Valley News Dispatch category, Page 89
Proposed state tax would prop up fire, ambulance and other emergency services
Lower Burrell No. 3 fire Chief Brennan Sites is appreciative of what his city officials do when it comes to supporting his volunteer fire company. But competing with rising costs for equipment and declines in volunteerism, the city is nearly tapped out when it comes to giving its two volunteer...
Co-conspirator in New Kensington gun shop smash-and-grab sentenced to 20 months
The first of two men to be sentenced for their roles in a January 2024 smash-and-grab at a New Kensington gun store was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer handed down the sentence Tuesday, calling on repeat felon Michael Guin, 27, of Lower...
Still no charges 6 months after 11-year-old killed by vehicle in Natrona
Amber Bonnoni is still unable to think straight six months after her daughter, 11-year-old Roxanne, was hit and killed by a vehicle near their Natrona home. “I am lost in my head,” she said. “The (person) who stole her life away will go on to have another day and is...
Random acts of kindness new focus for foundation honoring Springdale alum Jorden Puskar
A foundation honoring a former Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School student who was shot and killed in 2022 is retooling itself to promote random acts of kindness. The Flashlight Foundation — named in honor of Jorden Lee Puskar, a 2019 Springdale graduate — was established three years ago to help raise...
Elderly man suffers hypothermia after spending night in crashed SUV in Lower Burrell
An elderly man was suffering from hypothermia Tuesday morning after spending the night in his crashed SUV in Lower Burrell, a city deputy fire chief said. The man told authorities he had been trapped in his vehicle in a ditch between Hill Crest Country Club and Hillcrest Drive since 5...
New Burrell High investigative sciences course touts real-world experience
A new class at Burrell High School takes students from crime scenes to the courtroom. The Investigative Sciences and Literature course, offered to juniors and seniors this year, stems from a growing interest from students looking into careers in law enforcement or forensics, said teacher Amanda Pagnotta. “It’s not what...
The Stroller, Feb. 18, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Monthly Breaking Bread dinner...
New Kensington community rallies to help couple without hot water in Cheswick
A Cheswick couple living without hot water in their residence for more than two weeks are thankful for the people who helped solve their water woes. LeAnne Burns, a former Tarentum resident, has lived in Cheswick for 18 years. When the old, rusty water heating tank in her home off...
The Stroller, Feb. 17, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Bowling party to raise...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Feb. 6-12, 2025
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, TribLive’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate, please...
Faces of the Valley: Aspinwall Neighbors’ Sarah Shaffer works to make ‘great place to live even better’
From snow angels to soup delivery to sustainable rain gardens, Aspinwall Neighbors is just what the moniker says — a way to help connect people. “We’re guided by the mission of neighbors helping neighbors to build a thriving community,” said Sarah Shaffer, group president. A senior marketing manager for global...
As head of Aspinwall Neighbors, Sarah Shaffer works to make ‘great place to live even better’
From snow angels to soup delivery to sustainable rain gardens, Aspinwall Neighbors is just what the moniker says — a way to help connect people. “We’re guided by the mission of neighbors helping neighbors to build a thriving community,” said Sarah Shaffer, group president. A senior marketing manager for global...
Decreased barge traffic could impact river locks in Harmar, Highland Park
Lock service in Harmar and Highland Park could be on the chopping block pending a review of commercial barge traffic this year. “It could very well happen,” said Mike Ferris, president of the Allegheny River Development Corp. “We don’t know when it would happen, but it will be reviewed this...
Alle-Kiski Valley Senior Citizen Center calendar: Feb. 16
Armstrong County Senior Centers All centers are closed Monday for Presidents Day. Apollo Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m., bingo. Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Details: Charlotte at 800-368-1066 or Amy at 724-478-1410. The center is at 707A N. Fifth St., Apollo. Freeport Tuesday and Thursday: bingo. The...
Tarentum ministry aims to help people go from ‘surviving to thriving’
People with connections outside of their family tend to be healthier and more resilient. That’s the belief of a new initiative, Communities of Transformation, hosted nationally by the United Methodist Church. “People who have trust points — people you can rely on — are better able to reach their goals,”...
The Stroller, Feb. 16, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Teen vaping to be...
Bellefonte native found second career as history teacher at Valley High in New Kensington
As a father, Ronald Lee Sheetz was fun, but you couldn’t pull anything over on him, according to his daughter, Michelle VanHorn. “I was never given a curfew, but I knew I needed to be home,” she said. “I never wanted to be an embarrassment to my parents because I...
West Leechburg getting 24/7 police coverage as part of deal with Allegheny Township
West Leechburg residents will soon go from having a local police officer available only occasionally to 24/7 coverage. Starting in March, Allegheny Township will provide around-the-clock coverage to the 1.2-square-mile borough for roughly the cost of what West Leechburg is paying to keep its three-officer force going on a part-time...
The Stroller, Feb. 15, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Burrell Bucs Hockey raising...
Railing installation to restrict New Kensington bridge traffic
Traffic will be restricted on the New Kensington Bridge next week, PennDOT announced Friday. The two-lane bridge over the Allegheny River between East Deer and New Kensington will be reduced to a single, alternating lane from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, the agency said. Crews will be...
Allegheny Township officials blame traffic light timing for backups into Route 356 roundabout
The roundabout where Route 356 meets La Belle Vue Road in Allegheny Township, completed in 2023, was meant to reduce crashes and congestion. And while police say the safety gains are real, traffic improvements from the $7.7 million project haven’t quite met expectations. Township officials have raised concerns to PennDOT...
Independence Day fireworks display won’t take place in Tarentum this year after public support fizzled
People looking for fireworks in the sky over Tarentum this Independence Day will see only stars and darkness. After 29 years of sponsoring the annual holiday pyrotechnics, Summit Hose Company members told borough council they no can longer sponsor it. Summit had held the fireworks display every July 3. “We...
Natrona trailhead to provide town gateway, safe access to kayak launch
A trailhead project in the Natrona section of Harrison could begin moving forward if all goes smoothly with design and permit approvals. The township commissioners awarded a $30,000 contract to GAI Consultants in January to begin work on the project, which will create designated parking with safer access to the...
1 shot in East Vandergrift police raid
Officials declined to identify the suspect shot by police during a raid at an apartment Friday morning in East Vandergrift. The man was shot during a police raid led by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force around 7 a.m. Friday, according to state police. Residents say the raid targeted an...
Plum awards road paving contract, seeking slide repair bids
Plum plans to resurface seven roads and six alleys in the borough this year, while also repairing a slide on another. Council on Monday accepted a bid of just over $680,000 from Tresco for the resurfacing work covering about 4 miles of road. Councilwoman Vicky Roessler was absent. The company...
