Valley News Dispatch category, Page 333
Faces of the Valley: Plum Community Center’s new activities coordinator well-suited for job
Diana Kelly’s father says she can strike up a conversation and make friends with anyone, anywhere. “My father says I’m a people person because I love to talk with people,” she said. So Kelly’s father, Paul Nye, 82, thought it was great when she took a job as the activities...
Remember When: Congressman John Dent served 10 terms as an agent of change
At one time, Westmoreland County was, basically, its own U.S. Congressional District. And the most well-known person to hold the federal office in that era was John Dent. Dent served in Congress from 1958 to 1979, stepping down after 10 terms. He won a special election on Jan. 21, 1958,...
Lower Burrell police say stolen security cameras recorded the man who stole them
Lower Burrell police say a home’s security cameras recorded the man who stole them as he was carrying them away. In addition to the security cameras, police say, two pistols were stolen, along with an iPhone they were able to use to track him down. Naseam Lahmer, 30, of Lower...
Kiski Area School Board appoints 2 new members
Two new people are representing Region III of the Kiski Area School District. On Monday, the board voted to appoint Dawn Mellinger of Hyde Park and Jamie Szitas of Parks Township. Region III of the district includes Parks Township, the only Armstrong County community in the district, and Hyde Park,...
2 suffer injuries in Christmas Eve house fire in Freeport
Two people suffered minor injuries in a fire that damaged a Freeport house Saturday morning, Freeport’s fire chief said. A mail carrier reported a porch on fire in the 500 block of Franklin Street around 8:30 a.m., Chief Ryan Sweeny said. When firefighters arrived, Sweeny said the home’s residents and...
Retired teachers pitch in to provide fun ‘diversions’ for kids being treated at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrion
A trip to the emergency room or a longer stay in a hospital can cause stress and anxiety for anyone. But for kids who don’t have a clue about what’s going on with them, going to the hospital can be downright frightening. To help them cope in such situations, hospital...
The Stroller, Dec. 24, 2022: 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. Train display continues through Jan. 9 Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church,...
Hit-and-run driver leaves East Vandergrift family struggling for holidays
A hit-and-run driver left an East Vandergrift family in a holiday lurch after smashing into all four of their vehicles Tuesday outside their residence along Kennedy Avenue. Heather Bothell said she heard loud banging and crashing sounds about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday while in her home. Bothell immediately ran outside and...
Christmas traditions live on at Western Pa. churches
About 20 volunteers bustled about the sanctuary of St. Bartholomew parish in Crabtree one morning this week, converting the simple country church into an elaborately decorated sanctuary. Garlands and wreaths now hang from the balcony, as a decorated tree and Nativity scene fill the space. The group of helpers, primarily...
Plum telethon raises more than $57,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation
Everyone involved with Plum Borough School District’s 22nd annual Make-A-Wish Telethon figured the 2021 event would be a tough act to follow. After a year’s hiatus, the 2021 telethon returned to an enthusiastic response that took its cumulative fundraising total over the $1 million mark. Donors’ generosity continued in 2022,...
Lower Burrell police accuse woman of harassing neighbors, felony charge filed
A Lower Burrell woman was charged with a felony after police said they received multiple complaints that she was harassing her next-door neighbor. Shannan Lee Marie Dotto, 44, of the 7200 block of Guyer Road was charged by summons with felony and misdemeanor counts of stalking. She also was issued...
St. Margaret Foundation funds free shuttle for senior citizens in Alle-Kiski Valley
Senior citizens from Tarentum to Etna can get free rides to medical appointments thanks to support from the St. Margaret Foundation. The agency last week announced it again will fund an Alle-Kiski Valley shuttle with a $90,500 grant, as well as three other shuttles that transport people between grocery stores,...
Tarentum gets buy-in from resident to help fight blight
Residents of West 10th Avenue in Tarentum can look forward to the cleanup of a habitual eyesore and potential hazard. A buyer plans to pour $40,000 into renovations at 208 W. 10th Ave., Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni said. “This is a house that’s been vacant going on three years,”...
Kids for Kids fundraiser at Lower Burrell school rings up thousands for Children’s Hospital
Each year, students at Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell forgo having classroom holiday parties on the last day before Christmas break. Instead, they bring in their own toys, collectibles and handmade items to sell to other students and faculty to raise money for a charity. This year, the students...
The Stroller, Dec. 23, 2022: 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. Monarch Hospice seeking volunteers Monarch Hospice, Lower Burrell, is looking for...
Lower Burrell holds the line on 2023 real estate taxes in final budget
Lower Burrell Council unanimously approved an $11 million final budget for 2023 with no tax increase. The real estate tax rate for the city will remain at 24.75 mills. The owner of an average property, assessed at $20,000 again, would pay a real estate tax of $495. Although next year’s...
Fawn property taxes hold steady for 25th consecutive year
The Fawn supervisors hit a milestone with the approval of their 2023 budget: The township has not seen a property tax increase in 25 years. “Everything is staying the same,” Township Secretary Pam Ponsart said. Supervisors approved the $1.8 million budget, holding the tax rate steady at 3.04 mills. The...
Harrison holds the line on taxes
Harrison residents won’t face a property tax increase in 2023. The township commissioners on Monday approved the $6.3 million budget and held the tax rate steady at 5.106 mills. The owner of a home assessed at $100,000 again will pay $510. “I’m glad to see we could keep the millage...
Woman accused of setting Harmar apartment fire on her eviction day faces charges
The woman who lived in the first-floor apartment of a house in Harmar that caught fire Tuesday has been accused of intentionally setting the blaze. Allegheny County Police say Marrisa Ash Szczpinski, 25, admitted to starting the fire in her apartment after being evicted for falling behind in her rent...
Brackenridge Salvation Army plays Santa for more than 200 families
Georgetta Field said she was like a kid in a candy store when a truckload of toys was delivered to the Salvation Army in Brackenridge ahead of the group’s Christmas shop on Wednesday. “We got such nice things,” said Field of Brackenridge, who volunteers year-round at the site with her...
Former Steeler Ryan Shazier brightens holidays of 4 people with spinal cord injuries
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier continues his mission to support those affected by spinal cord injuries. Shazier arrived Wednesday morning at the Giant Eagle Market District in The Waterworks shopping center near Aspinwall to welcome four people with spinal cord injuries who were invited to participate in a free...
The Stroller, Dec. 22, 2022: 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. Winners named in Tarentum holiday light contest Tarentum Recreation Board has...
Popular Leechburg Lights holiday light show relocating to Connellsville after this yearVideo
Leechburg’s lit but not for long. The annual Leechburg Lights synchronized holiday light display at the home of Clyde Lindsey on Main Street is in its last season. Lindsey, 48, the homeowner and event creator, is moving from Leechburg to Connellsville in a few months. He plans to continue the...
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches hosts free Christmas store for clients
In the social hall at Trinity United Methodist Church in Brackenridge, single father Samajai Williams loaded up a shopping bag with toys, clothes and other goodies to supplement Christmas wish lists from his three children. “I’m so thankful,” the Harrison resident said. “In these post-covid times, a lot of people...
The Stroller, Dec. 21, 2022: 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. St. Joseph HS plans cash bash St. Joseph High School is...
