Valley News Dispatch category, Page 622
West Deer resident says he can’t escape streetlight’s glare into his home
When Adam Fusan moved into his West Deer home 10 years ago, there wasn’t a streetlight at the corner of Saxonburg Boulevard and McKrell Road. One was installed in July at the request of township supervisors. Fusan, who lives on Saxonburg, said it’s impacting his everyday life. “It’s driving me...
35 cats and dogs rescued from West Deer home
Thirty cats and five dogs living in “deplorable conditions” at a West Deer home were rescued, according to a local animal shelter that is caring for them. Authorities responding to a complaint from a resident Friday said there was a “pungent odor emanating from the house” and obtained a warrant...
Ring in 2020 at the Quality Inn ballroom in New Kensington
Welcome 2020 in style. The grand ballroom inside the Quality Inn in New Kensington will be dressed up for a festive New Year’s Eve celebration. The event has returned after several years’ hiatus thanks to Brenda and Daniel Leo of Leechburg, owners of the food and beverage and banquet facilities...
The Stroller, Dec. 14, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Holiday open house planned Tuesday in Kittanning Sen. Joe Pittman will host a holiday open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at his Armstrong County office, 109 S. Jefferson St., Kittanning. Information about programs and services will be available. His district includes Saxonburg and Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson and...
Artistic replica of the old Hulton Bridge in Oakmont unveiled at Riverview High School
An idea formed nearly four years ago in a Riverview High School jewelry making class turned into an artistic replica of the historic Hulton Bridge in Oakmont. Glenn Garrison, a technology education teacher and former art instructor, said a student suggested crafting jewelry from the 107-year-old bridge that was demolished...
Man convicted of attempted murder, robbery at large after skipping last day of trial
A Huntingdon County man convicted Thursday in Armstrong County for attempted homicide is on the run, state police and court officials said Friday. Willie James Lunsford, 34, of Mount Union, had posted $200,000 bond on Aug. 6 to await a trial that started Monday. He took part in his trial...
Sandy Hook mom Scarlett Lewis’ to speak Monday at Burrell High School
Burrell School District officials are encouraging the public and area community groups to attend a free presentation Monday on social emotional learning from Scarlett Lewis, whose son was Jesse was one of 26 people killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Lewis’ presentation is scheduled to start...
New Kensington teen accused of shooting man in Vandergrift
A New Kensington teen is accused of shooting a man in a leg in Vandergrift last month when the man allegedly told him he didn’t have any drugs for sale. Court records show Ryleik Amitre Arbuckle, 15, is charged as an adult. A criminal complaint said Arbuckle pistol-whipped the 20-year-old...
Vandergrift merchants band together for new Christmas event
Vandergrift business owner Kelly Adamik said she organized the first-ever Mistletoe & Merchants event scheduled for Saturday to showcase what she considers to be the borough’s resurgent business community. “We’ve really turned a corner, and I thought it was time to highlight,” said Adamik, who owns The Gathering Room, a...
Brackenridge’s Vibo’s Bakery hopes to make some dough at pop-up market
Dino “Vibo” Lopreiato will wake at 4 a.m. Saturday and start baking bread. His 86-year-old father, Giuseppe, will have been in the kitchen for an hour or longer already, kneading dough and preheating the ovens. They will be prepping for the day ahead. The elder Lopreiato will bake items to...
West Deer Christmas gift program a ‘labor of love,’ police chief says
When it comes to Christmas shopping, West Deer police Chief Jon Lape has an eye for deals. That pays off when you’re shopping for hundreds of children. Lape has spearheaded a campaign for the past 23 years to provide gifts to needy families in West Deer, and he buys most...
Kiski Area High School’s Breakfast with Santa expected to attract 300 people
Sarah Gracey, an advisor and business teacher at Kiski Area High School, thinks there are several reasons why the school’s sixth annual Breakfast with Santa resonates with the community. “It’s like a wholesome, family event,” she said. “It’s for the community, by the community.” Breakfast with Santa will take place...
The Stroller, Dec. 13, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Volunteers needed to tutor students at Peoples Library Peoples Library in New Kensington is seeking adult volunteers to tutor elementary students in its afterschool program. Adult tutors work one-on-one with at-risk students from the New Kensington-Arnold School District from 4 to 5:20 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the New Kensington...
Boyce Park ski slopes to open this weekend
Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts can rejoice, because the Boyce Park slopes open up for the season on Saturday. Allegheny County Parks Department officials said the beginner slope and main slope will be ready around 9:30 a.m. with a base of 18 to 24 inches of snow. Other slopes, trails and...
Apollo Borough office closed for move to new location
The Apollo municipal office closed this week and will remain closed until Dec. 20 when it reopens at a new location at 809 N. Warren Avenue. The move was prompted by the expiration of the borough’s lease at the end of the year at 616 First St., the former Apollo...
Cousin accused of aiding convicted cop killer Rahmael Holt ordered to stand trialVideo
New Kensington District Judge Frank Pallone refused to lower Lisa Harrington’s $100,000 bond Thursday after holding her for trial on charges of getting rid of the gun her cousin used to kill city police Officer Brian Shaw two years ago. Harrington, 33, is a cousin of Rahmael Holt, who a...
New Kensington-Arnold preliminary budget spikes taxes, exhausts reserves
Even with a property tax increase more than double its state limit, the New Kensington-Arnold School District will empty its reserves by the end of the 2020-21 school year and go into the red, the district’s business manager projects. A 7-mill property tax increase is included in the $38.96 million...
Missing New Kensington youth found
A missing New Kensington youth has been found, police said. Police and the family of Da’ Montae Brooks, 13, had been looking for him since 10 p.m. last Thursday. Detective Sgt. Paul Manke said Monday he has been found. No other details are available....
$10K donation from ‘Secret Santa’ will buy gifts for Leech Elementary students
An unexpected letter delivered this week to David Leech Elementary Principal David Keibler brought him to tears. The two-page, handwritten note from a man wishing to remain anonymous included a check for $10,000 with instructions that the money be used to provide every Leechburg Area student in pre-kindergarten through fifth...
Arnold ordinance would allow backyard fires
Arnold residents would be able to have contained fires in their backyards under a new ordinance city council is considering. Fires at residences would have to be burned in a container no more than 36 inches in diameter and at least two feet high, according to the proposed ordinance. The...
General manager of Harrison McDonald’s receives company’s top awardVideo
For Laurie Naugle, just to be nominated for the prestigious Ray Kroc Award was an honor. But to win it was astonishing. “It’s just mind-blowing,” Naugle, general manager of the McDonald’s in Harrison, said Thursday when she was honored with one of the corporation’s most prestigious awards. The McDonald’s Corporation’s...
New Kensington’s Peoples Library to stage play written by city residents, petting zoo
Free events planned Saturday at New Kensington’s Peoples Library include an original Christmas play written by two city residents and an indoor petting zoo. “We’re glad to have a double bill for the day,” library Director David Hrivnak said. Members of the Valley High School Drama Club will perform the...
Armstrong County Jail receives $150,000 to fight drug addiction
Armstrong County received a $150,000 grant to expand the county jail’s Medication Assistance Treatment (MAT) program, the office of Rep. Joseph Petrarca announced Wednesday. The program provides drug treatment services and cognitive behavioral therapy to offenders with drug addiction. The grant was provided by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and...
The Stroller, Dec. 12, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Santa to visit several Valley communities Santa Claus is planning to ride through several Alle-Kiski Valley communities over the weekend. • North Apollo: Santa will begin his trip with the borough firemen at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Leonard Avenue, and visit the following streets: 4:45 p.m., Wemple; 5 p.m., Center;...
Lyft driver from Harrison accused of exposing himself, groping passenger
A Harrison man accused of exposing himself to a woman and groping her last month while driving for the ride-sharing service Lyft was ordered Wednesday to stand trial. Indiana Township police said Douglas Timothy Moore, 53, picked up a woman who requested a ride to West Deer and then drove...
