Valley News Dispatch category, Page 309
Police: Harrison man said he was so drunk he couldn’t recall nearly beating woman to death
A Harrison man who was charged with beating a woman nearly to death told investigators he got so drunk on New Year’s Eve that he couldn’t recall the incident, police said. Michael Adam Comley, 43, of the 1100 block of Gordon Street was charged with felony counts of criminal attempted...
Local streets flooded with police signs; organizers hope to print more
It’s hard not to notice the blue police signs sprouting up through Brackenridge, Tarentum and Harrison. More than 1,000 in all, the signs are popping up in yards, parks and along streets in the week since the fatal shooting of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. “What impresses me is that...
The Stroller, Jan. 11, 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. Bowling event to benefit cat, kitten rescue A bowling fundraiser to...
1 flown from rollover crash in Washington Township
A woman was flown by medical helicopter following a crash early Wednesday morning in Washington Township, according to emergency officials. First responders were called to the intersection of Route 380 and Greensburg Road (Route 366) around 1 a.m. for a report of a car that had rolled over and struck...
Community joins forces to help with Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire’s funeral
Businesses, volunteers, students and others stepped up in unexpected ways to help give Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire the funeral he deserves. From a free burial plot and vault to a horse-drawn funeral caisson, donations of goods and services for McIntire’s funeral stretch beyond the Alle-Kiski Valley. “The family is...
Brackenridge chief’s name to be added to fallen officers memorial in Washington, D.C.
The process has begun to add Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire’s name and badge number to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. McIntire was killed Jan. 2 while on duty in Brackenridge pursuing a Duquesne man wanted for weapons-related parole violations and eluding police. The national memorial...
Resident recalls meeting Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire on his last stop
E.L. Swiklinski has lived 10 years along Cleveland Avenue in Brackenridge, a quiet street tucked on a hillside overlooking the Allegheny River. On Jan. 2, the maintenance worker had the day off from Trinity United Methodist Church and spent the afternoon pouring seed into his multiple bird feeders and offering...
Retired police chiefs recall Justin McIntire as exemplary man
Jamie Bock’s earliest memories of Justin McIntire are of him as a boy, running around and playing on Third Avenue in Brackenridge where he grew up. McIntire was 8 years old when he was given an “unofficial” role in Bock’s wedding to his wife, Jennifer, on April 27, 1985. He...
Thousands honor slain Brackenridge police chief Justin McIntireVideo
Those who spoke of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire at his funeral Wednesday remembered him as a kind, forthright man with a love of family, community service — and the occasional practical joke. More than 1,000 police officers from around the state attended the funeral at Mount St. Peter Church...
Lapse in insurance coverage knocks Plum fire departments out of service for hours before being restored
Plum’s four volunteer fire departments were out of service for about six hours Tuesday because of a lapse in insurance coverage. The Holiday Park, Logans Ferry, Renton and Unity departments went out of service at 2 p.m., according to Holiday Park Chief Jim Sims and Unity Vice President Morgan McIlrath....
Kiski Area School District seeks Region II board member
Kiski Area School Board is seeking a new member after the recent resignation of director Bertram Gardner. Gardner resigned Monday, citing a busy schedule as his reason for stepping down, Kiski Area Superintendent Misty Slavic said. A board vacancy in Region II was announced Monday on the district’s Facebook page...
Groups propose community park, garden in downtown New Kensington
Westmoreland Community Action and Wesley Family Services are proposing to build a community park and garden in downtown New Kensington. As proposed, the park and garden would be on what currently are vacant lots along the northern side of 10th Street between Cherry and Spruce alleys, with Third Avenue running...
Collections for Brackenridge chief’s family continue with sticker sale, card drop-off
An online fundraiser for slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire has topped its $100,000 goal in just four days since it was first posted. People and businesses across the Alle-Kiski Valley have stepped up in a major way to help McIntire’s widow, Ashley, and his four children. Donations were nearing...
The Stroller, Jan. 10, 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. Cash bash to benefit St. Joseph High School St. Joseph High...
Mourners line up to pay respects to Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire
George Uhler boarded a yellow school bus at Valley High School mid-Monday, headed to pay his respects to fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. “It’s hard to understand life,” said Uhler of New Kensington. “But you have to honor someone that gave his life for us.” McIntire was gunned down...
Trooper Moms group, community step up to organize meal for officers in town for chief Justin McIntire’s viewing
The tragic death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire has reinforced the bonds of the Alle-Kiski Valley community through mourning, cohesion and charity. That spirit will continue Monday when a dinner is held for local law enforcement officers and others from across the state who are traveling to New Kensington...
The Stroller, Jan. 9, 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. Career advice available Wednesday at Vandergrift library Vandergrift Public Library and...
No one injured in 2-alarm fire at Harrison apartment building
Crews battled a fire Sunday evening at a multi-unit apartment building in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison. One unit was occupied, but no injuries were reported. Hilltop Hose Company responded to the two-alarm fire at 1257 Eighth Ave., which ignited about 5:50 p.m. Hilltop Chief Jeff Balog said firefighters...
Drink in style with hand-painted glassware created in Oakmont
A Penn Hills native is pouring her passion for art into her Oakmont business, one glass at a time. Amanda Lee, 42, of Oakmont has been determined to carve out a career in art since she could hold a crayon. But not everyone shared her enthusiasm. “My dad was a...
Remember When: A-K Valley high schools got their names in some interesting ways
Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series. Check back next Sunday for part two. High schools in the Alle-Kiski Valley have all kinds of names for all kinds of reasons. There’s topography, people, a fruit and even a popular song. That’s right … a school was named...
Arnold No. 1 fire department accusing former chief with misuse of funds
Arnold No. 1 fire department is examining its finances after removing its chief and accusing him of misuse of funds, the department’s president said Friday. Brian Gouza was removed as chief effective Dec. 26 and is no longer a member of the fire department, President Al Colelli said. Gouza has...
Daycation: Palace of Gold in West Virginia on National Register of Historic PlacesVideo
There’s gold in the rural hills of West Virginia. Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold is a tourist attraction and part of the New Vrindaban Temple community, which houses more than 250 members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the public are...
Brackenridge chief’s death likely to have lasting effect on police, communities
When the armed man police were seeking for more than a day ran past Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire’s cruiser Monday afternoon, he reacted the same way most law enforcement officers would in that situation. McIntire was aware the suspect on the loose in his town likely was armed —...
The Stroller, Jan. 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. Drive-through food distribution set Tuesday at Pittsburgh Mills Allegheny Valley Association...
Police: Kiski Township man faces multiple felony charges for repeated sexual assault of young child
Kiski Township police charged a man with six felony counts after he was accused of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. Wayne Lawrence Birch Jr., 53, of Hazel Drive faces felony counts of aggravated indecent assault of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child under the...
