Valley News Dispatch category, Page 568
Westmoreland restarts criminal trials with case against Rahmael Holt’s father
After a four-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, jury trials resumed Monday in Westmoreland County. A 12-member jury and two alternates were selected to hear evidence in a witnesses intimidation case against the father of the man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police...
Repaving Richmond Street tops Arnold’s plans for $300K in grant money
Arnold is proposing to spend nearly half of a federal grant to pay for resurfacing Richmond Street. City residents will get a chance to comment on that, and other proposed uses for the more than $300,000 grant, during a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the public...
The Stroller, Aug. 2, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
The Stroller, Aug. 3, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
Co-workers rally around New Kensington mom whose toddler drowned in Harrison
Cassius Saulsgiver was a happy kid who always woke up with a smile. He went to bed with one, too. “He just loved life,” said his mom, Dominique Kemp. “He just loved everything. Everybody. You could be a complete stranger and he’d warm up pretty quick.” Two-year-old Cassius tragically died...
Nonprofit to reward people who donated to canceled West Leechburg fundraiser
Ian Coyle isn’t letting a canceled fundraiser stop him from doing something nice for people. Coyle, founder and president of the nonprofit Semper Gratus, will be handing out Semper Gratus cups and gift baskets at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Leechburg on Aug. 16. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Coyle had...
‘An awesome tribute’: Late New Kensington man’s damaged memorial to police replacedVideo
Dozens of people traversed a New Kensington hillside on Sunday to remember not just fallen police officers but also a local man who dedicated much of his time to honor them. Steve Pater of New Kensington died July 1 while placing flags for the Fourth of July on his adopted...
West Leechburg will hold car parade Tuesday for National Night Out in honor of first responders
The covid-19 pandemic isn’t stopping West Leechburg from thanking its first responders. But the borough will have to celebrate them a little differently this year. For this year’s National Night Out, the West Leechburg Crime Watch Committee is holding a car parade instead of the usual community get-together. National Night...
Hospital construction boom unaffected by pandemic in Western Pa.
Western Pennsylvania’s top hospital systems are pushing ahead with major construction projects despite the economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. In Harmar, crews are working on the final touches of Allegheny Health Network’s newest neighborhood hospital. The 23,000-square-foot “mini-hospital” under construction at Freeport and Guys Run roads will...
The Stroller, Aug. 1, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
Southbound Route 28 restrictions will begin Monday in O’Hara area
Drainage work along southbound Route 28 will begin Monday, Aug. 3, with single-lane restrictions between the Harmar (Exit 11) and RIDC Drive (Exit 10) interchanges. The restrictions will be in place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 14, as work crews from Allison Park Contractors perform inlet cleaning...
Rich Hill Road section will close Monday for slide repairs in West Deer
Landslide repair work will close a section of Rich Hill Road beginning Monday, Aug. 3, PennDOT officials announced Friday. The landslide occurred between Michael Road/Russellton-Dorseyville Road and Mill Dam Road. Traffic will be detoured along the following route: From north of the slide: • From Michael/Russellton-Dorseyville Road, follow East Union...
Allegheny Valley School District investigating Zoom bombing of public meeting
District officials are investigating the “Zoom-bombing” of a recent Allegheny Valley School Board meeting via the Zoom internet platform. During the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom have gained popularity with everyone — including hackers. Known as Zoom-bombing, people with fake identities enter virtual public meetings to disrupt...
Specialty Luggage going out of business after 76 years
The year was 1944 and victory in World War II was in sight for the Allies. With the war a year away from winding down, life in the U.S. was changing. The economy was on the upswing and city-dwelling Americans would soon be on the move. And as they traveled,...
Retiring Natrona Heights letter carrier lauded for dependability, cheerfulnessVideo
As he puts a cancel stamp on a nearly 40-year career as a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, one of Kevin Griffith’s concerns going into retirement is about putting on weight. Walking 25,000 steps a day has had its benefits. “I loved getting paid for getting exercise,” Griffith...
Highlands settles former teacher’s federal lawsuit for $150K
A former Highlands elementary teacher will get $105,000 as part of an agreement settling his federal lawsuit alleging the district had violated his rights. The Highlands School Board approved the settlement with Jason Smith on June 22. The district released details of the settlement Friday in response to a Right-to-Know...
Brain surgery helps Kittanning toddler become seizure freeVideo
Breane DeComo Kotyk was waiting to hear her daughter cry for the first time. Nothing. Not a sound. Little Khaleesia wasn’t breathing. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. She was lifeless and blue. It took doctors at West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield 18 minutes to resuscitate her. The...
The Stroller, July 31, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
Allegheny Valley SB approves safety plan but not phased-in or full return to school
Allegheny Valley School Board on Tuesday approved its Health Safety Plan for the upcoming school year, but is still debating how students will return to school. The district is considering whether to open school buildings to its more than 900 students at the same time or to have a portion...
Upper Burrell considers safety tax to help fire department
The Upper Burrell Township supervisors plan to discuss a 3-mill tax increase for a new safety tax primarily benefiting the township’s sole fire department during their meeting on Wednesday. If the 3-mill tax is approved, the average homeowner with a home assessed at about $21,000 would pay $63 a year...
Burrell School District to vote on plan to reopen schools with virtual option
The Burrell School Board plans to vote Tuesday to reopen all schools when classes resume next month while providing an option for students to attend classes online from home. “It’s the closest thing to being there,” board President Tricia Shank said of the virtual option. Students can switch up between...
Severance agreement for New Ken-Arnold superintendent approved sight unseen
New Kensington-Arnold School Board approved a severance agreement with the district’s departing superintendent without having a finished document in writing, according to several members of the school board. During a meeting Tuesday where the board accepted John Pallone’s resignation effective Friday, board member John DeAntonio asked when the board would...
Highlands approves return plan; parents asked to complete surveys
The Highlands School District will use a hybrid approach with students learning both in school and remotely when the upcoming school year starts Aug. 27. Under the plan, approved by the school board this week, students will be divided into two groups, with one attending classes in person on Mondays...
Fundraiser scheduled for family of 2-year-old New Kensington drowning victim
A fundraiser for the family of a 2-year-old New Kensington boy who drowned is planned for this weekend in the city. The event includes a silent auction, Chinese auction and yard sale, said Nicole Contreras, a friend and co-worker of Dominique Kemp, mother of Cassius Alexander Saulsgiver. Saulsgiver died July...
The Stroller, July 30, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
