicate that the...
Upper Burrell police contract includes 4% pay hikes
Upper Burrell police officers have a new five-year contract that includes a 4% increase in hourly wages annually. The collective bargaining agreement, between the township and the Wage and Policy Committee of the Upper Burrell police department, takes effect Jan. 1, 2026 and expires Dec. 31, 2030. “I’m happy with...
New Fox Chapel pickleball courts come with new rules
Pickleball players on the recently opened public courts at Fox Chapel’s McCahill Park have some fair-play rules to follow. Regulations include no reservations and no saving courts, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. If other players are waiting, games should end at 11 points (waiving the customary rule of...
Prospect Cemetery to honor Civil War soldiers buried in Brackenridge
Harrison resident Eric Schmitt was well aware of his family’s unique lineage growing up. The 55-year-old is a descendent of two Civil War soldiers: one who fought for the Union and its desire to abolish slavery and one who stood with the Confederate Army and its hope to expand slavery...
West Tarentum’s Summit Hose earns nod from state for commitment to fire training
Summit Hose Company in West Tarentum was named by the state to an elite list for its commitment to training. The Participating Department Recognition Program lauds departments for ongoing education. Of the 2,400 fire departments in the state, about 200 — or 8% — are recognized. There are four state...
The Stroller, July 7, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Free STEM camps offered...
As Buffalo Township considers limits to public comment, many neighbors already have rules in place
At a recent special meeting, Buffalo Township Supervisors began consideration of a resolution that would place limits on public comment at meetings. But as the officials mull the potential new rules, many neighboring governments already abide by similar regulations. The resolution, which was tabled at an unusual morning meeting late...
‘Pittsburgh’s hidden gem’: Allegheny Islands provide escape in the river
For Jack Lachendro, you don’t have to go far from Downtown Pittsburgh to feel like you’re “truly in nature.” In fact, you need to head only 14 miles up the Allegheny River, said Lachendro, the environmental education specialist at Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). There, visitors will...
The Stroller, July 6, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Drive-thru food distribution set...
