Valley News Dispatch category, Page 15
Oakmont Council to vote on non-cooperation resolution with ICE
Tensions ran high and anger boiled to the surface during Oakmont’s council meeting Tuesday in the wake of a borough resident being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Jose Flores, 47, was taken by ICE agents Thursday morning after being approached in front of his Oakmont home while preparing...
Volunteers step up for community snow shoveling effort in Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg residents and visitors are navigating sidewalks and bus stops a little easier after an effort coordinated by a community nonprofit. About 25 people responded to Roots of Faith’s call for volunteers Jan. 31. They included residents, elected leaders, a few Kerr Elementary teachers and people from a church group...
Fire guts Springdale Township home
A Springdale Township home is likely a total loss after a fire early Tuesday morning, according to Allegheny Valley VFC Chief Jay Zangrille. Crews were dispatched to the scene along the 700 block of Maple Street just after 2 a.m. When they arrived, firefighters discovered a fully involved house fire...
Plum Council expected to vote on new Taco Bell
Plum’s new Taco Bell is on the horizon. Borough council is expected to vote to approve the project along Golden Mile Highway at its meeting Monday, Feb. 9. So far, developers have progressed through Plum’s planning commission and zoning hearing board, which granted them minor changes to the drive-thru and...
Tarentum mayor says ‘standard is the same’ for consolidated police force
When Tarentum and Brackenridge police consolidated in 2023, there were concerns from Brackenridge residents that the community would lose its daily patrols and coverage would lean toward the larger of the two boroughs. A newly published report, presenting data from the first full year of combined policing, might help put...
Fishing tournament honors legacy of late Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire
A fishing tournament this summer will honor the legacy of slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire and create a scholarship in his name. The Chief’s Challenge, scheduled for June 27, was founded as a way for the family to give back to the community, said McIntire’s mother, Lori. She posted...
The Stroller, Feb. 3, 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. Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds...
Fox Chapel Area School District sets property tax hike limit
Fox Chapel Area School District officials voted to cap any property tax increase for next school year at 3.5%, which is the maximum allowed by the state without seeking voter approval through a referendum. School directors unanimously voted to pass a resolution confirming that pledge Jan. 20. The current tax...
Oakmont ICE arrest spurs new policy on cooperation with law enforcement at Riverview School District
The Riverview School Board has found itself front and center in the nation’s debate over immigrant deportations. The board’s agenda meeting Monday served in part as a place for residents to express frustration following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest in Oakmont on Thursday. Jose Flores, 47, was detained by...
1 person in hospital after Washington Township crash
One person was transported to the hospital after a vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Washington Township. Westmoreland 911 said there was a two-vehicle wreck reported at the 1400 block of Route 286 just before 2 p.m. A person was taken to the hospital by helicoptor as a precaution, dispatchers said....
Fundraiser for family of Oakmont man detained by ICE raises more than $75K
An online fundraiser to aid the family of a man taken into ICE custody in Oakmont on Thursday had collected more than $75,000 as of Tuesday evening. Jose Flores, 47, was handcuffed and placed in an unmarked SUV by ICE agents Thursday morning in front of his 8-year-old daughter, Lily....
Lower Burrell zoning board to consider credit union’s proposal to move to old PNC Bank building
A credit union may soon occupy the former PNC Bank building in Lower Burrell’s Hillcrest Shopping Center complex. Western PA Federal Credit Union, which has a location in Feldarelli Square, New Kensington, seeks a zoning variance as it plans to move to the former PNC building at Hillcrest. PNC closed...
Penn State launches change-of-campus program
A new Penn State University program is designed to help undergraduate students explore and navigate changing campuses. The university announced Monday it is launching “Penn State Pathways” this spring through its Student Orientation and Transition program. It will feature in-person events at six campuses — University Park, Abington, Altoona, Beaver,...
Fox Chapel police chief search wrapping up
Fox Chapel officials are wrapping up their search for a new police chief. The borough partnered with Dailey Operation Consulting several months ago to help with the nationwide search to replace retired Chief Michael Stevens. Stevens retired Nov. 2, and Sgt. Craig Sorg was named interim chief the following day....
The Stroller, Feb. 2, 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. Lower Burrell Citizen Police...
Making the grade: School districts vary when configuring grade levels in buildings
A realignment of grade levels in Burrell School District buildings has offered more opportunities for students this school year. Students had more clubs, career exploratory classes and leadership prospects because of a district realignment that followed the closure of Stewart Elementary in August 2025. Effective this school year, Bon Air...
The Stroller, Feb. 1, 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 Valentines...
New Kensington couple homeless after house fire; crews fight flames in sub-zero temps
A New Kensington home is destroyed following a fire early Saturday morning. Crews were dispatched at 12:47 a.m. to the 500 block of Oates Boulevard, New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said. “In my lifetime — I’ve been on the books as a firefighter for 40 years — this...
Bocce builds bridges for people of all ages and abilities
Abigail Gerthoffer wasn’t sure what she was getting into when she joined Burrell High School’s unified bocce team during her sophomore year. She just knew the team aligned with her values and personal mission to have a positive effect in the world. With no prior experience playing bocce, Gerthoffer jumped...
Alle-Kiski Senior Citizen News: Jan. 31, 2026
Armstrong County Senior Centers Apollo Wednesday: noon, Site Council meeting. 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 Tuesday: health program about COPD. The center is at...
The Stroller, Jan. 31, 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 planned Feb....
Springdale’s agreement with ICE brings fear closer to home for some local immigrants
When Judah Marroquin learned police in Springdale Borough signed an agreement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in November, she was sick to her stomach. “It’s finally at our doorsteps,” she thought. Born and raised in Shaler, she has lived in neighboring Springdale Township with her husband, Carlos,...
Ben Franklin-signed land grant in Upper Burrell ‘quite the conversation piece’
Alle-Kiski Valley historian Ray Rieser knew time was ticking. With Penn State New Kensington closing next spring, Rieser had something on his mind not too many others knew about — a 1787, Benjamin Franklin-signed land grant Rieser believed was being stored at the Upper Burrell campus. Over the years, Rieser...
ICE operation in Oakmont leads to local father’s arrestVideo
Hariett Flores thought Thursday was going to be like any other day. She and her husband, Jose, were getting ready for work as their 8-year-old daughter, Lily, prepared for school in their Oakmont home. Then, when Jose and Lily left the house on their way to Lily’s school, everything changed....
Faces of the Valley: PR director leaves Allegheny Valley School District after 3 decades
To Jan Zastawniak, it’s a great thing to be a Dynamo. The Springdale alumna and longtime borough resident retired in December from Allegheny Valley School District, where she worked as public relations director for more than 30 years. But Zastawniak was never lacking for other responsibilities at Allegheny Valley. She...
