Valley News Dispatch category, Page 582
Kiski Area School Board expects a slight raise in its real estate tax
Property owners in Kiski Area School District could owe slightly more in property taxes next school year. In the preliminary budget the board discussed last week, Westmoreland County residents would see an increase of 1.46 mills to 92.06 mills. At that rate, the owner of a property assessed at $16,492...
Cheswick goes back to in-person council meetings
Cheswick Council passed a resolution Wednesday to hold its public meetings in person at the spacious Cheswick Volunteer Fire Co. hall. Council met at the fire hall Wednesday night, with borough officials and two members of the public attending. The vote retroactively authorized that meeting and future ones to be...
Police: Kiski man accused of inappropriately touching girl
Editor’s note: The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office withdrew the charges Aug. 19. West Deer police have charged a Kiski man with inappropriately touching a young girl several years ago. Police said Scott Goedicke, 46, touched the girl when she was 5 or 6 years old. The girl, now 12,...
Most serious charge dismissed against Leechburg man accused of shooting girlfriend
A Leechburg man was found not guilty of aggravated assault on Wednesday after he was accused of shooting his girlfriend in the face during a drunken attempt to play Russian roulette. Roy Edward Berry Jr., 50, was convicted in a nonjury trial before Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan...
Lower Burrell man identified as motorcyclist who died in Murrysville crash
A motorcyclist died Wednesday when his vehicle collided with a car along Route 380, about one-quarter mile west of the Route 366 intersection in northern Murrysville, police said. The Westmoreland County coroner’s office identified the motorcyclist as Gregg A. Leipertz Jr., 24, of Lower Burrell. Leipertz was pronounced dead at...
New Kensington-Arnold School Board proposes tax increase, warns of bleak financial future
New Kensington-Arnold School Board approved a $37.9 million proposed budget Tuesday that includes a 3-mill increase in property taxes. The board went back and forth before the vote on whether to propose an increase of 2 or 3 mills, but opted for the higher increase to provide the cash-strapped district...
The Stroller, May 27, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Lower Valley Food Bank to have distribution Thursday Lower Valley Food Bank will have a food distribution from...
Allegheny Valley’s former Colfax school building on market for $1.9M
The former Colfax Upper Elementary School in Springdale is on the market for $1.9 million. Allegheny Valley School Board last week entered into a six-month contract with commercial real estate agent CBRE, Inc. to see if there is interest in the shuttered building. The school board agreed to sign an...
Leechburg carnival, key fundraiser for firefighters, canceled because of covid-19
A popular event that raises money for Leechburg’s firefighters won’t be held this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, but a Virginia man whose dad was a longtime member of the department is working to offset the loss. The Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company’s annual carnival was set to take place...
2 injured in crash along Hulton Bridge
Two people were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning following a crash on the Hulton Bridge, according to authorities. The crash involving two vehicles on the Harmar side of the bridge was reported at around 7 a.m., according to an Allegheny County 911 supervisor. Information about the identities and condition...
The Stroller, May 26, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Walking for Babies fundraiser will be virtual event The annual Walking for Babies event that benefits the TryLife Center...
Leechburg honors fallen service members in ceremony scaled back by coronavirus pandemic
Bob Fiscus has been an eager observer of Leechburg’s Memorial Day celebrations honoring fallen service members since he was a young boy, long before he joined the Army and fought in two wars. Pandemic or not, the 94-year-old veteran wasn’t about to give up on the tradition in 2020. So...
The Stroller, May 25, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. A day of prayer. Take a moment today to show respect and...
Many municipalities finally get to roadwork after pandemic-related construction pause ends
With local asphalt plants back in business, that means road patching and paving season is finally here for municipalities across the region — including Lower Burrell and its new public works director. “We are behind schedule because of the coronavirus, but we do have our paving plan finalized,” said Todd...
Allegheny County election officials promise mail-in ballots will arrive soon
Allegheny County election officials are stressing to voters that mail-in ballots are on the way as the elections division works around the clock to process applications. “We’re getting caught up this week,” elections division manager David Voye said Wednesday. “If you haven’t received your ballot yet, I understand your concern....
The Stroller, May 24, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Donations welcome for the Friendship Garden Food Pantry Donations for the food pantry in the Tarentum Friendship Garden can...
New Ken-Arnold honoring graduates with photos, parade, virtual ceremony
The New Kensington-Arnold School District has announced its graduation plans for the Class of 2020, altered by the covid-19 pandemic. The district started delivering caps and gowns to its seniors at their homes on Friday morning, according to a letter to seniors and parents from Principal Patrick Nee Jr. The...
Community rallies to support victims of Lower Burrell apartment building fire
As a Lower Burrell apartment building was burning Thursday, Laura Edwards was already thinking about helping the people who were losing their homes. She organized a relief effort at Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 on Saturday and was overwhelmed by the community’s response. The large fire department garage...
‘Wandering Minstrels of Arnold’ planned in place of canceled park concert
The streets of Arnold will be alive with the sounds of music on the last Sunday of May. Mayor Joseph Bia II said he came up with the idea for the “Wandering Minstrels of Arnold” after learning that the annual Rockin’ Roosevelt concert had been canceled this year because of...
A summer unlike any other: Events canceled across Western Pa., but options remain for warm-weather fun
The unofficial start of summertime has arrived. The season of warm weather, sunglasses and shorts stretches out in front of us, an annual rite as the days grow longer and porch furniture reappears. But the days of filling up calendars with festivals and concerts are in the past, at least...
Plum High School teacher selected to be a part of state science committee
A Plum High School teacher has been selected to be on a state Department of Education committee examining new state science standards. Biologist Shubhada Bhamre said she’s excited to be on the 10-member panel called PA Academic Standards for Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology Content Committee. “I love biology,...
The Stroller, May 23, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Free shredding event planned in Lower Burrell A free paper shredding event will be hosted by Rep. Bob Brooks...
Lower Burrell fire department hosting food, clothing drive to help apartment fire victims
A Lower Burrell fire department is hosting a food and clothing fundraiser Saturday for the victims of the fire that destroyed the Cedar Crest Apartments on Thursday. The public is encouraged to drop off dry food, clothing and other supplies to Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Department No. 3, 3255 Leechburg...
Lower Burrell apartment fire that displaced at least 34 remains under investigationVideo
Tom Haley lost more than belongings when fire tore through Lower Burrell’s Cedar Crest Apartments on Thursday, displacing him and at least 33 other residents. Haley said he moved multiple times while his late wife, Shirley, was in nursing homes, but he settled in at Cedar Crest after moving there...
West Deer woman wins big on ‘The Price is Right’
Mary Kay Giarrusso was the big winner on “The Price is Right.” The West Deer resident won $34,202.97 on Friday’s show, broadcast on CBS at 11 a.m. “The experience was amazing,” said Giarrusso. The show was taped in early March, and Giarrusso said, “I couldn’t remember everything that happened, so...
