Valley News Dispatch category, Page 627
Springdale WIC office to reopen
The Springdale office for the Allegheny County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children office will reopen Thursday after being closed for about two months. The office was one of two WIC locations unexpectedly shuttered at the beginning of October because of increased demand in other parts of the county. At...
Apollo Borough gets new offices, councilwoman, return of its Christmas parade
There are changes coming to Apollo this month and next, as the borough office is moving to a new location, its council vice president has resigned just after winning a new term, a new councilwoman has started a little early, and the Christmas parade returns Friday. Council expects the borough...
Alle-Kiski Valley gyms work out to raise more than $4,000 for Toys for Tots
Alle-Kiski Valley residents broke a sweat to raise money for less fortunate children this holiday season. Members of the Anytime Fitness locations in Allegheny Township and Cheswick participated in a Lift-a-Thon to raise money for Toys for Tots, a Marine Corps program that collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them...
Charges dropped against key witness who testified against convicted police killer Rahmael HoltVideo
Prosecutors on Monday dropped criminal charges against a man they said provided key testimony against convicted cop killer Rahmael Sal Holt, just weeks after insisting no deal had been promised for his cooperation. Tavon Harper, 29, had been in custody since his arrest following the November 2017 fatal shooting of...
The Stroller, Dec. 2, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Training for tax counseling offered AARP Tax Aide is recruiting volunteers for the upcoming tax preparation season. Tax Aide volunteers assist taxpayers with filing their federal, state and local taxes at no charge. Sites are located at senior centers, libraries, churches and the officers of state representatives in the Alle-Kiski...
Lower Burrell man learned plastering from his dad, turned it into career, nationwide union leadershipVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. Dan Stepano would help his father plaster homes during what turned out to be, in effect, a very young apprenticeship. Ed “Peck” Stepano would wear stilts on the job. Every...
‘Misfits’ are anything but in this New Kensington kitchenVideo
A free class for teens is what’s cookin’ at The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington. A new program dubbed “Misfits Cooking Class for Teens” launched in June, offering hands-on culinary experiences for teens age 13-17 in the church kitchen. “I believe one can make something good to eat out...
Route 56 between New Kensington, Lower Burrell reopened after multi-vehicle wreck
A stretch of Route 56 westbound between New Kensington and Lower Burrell reopened after being closed for several hours following a crash Sunday night. The wreck that involved multiple vehicles was reported shortly after 9 p.m. near the cloverleaf interchange where Route 56 meets Route 366. Authorities shut down the...
Chimney fire causes $45,000 in damage at New Kensington home
No one was injured when a chimney at a New Kensington home caught fire early Sunday morning, but the blaze caused an estimated $45,000 worth of damages, fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said. The fire was reported just before 1 a.m. at 1931 Meade Ave. All the occupants were able...
The Stroller, Dec. 1, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Vilija Dinner planned at Tarentum church Holy Martyrs Parish, Tarentum, will host a traditional Vilija Dinner at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the church, 353 W. Ninth Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $16. The menu will include baked fish, pierogies, farina, bobalky, sauerkraut and mushroom soup, oplatki...
Alle-Kiski Valley shoppers turn out to support small businesses as Christmas season beginsVideo
The sounds of Christmas music and the sights of holiday trimmings abound at the Hole in the Wall on Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. The store was filled with shoppers on Small Business Saturday, browsing the items for sale at one of the businesses in the Alle-Kiski Valley that depend...
Vandergrift’s Casino Theatre hosts annual holiday extravaganza
Get in the holiday spirit at “Hometown Christmas 2019: Counting Down to Christmas.” This 24th annual event will feature songs that exude happy feelings this time of the year. There are three performances at the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 2 p.m. Dec....
The Stroller, Nov. 30, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Apollo-Ridge High to sponsor annual Senior Citizen Luncheon The annual free Senior Citizen Luncheon at Apollo-Ridge High School will be Dec. 12 at the high school, Route 56, Kiski Township. A concert featuring the school band and chorus will begin at 12:30 p.m. and lunch will be served at 1:15...
Bouquet Park Pool in Springdale Township on brink of closure, bankruptcy
Financial woes and a lack of officers might prevent a five-decade-old pool in Springdale Township from opening next summer. Richard Kern is interim treasurer for the Allegheny Valley Swimming Pool Association, which operates Bouquet Park Pool. Kern said the most significant issue the pool is facing is the need for...
Black Friday deals lure shoppers into Alle-Kiski Valley stores early, often
Natalie Cale was moving through the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer, two stuffed bags in each hand, with a destination in mind. It was her car, where she planned to drop off her load of gifts before heading back in for more. Cale was finding the deals on this year’s...
Harrison preps tree, plaza for Christmas parade and festival
Organizers of Harrison’s Christmas parade and festival plan to hold the festival under a tent this year to avoid a repeat of last year, when Mother Nature was a Grinch and rained out the festivities. Rain or shine, the parade will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and is...
Audubon plans bird festival, other activities in Buffalo Creek watershed
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will use a $30,000 state grant to put on a bird festival and offer free tree giveaways, youth programs at libraries and more in Buffalo Township and nearby communities. The nonprofit also will use grant money from the state Department of Conservation and Natural...
Record Turkey Trot raises more than $20,000 for Kiski Area Youth Network
A record number of runners participated in the annual Kiski Valley Turkey Trot on Thursday. The run is one of the Kiski Area Youth Network’s largest fundraisers. The event raised more than $20,000, which is substantially more than in previous years, said Josh Westurn, the organization’s director. Even though the...
The Stroller, Nov. 29, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Toys For Children drive to benefit Deer Lakes children West Deer Police Department is sponsoring its 23rd annual Toys for Children drive to benefit children age 1 to 14 living in low-income households in the Deer Lakes School District. New toys can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 3...
Deer Lakes turkey trot raises money for cystic fibrosis research
Rebecca Dick figured she’d work off some calories before consuming more by taking part in the Deer Lakes Turkey Trot with her father, Robert. “He likes to run, and I like to eat a lot on Thanksgiving,” Dick, of West Deer, said Thursday morning after stretching outside of Deer Lakes...
Alle-Kiski Valley volunteers ensure no one goes hungry, lonely on Thanksgiving
While many are thankful for their own family on Thanksgiving, Madolyn Hyde was thankful for another. Hyde was among those who came to Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg on Thursday for the free dinner now in its 10th year put on by Jamie Rimmel, members of her family...
Vandergrift brothers’ Turkey Bowl spans 3 generations of family, friends
Between 50 and 60 years ago, three brothers decided to play football in their small Vandergrift backyard on Thanksgiving. Pete Guerrera was 12 or 13; Michael Guerrera was 7; and Anthony Guerrera was 5. Now that they’re in their mid- to late 60s — or early 70s in Pete’s case...
Operation Santa Claus gears up to help others enjoy the holidays
As it has for 35 years, Operation Santa Claus will make sure thousands of needy Western Pennsylvania families enjoy the gift of a holiday meal this year. Operation Santa Claus is a nonprofit organization and a cooperative effort by Trib Total Media, Shop ’n Save and the Salvation Army. This...
Cheswick council looking to appoint new council member and police board member
Cheswick Council is expected to appoint a new council member and board representative to the recently formed Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department. Incumbent councilman Michael Girardi won two seats in the Nov. 5 election, one with a four-year term and another with a two-year term. Girardi is expected to choose...
The Stroller, Nov. 28, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Count your blessings this Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is more than the festivities. It gives us time ponder upon what lessons we have learned and how we can spread happiness around, to look back at all the great memories and good people who came in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving Day to our...
