Valley News Dispatch category, Page 590
Harrison Sheetz challenges other stores to use extra $3 an hour to help less fortunateVideo
Jobi Balog knows that not everyone has been able to put food on their table during the coronavirus pandemic — let alone get an extra $3 an hour in pay as Sheetz workers received. Because of that, the manager of the Sheetz gas station and convenience store in Harrison decided...
Victim in fatal New Kensington motorcycle crash identified
New Kensington police on Wednesday identified the man who died after the motorcycle he was driving hit a deer on Sunday. Police Chief Bob Deringer identified the man as James R. Snyder, 49, from the North Hills area. Snyder died from his injuries at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison. The...
Employee at McDonald’s in Allegheny Township tests positive for coronavirus
An employee at the McDonald’s restaurant in Allegheny Township has tested positive for covid-19, causing a temporary closure of the restaurant along Hyde Park Road. Owner Dan Delligatti said the site is being sanitized and is expected to reopen when cleaning is complete. “Our highest priority is to protect the...
Highlands considering operating autism classroom at high school
Highlands School District is considering operating its own autism classroom at its high school next school year in a move that would save the district $231,000. The district signed a contract for autism services with the nonprofit Merakey Innovative Care and Education Solutions six years ago. Merakey spokeswoman Trish Pisauro...
Brian Shaw Foundation grants $15,000 to Allegheny Valley police for new K-9
A foundation honoring New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw, who was shot and killed in 2017, awarded a $15,000 grant for a new police dog to the Allegheny Valley Regional Police. The regional police department was created last year with the merger of the Cheswick and Springdale Township police departments....
The Stroller, April 15, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Small Acts of Kindness 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 or your organization to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com. Read the Stroller...
Repair work begins at New Kensington church damaged by tornadoVideo
Workers started dismantling a damaged steeple at a New Kensington church on Tuesday. The steeple, one of two atop St. Mary of Czestochowa on Kenneth Avenue, was damaged by a tornado that hit the city April 8 and also tore off part of the church’s roof. Roofers took advantage of...
Highlands School Board selects Bobbie Neese as president
The Highlands School Board unified in choosing new leadership Monday, in contrast to when the board last reorganized in December. The nine-member board had to select a new president and vice president following the resignation of former President Misty Chybrzynski in March and the appointment of Nicole Kocon to replace...
Platinum Ridge workers spread messages of hope with sidewalk chalk
The messages are simple but uplifting. The front of the Platinum Ridge skilled nursing facility in Brackenridge was covered Tuesday morning with colorful and encouraging messages created by its workers. The goal: To help alleviate the tension and uncertainty of the coronavirus crisis. “We want to make everybody happy when...
Pitt-Greensburg seeks input for planned New Kensington mural
Community members are being invited to share their ideas for a mural planned for the side of the Walt’s Deli building in New Kensington. The mural is a project of the Community Arts and Reintegration Project (CARP), administered by the Center For Applied Research at the University of Pittsburgh at...
The Stroller, April 14, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Small Acts of Kindness Erin Wagner-Haggerty of Allegheny Township would like to recognize Dawn Smith-Galia of Tarentum for making over 500 cotton face masks with replaceable melt blown filters. Masks are placed in bags of three along with treats and handmade thank-you cards with a poem and have been donated...
6 employees at Smithfield Foods plant in Arnold test positive for coronavirus
Six employees at the Smithfield Foods plant in Arnold tested positive for the coronavirus. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 President Wendell Young said four people reported positive tests last week, and two more tested positive as of Monday. He said those individuals have not been to work for...
Leechburg Area Pool intends to open this year, even if only for abbreviated season
The Leechburg Area Pool still plans to open this year, but it might be later than originally planned due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement posted on the pool’s Facebook page last week, members of the pool board stressed their dedication to opening the Gilpin-based pool. “While we look...
Tarentum Council resists proposal to abolish borough’s planning commission
A proposal to abolish Tarentum’s planning commission and replace it with a committee of professionals and council members was met with resistance from council members who opposed removing borough residents from the zoning and land use process. Borough Manager Michael Nestico argued the planning commission can only make recommendations to...
Pittsburgh man killed after motorcycle hits deer in New Kensington
A man was killed and a woman hurt Sunday night after the motorcycle they were on struck a deer in New Kensington, police Chief Bob Deringer said. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. on Route 366, Stevenson Boulevard. According to Deringer, a 49-year-old man from Pittsburgh was operating the...
Stay-at-home order has spurred increase in home renovation projects
Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order has allowed Albert Trombi to devote more time to do-it-yourself projects around his Vandergrift home. “I can’t do anything else,” said Trombi, 72, who has built a deluxe woodshop above what a relative calls Trombi’s “Garage Mahal.” These days, Trombi is staying busy doing work such as...
Natrona Heights parishioners go to drive-in for Easter Sunday servicesVideo
Harvest Baptist Church in Natrona Heights, Harrison, hosted a cinematic Easter experience over the weekend. From the comfort of their cars, members and nonmembers alike viewed a special Easter service on the big screen at Riverside Drive-In in Vandergrift. Less than two weeks ago, leaders at Harvest Baptist had a...
The Stroller, April 13, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Small Acts of Kindness Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring soup 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,...
The Stroller, April 12, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Send information of charitable events to The Stroller Is your company or organization making or collecting equipment for health professionals? Is your club or church going to sponsor a community blood drive? The Stroller will publish information about community drives and collections at Triblive.com. Send information to vndnews@tribweb.com. Small Acts...
They endured heartbreaking tragedy. Now they’re using their past to cope with the pandemic.
Hope. … On the darkest days, it can be elusive. In the throes of this global health crisis, it is a word spoken by many. · There is hope for a vaccine, hope for a return to normalcy and hope for those sickened by the disease that began a world...
Allegheny Township boy doesn’t let illness or coronavirus stop 7th birthday party
Seven-year-old Kohldon Haggerty had to put off his birthday plans the past two years because of illness. But not this year — despite even the coronavirus and its social distancing restrictions. Kohldon celebrated Saturday outside his Allegheny Township home with a bona fide parade, complete with police cruisers, fire trucks,...
New Kensington Shop ‘n Save to close at the end of April
A family-run Shop ’n Save in New Kensington is closing after about a decade in the city. The grocery store in the Central City Plaza will close its doors for good April 30. Co-owner Lauren Beter of New Kensington said the move is due to decreased sales the past few...
The Stroller, April 11, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Small Acts of Kindness 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 or your organization to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com. Send information of...
Lower Valley Community Food Bank holds Easter food distribution for 155 families
The Lower Valley Community Food Bank held its Easter food distribution Thursday despite threatening skies and a pandemic. Director Kathy Otterbeck said about 15 volunteers prepared and loaded banana boxes full of produce, canned goods, meat, eggs, milk, bread and 10-pound bags of potatoes for 155 families. They included 35...
Residents rally to help New Kensington grocery worker whose car was smashed by tree
Friends and strangers alike have rallied to raise more than $3,400 in a GoFundMe account benefiting a New Kensington man whose 32-year-old car was crushed by a huge oak tree during Wednesday’s high winds and tornado. “Thanks to everyone for all of their support,” said Tom Athey Jr., 63, of...
