Valley News Dispatch category, Page 523
Gilpin woman says 100 ‘doesn’t feel any different,’ celebrates with familyVideo
Alice Newton turned 100 having a great hair day. She still makes her weekly hair appointments in Leechburg and was coiffed and ready to usher in triple digits on Friday. Relaxing by the fire in her rural Gilpin home, Alice chimed in on her new centenarian status. “I”ll tell ya,...
Hole in the Wall Gallery, eclectic gift store in Lower Burrell, to closeVideo
An Alle-Kiski Valley institution, the Hole in the Wall Gallery in Lower Burrell, is closing after 50 years. The enchanted shop with its wisteria-draped doorway leading to more than a dozen rooms and cubbyholes was the go-to store for unique gifts, jewelry, top-shelf household items and fresh floral arrangements that...
The Stroller, Feb. 6, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Goodwill offers...
Upper Burrell Fire Co. teams with Port Vue for $15,000 cash ‘Luck of the Irish’ drawing
As the pandemic continues to hammer traditional fundraising, Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company is teaming up with a fire company from Allegheny County for a Luck of the Irish raffle offering a $15,000 cash prize. “The pandemic has caused us to find new and innovative ways to do business,” said...
‘Farm-to-table’ project a hit with Acmetonia Elementary students
There appears to be a consensus among sixth-grade students at Acmetonia Elementary in Harmar — Mrs. Emerick’s classroom is the most fun. After all, there is food growing there. McCall Emerick, a sixth-grade science and social studies teacher, is the force behind it. She obtained grant money through Allegheny Valley...
Upper Burrell Planning Commission grants conditional approval for Dollar General
The Upper Burrell Planning Commission has granted conditional approval for the development of a Dollar General store at Route 780 and Dewey Drive. Township supervisors will have to grant final approval for the project to proceed. But first, the store’s developer will have to address several issues raised by township...
Visiting therapist coerced woman into sex, New Kensington police allege
A visiting therapist twice took a woman to a New Kensington hotel where he coerced her into having sex, city police allege. William Francis Denney, 62, of North Huntingdon was arraigned Thursday on charges of institutional sexual assault and criminal coercion. He was released on an unsecured $25,000 bond. Denney’s...
Leechburg historical society to honor Black Civil War veteran Joseph KellyVideo
The only known Black Civil War veteran buried in Leechburg is being honored by the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society. The museum is adding a new display, scheduled for completion in March, commemorating the life and service of Joseph Kelly. “It’s an important piece of the town’s history both...
Harrison native to keep streak alive of attending every Super Bowl
Harrison native Tom Henschel will make a short, 15-minute drive from his home to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to continue a remarkably long streak. Henschel, 79, has attended all 54 Super Bowl games. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, attendance at this year’s Super Bowl, the 55th, will be...
A trip to Stippy’s in Blawnox is a sweet treatVideo
Something sweet has sprouted along Freeport Road in Blawnox. Stippy’s Sweet Treats, an old-time candy store, is stocked with all sorts of goodies from gumballs to guava soda to grab-and-go bags of gobstoppers. “Any adult that opens up a bucket of Bazooka and takes a big whiff, I guarantee the...
The Stroller, Feb. 5, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Tax help...
Upper Burrell man charged with woman’s attempted murder to remain in jail
An Upper Burrell man charged with the attempted murder of a woman will remain in jail after a Westmoreland County judge said Wednesday he is a danger to society. Police contend Matthew Best, 32, pointed a rifle and pulled the trigger during a confrontation Oct. 23. The woman’s life was...
Crash in New Kensington sends 1 person to hospital
A man was hurt when his pickup went off the road and overturned in a ditch in New Kensington on Thursday night. The crash happened about 8:25 p.m. at the Route 56/356 interchange, a Westmoreland County emergency dispatcher said. The man’s identity was not available. Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr....
First-come, first-served: Free food to be distributed in Leechburg
Free food for the public is coming to Leechburg every Saturday in February. About 1,100 boxes will be distributed Saturday in a drive-thru format from noon-5 p.m. in the Leechburg Fire Hall lot at 268 Canal St. Saturday’s distribution kicks off the first of a four-day outreach this month. The...
VALarena roller rink fans pitch in to raise money so North Apollo mainstay can reopen
While the VALarena roller rink in North Apollo paused their reopening this month, some loyal customers have raised more than $3,200 to help the cash-strapped, nostalgic icon reopen. For more than 70 years, generations have laced up for skating sessions in the cozy rink with the same snack bar that...
Fire damage cleanup keeps some Parnassus Manor residents out of apartments for 2nd night
More than a dozen residents of Parnassus Manor in New Kensington who were put out of their apartments by a fire Wednesday will be able to return Friday afternoon, a representative of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority said Thursday. The 15 affected residents live on the second floor of the...
Label Shopper fills need for Alle-Kiski Valley residents, Hyde Park Plaza
A New York-based discount chain opened a new store in Allegheny Township in October, but it took a while for many people to notice. “Nobody even knew we were here until we got our sign last week,” said Jessica Campbell, manager of the Label Shopper store in Hyde Park Plaza....
Arnold police claim city man armed with arsenal threatened to kill officers
Arnold police said they heard the distinct sound of a bullet being loaded into the chamber of an AR-15 rifle when they went into a home near their station after hearing a woman screaming. In a criminal complaint, police said James Earl Huckbaa threatened to kill officers if they didn’t...
Neighbor Spotlight: Oakmont woman continues charitable actions learned in childhood
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
The Stroller, Feb. 4, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Drive-through food...
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. to build brewery at former PPG glass plant in East Deer
A former glass plant that was once the cornerstone of East Deer’s economy soon will be the new home of Iron City Beer, according to Pittsburgh Brewing Co. The company plans to move its production to a new brewery on the site by next year. Almost 200 people lost their...
Allegheny Township’s Bob Key, accomplished attorney and businessman, was avid pilot who bred champion horses
Bob Key was no stranger to travel and adventure. His pursuits took him to six continents, but he always returned to his hometown roots in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Robert “Bob” J. Key died at his home in Allegheny Township on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. He was 87. Up until his death,...
New Kensington-Arnold looks to avoid ‘significant’ tax increase in preliminary budget
The New Kensington-Arnold School District is going forward with a preliminary 2021-22 budget carrying a 6.8% property tax increase despite Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal that boost funding for public schools. Wolf released his budget proposal Tuesday. It contains nearly $2 billion extra for schools — a more than 20%...
3 taken to hospital after fire at New Kensington’s Parnassus Manor
Three residents of New Kensington’s Parnassus Manor were taken to the hospital Wednesday afternoon after a fire forced the evacuation of the seven-story apartment building. New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said the fire was reported around 3:20 p.m. It started in the kitchen of a second-floor apartment. The...
Police: Missing girl found in Tarentum said men forced her to drink, use drugs, have sex
A missing girl found in a car with three men during a traffic stop Sunday night in Tarentum told police the men had forced her to use drugs, drink alcohol and have sex with them, according to criminal complaints filed against the men. Police said the girl told them she...
