Valley News Dispatch category, Page 643
$100K upgrade to Avonmore riverfront park includes gazebo, fishing pierVideo
Avonmore is close to completing a $100,000 upgrade at the Pasternak Recreation Area along the Kiski River and Railroad Avenue. A longtime canoe launch in the Kiski River, the Pasternak Recreation Area now has a trail along its pond — a formerly grown-over, somewhat hidden borough reservoir — along with...
Brackenridge native Chris Conroy has part in Fox’s ‘Almost Family’Video
Did you spot a familiar face in last night’s the premiere of “Almost Family” on Fox? That was Brackenridge native Chris Conroy playing the part of Sam. Here is the network’s back story for the show: “Only child Julia Bechley (Brittany Snow, the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) finds her...
15-year-old girl foster girl missing from Lower Burrell found
A teenager who was reported missing from Lower Burrell since Tuesday night has been found, according to police. Joslyn Rankin, 15, was found around 1 p.m. Thursday at a friend’s residence in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, Lower Burrell Detective Brandon Nedley said. Nedley said Rankin’s friend called Allegheny County Children, Youth...
Aspinwall painter revives iconic Mail Pouch tobacco ad on Ford City building
For weeks, artist Alison Zapata hung two stories above a Fourth Avenue building in Ford City, meticulously bringing the borough’s past to life. The Aspinwall painter was commissioned to refurbish a “ghost sign” more than a 100 years old that sprawls 40 feet wide. The iconic Mail Pouch tobacco ad...
Aspinwall painter revives iconic Mail Pouch tobacco ad on Ford City building
For weeks, artist Alison Zapata hung two stories above a Fourth Avenue building in Ford City, meticulously bringing the borough’s past to life. The Aspinwall painter was commissioned to refurbish a “ghost sign” more than 100 years old that sprawls 40 feet wide. The iconic Mail Pouch tobacco ad was...
Allegheny County temporarily closes WIC offices in Springdale, Mt. Oliver
The Allegheny County Health Department has closed two Women, Infants, and Children offices without explanation until at least the end of the year. The Health Department did not provide specifics Wednesday to the Tribune-Review, on its website or in a letter to program participants on why it closed the offices....
South Buffalo family stunned by $30K check from firefighters to help daughter with cancer
After a high-octane day at South Buffalo’s fire hall filled with tractor-pulling, face-painting and cheeseburger-munching, just before Ella Conroy went to bed Saturday night, the 6-year-old girl told her dad that she felt loved. That moment of gratitude from the typically shy girl would have been enough to delight Ella’s...
Route 910 bridge in West Deer reopens ahead of schedule
A Route 910 bridge in West Deer that closed in mid-August has reopened. The old bridge, over a branch of Deer Creek between Oak Road and Frontier Drive, was demolished and replaced. A majority of the work was completed ahead of the original mid-October projection for completion. Officials said minor...
Frazer supervisors considering approval of self-storage business off Butler-Logan Road
A hearing to determine whether a self-storage business can be established in Frazer will be continued in early November. Officials heard testimony Tuesday night on a proposal by Sam and Rachel Sack to construct a four-building, 70-unit facility along Peachtree Lane off Butler-Logan Road. Tentatively to be known as Frazer...
Fundraising for memorial to murdered New Kensington girl completed
The memory of young Tiffany Miller will remain strong. In just a week, enough money was raised to make sure New Kensington’s newest park will have a memorial to Tiffany, who was 5 when she was murdered 40 years ago. “I was surprised it only took a week,” said Aaron...
Coroner: Arnold man died from drug overdose
One of two men found dead in a Fifth Avenue house early last month died from a drug overdose. Michael Joseph Hans, 42, of Arnold, died from acute drug toxicity, according to the Westmoreland County Corner’s Office. His death was ruled accidental. Hans and Paul Anthony Mistrick III, 64, also...
Tarentum to begin seeking bids for building demolitions
Tarentum may hire multiple contractors for the first phase of a building demolition project this year. The borough will begin seeking bids Tuesday for the demolition of up to 26 properties, Borough Manager Michael Nestico said. Bids are due by 2 p.m. Oct. 18, when they’ll be publicly opened. The...
Allegheny County DA doesn’t recommend charges in Harmar double stabbing
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday recommended not filing charges against anyone involved in a fight where two men stabbed each other. The fight at the Valley Motel on Freeport Road in Harmar was reported shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to Allegheny County Police. None of the...
Trials delayed for 2 accused of helping man charged in Brian Shaw’s death
Trials for the father and a cousin of the Harrison man accused in the fatal shooting death two years ago of New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw were postponed until December. Westmoreland County prosecutors said Tuesday a scheduling conflict made it impossible to try the case against Gregory Baucum Jr....
Lower Burrell man ordered to stand trial for fleeing police, reckless endangerment
A 42-year-old Lower Burrell man accused in multiple cases of fleeing police at high speed will stand trial in the latest alleged chase. Chad Ebel of Falcon Park Road is accused of leading police on a short, high-speed chase on June 7 from Shearsburg Road to Route 56, Route 356...
Kiski Area High School marching band wins regional band competition
Members of the Kiski Area High School Marching Band are once again regional champions. For the second consecutive year, the band placed first in the annual Music for All’s Bands of America Central Ohio Regional Championship. This year’s competition took place Saturday at Fortress Obetz in Obetz, Ohio. “To say...
Belvedere ruins begin to disappear in Oklahoma BoroughVideo
If you were hoping for a memento from the former Belvedere Hotel, you’re out of luck. “The borough must have received at least 50 calls from people wanting door knobs, hinges and, of course, the tin ceiling and wall tiles that famously adorned the hotel’s first floor,” said Lee Schumaker,...
Principal: Bomb threat made to Highlands Middle School not credible
A bomb threat made Tuesday morning to Highlands Middle School was not a credible, the school’s principal said in a statement. Middle School Principal Kimberly Price said in a statement that police swept the school after the call was received and found no dangers. “Police escorted students back to the...
State trooper from Harrison wins national award for efforts to reduce DUIVideo
A state trooper from Harrison who made almost 500 evaluations of suspected drunken or drugged drivers won a national award for his work. State police Cpl. Chris Robbins is the first Pennsylvania state trooper to receive the Excellence in Drug Recognition award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police....
Demolition of Belvedere Hotel begins; Orr Avenue in Oklahoma Borough closedVideo
After a postponement almost three weeks ago, the demolition of the charred remains of the Belvedere Hotel along Route 66 in Oklahoma Borough will begin Tuesday morning, according to an Oklahoma official. Orr Avenue was closed Monday as preparation for the cleanup began. The demolition is expected to take several...
Police: Homeowners stop would-be burglar, hold him at gunpoint
A Harrison couple didn’t wait for township police to arrive to deal with an attempted burglary at their home Saturday night, according to a criminal complaint. Police said one of the homeowners held the suspect at gunpoint until officers arrived. Casey Hill, 30, of Buffalo Township, is charged with burglary,...
Plum man dies in motorcycle crash
A 24-year-old Plum man died early Saturday after a crash on Unity Center Road. Allegheny County Police said Brandon Hugh Patton was on a motorcycle that slid across the road into a Nissan SUV driven by a 25-year-old woman, who was not identified, in the 1000 block of Unity Center...
West Leechburg police chief retires after 32 years with departmentVideo
West Leechburg police Chief George Lebetz has retired after more than three decades with the department, including the past four years as chief. “It was a bunch of things, little things, that added up to a good career,” said Lebetz. “Everything from helping different people, especially kids, and talking with...
New Kensington woman organizes sock drive to benefit homeless sheltersVideo
People are generous when it comes to donating new and gently used clothing, says Michelle Gibb, executive director of the Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center. “The things that don’t show up in clothing pantries or clothing closets are new socks and underwear, which is really something you can’t have used,” Gibb...
Seeds to start Brandy Marie’s Gymnastics in Buffalo Township were sown at young ageVideo
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 reporter Madasyn Lee at mlee@tribweb.com. A birthday party at the former Champion Gymnastics in...
