Valley News Dispatch category, Page 608
Community Library sets closing date for Tarentum branch
The Tarentum branch of Community Library of Allegheny Valley will be closed by the end of the month. The library, on Lock Street, will close to the public at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, library Director Kathy Firestone said. Books and furnishings will be sold at the library March 19-21....
The Stroller, Feb. 7, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Banners available to honor...
Plum drug dealer sentenced to 10 years in federal prison
A Plum drug dealer, who ran a drug trafficking operation through the Heinz Lofts apartments in Pittsburgh’s North Shore, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Brandon Winters, 43, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in September. Senior U.S. District Judge Nora Barry...
Lower Burrell considers $13k in additional charges for city hall renovation
Lower Burrell Council is considering about $13,600 in additional charges for city hall’s $3.2 million renovation. The renovation project started last May. It includes a new public works building, more space for police and moving the tax office back to city hall. Council will vote on the additional charges at...
Record number of alumni to hit the stage for Highlands musical fundraiser
More than just a few Highlands High School alumni are collaborating for a musical cause. Each year, the Alumni Cabaret concert unites dozens of musical alumni with current Highlands musical students for an evening of entertainment filled with song and dance. This season, 38 alumni are scheduled to perform. “This...
Apollo, Harrison, Freeport, Leechburg enter HGTV contest for hometown makeoverVideo
At least four Alle-Kiski Valley communities are entering an HGTV contest for their shot at a whole-town makeover. Residents in Apollo, Harrison, Freeport and Leechburg have taken photos and produced videos in hopes their towns will be chosen as the subject of “Home Town Takeover,” a six-episode series with Ben...
Nuisance complaint may be way forward for demolition of Vi’s Bar in Vandergrift
Neighbors of the former Vi’s Bar in Vandergrift expressed relief that the abandoned building might finally be demolished after years of deterioration. Its glowing sign hasn’t been lit in more than a decade. The building at 127 Grant Ave. is falling in on itself. Its roof is caving in, so...
Risen to Save to perform at Lower Burrell church to raise money for mission trip
The band is about more than creating beautiful music, and the musicians say they are rooted in a spiritual calling. The Lower Burrell contemporary christian group Risen to Save doesn’t refer to their performances as concerts. They prefer to call them worship services. “We bring together a group of believers...
The Stroller, Feb. 6, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Highlands High School to present Alumni Cabaret Concert The eighth annual Highlands High School Musical Alumni Cabaret Concert will be at 7 p.m. Saturday in the high school auditorium, Natrona Heights, Harrison. Performances saluting the past 10 years of Highlands musicals will be by alumni, and the high school Honors...
Officials investigating shots fired at undercover officers in New Kensington
At least one person in a group of five or six people opened fire on undercover police officers Tuesday night in New Kensington, just a couple of blocks from where a city officer was shot and killed more than two years ago, according to Westmoreland County detectives. County detectives said...
Tarentum ‘Depot’ projects gets state grant for basement, foundation workVideo
Work to deepen the basement of a Tarentum building to house a laundromat is expected to begin this summer. Faith Community Partners received a nearly $211,000 state grant that will pay for half the cost of the work at the Fifth Avenue building being called The Depot, said its executive...
New Kensington man arrested in connection with Valley Royal Court shooting in December
A New Kensington man charged with four counts of attempted homicide in connection with shots that were fired at an occupied car in December in New Kensington has been arrested. Letresse Tareke Williams, 29, was arrested late Tuesday night or early Wednesday by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Warrant Team and...
The Stroller, Feb. 5, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Musical fundraiser to benefit New Kensington K-9 officer A fundraiser to benefit K-9 Officer Deuce of the New Kensington Police Department and his handler Patrolman Joe Martino will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Bird Dogs Sports Bar and Grill, 2615 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, Harrison. Guest CMA...
Shots fired at New Kensington police, no injuriesVideo
Police from New Kensington and surrounding communities responded to the scene of a shooting Tuesday in which someone fired shots at a police officer. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries in the incident but a large area was cordoned off by police and traffic was diverted from the area. Westmoreland...
Tarentum approves 2-year contract with borough manager
Tarentum Council unanimously approved a new contract with Borough Manager Michael Nestico. The agreement council accepted Tuesday will keep Nestico for two more years, until Dec. 31, 2021. For 2020, Nestico’s salary was increased by 3.5%, from $82,000 to $84,870. That increase is in line with that of other borough...
Freeport heads into second phase of sewer plant construction
Freeport Council voted 5-1 Monday night to enter the next phase of construction for a new sewage treatment plant. Phase II of the project would involve design, surveying, construction and inspection. Construction costs are estimated to be about $11.1 million. With the costs of design, surveying and legal responsibilities, the...
Civil claims against owner of Harrison’s Heights Plaza exceed $700K
Civil claims totaling more than $700,000 have been filed against the owner of Heights Plaza in Harrison. Pretium Property Management, the plaza’s court-appointed receiver, claimed in a civil complaint filed last month that Wild Blue Management, Indigo Management and Steve Kogut, all of Far Hills, N.J., fraudulently transferred nearly $650,000...
Annual Hard-to-Recycle event planned at Pittsburgh Mills
The Pennsylvania Resources Council is offering four Hard-to-Recycle events this year, including one on May 9 at the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer, for residents to get rid of items not typically collected by trash haulers. Residents can bring their e-waste, cellphones, alkaline batteries, Freon-containing appliances, tires and more to the...
State grants will help Alle-Kiski fire companies pay debts, buy equipment
More than 60 Alle-Kiski Valley fire and ambulance companies were recently awarded more than $775,000 through the annual state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program. Some of the companies plan to use the money to pay down what they owe on new fire trucks. Others will buy protective...
The Stroller, Feb. 4, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Shamrock Shuffle 5K and Walk set for March 21 The 2020 Shamrock Shuffle 5K and one-mile Family Fun Walk will begin at 10 a.m. March 21 at West Leechburg Fire Hall, 1116 Gosser St. The course will run through the streets of West Leechburg and return to the fire hall....
Oakmont councilwoman hopes to challenge Dermody for state House seat
Carrie DelRosso, an Oakmont Republican and businesswoman, announced she’s seeking her party’s nomination for the state’s 33rd District House seat. DelRosso, 44, grew up in Scranton and lives in Oakmont, where she runs a public affairs firm that provides services to private sector clients, school districts and municipalities. Current clients...
New Kensington approves leasing 2 new police SUVs
The New Kensington Police Department will soon have two new vehicles on the road. City Council on Monday approved leasing two vehicles for four years for about $67,500. The city received a $50,000 state grant to help cover the cost. The vehicles will be 2020 Ford Explorer SUVs, police Chief...
Uncle Dave’s Books brings art to Alle-Kiski Valley children
Editor’s note: Building the Valley tells stories of businesses big and small and the employees who make them special. If you know of any standout employees, bosses or companies with a great story to tell, contact Senior News Editor Tom Fontaine at tfontaine@tribweb.com. An award-winning author of children’s books is...
Woman accused of hiding gun that killed New Kensington cop says she suffers from PTSD
A woman charged with disposing of the weapon that police say was used to kill New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw claims she could not have done so because she is afraid to enter basements. In court documents filed Monday, the lawyer for Lisa Danea Harrington, 33, of New Kensington...
Murrysville man accused of swindling $18K from Allegheny Township business
A Murrysville man is accused of taking nearly $18,000 from an Allegheny Township business to install signs promoting the business, but never doing the work. Orbin Swisshelm, 60, took the money from McGuire Family Auto Service, according to a criminal complaint filed by township police. Police said Swisshelm disbanded his...
