Valley News Dispatch category, Page 100
Starbucks and Bealls coming to Allegheny Township’s Hyde Park Plaza
The rumors are true: Starbucks and Bealls are moving into Allegheny Township’s Hyde Park Plaza. Jeff Paul, owner of the once-beleaguered shopping center, confirmed the incoming tenants Thursday after months of online speculation. A Starbucks spokesperson, however, said the company has “no store opening plans to announce.” Even so, Paul...
Casa Del Sole a slice of life in Aspinwall
Located on First Street in Aspinwall, a family-owned pizza shop has been cooking pies in the original ovens since 1979 when Bob Cozza first opened the place. There is nothing fancy about Casa Del Sole, which is part of its charm. “Our ovens are seasoned,” said Nick Lombardi of O’Hara,...
Leechburg regionalization discussions terminated, officials discuss next steps for policing
Police regionalization conversations have halted in Leechburg. Borough council voted to “terminate any activities with regard to police regionalization with Parks Township.” The motion passed, 4-2, with council members DJ Zelczak, Robert Raypush, Chuck Pascal and Alan Tarr voting to stop such discussion, and council President Tom Foster and Lorrie...
The Stroller, Jan. 24, 2025: 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. Bowl-A-Thon to raise money...
Lower Burrell steel plant explosion claims Tarentum man’s life
One of three people injured Wednesday in a Lower Burrell steel plant explosion has died. Daniel R. Vakulick, 20, of Tarentum was identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday. He died after being injured in an explosion at Braeburn Alloy’s Steel Division. He was one of two...
New 5-year contract approved with Fox Chapel Area School District custodial, maintenance workers
Fox Chapel Area School District officials and their custodial and maintenance workers have approved a new five-year contract. The current contract, which was also a five-year deal, expires June 30. The new collective bargaining agreement runs July 1 through June 30, 2030. It impacts 50 workers who are represented by...
Some Cheswick residents could experience low water pressure in upcoming nights
Some Cheswick residents in the upper part of the borough could experience low water pressure in the overnight hours beginning Friday and lasting up to a few nights. On Friday, one of the borough’s booster pumps will be taken out of service for necessary repairs, borough officials said. The booster...
Aspinwall EV stations generating money for the borough
Aspinwall’s EV stations have turned a small profit since they were activated in September, according to a report by the borough manager. Melissa Lang O’Malley said charging station revenue was about $578 and electricity costs were $427, which equated to $151 in profit as of Jan. 7. Three charging stations,...
Then and Now: From farm stand to beer distributor to holistic health center, Aspinwall spot thrives
As mom and pop stores began to populate across the country in the early 1900s, Clover Farms made its name. By 1932, there were more than 150 Clover Farms stores in the Greater Pittsburgh area — with one situated along Commercial Avenue in Aspinwall. Samuel DiGregory and his daughter, Pauline,...
Fox Chapel Area School Board pledges to keep any potential tax hike for 2025-26 within state limits
Fox Chapel Area School District officials have pledged to keep any potential real estate tax hike for the 2025-26 school year to 4% or less. The board voted 8-0 on Jan. 13 to pass a resolution to hold the line on taxes to the Act 1 index — a state...
The Stroller, Jan. 23, 2025: 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. NK cat rescue asking...
‘Cat crusader’ works to keep feral cats warm in extreme cold
Cats are known for their independence, but when it gets as cold as it has been this week, even the most free-spirited of felines can use some help keeping warm. For a colony of feral cats in Allegheny Township, that help came this week in the form of Ruth Ann...
O’Hara collecting items for California wildfire victims
O’Hara officials have teamed up with the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Brother’s Brother Foundation to collect supplies for California wildfire victims. The township launched its collection for hygiene kits Jan. 22. The deadline to donate at the municipal building is Feb. 6. Items requested include toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, flushable wipes and...
Westmoreland-based water authority hikes rates, blames increase on inflation, upgrade needs
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers will be charged an additional 9.5% for water and sewer services starting in April. The authority board approved a $129 million budget that included the second rate hike in the past two years. The latest, officials said, is attributed to costs for energy, construction...
3 injured, 2 critically, in explosion at Lower Burrell steel plant
Two people were critically injured in an explosion Wednesday at Braeburn Alloy’s Steel Division in Lower Burrell, according to emergency officials. A Westmoreland County 911 public safety supervisor confirmed the incident at 11:57 a.m. at the site, 101 Braeburn Road. One of the critically injured people was flown to an...
New alert system coming to Allegheny Valley School District
Allegheny Valley School District officials hope a new alert system can provide a more effective way to respond to incidents. The school board approved purchasing badges to be worn by district staff members for the Centegix silent crisis alert system. “They are badges the staff can use in the event...
The Stroller, Jan. 22, 2025: 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. Local food bank seeking...
Man in standoff had 2 guns, tried to blow up house, New Kensington police now say
A man involved in a standoff with police last month in New Kensington was handling two loaded guns and might have tried to blow up a house with a natural gas explosion, according to new charges filed against him. New Kensington police withdrew their initial charges against Burnell Johnson, 26,...
The Stroller, Jan. 21, 2025: 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 meal distribution planned...
Pollinator gardens permitted in Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg officials have made it a little easier for environmentally friendly residents to not have to pay more green for having a green thumb. Council recently passed an ordinance amending its nuisance vegetation code to permit pollinator gardens. Pollinators are “the engine that run healthy habitats,” according to the U.S....
The Stroller, Jan. 20, 2025: 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. Entries welcome for annual...
Leechburg churches raise funds for relief efforts
Two Leechburg churches are combining forces to help others. Members of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church and First Evangelical Lutheran Church have begun raising money to go on a mission trip this year to aid those affected by last year’s hurricanes. While the trip is definitely happening, the Rev. James...
Legacy of slain Apollo police Officer Leonard Miller recalled, honored 45 years later
On an evening in October 1979, a part-time Apollo police officer called then-mayor William Kerr and asked if he’d like to ride ‘shotgun’ with him that night. Kerr said he and Leonard Miller talked about Miller soon becoming a full-time police officer for the borough. “Leonard said that he loved...
The Stroller, Jan. 19, 2025: 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. Grants available to Westmoreland...
Sportsmen gather in Harrison for Tri-County Trout Club’s annual show
With the region bracing for a bitter cold snap next week, anglers from near and far, young and old may have been thinking of warmer days ahead along rivers and streams as they gathered for a long-running annual sport show and flea market in Harrison on Saturday. Nearly 50 vendors...
