Valley News Dispatch category, Page 10
House in Washington Township goes up in flames, neighboring houses sustain smoke, water damageVideo
Fire destroyed a Washington Township home Friday evening its two residents were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, fire officials said. Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze at 423 Hoover Drive around 7:20 p.m. Township Assistant Fire Chief Bob Baustert said a father and his adult...
Ice jams cause flooding risks along Allegheny River
Emergency crews and weather experts are keeping an eye on ice jams on the Allegheny River in Emlenton, Venango County, to determine what might be heading toward Freeport, Harrison and points farther south over the next two days. “There’s some ice jams happening upstream and impacting structures by the water...
Less than a day after Westmoreland Transit OKs $64K for tariffs, Supreme Court strikes them down
Less than one day after the Westmoreland County Transit Authority board agreed to pay an extra $64,000 in tariffs for a new fleet of buses, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Trump exceeded his authority in imposing the trade duties. The board met Thursday to authorize the payment to cover...
Fawn-Frazer storage tank slated for overhaul
The Burtner Road water storage tank in Fawn, parts of which are original to the 1970s, will be overhauled this year. Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority was awarded a $422,000 state grant for the work. The money comes from the state’s Small Water and Sewer Fund. The authority will pay $74,500...
Tarentum cuts hours at spray park to lessen strain on water system
Tarentum’s popular spray park will operate under shorter hours this summer while the borough maneuvers through a multimillion-dollar water system overhaul. The park along First Avenue will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – about three hours less than usual. “This adjustment is intended to ensure we maintain...
Gilpin Township supervisors propose tax on skill machines and amusements
The Gilpin supervisors are discussing a tax that would affect owners of skill machines and mechanical amusement devices. Supervisor Gary Hall said the township stands to make thousands of dollars by incorporating one. “It’s become very common in many municipalities, in most municipalities, that they’re taxing the ‘Pennsylvania skill games’...
New Kensington welcomes ‘bigger & gayer’ Evanly Bakes
New Kensington bakery Evanly Bakes has made a sweet expansion under the slogan “bigger & gayer than ever.” Baker Evan Morgan-Newpher and his business partner, Kate Heller, joined New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo on Saturday to cut a red ribbon announcing the new location’s grand opening. Evanly Bakes, now at...
The Stroller, Feb. 20, 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. Tickets on sale for...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Feb. 12-18, 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...
Art depicting life: Blawnox’s historic sculpture is symbol for small town
A wooden sculpture titled “The Steelworker and Family” has long been the symbol of Blawnox, but only recently has the artwork’s backstory come to light. Historian and author Tom Powers said the sculpture is enjoying renewed interest after he chose it to adorn the cover of the borough’s recent centennial...
Fox Chapel residents ask local leaders to consider resolution for noncooperation with ICE, Border Protection
Several Fox Chapel residents encouraged their elected leaders to pass a resolution establishing a policy regarding enforcement of noncriminal federal immigration laws. Specifically, they asked for something stating borough police will not assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or those from U.S. Customs and Border Protection related to civil...
Smoky blaze leaves crews fighting Buffalo Township fire for more than 5 hours
Fire crews from numerous Alle-Kiski Valley towns battled a house fire for hours Thursday afternoon on Edgewood Drive in Buffalo Township. The blaze was initially reported at the single-story ranch home around 1:30 p.m. Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Tyler Hill said crews battled the “stubborn basement fire”...
Father of Sean Dicer charged with trying to assault TV news crew
The father of a former Highlands School District teacher accused of sexually assaulting students now has legal problems of his own. Harold Dicer, 77, of Plum is charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct after, police say, he attempted to drive his SUV into a television news crew. Dicer...
Lower Burrell to donate additional 1.6 acres for Stewart School redevelopment
The Lower Burrell Planning Commission on Wednesday gave support — and some land — to Burrell School District’s redevelopment plan for the former Stewart Elementary School property. But not before questioning some of its details. The commission unanimously approved a 1.6-acre lot line revision for property owned by the city...
Pittsburgh Mills owner acquires Macy’s store marked for closure
The owner of the Pittsburgh Mills mall property in Frazer has acquired a new property. Residents don’t have to leave the mall to see it. According to the Allegheny County Real Estate portal, Pitt Realty LLC, purchased the Macy’s store attached to the mall. Pitt Realty is a limited liability...
The Stroller, Feb. 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. Bowling fundraiser to aid...
PennWest lags behind IUP, Slippery Rock in enrollment gains
A simple glance at the headlines paints a drastically different picture among the three Western Pennsylvania universities in the State System of Higher Education. Slippery Rock’s enrollment last fall increased 2.75%, its largest gain in nearly a decade; and its retention rate of 86.4% is the best in university history...
‘To dust you shall return’: Christians begin Lent with Imposition of Ashes
Christians across the Alle-Kiski Valley began Lent on Wednesday by donning ashes in the sign of the cross on their foreheads. The “Imposition of Ashes” is a centuries-old Christian tradition meant to signify repentance and mortality. It marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent, one of the holiest...
Former Highlands teacher headed to court on 2nd set of charges
The defense attorney for a former Highlands elementary school teacher accused of indecent assault on two students attempted Tuesday during a preliminary hearing to paint the alleged interactions as merely friends hugging. Attorney Duke George, representing former Highlands School District teacher Sean Dicer during a preliminary hearing Wednesday at District...
The Stroller, Feb. 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. Drive-thru dinner to aid...
Oakmont approves resolution for non-cooperation with ICE and Customs & Border ProtectionVideo
Oakmont officials Tuesday night unanimously approved a resolution prohibiting the borough from engaging in noncriminal federal immigration law enforcement. The resolution also made clear Oakmont would not enter into a 287(g) agreement, which allows local police departments to aid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in immigration enforcement. The partnership is...
Springdale residents divided, frustrated after recent ICE detainment
Springdale Council and residents are divided over the local police department’s cooperation with ICE. Several displeased residents took the chance to confront officials Tuesday at council’s first meeting since the detainment of Springdale resident Randy Cordova-Flores, 36, originally from Peru. But the meeting — attended by a few dozen residents...
Oakmont family recounts husband’s ICE detainment
For a time, Jose Flores thought he would never see his family again. The morning of Jan. 29, Flores was getting ready for work and to drive his 8-year-old daughter, Lily, to school. “It started like any normal day,” Flores, 47, said through an interpreter as he and his wife,...
No injuries reported in chemical reaction at ATI Vandergrift
ATI Vandergrift officials said there was no risk to the community after a chemical reaction that impacted air quality for workers. Emergency crews were called to the plant along Lincoln Avenue at about 12:45 p.m., according to Westmoreland County dispatchers. No one was injured, ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said. “A...
Former baseball coach threatens Kiski Area with lawsuit
Attorneys representing a former Kiski Area middle school assistant baseball coach say they plan to file a lawsuit against the school district after the former coach was not rehired for the job over what they say is political retaliation. Attorney Amanda Shields said Tuesday her firm plans to file a...
