Valley News Dispatch category, Page 225
Building the Valley: Becky’s Closet keeps Freeport native’s memory alive, helps Harrison community thrive
When Freeport resident Pat McCurdy’s daughter passed away from cancer in 2022, McCurdy couldn’t bear to part with her daughter’s belongings. “Becky had lots of clothes and lots of shoes, and I didn’t want to just throw everything away,” said McCurdy, a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison....
Remember When: Canals played a pivotal role in 1800s transportation along the Allegheny and Kiski rivers
Before the construction of dams, travel on the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas rivers was dependent on seasonal rains. At times, the water in the river channels was not deep enough for boat traffic. The earliest boats used on the rivers had very shallow drafts. They were canoes, rafts, flatboats and keelboats....
Brackenridge ghost tour to bring A-K Valley history to life
A Ziegfeld Follies girl, a descendant of a U.S. founding father and U.S. Congressman Henry Marie Brackenridge will come to life during the annual Ghost Tour at Prospect Cemetery. They are among 13 “spirits” who will tell their stories during the event, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday....
Switching career fields is more common than you think
Americans are pulling a career 180 — moving from one industry to a completely different one — more often than ever before. A 2021 poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce showed 41% of Americans were looking to switch industries for their next job. The reasons for changing career...
New Kensington celebrating 70th anniversary of Willie Thrower’s ‘1st Snap’
In the world of sports, New Kensington’s Willie Thrower cemented his place in history when he became the first Black quarterback to take a snap in the NFL in 1953. In his hometown, he was known as a humble, hardworking and family-oriented man, said Melvyn Smith, a longtime friend of...
Tenants unknown as new ‘tech flex’ building breaks ground at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park
Armstrong County officials are mum on identifying possible tenants for a new 30,000-square-foot tech development project at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park in South Buffalo Township. The news of construction commencing on a “tech flex” building was announced Wednesday in a news release issued by Darin Alviano, the executive director of...
The Stroller, Oct. 8, 2023: 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. Free concert series at the Syria Shrine Center to conclude season...
Unsustainable funding model, shrinking workforce leave ambulance services in critical condition
Emergency medical services across Western Pennsylvania have found themselves on life support, despite being in the business of saving lives. Minimal state and municipal funding, combined with sluggish private donations, has leaders scraping by and some services on the brink of folding. “It costs us $150 an hour to operate...
Lower Burrell pays homage to changing season with annual Harvest Festival
Organizers of Lower Burrell’s harvest festival couldn’t have asked for a better day than Saturday to hold their annual community event. After a week of summer-like temperatures that peaked into the 80s, the crisp autumn breeze and bright sunny sky was the perfect accompaniment for a day of festivities that...
Shopping choices grow for Fawn residents as Dollar General opening nears
Fawn and Harrison residents who live near the intersection of Route 908 and Saxonburg Boulevard will have a new place to shop within the next week. The Dollar General under construction since early summer at 1250 Route 908 is expected to open its doors in the coming days, store officials...
Indiana Township election features 8 candidates for 4 district seats
Four seats on the Indiana Township Board of Supervisors are up for grabs in the November election, which constitutes the majority of the five-member body. The candidates are seeking four-year terms. Republican incumbent Paul Jorgensen takes on Democratic challenger Amy Giammattei in District 1. Republican incumbent Albert Kaan is challenged...
New Kensington’s Digital Foundry gets $200K infusion to boost manufacturing industry skills
A representative of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration kicked off the state’s Manufacturing Week on Friday with a visit to downtown New Kensington. Gwen Ross, director of workforce development initiatives with the state Department of Community and Economic Development, was at the Digital Foundry at New Kensington for what she said...
Allegheny Valley School District to pay $1,000 to family of Acmetonia student after probe into bullying
The Allegheny Valley School District will reimburse an Acmetonia Elementary School family $1,000 following an investigation that found the district didn’t protect a student with disabilities after his classmates bullied and physically attacked him. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights on Sept. 21 announced it had resolved...
Armed burglar arrested in downtown Freeport
Police are reassuring residents that a section of downtown Freeport remains safe after an armed burglar was arrested Thursday night at a residence in the 200 block of Second Street. “My officers acted quickly, and there was never any danger to public safety,” said Southern Armstrong Regional police Chief Christopher...
Penn State New Kensington to lead conference on technology, education, future readiness of students
Penn State New Kensington is expanding efforts to bolster future readiness among students as technology in business and industry continues to advance at rapid rates. A conference led by the university, dubbed “Education Vanguard: Building the Education of the Future Together,” will run Thursday through Saturday at the Regional Learning...
Kiski gators at rescue center, headed for permanent southern homes
Nathan Lysaght has some alligators to bathe. Nine of the them, actually, all from Thursday night’s roundup of the animals in Kiski Township. “The goal is to safely relocate the nine alligators to rescues in either South Carolina, Texas or Florida,” said Lysaght, director of Nate’s Reptile Rescue in South...
2023 Halloween events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
To have your fall or Halloween event listed, send information to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084; or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Residents participating in trick-or-treat should turn on their porch lights. Community events Allegheny Township: trick-or-treat, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Apollo: trick-or-treat, 6 to...
The Stroller, Oct. 6, 2023: 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. Fall festival to celebrate autumn in Cheswick The Cheswick Fall Festival...
Arnold, New Kensington residents express shock that volunteer firefighter is suspect in arsons
Relief that a suspected arsonist in the Arnold and New Kensington area had been captured was tempered with shock that he was a volunteer firefighter and concern that one of the houses he is accused of setting ablaze was his grandmother’s home. “I can’t believe it was her own grandson....
Penn Hills artist helps increase visibility of Tarentum-based animal rescue, Paws Across Pittsburgh
For three years, nonprofit Paws Across Pittsburgh has been saving thousands of animals from high-kill shelters and other tragic situations, all with little fanfare in a nondescript Tarentum building. Enter Penn Hills artist Sean Coffey, who is helping to jazz up the facility’s exterior and draw some much-needed attention from...
Haunted Guyasuta back with frights, frills
Family fun or fright of your life — participants of Haunted Guyasuta can decide their fate. The seasonal event, now in its 14th year, will offer a spooky-good time for all ages. It will be 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 at Camp Guyasuta, which is accessed off 23rd Street...
3 candidates vying for 2 seats on O’Hara Council
O’Hara residents will choose from among three candidates for two at-large positions on O’Hara Council. Shamus Petrucelli, of Frick Road and Rob Strohm Jr., of Dorseyville Road are the Republican candidates. Petrucelli also won enough write-in votes in the May primary to appear on the ballot as a Democrat, along...
Kiski Township man shocked to find wayward alligator on his porch, 9 taken from neighbor’s property
When Tony Gularsky opened the door to his front porch, he had “a rude awakening”: An alligator was blocking his doorway. Gularsky, 60, of Kiski Township, had just gotten out of the hospital on Thursday, and he was expecting some friends were coming to visit him to see how he...
Aspinwall officials working on short-term rental ordinance; paving delayed again
Aspinwall officials may implement regulations on short-term rentals within the next few months. Patti McCaffrey, councilwoman and planning and zoning chair, said the borough is reviewing ordinances from other communities about short-term rentals, also referred to as Airbnbs. Related data collection began a few months ago. The planning commission would...
27th annual Pizzazz shopping event in Fox Chapel raises money for Garden Club of Allegheny County projects
Chris Canning lives 25 miles from New York City and often travels to the city to shop. But not for herself. She’s in search of items for others. Canning, of Westchester County, N.Y., owns Burkewood Road, a home goods and lifestyle brand featuring home decor, serving pieces, table top linens,...
