Valley News Dispatch category
Tri-County Trout Club’s annual show, market helps anglers prepare for season ahead
With the first day of spring about two months away, and the start of the regular trout season about two weeks after that, the doldrums of winter is a perfect time for fishermen and other outdoorsmen to gear up for warmer days. Mark Hanna of Murrysville said he came to...
No-kill animal control making inroads with municipal contracts
After decades of being the only animal control business in much of the Alle-Kiski Valley and Westmoreland County, Hoffman Kennels is beginning to see competition from an upstart service in Indiana County. After announcing its first municipal animal control contract in December, no-kill shelter Whiskey Acres Animal Rescue and Sanctuary...
The Stroller, Jan. 18, 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. Library collecting handmade Valentine...
Frankie’s Friends in New Kensington helps rescue 40 cats from hoarding situation
Frankie’s Friends nonprofit veterinary clinic in New Kensington is seeking help from the public after saving a hoard of 40 cats from a Westmoreland rescue shelter. Officials declined to name the rescue organization because no charges have been filed against it. The investigation continues. “The cats are sick, skinny —...
Police say Harmar man shot and burned down his own home, fired guns at nearby houses
A Harmar man fired gunshots at his and neighbor’s homes before torching his residence early Friday morning, according to police. David John Benec, 65, of Harmar is charged with arson, discharging a firearm into a structure and recklessly endangering another person. Around 4 a.m. Friday, police arrived at the scene...
Is remote learning effective? Western Pa. researchers, education experts weigh in
For Kelly Marsh, the pandemic wasn’t just a global health concern — it was a constant battle between a toddler’s curiosity and a kindergartner’s digital classroom. Nearly six years ago, the covid-19 pandemic forced schools worldwide to close doors and adapt to remote learning, almost overnight. Marsh was left to...
PennWest says proposed cuts streamline education, meet workforce needs
Pennsylvania Western University officials say their proposal that slashes dozens of academic programs will ultimately improve students’ college experience, enhance their learning and respond to the region’s workforce needs. The university — which has campuses in Clarion, California and Edinboro — released an updated proposed academic array that includes: •...
The Stroller, Jan. 17, 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. Art work of NK...
Alle-Kiski senior citizen news: Jan. 17, 2026
Armstrong County Senior Centers All centers are closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Apollo Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. , bingo. Thursday: health program about vaccines. Friday: 10 a.m., Apollo Area Historical Society program about fires in Apollo. Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Details: Charlotte at...
Tarentum road closed after garbage truck collides with tree
Motorists who use Ormond Street in Tarentum will need to detour. A portion of the road is closed, between 10th and Roup avenues, after a garbage truck struck a tree early Friday. A borough post said the closure is for immediate safety concerns. Public Works and emergency crews are on...
Arnold park improvements on hold after higher-than-expected cost estimates
Upgrades to Arnold’s Roosevelt Park may have to wait after estimates for work there came in significantly higher than expected. City officials planned to use Community Development Block Grant money to pay for upgrades, but the costs are far exceeding the money available. The city will have to redo its...
Police investigation into fatal Lower Burrell crash could last months; details remain hazy
It could be some time before police will know whether to file charges against the driver of a pickup that struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday morning on Greensburg Road in Lower Burrell. A police reconstruction of the scene could take months to offer any conclusions, according to Lower Burrell...
Pennsylvania Cable Network to showcase Leechburg artist
The Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will be gracing the television screen once again. After previously filming for its show “It’s History!,” the Pennsylvania Cable Network is back for more. “There was just so much information,” said Larry Boehm, president of the museum board. Boehm said the museum’s first...
Riverview seeks to fill vacancy on school board
Riverview School Board is looking for a new member. Applications are being accepted to fill a board vacancy left after Roger Pogoda resigned. “This was not an easy decision,” Pogoda told the board at its meeting Monday. “I appreciate each and every one of you. … You can’t know if...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Jan. 8-14, 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...
Friends pay tribute to Jack Lovey, longtime Aspinwall councilman, firefighter
Aspinwall has lost a legend. Jack Lovey, former council president and longtime resident, died Jan. 14 at 97. He is best known for his service to the borough, where he lived for seven decades and with his wife, JoAnn, raised their family. “Jack was one of the proudest members of...
‘Age in place’ living boasts home elevators, river views in OakmontVideo
The elevator entrance inside the garage of a newly built brownstone is the first clue that the residence at Overlook Brownstones has designed modern living solutions for aging-in-place along the Allegheny River in Oakmont. The state-of-the-art elevator travels from the garage to all four floors of the brick brownstone at...
The Stroller, Jan. 16, 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. Annual quilt show planned...
The Stroller, Jan. 19, 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. Designer purse bash planned...
Harrison hospital opens $6.2M rehab center for stroke, surgery recovery
A $6.2 million tech-forward rehab facility opened Thursday at AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison, making it the only stroke and surgery recovery center of its kind in the region, according to Allegheny Health Network officials. “This is equipment that few centers have,” said Dr. Mark Rubino, the hospital’s president....
New Kensington man charged with sexual assault of 13-year-old
Police have charged a New Kensington man in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager. Devanier Amier Morris, 21, is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age, photographing or filming a sex act involving a child, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent...
Burrell rebidding smaller-scope renovation project at Bon Air Elementary
Burrell School District officials hope the second time is the charm for a renovation project at Bon Air Elementary School. The district’s architect, HHSDR Inc. of Pittsburgh, provided officials with an estimate of slightly more than $10 million for an HVAC and kitchen renovation project at Bon Air, said Superintendent...
2 Deer Lakes principals receive recognition from Pittsburgh Penguins as top principals
Two Deer Lakes principals are receiving their flowers after years of hard work. Jodi Vanderschaaff, East Union Intermediate Center principal, and Samantha Abate, Deer Lakes Middle School principal, were two of 15 Allegheny County administrators awarded as Pittsburgh Penguins Most Valuable Principals. Vanderschaaff is in her seventh year as East...
Fox Chapel-area communities reorganize their local governments to start the year
Fox Chapel-area communities reorganized their local borough and township governments Jan. 5. Aspinwall Scott Zimmerman was sworn in as mayor. He then administered the oath of office to council members Jeff Harris, Andrew Corey-O’Conner, Patti McCaffrey and Lara Voytko. Harris and Heth Turnquist were reappointed as council president and vice...
Arnold Council hires financial clerk as new city manager
Mario Bellavia has stepped down as Arnold’s city manager, and council wasted no time naming a successor. Jennifer Schwartz, 43, of Lower Burrell was hired unanimously as the new city manager. Schwartz has served as a financial clerk at city hall for the past six months. Her new job begins...
