Valley News Dispatch category, Page 524
Kitchen fire caused East Ninth Avenue blaze in Tarentum
The fast-moving blaze that engulfed a three-story home in the 300 block of East Ninth Avenue in Tarentum on Thursday started in the kitchen, according to fire officials. Two firefighters were injured, but discharged from Allegheny Valley Hospital within hours. Residents in the home were able to safely exit. The...
Gilpin supervisors look to update burning ordinance
Gilpin Township is considering changes to its decades-old burning ordinance. The updated ordinance, to be voted on next month, would allow residents more leeway when burning on their property. Supervisor Charles Stull said at a meeting this week that the township’s original ordinance was passed in 1997, and contains several...
Upper Burrell delays approving Dollar General plan over permitting, drainage issues
Upper Burrell is temporarily shelving Dollar General’s plans to build a store along Route 780 at Dewey Drive until the developer secures permits and other approvals. The township’s planning commission also raised concerns over drainage issues near the store. Although the proposed store is unpopular with many residents who would...
Leechburg’s former Siberian Iron Works 1 of 23 sites in Pa. receiving new historic markers
A site in Leechburg is one of 23 across the state receiving new historical markers from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. The site of the former Siberian Iron Works will soon receive the familiar blue sign with gold lettering that marks 2,300 historical sites across Pennsylvania. “For Leechburg, it...
6 roads to be repaved in Washington Township project
Washington Township Supervisors on Thursday awarded a $356,823 contract to Derry Construction Co. Inc. to pave six township roads this year. Derry Construction Co., based in Derry Township, was one of 10 companies to bid for the contract. Roads to be repaved with asphalt include McQuilkin Drive; Turack, Owens and...
O’Hara resident, Allegheny County assistant district attorney, seeking Magistrate position
Running on a platform of experience and commitment, Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Megan Sasinoski is seeking election for Magisterial District Judge in Sharpsburg. The first-time candidate is a lifelong O’Hara resident who hopes to bring her courtroom experience to the job. “I have done literally thousands of cases in...
Allegheny Valley schools focus on mental health as in-person learning ramps upVideo
This week has marked the return of students to in-person classroom learning four days a week in the Allegheny Valley School District. Superintendent Patrick Graczyk was made aware of something he hadn’t heard about in a while. “While we were in our hybrid phase, it was quiet here. (Monday) was...
The Stroller, March 12, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch will publish a list of community Easter egg hunts and activities. To have an event listed online and in the print edition, send the information as soon as possible to The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Fourth Ave., Tarentum PA 15084 or email Carol Pinto-Smith; email...
Easter activities in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Community Easter events are planned in the Allegheny-Kiski Valley include: Apollo • Apollo Assembly of God Church will host an egg hunt April 3 in Owens Grove Park for children 12 and younger. Registration will begin at 2 p.m. Children should bring a basket. Brackenridge • Generations House of Worship...
Vaccination of Alle-Kiski school employees moves forward
Alle-Kiski Valley school employees began receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccinations for covid-19 Thursday along with school workers across the region and state. Gov. Tom Wolf announced last week that school workers would receive priority for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in an effort to get children back in schools...
In-person dining resumes at Apollo Senior CenterVideo
The lunch bunch is back at the Apollo Senior Center. In-person dining for seniors resumed on March 1 after the pandemic forced a closure of the dining room for more than 10 months. The center, located inside the Oak Hill Apollo Hose Company No. 3 in Apollo, is funded by...
Shady Side Academy faculty, staff can be vaccinated Friday at on-campus clinic
Shady Side Academy faculty and staff will have the chance to be vaccinated against covid-19 during a clinic Friday on campus. It is one of two on-campus clinics that will be offered over the next month through Rite Aid, which will administer the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer shots to school...
2 firefighters hurt battling blaze on Tarentum’s East Ninth AvenueVideo
Two firefighters were injured battling a fire Thursday morning on Tarentum’s East Ninth Avenue, which left four residents homeless. Highland Hose fire Chief Terry Chambon said two firefighters from Citizens Hose suffered minor burns and were taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison. They were treated and released hours later....
How sweet it is: Ice cream, custard stands opening, including new one in Arnold
The harbingers of spring are here. Glen’s Frozen Custard, with locations in Lower Burrell and Springdale, opens Thursday. Della’s Frozen Custard opens Friday. And early Sunday, clocks will be turned ahead an hour for Daylight Saving Time. Mom-and-pop frozen custard and ice cream shops have been opening this month throughout...
The Stroller, March 11, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch will publish a list of community Easter egg hunts and activities. To have an event listed online and in the print edition, send the information as soon as possible to The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Fourth Ave., Tarentum PA 15084 or email Carol Pinto-Smith; email...
Classes at Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School to be taught online Thursday, Friday due to covid
Classes at Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School will be taught online Thursday and Friday after several cases of covid-19 were reported. However, elementary school students will continue to be taught in school, as will students attending Lenape Technical School. School buses will follow their normal schedule. Classes for grades six...
Buffalo Township man died hours after being rescued from deep ravine
A Buffalo Township man was alive Tuesday night when authorities found him at the bottom of a deep ravine about a quarter-mile from his home following a six-hour search. But any relief that came from finding Dennis Fester, 74, was fleeting. He was flown by emergency helicopter to Pittsburgh’s Allegheny...
Three-quarters of Allegheny Township’s police force yet to be vaccinated
The covid-19 vaccination rate for Allegheny Township’s police force remains low despite officers having priority access to the free Pfizer vaccine, officials said. Police Chief Duane Fisher told township supervisors this week that he knows of three officers — including him — who have received the vaccine so far. The...
Little Free Pantry at Sharpsburg library to offer around-the-clock help with foodVideo
The Sharpsburg Community Library is no longer just a place where people can nourishment their minds. People in need of food can now pick up a variety of nonperishable items from a new Little Free Pantry unveiled March 10 outside the entrance to the library on Main Street. “We know...
Allegheny Township rehires former public works director after unexpected death of Shawn Kuhn
Allegheny Township has hired a new director of public works to replace the late Shawn Kuhn, who died unexpectedly Feb. 8 at age 49. Township supervisors hired Steve Kanas on Monday night. Kanas’ starting pay will be $50 an hour, with his hours limited to 32 a week. Township officials...
Lower Burrell man faces assault, escape charges after hospital brawl
A Lower Burrell man arrested last month on assault charges faces more charges this week stemming from a brawl at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Matthew D. Hoessler, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and attempted escape after police said he fought with Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies and hospital police when he...
Take a spring lantern walk to benefit Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy
The public is encouraged to put on their hiking boots and hit the trail at Riding Meadow Park in Fox Chapel for a good cause. The Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy is hosting a spring lantern forest walk at sundown on March 20, the first day of spring. Lanterns will illuminate...
Program seeks to help Westmoreland seniors who lack technology get coronavirus vaccine appointment
Senior citizens in Westmoreland County who don’t have access to technology to find and schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments are getting some help. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is partnering with Excela Health and others to coordinate and schedule appointments for Westmoreland County’s vulnerable residents 65 and older, said Alyssa...
Springdale teacher-turned-cookie-maker offers online class in cookie decorating
Springdale’s Amanda Monnich is uniquely qualified to provide online classes teaching people how to decorate freshly baked sugar cookies. Formerly a teacher with cyber-school experience, Monnich, 31, became inspired to run her cookie business full-time after taking a cookie-decorating class in 2019. “It was just a fun hobby, and now,...
The Stroller, March 10, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch will publish a list of community Easter egg hunts and activities. To have an event listed online and in the print edition, send the information as soon as possible to The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Fourth Ave., Tarentum PA 15084 or email Carol Pinto-Smith; email...
