Valley News Dispatch category, Page 10
Plum begins vast addition, renovation project at O’Block Elementary
A few months from now, Plum’s O’Block Elementary is set to look much different. The building, which houses kindergarten through fourth grade, will receive a large addition and major renovations throughout its interior and exterior. District officials, together with a half dozen O’Block students, held a groundbreaking ceremony at the...
Arnold inks contract with public works employees
Arnold’s new contract with its public works employees calls for small raises over the next three years. The deal, reached by council and the public works union last week, calls for a 75-cent hourly wage increase this year, an 80-cent increase next year and an 85-cent jump in 2028. With...
‘We want to be thoughtful’: New Kensington-Arnold to consider realigning grades
Primary school buildings in the New Kensington-Arnold School District could look different in two years. According to Superintendent Christopher Sefcheck, the school board’s Education Committee will meet next week to consider a plan that would place: • kindergarten and first grade at Martin Elementary; • second and third grades at...
Building the Valley: Family creates cozy country charm with Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township
Giggles filled the air at Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township as Chrissy Klingensmith pushed her 1-year-old future granddaughter, Hadley, through the shop in a wheeled office chair. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly captured the family spirit behind the business. The cafe, which opened last March,...
More sexual assault charges filed against former Highlands teacher Sean Dicer
An adult graduate of Highlands School District has come forward, accusing former teacher Sean Dicer of indecent assault and adding to the onslaught of sex-related allegations against him. In the latest allegations, the incidents are said to have happened inside a classroom at the former Fairmount Elementary School about 20...
Allegheny Township man accused of trying to purchase 6-year-old girl
Allegheny Township police have accused a township resident of offering to purchase a 6-year-old girl from her mother. Theodore Magee, 43, offered to purchase the girl who, authorities say, he had sexually assaulted, according to a criminal complaint filed against him. Magee is charged with a half-dozen felonies, including aggravated...
Court date looms for former Harrison funeral director accused of pet cremation fraud
Tina Moore has been counting the days, for nearly a year, until former Harrison funeral director Patrick Vereb has his day in court. Vereb, 71, of Hazelwood was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office with taking money for pet cremations and disposing of the animals in landfills. He also...
New walking club in Lower Burrell aims to build community
Lower Burrell Councilwoman Carley Logan hopes a new program the city is starting is more than just a walk in the park. The city is launching a free “Nature Neighbors Walking Club” this spring. “I want it to be an opportunity for people to make connections in the community,” Logan...
The Stroller, Jan. 14, 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. Free rides available to...
Riverview administrator receives recognition from Penguins as top principal
David Turk is getting his moment in the limelight. A man of many hats, Turk is Riverview’s junior high principal, the district’s data analyst and communication specialist. He is also charged with regularly updating the district’s social media accounts and website. Turk is in his fourth year with the district...
The Stroller, Jan. 13, 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. Nothing But Net: Annual...
Family ties: Local jazz stalwart Don Aliquo, 96, to play gig with son and granddaughterVideo
Don Aliquo Sr. has performed music with his son. He’s performed music with his granddaughter. But on Thursday, the longtime Pittsburgh jazz musician and Lower Burrell resident will get a chance to take the stage with both of them. “It will be great, I can’t wait,” said Aliquo, 96, who...
Cheswick Council names member to vacant seat as incumbents start new terms
A slate of mostly incumbent council members filled out their ranks by appointing a familiar face as they began their new terms on Cheswick Council after victory in November’s general election. Adis Halimic, who previously was appointed to council and came in fifth place in the November election, will take...
Ticket sales kick off for Pittsburgh Brewing’s annual St. Patrick’s Day event
Ticket sales have opened for Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In the third year of the event, the party — dubbed Irish City Celebration — has become a staple in the East Deer community. In 2025, around 2,500 people spent their Saturday enjoying live music, food trucks...
Allegheny Township splits with manager
Allegheny Township has parted ways with its manager. Supervisors on Monday approved concluding the township’s contract with Daniel Miller, whose term as township manager expired at the end of last year. Miller started working as township manager in July 2024. His annual pay at the time was $102,000; current salary...
Familiar faces take seats on Springdale Council
November’s election victors — three of them incumbents — took their seats on Springdale Council this month. This year’s council will only differ slightly from last year’s in both its members and leadership. Deborah Piontek, the top vote-getter in November, was the sole non-incumbent council member to be sworn in....
Long-awaited funding obtained for Riverview football field lights
Let there be light, at least on the Riverview Raiders football and baseball fields. After years of ongoing discussion and funding efforts, Oakmont officials have secured enough money to carry out a lighting project at Riverside Park, where the Raiders play their home football, soccer and baseball games. The lights...
New councilwoman to build on successful Lower Burrell programs she helped build
If you’ve been to any Lower Burrell community event over the past couple of years, Carley Logan has probably had a hand in coordinating it. The born-and-raised Lower Burrell resident took over as the city’s parks commission president in 2023. During her tenure, Logan oversaw exponential growth to the city’s...
Future of Fawn EMS coverage remains uncertain
Fawn is the final holdout of a proposed paid, regional ambulance authority — leaving the future of the township’s EMS coverage up in the air. Supervisors must decide whether to join the Alle-Kiski Emergency Services Authority, expected to move forward this fall, or look elsewhere for 911 service. “We haven’t...
The Stroller, Jan. 12, 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. Armstrong Conservation District to...
The Stroller, Jan. 11, 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. Supplies, food needed at...
Alle-Kiski senior citizen news: Jan. 10, 2026
Armstrong County Senior Centers Apollo Monday: 10 a.m., identity theft program. 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 Monday: 10 a.m., Site Council meeting. Tuesday...
Hotel Saxonburg sheriff’s sale postponed until May 15
The sheriff’s sale of a historic restaurant, bar and hotel in Saxonburg has been postponed. Hotel Saxonburg at 220 W. Main St. was expected to go up for public auction Jan. 16. The sale has been bumped to 11 a.m. May 15, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. It...
The Stroller, Jan. 10, 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. Pa. Litter Hawk Youth...
Shoppers lament Macy’s closing at Pittsburgh Mills, others hopeful for recreation or entertainment venue
Julie Ravotti grew up in Beaver County and remembers trekking to Pittsburgh Mills for family shopping adventures after the Frazer mall opened in 2005. “We traveled to see all the new stores and it was bustling, so promising,” said Ravotti, who moved to Leechburg nine years ago. “Fast forward to...
