Valley News Dispatch category, Page 252
‘Not your grandmother’s center’: Seniors centers evolve with Pilates, pickleball and pub burgers
Strong coffee and bingo are enough to draw Betty Delaney to the Highlands Area Senior Center every day. But her “partner in crime,” Christine Drane, said there’s a spicier reason to check out the Tarentum facility. “The meatballs are exceptionally good,” said Drane of Natrona Heights. “The lunches can’t be...
Program to honor Korean War soldiers on 70th anniversary of its end
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, Prospect Cemetery in Brackenridge will host a program Thursday honoring local veterans who fought the three-year battle in Eastern Asia. “We have sent so many soldiers from the Valley to all the wars,” said Bob Sauro, vice president of the...
New Kensington’s Sizzling Summer Night had something for everyone
Many years ago, particularly during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, summer was said to be a time of decadence, socializing, and inspiration largely taking place outdoors. New Kensington’s second annual Sizzling Summer Night, held Saturday evening, had that kind of feel. Though she wasn’t around during those bygone times, one...
Oakmont Yacht Club holds 121st annual regatta
They held their first regatta in 1902, before the Oakmont Yacht Club became official. But the folks apparently had such a good time, they decided to form a club. In 1903, the Oakmont Yacht Club was born, and a regatta has been held every year since. While it’s mainly held...
Alle-Kiski Valley High School Reunion news
• Ken Hi Class of 1958 will have a reunion at noon Sept. 21 at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell. Classmates who have not yet received information should contact Marie Thompson Capo at 724-448-0841 or 724-335-22997 by Aug. 23. • Ken Hi Class of 1959 will have a reunion...
The Stroller, July 22, 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. Golf scramble to benefit Kiski Area HS baseball program Kiski Area...
West Deer residents challenge Leto well pad approval
A West Deer community advocacy group and nine residents have formally filed a land use appeal against the township and its board of supervisors over an approved well pad in Bairdford. The filing, submitted Wednesday in Allegheny County Court, alleges that the project’s applicant, Olympus Energy of Canonsburg, failed to...
‘Blessing bouquets’ outreach blooms in Vandergrift
A Vandergrift woman is using her green thumb and the power of flowers to brighten the lives of strangers. Last year, Katie Vance, 33, transformed her front lawn, once a rocky, barely there lawn with two small trees, into a floral oasis, complete with native perennials and annual flowers. Each...
Car slams into building in downtown New Kensington
A car struck a building in downtown New Kensington on Friday afternoon, leaving the vehicle totaled and some damage to the building. Crews responded to the corner of 11th and Barnes streets in New Kensington for the crash at around 4:45 p.m. Assistant Fire Chief B.J. Kersey said the car...
Old Leechburg Road slide repair work continues for another week in Plum
Work along a section of Old Leechburg Road in Plum will continue for another week. PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said guiderail installation work will continue through Friday, July 28, on a portion of Old Leechburg Road between Sardis and Old Mine roads. The roadway will remain closed until the work...
Bridge work impacts Westmoreland County Transit bus service
Westmoreland County Transit’s daily bus service to Pittsburgh Mills will be temporarily cut starting Monday. Officials said the authority’s Route 14 bus service that runs through New Kensington and to the shopping complex will be shortened and no longer run to the mall during the six-week closure of the New...
New Kensington police say Penn Hills man reached for loaded stolen gun during traffic stop
New Kensington police accused a man of reaching for a stolen pistol in his vehicle when he was pulled over for running a stop sign. Tory Windel Jones, 29, of the 1100 block of Hulton Road in Penn Hills was charged with a felony count of receiving stolen property along...
New library director hits the ground running, continues popular free food pantry program in Apollo
The Apollo Memorial Library has started a new chapter in its leadership. After the sudden departure of former library director Jennifer Ramsey on May 9, members of the library’s board of trustees began their search for a replacement. They found it in Spring Church resident Beth Moore. Moore, 56, said...
Police say New Kensington man punched the EMT who took him to the hospital
A New Kensington man is accused of punching an emergency medical technician while being highly intoxicated as the EMT transported him to Allegheny Valley Hospital. James Howard Mott, 57, of the 1700 block of Ridge Road was charged by Highmark Health Police with a felony count of aggravated assault along...
The Stroller, July 21, 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. Fun and Freedom Youth Sports to host golf fundraiser A golf...
$25 million in upgrades underway at Highlands schools
With the start of school just over a month away, Highlands is readying its buildings with safety upgrades such as lighting and new sidewalks in time for the first class bell. Projects are underway at all four campuses as well as the community center. The cost is about $25 million....
Tarentum targets 3 abandoned properties with holes, mold and rodents
Three abandoned Tarentum homes that officials say double as raccoon and rat refuges could come down as early as next month. “All three are in severe disrepair. They have holes, mold and are a nuisance to their neighborhoods,” code enforcement officer Anthony Bruni said. Work could start by late August...
St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold helps children orphaned by war
With help from the Catholic community in Arnold and beyond, Ukrainian children orphaned by war now have day camps and new friends to look forward to. A campaign by the Rev. Yaroslav Koval at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church sought donations to assist a youth group in his native country....
Zoning update to bring significant changes in West Deer
West Deer residents can expect significant changes as a new zoning ordinance progresses, completely overhauling the zoning map. The new ordinance draft is not yet accessible to the public. “This is a very comprehensive zoning update. Many new definitions have arrived, and an entirely new zoning district was created,” township...
East Deer plans Baileys Run Road waterline improvements
A problematic water line in East Deer is being addressed by township officials. Commissioners recently approved a nearly $500,000 loan from PennVEST — the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority — to complete the project to fix a waterline on Baileys Run Road. “This is a section of waterline that has the...
Plans being drafted for public works facility in Brackenridge
Brackenridge officials are eyeing a new public works building to replace one that dates to 1900 and has floors that are caving in. The construction is expected to cost about $750,000, all of which will be covered by grants awarded to the borough. Officials hope to move forward in the...
Upper Burrell planners recommend approval for building addition at Alcoa
Upper Burrell planners are recommending approval for a proposed building addition at the Alcoa Technical Center. The township’s planning commission issued the recommendation at its meeting Tuesday. According to township documents, Alcoa Technical Center intends to add the approximately 5,100-square-foot building for equipment storage at the research complex at 859...
Trooper says handgun seized from 20-year-old during checkpoint stop in East Deer
State police arrested a Verona man at a traffic safety checkpoint set up on Route 28 in East Deer after he admitted to having a gun and marijuana inside the car in which he was a passenger. Matthew Howard Yots, 20, of the 400 block of Center Avenue was charged...
O’Hara public service vehicles are the stars of a Touch a Truck event
Ezra Micheals needed a little help getting in to the driver’s seat. His little hands barely were able to grip the steering wheel, feet dangling off the seat far from the pedals. However, the 2-year-old boy’s smile stretched across the cab. He and his family were among dozens who came...
Springdale takes 1st step on zoning overlay; power plant owner threatens legal action
Despite opposition — and even a threat of legal action — from the property owner, Springdale officials took the first step in creating a zoning overlay district around the former power generating station property. Council members unanimously decided to refer an ordinance providing for various zoning amendments and changes within...
