Valley News Dispatch category, Page 100
Faces of the Valley: Hank Commodore’s mission to spread love and kindness
While recognition continues to pile up for Hank Commodore, the reward he cherishes most is seeing the children he’s helped grow into well-rounded adults. Commodore, 76, has received three city proclamations, the most recent from Pittsburgh. He also has proclamations from New Kensington and Ford City for his charitable work....
The Stroller, Dec. 22, 2024: 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. Pet food, supplies needed...
Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department names first fireman of the year
Jesse Sterlitz knew he was going to be a firefighter from a young age. With his uncle, Clay Sorisio, being being a member of the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years, Sterlitz naturally had his personal life intertwined with department life. As a boy, he chose to spend his...
The Stroller, Dec. 21, 2024: 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. MyHeritage research database available...
‘It’s all kid-driven’: Stewart Elementary craft market showcases students’ talents while donating thousands to charity
It was a children’s paradise Friday at Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell. You name it, the roughly 260 fourth and fifth grade students had it — from fidget toys, stickers and drawings to bracelets and keychains. As in the past five years, students created or brought in items to...
Shaler Area School District handles backlash after gender support plan raises social media ire
Shaler Area School District has become the target of online outrage after the district’s “Gender Support Plan” was spotlighted in a post by a right wing social media influencer. Wednesday night, Chaya Raichik, the owner and operator of the Libs of TikTok social media accounts, posted a screenshot of a...
Fawn taxes remain same for 27th year
Fawn property owners are nearing three decades without a property tax increase in the township. Supervisors this week approved a nearly $1.8 million budget that keeps the tax rate at 3.04 mills. It is the 27th consecutive year without an increase. The owner of a home with the township’s median...
Soil testing underway at Springdale soccer field; borough still eyes funding for Vets Field improvements
With surveying and soil testing underway at Springdale High School’s soccer field, Springdale Borough officials continue to look for money to improve Veterans Memorial Field. The school board in November hired FieldTurf USA, a Georgia-based firm, to complete surveying, infiltration and soils testing at the soccer field at a cost...
Nearly 10% tax hike finalized in Harrison
As expected, property owners in Harrison will pay more in real estate taxes next year. Township commissioners approved a $5.9 million budget that raises property taxes by 9.8%, or one-half of a mill, next year. The tax rate increases from 5.106 mills to 5.606 mills. The owner of a property...
Proposed Plum church clears zoning hurdle
Plans for a new church in Plum, to be built very close to an existing house of worship, cleared a procedural hurdle with approval from the borough’s zoning hearing board. Jubilee International Ministry sought a variance to build an estimated 6,100-square-foot, single-story church on its property. It would seat 252...
Wingstop headed to New Kensington
New Kensington soon will have a new place for wings. Mayor Tom Guzzo confirmed that a Wingstop will be coming to the city’s Riverview Plaza, 100 Tarentum Bridge Road. Signs for the business went up Wednesday. Wingstop officials did not respond to TribLive requests for comment. “We’re excited that Wingstop...
The Stroller, Dec. 20, 2024: 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. Christmas concert to benefit...
Additional hearing required for proposed injection well in Plum
Plans for a proposed injection well project in Plum will once again be debated before the borough’s zoning hearing board as the governing body adheres to a state court ruling. Board members voted 5-0 Thursday determining a section of the zoning ordinance involving setbacks applies to Penneco Environmental Solutions’ request...
Indiana Township holds taxes steady; some firefighters will get a break
Indiana Township property owners will not have to pay more in township property taxes in 2025. Some township volunteer firefighters also will receive a tax break as part of a new relief program. Supervisors unanimously voted to pass their estimated $6.5 million 2025 budget. The millage rate remains at 3.47...
Highlands pre-kindergarten students kick off holiday with song and dance
Pre-kindergarten classes at Highlands Early Childhood Center presented “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on Thursday to the delight of parents and staff. The 30-minute holiday concert featured songs such as “Jingle Bells” and “The Reindeer Pokey” with choreographed dance moves. Accompanying the 34 singers was music teacher Amy Karavlan...
‘We’re ready to go’: Springdale’s Colfax School ready for demolition
A nearly 100-year-old institution in Springdale is coming down. Crews with Kane Specialty Group of Pine will begin demolishing the former Colfax Upper Elementary School either Friday or Monday , said Jim Kane, company president. “We’re ready to go,” Kane said Thursday at the site. Crews began preparing the site...
Leaders of community garden hope to nurture young residents with scholarship program
Organizers of the Sharpsburg Community Garden are hoping to grow a new generation of people with a passion for planting. The garden, situated behind the community library along Main Street, is launching a scholarship program for 2025 through which a newbie can get their hands dirty and harvest crops such...
More than just books: Cooper-Siegel Community Library closes in on funding for $2.5M expansion
Tools, 3D printers and musical instruments probably aren’t what most people associate with libraries. But Cooper-Siegel in Fox Chapel is far from ordinary. The $6 million, 24,000-square-foot facility along Fox Chapel Road has grown its lending libraries, programs and classes to meet the demands of patrons who number nearly 30,000...
Christmas story tradition continues at Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar
Allegheny Valley School District Superintendent Patrick Graczyk read a classic story, “The Night Before Christmas,” to kindergarten students at Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar on Thursday. Students wore their pajamas as part of the tradition that’s been happening for about a decade. Graczyk and the students shared what they were...
BJ’s Country Store in South Buffalo going out of business
Matt Hughes and Cory Stivanson hardly said a word walking into BJ’s Country Store late Tuesday morning, but cashier Janet Greene knew what was on their minds. “A yes and yes?” she asked from behind the worn wooden countertops. The pair assented, and Greene got to work on an Italian...
Blawnox to see no rise in real estate taxes, garbage fees; water/sewage bills will increase
Blawnox property owners will not have to pay more in borough real estate taxes next year. Council unanimously voted Dec. 11 to pass its 2025 budget and maintain the tax rate at 10.85 mills. Garbage collection fees also remained the same. Council raised taxes by 1 mill for the 2023...
Tarentum real estate tax increase to benefit volunteer fire departments
Tarentum property owners will pay 9% more in real estate taxes next year, ending a 20-year run with no increase. Council approved the borough’s $4.7 million budget, raising the millage from 5.48 to 5.98 mills. The hike is to institute a fire tax, meant specifically to benefit the borough’s three...
Fawn-Frazer Water Authority raises rates
Customers in the Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority will see a slight increase to their bills next year. “We are looking at a $2 increase,” said Ed Adams, authority chairman. The rate, effective Jan. 1, will increase from $31 to $33 monthly, Adams said. It was approved by the water authority...
Harp and Hound Jewelry brings Celtic-inspired designs to Blawnox
A professional metalsmith and jeweler with more than 22 years of custom jewelry experience has opened a studio in Blawnox. Dan Jacko of Verona opened Harp and Hound Jewelry on Dec. 7 at 238½ Freeport Road, the former site of Marlene Harris Collection. Jacko designs and creates artisan and handcrafted...
The Stroller, Dec. 19, 2024: 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. Oakmont Elks to host...
