Valley News Dispatch category, Page 648
Allegheny Township house a complete loss after early-morning fireVideo
The smell of smoke woke Levey Lantelme before sunrise Tuesday morning. He went downstairs to find his kitchen engulfed in flames. Looking at the smoldering remains of his first home, Lantelme, 22, felt lucky that he woke up and was able to get out. “Another 10 minutes and I would...
Allegheny Township to sue sewage authority over unpaid bill collections
Allegheny Township officials have had enough of Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority’s inaction in collecting delinquent sewage bills. The supervisors last week voted to hire attorney Leslie J. Mlakar to represent the township in a legal action against the authority. Mlakar will be paid a $1,500 retainer and an...
Lower Burrell pet-sitting business more than just walks and treats
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. Babysitting cats and dogs isn’t all fun and games....
Trib newsman Dick Mears remembered for his creativity, problem-solving skills
Richard “Dick” Mears was always there for his friends and family, whether it was to lend a helping hand or offer a laugh. “He was always willing to help anybody at all and make a difference whether it was a co-worker, a family member, a neighbor or whoever,” said Frances...
Work on Highlands Elementary School clock tower to begin
Work on the clock tower at Highlands Elementary School will restrict access to the Tarentum school, according to a letter to district families from Principal Samantha Perlik. Contractors started delivering materials and assembling scaffolding Monday. Work is expected to take almost two months. The school board in August awarded two...
Allegheny Township officials hope roundabout will fix Route 356 woes
A new kind of road intersection will replace an old, problematic one in Allegheny Township: A “roundabout” intersection is in the works for Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road. A roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection where cars yield and merge. Roundabouts have proved to be safer than intersections...
Pull up a chair at Luke and Mike’s Frontporch in Aspinwall
Billy Rice of Aspinwall has owned 11 restaurants. But his last eatery endeavor, Luke & Mike’s Frontporch, is personal. “I named this last restaurant after my boys,” Rice said. “It’s a great outdoor spot and it’s been a great adventure.” “They will be the next generation to take over,” said...
Highlands choir teacher’s passion fueled by seeing his students shine
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. Michael Zeiler kept his end-of-the-school-year tradition a secret for nearly a decade. After his students had left, as Zeiler packed up his classroom for the summer, he’d take a seat...
Creation Cafe highlights Leechburg Area life skills studentsVideo
Students and snacks have combined at Leechburg Area High School for a cause. The Creation Cafe opened Sept. 3 in the school library. The space was specifically designed to house a cafe and provide a unique learning opportunity for students enrolled in life skills/learning support classes in the district. The...
Cheswick seeks full-time public works employee
Cheswick is looking for someone to join its public works department after its only full-time employee resigned to take another job. Councilman Michael Girardi said Dave Houston resigned last week and took a job with Tarentum’s public works department. “While he was the only full-time public works employee,” Girardi said,...
Introducing Minnie, a calico with ‘cat-itude’ available for adoption
Everyone, meet Minnie! This petite girl is up for adoption through Kiski Valley Cat & Kitten Rescue in Allegheny Township. Age: 1 year old Breed: Calico Personality: She can have a “cat-itude” at first, but she adjusts well to other cats and dogs. She will probably require an adjustment period...
Recently formed Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department running smoothly
The Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department has been around for two months, and police Chief Mike Naviglia has no complaints so far. “It’s actually been going very well,” said Naviglia, 47. “We’ve been getting a lot of good compliments. (People) are seeing the police cars a lot more. The officers...
Alle-Kiski marching bands ready to strut their stuff for 73rd annual festival
Band camps are over and football season has begun. That means area high school marching bands are ready to show off their routines for the season at the 73rd annual Alle-Kiski Valley Marching Band Festival. Organized by the Alle-Kiski Valley Band Directors Association, the festival allows area marching bands to...
Memorial planned for veterans who attended Valley High School
Before going on to serve their country in the military, they walked the halls of Valley High School. A new memorial standing in front of the New Kensington-Arnold high school will recognize and honor their service and sacrifice — in not only the past, but also the future. The Veterans...
Freeport welcomes all to enjoy September by the River this weekend
Long before patrons reached the 13th annual September by the River festival in Freeport, they could hear a chainsaw roaring and tap shoes clicking in the park gazebo along the Allegheny River. Pungent smells of popcorn, haluski and homemade wedding soup lingered for blocks. Hosted by the Freeport Renaissance Association...
Arnold to aggressively pursue unpaid garbage, sewage bills
Arnold is going to get aggressive when it comes to collecting the money it is owed for city services. The city is owed about $131,000 in unpaid garbage and sewage bills, City Clerk Mario Bellavia said. Garbage collection costs $22 per month. Mayor Karen Peconi said residents not paying for...
Raise a glass at the New Kensington Wine & Beer Festival
For Jimbo Jackson, it’s about giving back. The entertainer, who lives in Arnold but was born in New Kensington, will take the stage at the second annual New Kensington Wine & Beer Festival. The event is from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 20 along Fifth Avenue. The event is free...
No debate about the greatness of these former WPIAL stars
Who are the top high school football players in the WPIAL’s rich history? That debate could rage on until next high football school season or the one after that. But there’s no debating the greatness of these former WPIAL stars from the Tribune-Review’s coverage area, listed alphabetically below: LaVar Arrington,...
Removal of Belvedere Hotel fire rubble halted due to higher, unexplained costs
Officials won’t say exactly what the problem is, but they are seeking bids for the demolition of the Belvedere Hotel in Oklahoma Borough after halting the project this week just a day before the removal of the charred remains was scheduled to begin. After a July 24 fire decimated the...
Freeport home considered total loss after late night fire
A fast moving fire at a Freeport home late Thursday damaged it beyond repair, the borough’s fire chief said Friday. Tom Sweeny Jr., chief 1 of the Freeport Volunteer Fire Department, said the 2-story house at 214 2nd St. is a total loss. “The fire vented itself through the roof,...
Highlands superintendent schedules ‘Coffee Talks’ at schools
Highlands Superintendent Monique Mawhinney will be holding a series of “Coffee Talks” this year to improve communication between parents and school district administration. It will be an opportunity for parents with children in the district’s schools to discuss any issues or concerns related to their building or to share news...
ATI employees give Tarentum’s Dreshar Stadium a new look on Day of CaringVideo
Out with the red, in with the beige. Tarentum’s Dreshar Stadium is sporting a new look thanks to volunteers from ATI. Thirteen employees from the steel company painted the back wall of the bleachers at the First Avenue field as part of its participation in the United Way of Southwestern...
Understanding, recovering from addiction the focus of New Kensington programs
Substance abuse and addiction will be covered Tuesday in two separate programs at Westmoreland County Community College in New Kensington. The programs are being held as part of the college’s observance of September as National Recovery Month. Both are free and open to the public. “We want to have students...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Sept. 13-15Video
TGIF! Take a step back in time. Try some exotic fare. Twist and shout. There’s truly something for everyone this weekend. (And the forecast is looking pretty good, too.) Time for scutching Flax scutching is something of a lost art — everywhere but in Stahlstown, that is. What is flax...
Family re-creates 16-year-old photo featuring Valley News Dispatch
Years ago, the Valley News Dispatch would print photos of people holding the newspaper while they were on vacation. It’s still doing that today. At least in one family’s case. Cristine Kostiuk, 60, of Kiski Township said her family thought it would be fun to re-create a photo taken 16...
