Valley News Dispatch category, Page 552
3 black bears bagged in Allegheny County during archery season
Three black bears were taken by archers in Allegheny County so far, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The black bears bagged in Allegheny County were in West Deer, Elizabeth and in the state game lands in Marshall and Franklin townships, said Zeb Campbell, game warden for Allegheny County. While...
Thanksgiving is a day like any other for officer on the beat
Like most other places, Market Street in Leechburg was calm early Thanksgiving Day morning. People appeared to be staying in amid covid-19 travel advisories. And newly hired, part-time borough police Officer Kyle Lewis was hoping it would stay calm. “I don’t want to jinx it by saying it will be...
The Stroller, Nov. 27, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
HOPE Center seeks support for program The HOPE Center is seeking support for its annual Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program to benefit HOPE Center families. This program is recommended for individuals, families, community groups, businesses, churches, schools, or anyone looking to do something for those in need and give back to their...
Vandergrift adjusts Christmas parades for covid concerns
Christmas festivities in Vandergrift will be altered to account for covid-19, but the festivities will continue. The Vandergrift Improvement Program’s (VIP) “Light-up Night” takes place every year the weekend after Thanksgiving, normally including a Christmas parade attended by every fire department in the area, incorporating floats, food vendors and entertainment....
Allegheny Township proposed budget has no tax increase
Allegheny Township residents won’t have a property tax increase next year, marking the 11th consecutive year without an increase. Township supervisors presented the preliminary 2021 budget Monday. The budget includes a general fund of just under $4 million, along with about $335,000 allocated for debt service, $235,000 for the fire...
Alle-Kiski Valley volunteers reach out to provide Thanksgiving mealsVideo
Free take-out turkey meals were abundant across the Alle-Kiski Valley region Thanksgiving Day. Traditional dine-in meals at area churches were off the table this year due to covid-19 restrictions, but individuals, businesses and churches stepped in, giving meaning to the “give” in Thanksgiving. Turkey With A Twist Spice Affair Indian...
Natrona Heights man ID’d as inmate who died at Allegheny County Jail
The Allegheny County Jail inmate who died Thursday is a 63-year-old man from the Natrona Heights neighborhood of Harrison, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office said. Daniel Pastorek, 63, was found unresponsive in his cell, Warden Orlando Harper said. A corrections officer and medical staff tended to Pastorek until paramedics...
The Stroller, Nov. 26, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
A heartfelt thank you to all our loyal readers. Happy Thanksgiving! – Carol Pinto-Smith Westmoreland County Marines to supply Christmas groceries Westmoreland County Marines will provide Christmas groceries to local veterans’ families in need. To apply, veterans must provide proper identification and proof of military service such as a VA...
Food for thought: Your Turkey Day menu, by the numbersVideo
A trip around the Thanksgiving menu is like a trip around the United States, as American farmers produce much of what we savor on this national holiday, according to USAFacts.org. Below are some facts and figures about some of the popular foods to be shared today, with figures from 2019....
Operation Santa Claus returns in year of extreme need
Operation Santa Claus has been helping Western Pennsylvania families with the gift of a holiday meal for 36 years, and this year may prove to be the most challenging in the long history of the nonprofit organization. “The need is greater than ever this year. We’re trying our best to...
American Legion in Lower Burrell closes after patron tests positive for covid
Lower Burrell’s American Legion, Post 868, along Wildlife Lodge Road is closed until at least Monday because of a verified covid-19 case. Legion officials found out that one of their patrons tested positive for covid-19 on Monday night, said Post 868 Commander Ed Zollinger. The Legion promptly closed its facilities,...
Springdale animal rescue buys house in Tarentum to expand servicesVideo
A Springdale animal rescue has bought a house in Tarentum to help it expand its services. Paws Across Pittsburgh closed on the house in the 400 block of East Sixth Avenue on Nov. 19. It covered the $105,000 cost through a loan and donations. “We’re thrilled about the house,” said...
Westmoreland doles out almost $800K in federal money to municipalitiesVideo
Forty municipalities in Westmoreland County are splitting about $780,000 in federal grant funds to offset expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic. But, for many, the money won’t cover every cost or alleviate all concerns about the pandemic’s impact on future revenue. In Hempfield, revenues for 2020 are $750,000 below where...
Riverview senior selected to perform in National Honors Symphony Orchestra
Riverview High School senior Alexio Ciorra has been selected as one of eight bassists in this year’s All-National Honors Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra, under the direction of world-renowned international conductor and violinist Nobuyoshi Yasuda, features the top high school musicians from across the nation. They usually perform at a festival...
Secret Santa: Former ATI employee donates $10K to benefit Leechburg students
A Secret Santa is spreading Christmas cheer again in Leechburg Area School District. A handwritten letter with a $10,000 check enclosed was received this month by David Leech Elementary School Principal David Keibler. Keibler said the donor wishes to remain anonymous, but revealed that the Secret Santa is a former...
The Stroller, Nov. 25, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Boy Scouts to sell Christmas trees in Allegheny Township Boy Scout Troop 551 of Hyde Park is conducting its annual Christmas tree sale at Stanford Home Center, 1173 Route 356, Allegheny Township. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Black Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6...
New Kensington man, a convicted felon, accused of possessing shotgun, drugs
New Kensington police said they found guns, ammunition and drugs in a man’s home Monday after responding to a fight allegedly brought about by his girlfriend trying to catch him with another woman. Police said Albert Earl Taylor, 49, is a felon who is not legally permitted to possess firearms....
Highlands postpones winter sports until January
Around the WPIAL, schools have delayed the start of winter sports season. Whereas teams were set to begin practice last Friday, some schools pushed their start dates to Dec. 7. On Monday, the Highlands School District announced it was postponing winter sports until Jan. 15, though athletic director Drew Karpen...
Western Pa. bar, restaurant owners rankled over ban on Thanksgiving Eve alcohol salesVideo
Bar and restaurant owners across Western Pennsylvania reacted Tuesday to the news of a statewide 15-hour ban of alcohol sales in such establishments beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday. David Magill, owner of Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell, said business the night before Thanksgiving is traditionally his third-highest grossing holiday,...
Ziccarelli asks Pa. Supreme Court to reconsider decision to count undated Allegheny County ballots
The Republican challenger in the 45th Senatorial District that includes parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties has asked the state Supreme Court to reconsider its Monday order allowing undated mail-in ballots to be counted. Nicole Ziccarelli, of Lower Burrell, filed an emergency application for reargument Tuesday morning. She is running...
The Stroller, Nov. 24, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Annual holiday celebration planned Saturday in Leechburg The Luminate Leechburg celebration will be Saturday on Market Street. The community tree lighting will be at 6:30 p.m. in the garden across the street from the Twisted Thistle Restaurant. Toy donations will be accepted for Toys for Alle-Kiski Kids. A family friendly...
Pittsburgh region stood up to ‘Big Snow’ during 1950 Thanksgiving weekendVideo
Carl Huszar’s father and uncle had to walk several miles to get milk from a North Huntingdon farm because the roads were impassable. Faye Dames Matty, who now lives in Fort Myers, Fla., learned her father made it all the way from the Virginia military base where he was stationed...
Highlands moving all students to remote learning
Highlands School District will move all students to full remote instruction beginning Dec. 1 and continuing through Jan. 15, the district announced Monday. All extracurricular activities and sports will be suspended during that time. The announcement comes a week after the district closed its middle school through the Thanksgiving break...
Man accused of robbing New Kensington store, then asking for a job
A 20-year-old man is accused of demanding employees at a New Kensington Family Dollar store fill a bag with money, or give him a job, according to police. Police charged Marcus Tyquan Walker of New Kensington with two felony counts of robbery. He was arraigned before District Judge Frank Pallone...
Springdale couple charged with assaulting police officer responding to domestic incident
A Springdale couple is charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, accused of attacking a borough police officer called to their apartment for a domestic incident, according to a criminal complaint. Springdale police Officer Larry Bonazza said he was punched and bitten during the incident and was taken to a...
