Valley News Dispatch category
Police: Man torches Plum home after it was seized by bank
Plum Police say a man who was evicted from his home in January returned late last month to set it ablaze. William Lee Gildernew, 23, is facing felony charges of arson, burglary, risking a catastrophe and criminal mischief. There is a warrant out for his arrest. In mid-January, the Allegheny...
Police: New Kensington woman accused of stealing from an elderly man
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Tasha Tierra Williams after she was accused of stealing from an elderly New Kensington man she was supposed to be helping. Williams, 44, of New Kensington, faces five felony charges, including financial exploitation of an older adult or care dependent person....
Plum Council expected to vote on ICE noncooperation resolution Monday
Plum could be the next community to bar its police and staff from cooperating with federal immigration authorities Monday. That’s if Plum Council opts to pass a proposed noncooperation resolution discussed at its March 2 meeting. Councilman Ray Rall said officials are still waiting for a final draft of the...
Here’s where to satisfy your Lenten fish cravings in Western Pennsylvania
All menus are subject to change and availability. Events begin either Feb. 18 Ash Wednesday or Friday, Feb. 20. To have your nonprofit’s fish fry added to this listing send complete information as soon as possible to vndnews@triblive.com. Allegheny County Collier Township Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department, 30 Suburban Ave., Carnegie,...
Upper Burrell residents uneasy over coming data center
Upper Burrell residents hadn’t expressed many concerns about an incoming data center — until this week. At Wednesday’s township supervisors meeting, they asked for assurances on health, noise and environmental concerns. The only assurance they got was news the township is writing an ordinance for the project — a process...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Feb. 26-March 1, 2026
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...
House party with 66 minors ends in felony charges for Plum couple
A Plum couple is facing charges after police busted an alcohol-laden party that included 66 minors at their house, according to court documents. Ian Dryburgh, 50, and Corrinne Dryburgh, 45, are facing felony charges of endangering the welfare of children as well as misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors, recklessly...
Pittsburgh Brewing’s Brew Basket Hunt to return in April
The Easter Bunny is expected to leave something a little different than painted eggs at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. this year. The East Deer brewery will host its annual Brew Basket Hunt at 1 p.m. April 4. Adults 21 and older will be given free rein of the brewery’s outdoor campus...
Retired WTAE news anchor Michelle Wright shares her love of reading with David Leech Elementary students
Students at David Leech Elementary School got a visit from a special guest Thursday afternoon during their Read Across America week. On the heels of her last morning broadcast, newly retired WTAE news anchor Michelle Wright made her second appearance at the elementary school to read to students. Children ranging...
The Stroller, March 6, 2026: 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. Easter bunny breakfast planned...
Harmar bald eagles believed to have a new egg
The Harmar bald eagles, Sophie and Andy, are believed to have dropped an egg early Thursday in their nest on the Route 28 hillside. Gina Gilmore, a Fox Chapel photographer who has been documenting the birds for 12 years, said all indications lead to the presence of an egg in...
Former congressman Jason Altmire among those trying to leave Dubai
Former U.S. congressman Jason Altmire is one of thousands of American citizens stranded in Dubai as military conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran escalates. Altmire is a Kittanning native who served as the Democratic U.S. representative for Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional District, which included several counties in the region, from...
Oakmont council discusses deer population solutions
Oakmont is taking the next steps toward deer population management. During Oakmont Council’s agenda meeting Tuesday, Luke Leonard, owner and operator of Suburban Whitetail Management, spoke about deer management program options available to the borough. Council member Deborah Ormay said 10% of Oakmont’s population responded to a borough survey sent...
Flipped truck closes stretch of Golden Mile Highway in Plum
A short stretch of Golden Mile Highway in Plum has reopened after a tri-axle truck flipped on its side Thursday morning. PennDOT reopened the section of the road between Old Frankstown and New Texas roads just before 2:30 p.m., Holiday Park VFD Jim Sims said the accident, which took place...
Another Freeport Council resignation has borough looking for a replacement
Freeport Council needs another member as of Monday. That’s because Councilwoman Sara Conroy resigned from her post after about two years in office. Conroy did not respond to TribLive requests for comment. Council President Pete Wesolosky said Conroy planned to move out of the borough after accepting a new job....
Harmar officials seek emergency access road to hilltop neighborhood
Officials from Harmar and Curtiss-Wright are discussing the possibility of building an emergency access road to a hilltop community that’s only accessible by way of one road. Curtiss-Wright’s Electro-Mechnical Division sits on a 120-acre plot between Low Grade Road and Route 28, and south of the Springdale exit of Route...
Former Valley News Dispatch reporter returns to her roots in new contemporary, romantic fiction
When former Valley News Dispatch reporter and editor Patricia Vido started writing her debut novel “For Love of Billie” 10 years ago, she was sure of one detail: its setting in the Alle-Kiski Valley. “That’s the most important piece of a story,” Vido said. “The Alle-Kiski Valley is where I...
Community-driven program aims to beautify West Deer business district
The Deer Lakes Regional Revitalization Committee is taking the next steps to beautify West Deer’s Russellton business district. Committee members are reaching out to business owners to gauge interest in a Russellton Neighborhood Facade Program, according to the committee’s president Leonard Verdetto. The Revitalization Committee is considering applying for various...
Pittsburgh regional gas prices spike as Mideast conflict creates oil uncertainty
The pain at the pump has returned for Western Pennsylvania motorists as U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran create uncertainty over the global oil supply, a volatility that economists say could wreak havoc on the local economy. Gas prices across the Pittsburgh region jumped between Monday and Wednesday as the...
New Kensington’s St. Patty’s Day Pub Crawl returns for 5th run
Downtown New Kensington will be a one-stop shop Saturday for green beer, “leprechaun sangria” and small Irish-inspired plates during the fifth annual St. Patty’s Day Pub Crawl. Participating business owners, who lauded the event’s success, said it’s a great opportunity to expand customers’ dining horizons. Johanna Walters and David Atkinson,...
The Stroller, March 5, 2026: 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. Super bingo to benefit...
$1 million-for-life winning lottery ticket sold in Freeport
There may be a new millionaire in the Freeport area since a winning scratch-off ticket was sold at a borough gas station. The lucky ticket, a $50 scratch-off, was sold at the BP gas station on Buffalo Street, according to a Pennsylvania Lottery release. The ticket is the winner of...
Highlands Frozen Rams take the plunge for Special Olympics
Highlands School District students raised a cool $3,990 for Special Olympics last week. The Frozen Rams Student Team, organized by teacher Scott Silverman, participated in the Polar Plunge at Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore Friday. Among 73 participating schools, Highlands ranked 12th in total fundraising. More than three dozen...
Phone-free policy at Shady Side Academy Senior School making a difference, administrators and students say
Shady Side Academy Senior School senior John Ludden has one less thing to occupy his time during the school day. His cellphone. Ludden and his 400 fellow senior school students were met with a new cellphone policy implemented in August, exclusive to the Senior School, prohibiting students from using their...
A thrilling ride: O’Hara plans for bike skills course
Plans for a bike skills course in O’Hara are cruising along. The project is planned for Raymond A. Schafer Jr. Memorial Park in the township’s Montrose Hill section. The topography of Schafer Park at the top of the hill, combined with the township’s acquired land at the bottom of Powers...
