Valley News Dispatch category, Page 611
Fat Cats Subs starts benefit for Cheswick fire familyVideo
A Cheswick sub shop is starting a benefit to help a Cheswick family of four whose home and belongings were destroyed in a fire last Jan. 17. Kayla Fischerkeller and Ryan Brittingham and their two children, ages 3 and 5, were not at home when fire destroyed their modular home...
St. Joseph High School mom recounts March for Life experience in Washington
Nearly three dozen people from the Alle-Kiski Valley took a whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C., on Friday to attend the yearly March for Life on the National Mall. The locals, which included students from St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights, Harrison, were among the tens of thousands that attended...
The Stroller, Jan. 25, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Valentine’s Day luncheon planned at American Legion The Tarentum Recreation Board will sponsor a Valentine’s Day luncheon at 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Brackenridge American Legion, 845 First Ave. Cost is $20 each. The menu includes chicken, stuffed cabbage, penne pasta, potatoes, vegetable, rolls, cake and beverage. Entertainment will...
Leechburg Council has questions for school board about Veterans Stadium work
Leechburg Council would like the Leechburg Area School Board to answer questions it has concerning renovations at Veterans Stadium. Council members Ruth Bender and Lorrie Bazella attended Wednesday’s school board meeting to ask several questions about the planned project, which calls for installing artificial turf and a running track at...
Mediation fails to resolve former Highlands teacher’s federal lawsuit against district
Mediation has so far failed to resolve one former Highlands School District employee’s federal lawsuit against the district, while a related case is set to head into its mediation. A mediation session for teacher Jason Smith’s case was held Thursday, according to court records. Smith, formerly a fourth-grade teacher at...
Schools, churches, non-profits to receive aid for promoting census in Westmoreland County
Schools, churches and local nonprofit organizations interested in promoting the census will have a little help soon from the Westmoreland County Complete Count Committee. Aimed at collecting an accurate countywide count, the committee is offering mini-grants of up to $1,000 to help with necessary resources and training for an organization’s...
The Stroller, Jan. 24, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Fundraiser to aid Humane Society of Westmoreland County The fourth annual Festival of Love Family Dinner will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 14 at Salem Lutheran Church, 301 E Pittsburgh St., Delmont. The menu includes spaghetti, tossed salad and bread. Those attending are asked to bring a dessert to share....
Route 56 in Allegheny Township closed for a time after wreck
A 25-year-old Vandergrift man was driving a van Thursday night along Route 56 in Allegheny Township when he suffered a medical episode, lost control and crashed into a hillside, police said. Allegheny Township police Sgt. Dan Uncapher said the accident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. at 6473 Route 56, near...
Alle-Kiski Arts Consortium shows work of local art teachers
For Teresa Emeroff, the “Practice What We Teach” exhibit was the chance to finish some of her own work and experience the joy of sharing it. An art teacher at Highlands High School, she said she doesn’t get to do that very often. “I start projects all the time at...
Oklahoma Borough man dies 2 days after being accused of indecent assault
Authorities withdrew charges against an Oklahoma Borough man accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled man because the suspect died two days after being arraigned, court records show. Brian K. Ferguson, 52, was charged Jan. 16 with indecent assault of a person with a mental disability and unlawful restraint in...
Western Pa. pro-life activists excited for Trump appearance at March for Life
Pro-life activists say they feel energized about Friday’s 47th annual March for Life as they await the first-ever appearance by a sitting U.S. president. President Trump announced this week that he plans to make a personal appearance at the annual event, which marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade —...
Harmar fills vacancy on board of supervisors
Harmar Supervisors appointed Jim Devlin to fill a vacancy on the township board. Devlin, 73, will fill the unexpired term of Supervisors’ Chairman Bob Seibert. Seibert, who had two years left on his six-year term, decided to run for the seat vacated by Patricia Janoski, who retired from the board...
Leechburg man accused of assaulting girl at Westmoreland MallVideo
A 16-year-old girl from the Greensburg area told state police a man “grabbed her by the throat, picked her up and threw her to the floor” at Westmoreland Mall last month after she replied to an off-hand comment her assailant and two juvenile companions made about her appearance. State police...
Fire marshal to investigate cause of East Deer house fire
An East Deer man said he was trying to thaw frozen water pipes when his home caught fire Thursday morning. The fire at 931 Bellview St. was reported around 5:45 a.m., according to Allegheny County 911. No injuries were reported. Zachary Shutak, 24, said he was using a heat gun...
The Stroller, Jan. 23, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Banners to honor veterans in West Deer West Deer Township is accepting orders for banners to honor township residents who served in the Armed Forces. The double-sided banners will be printed by Gray Signs and measure 24 x 30-inches. Cost is $120 plus tax and includes banner, hardware, photo scanning...
State Rep. Joseph Petrarca to hold 2 free concealed carry events
State Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Washington Township, will hold two free concealed-carry events to ensure 55th District residents are aware of their Second Amendment rights. The informational events will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Huber Hall in Latrobe and Feb. 6 at the West Leechburg Fire...
Fire marshal can’t rule out arson in blaze that destroyed Freeport home
A state police fire marshal said he can’t rule out arson as the cause for a fire that destroyed a Freeport home last weekend. The single-story, ranch-style house at 165 Washington St. was being renovated after it was damaged in another fire four months ago. The home caught fire again...
Former Highlands principal’s federal lawsuit going to mediation
A former Highlands School District principal’s federal lawsuit against the district is going into mediation, according to court records. Attorneys for the school district and Heather Bigney have agreed to evenly share the costs of mediation. Bigney resigned as principal of Highlands Early Childhood Center in October 2019 . She...
The Stroller, Jan. 22, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Bowling fundraiser to aid St. Joseph HS student The St. Joseph High School Bowling Team is sponsoring a bowling fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Wildlife Lanes, Lower Burrell, to support fellow student Eli Swierczewski who is battling Ewing’s sarcoma. Cost is $20 and includes bowling and shoe...
Oakmont police collecting expired, unwanted medications
Oakmont police want to make it easier for people to properly dispose of their expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. The department can do that via its new drug disposal box provided by KidCents and the Rite Aid Foundation. It was installed earlier this month. Drop-offs can be made...
Plans to address Oakmont Commons flooding problems under review
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reviewing plans and models designed to fix flooding problems in the Oakmont Commons. There’s no timetable for a response, but officials hope hear from them soon. “They’ll probably give us a recommendation to it and let us know if we’re doing something improper...
Leechburg wants to honor military veterans with banners
Leechburg is joining other Alle-Kiski Valley communities in honoring their veterans and active military service members with banners. A three-person committee that includes Mayor Wayne Dobos has been working on the “Hometown Hero” banner program since last year. The other community members are Doreen Smeal and Debbie Canzano. The banners...
Man accused of starting North Apollo bar fight, then fighting with cops
A New Kensington man faces charges after police said he started a fight early Tuesday at a North Apollo bar and then fought with officers who responded. Kiski Township police said they arrived at the R Bar on 16th Street to see Nicholas Jack, 25, throwing punches at people who...
Vandergrift man accused of hitting girlfriend with hammer during argument
A Vandergrift man accused of hitting his live-in girlfriend in the head with a hammer allegedly told police he only “nicked her.” Police said Thomas Andrew Funkhouser, 34, had fresh blood on his hands when officers arrived at a Grant Street apartment at about 12:30 a.m. last Thursday. His girlfriend,...
Fire, EMS organizations in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties slated for state grants
More than $850,000 has been slated for 68 local fire and EMS organizations in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, Sen. Jim Brewster announced on Tuesday. The $858,144 was made available through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, Brewster said. The funds are...
