Valley News Dispatch category, Page 290
Faces of the Valley: Highlands teacher Jennifer Kosior wins magical Disney trip for creative educators
Sometimes you get an email that you just can’t believe. For Highlands Middle School teacher Jennifer Kosior, it was an announcement from the happiest place on Earth, naming her a winner in the Disney 100 Teachers Celebration. “I don’t think I can put it into words,” said Kosior, the school’s...
Remember When: Lower Burrell man’s diary documented destruction during Great Railroad Strike of 1877
Before the 1940s, Lower Burrell was primarily a farming community. The Leslie family was one of the earliest to settle there. Many of the streets in Lower Burrell bear the first names of their family members and several of their farmhouses still exist. One of them is located where Edgecliff...
New Kensington-Arnold considering 1.6% tax increase for next school year
Property owners in the New Kensington-Arnold School District may be facing a property tax increase after all. While the school board approved a $48.9 million preliminary 2023-24 budget in May that carried no increase, the board’s finance committee now is recommending a 1.5-mill hike. That would increase the district’s tax...
Tarentum continues anti-blight campaign with 6 potential demolitions
If all goes as planned, six dilapidated homes will be demolished this year in Tarentum, clearing what council called significant eyesores and hazards from the borough. Work would bring the total to 60 structures razed since council began its anti-blight fight in 2020. “Eventually, most of the blighted properties will...
The Stroller, May 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. Lost Boys Band to open Tarentum concert series Tarentum Summer Concert...
UPMC St. Margaret nurse Julie Ann Farren set early sights on career
Julie Ann Farren jokes that her career aspirations were cemented in second grade when her dad gave her a frozen deer heart to take to school for show and tell. “He gave me a whole speech on the anatomy,” said Farren, who attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School in Springdale. “All...
Show me the money: Teachers, education experts advocate for financial literacy
Ligonier Valley financial literacy teacher Martin Hickey often hears from students about how his classes have impacted their lives, but one response from a former pupil sticks with him. “One of the kids I had in my class, I happened to see him in the street … and he goes,...
Memorial ceremony held as Brackenridge changes Third Avenue street signs to McIntire Way, honoring slain chief
Rain fell gently on a wooden podium framed by flags and wreaths as Lori McIntire walked up to the microphone, then choked out the words. “Third Avenue is where Justin was born and raised,” said Lori McIntire — a 50-year resident of Third Avenue, clad in a gray t-shirt memorializing...
Indiana Township wows young kids with its first-ever ‘Touch-a-Truck’ event
Indiana Township firefighter Mike Klier had a message Saturday morning for 4-year-old Gia Chanampa as he handed her a yellow, plastic firefighters helmet from his firetruck. “You’ve gotta drink your milk and eat your vegetables if you want to be a firefighter,” said Klier, 59, a Shaler resident who responds...
Harmar supervisors spar over proposed Denny Estates road acquisition; wait ’till next year
The privately owned roads in Harmar’s Denny Estates will not be taken over by the township, at least for now. The Harmar supervisors split 2-2 Thursday on a measure that would have instructed Solicitor Craig Alexander to prepare documents that would allow the township to take ownership of the subdivision’s...
Councilwoman scores primary victory over Democratic incumbent for Leechburg mayor
Leechburg incumbent Mayor Tony Roppolo lost to Councilwoman Doreen Smeal by fewer than 40 votes in the Democratic primary election, according to unofficial returns from the Armstrong County Election Bureau. Smeal garnered 77 votes to Roppolo’s 40. There are 94 Republican write-in votes, so Smeal could face a challenger in...
Crossbow, cologne, men’s underwear among items woman accused of stealing from Tarentum apartments
A Pittsburgh woman accused of entering unlocked apartments in Tarentum and stealing random items — including a crossbow, cologne, cleaning supplies, loose change and men’s underwear — faces multiple felony charges. Darcy Lynn Hudson, 57, of the 2300 block of Cobden Street in the city’s Arlington neighborhood was charged with...
The Stroller, May 20, 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. Cat sanctuary requesting donations Zen Cat Sanctuary in New Kensington is...
Tarentum summer concerts kick off with a food drive to ‘Back the Blue’
As the Lost Boys bluegrass band croons onstage during the first of Tarentum’s summer concerts, volunteers will be working the crowds with a message to “Back the Blue.” The borough’s free concert series kicks off Thursday, May 25, doubling as the unofficial start to summer as well as a fundraiser...
All paws on deck at new Lower Burrell pet grooming collaborative
The layout of Kelly Campana’s dog grooming business is reminiscent of a tattoo parlor. Her space — Muddy Paws Pet Grooming — occupies the front of the shop. Next to her is a booth for Kaylee Zaremba’s business, Pooches on Point. Across from them is a space for the SWAG...
Newly hired Apollo Memorial Library director steps down; officials seek replacement
The recent departure of the director of Apollo Memorial Library has left a job opening at the Armstrong County nonprofit. Former director Jennifer Ramsey announced May 9 in a Facebook post that she was leaving her role as director. “I have stepped down from my position as director at Apollo...
Work crew installs temporary all-way stop at problematic intersection in Allegheny Township
Update: The temporary stop signs that were expected to be erected next week were put up Friday evening, according to Allegheny Township Police Chief Duane Fisher. PennDOT is addressing traffic concerns raised by the Allegheny Township supervisors about a rural road heavily used as a detour. The intersection at Bonfire...
Vendors sought for Plum’s Monday Market
Vendors are being sought for the Monday Market in Plum. The market will operate from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays beginning June 5 through Sept. 25. It will be closed Sept. 4 for Labor Day. This year, it will start at Plum Creek Park on New Texas Road, across from...
Allegheny Township resident’s request leads to launch of free Minutes Matter emergency cards
Rose Haberchak of Allegheny Township recently witnessed a medical emergency where minutes could have mattered. During a weekend quilting event, Haberchak and others were able to assist a woman who had fallen ill. They sought medical assistance but had no information to offer first responders about the woman’s medical history...
Burrell students present projects, research at statistics symposium
Burrell High School senior Seth Trisoline is a caffeine drinker. So when the opportunity arose in Meaghan Volek’s statistics class to research a topic and present the findings at the school’s first statistics symposium, Trisoline and classmate Xander Obbink decided to study whether caffeine makes someone’s handwriting worse. They directed...
Aspinwall Memorial Day plans come together for May 29
It takes a lot of planning to put together one of the area’s largest commemorations honoring fallen and current military personnel. Aspinwall’s annual Memorial Day service is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. May 29 in front of American Legion Post 77 along Commercial Avenue. “Everything is on schedule,” said...
Alle-Kiski High School Class Reunions
• Ken Hi Class of 1959 will have a reunion from 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 17 at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell. Reservations required by July 25. Details: Keith and Bev at 724-594-0108 or Mic and Patti at 724-335-2914. • Freeport Area High School Class of 1961 will...
The Stroller, May 19, 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 event to benefit Burrell Education Foundation Burrell Education Foundation’s 23nd...
Bridge work to restrict traffic on New Kensington, Upper Burrell roads
Bridge preservation work will restrict traffic on three roads in New Kensington and one in Upper Burrell next week, PennDOT announced Thursday. The affected roads are: • Route 366 (Greensburg Road) between Albee Drive and Dutch Run Road in Upper Burrell, nighttime single-lane restrictions between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 6...
Plum, teachers union announce tentative, early 6-year contract deal
The Plum School District and its teachers union announced Thursday they have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract. The agreement was described as an “early bird,” meaning it was reached before the expiration of the existing agreement. The current six-year contract between the district and its teachers,...
