Valley News Dispatch category, Page 186
Monroeville ‘doodler’ featured at The Manos Gallery in Tarentum
Larry Brandstetter’s passion for art began at the kitchen table. When he was 8, Brandstetter recalls his mother sitting in their Morningside home with an open phone book nearby. “She would draw these ladies in chiffon dresses and heels,” Brandstetter said. Her whimsy sparked his creativity, according to the self-proclaimed...
Project Lifesaver aims to protect cognitively impaired people who are prone to wandering
When Sophie Gass’ grandmother wandered off from a family outing at O’Hara Community Park, every minute was a nightmare. The search, conducted by family, friends and multiple police and fire departments, lasted five hours. When they finally located Alzheimer’s patient Kathy Gass, then 73, she was missing a shoe and...
Religion Digest – Feb. 17, 2024
Blacklight puppet show planned Friday A free blacklight puppet show will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church, 134 Custer Ave., Vandergrift. The show will be performed by the Let It Shine puppet ministry of the youth of Bethel United Methodist Church, Lower Burrell. Refreshments will...
The Stroller, Feb. 17, 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. NK Arts Center to celebrate ninth anniversary The New Kensington Arts...
3 sentenced for roles in slaying outside New Ken apartment; Judge: ‘maybe the saddest case I’ve ever dealt with’
A Westmoreland County judge said he struggled with how to strike a balance between the rough upbringings that impacted three young defendants and their convictions last year related to their roles in July 3, 2022, fatal shooting in front of a New Kensington apartment building. Amir Kennedy, 16, DaMontae Brooks,...
New Kensington raid turns up 4 grams of crack cocaine, 78-year-old charged
A raid of a New Kensington home Thursday morning turned up just 4 grams of crack cocaine, but city police said they suspect other illegal drugs were flushed down a toilet before authorities discovered them. One of three people found inside the home, 78-year-old Leon Cash, faces drug charges in...
Eureka Hose volunteer Susan Clark appointed to fill Tarentum Council vacancy
The newest member of Tarentum Council is a familiar face in the borough. Susan Clark, who serves as rescue captain of Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMS, was appointed this week to fill a vacancy left after council President Scott Dadowski won two seats in the November election. Dadowski chose to keep his position...
East Deer water rates likely to increase
East Deer residents could be facing a water rate increase but to what extent has not been determined. The township commissioners are expected to discuss the issue March 7, saying they’re up against a wall after Tarentum implemented a 29% increase that is set to start in coming weeks. East...
Armstrong County golf resort sells for $2.5M, leaving weddings, other events in limbo
A public golf resort in Armstrong County has sold for $2.5 million, leaving many customers who had events booked at the venue scrambling to find alternate accommodations. The Inn at Lenape Heights Event Center & Golf Resort in Manor Township sold Jan. 31 to 950 Golf Course Road LLC. The...
Marathon gas station in Harmar robbed at knifepoint
Harmar police are investigating after the Marathon gas station along Freeport Road was robbed late Tuesday. Officers were called about 10:30 p.m. after a suspect approached the clerk, brandished a knife and demanded money from the register. No one was injured, police said. The suspect is described as a white...
The Stroller, Feb. 16, 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. Job fair set at CareerLink in New Kensington Pennsylvania CareerLink Alle-Kiski...
Acmetonia students build sense of belonging, community with new program
Students at Acmetonia Elementary School not only have homework, they also have house work. Under the “House System,” students are assigned to one of five groups, or houses. House meetings are held each month, and students collaborate with their peers to work on various community-building activities, said Rebecca Garbisch, school...
Deteriorating railroad bridge causes concern for Indiana Township officials, residents
An old train bridge continues to cause big safety concerns for officials in Indiana Township. The 127-year-old concrete bridge over Little Deer Creek Valley Road has been steadily deteriorating since the 1990s. Police Chief Steven Colucci said he is determined to navigate the situation with bridge owner Canadian National Railroad....
Burrell High School unified bocce team get fine escort upon its return from the playoffs
The Burrell High School unified bocce team rolled back from the playoffs in style Thursday night. The team returned to the high school at 5:45 p.m. with an escort from city fire and police following the team’s playoffs at Plum earlier in the day, said parent Courtney Kobelenske. Sixteen students...
Longwood at Oakmont buys drug disposal box for Plum community
Plum residents are now able to get rid of expired or unwanted medications at a new drop box at the borough’s police station. Longwood at Oakmont in Plum bought the box for the borough for $2,600, said Kevin Henderson, Longwood senior director. “The Plum Police Department will also come to...
Springdale Township trailer home gutted by fire
Fire gutted a trailer home Thursday morning along Spring Street in Springdale Township. Crews were dispatched to the fire about 11:15 a.m., said Allegheny Valley Assistant Fire Chief Jay Zangrille. It took about 25 minutes for firefighters to knock down the fire. No one was in the trailer at the...
The Stroller, Feb. 15, 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. Vandergrift veterans memorial to receive update The Casino Theater and several...
Allegheny Township man dies in crash near Lower Burrell-Allegheny Twp. line
An Allegheny Township man died Wednesday afternoon when the truck he was driving went off Melwood Road near the Lower Burrell-Allegheny Township line. Lower Burrell police officer Aaron Rodgers said Nicholas A. Ganter, 29, was driving alone when his pickup went off the right side of the road. The vehicle...
Plum school renovation projects may be altered after study forecasts declining enrollment
A proposed $1.5 million renovation project at Plum School District’s Pivik Elementary might be off the table after a demographics study projected declining enrollment for the next decade. It is part of an estimated $68.5 million in contemplated renovations and new construction at the K-4 schools, Pivik and O’Block elementary,...
Fox Chapel Area superintendent gets new 5-year contract, starting at $237,000
Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac is expected to continue leading the district for the next five years. School board members unanimously approved a new contract with the top administrator Feb. 12. Reljac was hired by Fox Chapel Area in the summer of 2020 after she served...
Southwestern Pennsylvania Municipal Project Hub launches in Brackenridge to help towns access federal funding
Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser was surprised when her small town was approached to host a news conference to launch the SWPA Municipal Project Hub. But she also found it fitting. “There is a generationally historic amount of federal infrastructure money available to towns just like Brackenridge, to communities in Allegheny...
3 hires return Plum police force back to full staff
Plum Council has approved filling three vacancies in the borough’s police department and in doing so has offered employment to the department’s second female officer. Council on Monday approved conditional offers of employment to Jason Saunders, Haylee Walak and Luke Skledar. They will replace officers who have retired or resigned,...
New Kensington-Arnold reviewing security procedures after student finds live round in high school
How a live firearm round got into Valley High School in New Kensington remains under investigation and “raises quite a few questions,” according to New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. “These questions are the foundation for a review of our processes and procedures for school safety and security,” he said Wednesday....
Possible motive revealed in Mogie’s killingVideo
The man suspected of fatally shooting Lower Burrell restaurant owner David “Mogie” Magill told investigators he pulled the trigger because he thought Magill was a “drug-dealing pedophile,” a witness in the case testified Wednesday. Lower Burrell police Officer Zachary Beam testified in district court that suspect Nathan Salem offered no...
The Stroller, Feb. 14, 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. Happy Valentine’s Day! American Cancer Society seeks volunteer drivers The American...
