Valley News Dispatch category, Page 336
Feasibility study underway as Leechburg officials aim to regionalize police department
Leechburg officials are forging ahead with organizational efforts to regionalize their police force with other local municipalities. Officials recently approved a free, state-run study with the Department of Community and Economic Development to determine whether regionalization could trim costs and ultimately ensure 24/7 coverage. The study includes North Apollo, Parks...
Harrison’s fire-ravaged Country Pools & Spas reopens in Freeport
A Harrison pool store that burned to the ground three weeks ago has reopened about a mile down the road in Freeport. Country Pools & Spas is up and running in a shop that formerly housed Classic Tent Rentals at 1179 Butler Road. “I didn’t know how long it would...
The Stroller, Dec. 13, 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. New Kensington church to host holiday lunch Logans Ferry Presbyterian Church...
Donors step up as Harrison police investigate theft of 20 bikes from Toys for Tots, Dick’s chips in 25 bikes
The Allegheny Valley Marine Corps Toys for Tots storage space in Harrison was buzzing Tuesday morning. At least a dozen bikes rolled in from donors hoping to lift spirits after thieves made off with 20 bikes overnight Sunday from the group’s storage pod at Heights Plaza. “People are absolutely stepping...
Leechburg Area High School students host hygiene drive to benefit school nurse and community
A new competition is helping to fill a need for personal care items at Leechburg Area High School and beyond. The Interact and BRAVE clubs have partnered to collect toiletry and hygiene items for the nurse’s office. Michelle Ferretti, coordinator for community service and the Interact Club, said the school...
Police: Ford City man faces 51 felony counts after child porn shows up on work computer synced to home laptop
A Ford City man previously convicted of distributing child pornography faces dozens of felony counts after, investigators say, a sexually explicit photo of an underage girl appeared on a work computer that was synced to a laptop in his home. Matthew J. Lightcap, 40, of the 300 block of Third...
Leechburg officials continue projects spearheaded by late mayor Wayne Dobos
Leechburg Mayor Tony Roppolo is back doing one of the things he enjoys most: serving the community. A Leechburg native, Roppolo returned to public life in March. Council appointed him mayor after the death of former Mayor Wayne Dobos on March 2. In 2009, Roppolo was elected mayor of the...
The Stroller, Dec. 12, 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. Leechburg Rotary to collect pajamas, children’s books The Rotary Club of...
Faces of the Valley: Vandergrift native opens neighborhood butcher shop in Lawrenceville
Having grown up in Vandergrift, Steve Dawson understands the heartbeat of a small town. Now, he is bringing that neighborhood vibe to an already-bustling area with his recently opened butcher concept in Lawrenceville. After years working as a corporate geologist, Dawson left his profession to pursue his passion for butchering,...
Remember When: Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington served the city well
For nearly 90 years, Citizens General Hospital served thousands in the New Kensington area. The facility — known simply as CGH to many — existed from 1912 until 2000. The hospital had a humble beginning, chartered on Dec. 12, 1912, when it was known as “Trinity Hospital.” It was located...
New Kensington-based group led by Lillie Leonardi helps disadvantaged people through ‘boxes of goodness’
A group of dedicated volunteers are giving back to those in need, one backpack at a time. Books Bridge Hope, a nonprofit based in New Kensington, was founded in 2017 by Arnold native and former FBI specialist Lillie Leonardi. Leonardi, of Oakmont, is a former Arnold police officer and retired...
Armstrong County fires 3 public defenders, they sue. County revamps department.
Three Armstrong County public defenders who were fired last month have filed a civil case against the Armstrong County Board of Commissioners in federal court in Pittsburgh. The lawsuit, filed Dec. 2, accused the county commissioners of wrongful discharge, breach of the terms and conditions of employment agreements and multiple...
Nearly 30 graduates nominated for New Kensington-Arnold ‘Distinguished Alumni’ honors
Nearly 30 graduates of Valley High School and its predecessors in New Kensington and Arnold have been nominated to be recognized as distinguished alumni. New Kensington-Arnold Assistant Superintendent Jon Banko and School Director Sarah Yurga announced earlier this year that the district would be bringing back a program to honor...
Free shopping event in New Kensington provides holiday goodies for those in need
April Bontempo of Arnold left her house Saturday morning intent on just buying dog food. She returned home with much more, thanks to the generosity of a regional nonprofit dedicated to providing freebies to anyone in need. Bontempo stumbled upon the Cuddles For Kids Annual Holiday Pop-Up Free Store at...
Kiski Township officers accuse woman of drunken driving with 2 toddlers, infant in vehicle; felony charges filed
Kiski Township police accused a woman of driving drunk with her three young children in the vehicle when she failed three field sobriety tests after jumping the curb. Officers responding to a report of a single-vehicle crash shortly after 8 p.m. Dec. 1 said they found a Nissan Juke SUV...
‘Peace on Earth’ holiday concert returns to Tarentum church
Local musicians will bring some holiday cheer to Tarentum this month by putting on a concert as part of a series that is returning after shuttering in 2020. The “Peace on Earth” concert featuring vocalist Daphne Alderson and the St. Michael Chamber Band will take place Dec. 18 at Central...
The Stroller, Dec. 11, 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. Original one-act play to premier at Freeport Theatre Festival Freeport Theatre...
Indiana Township man dies following Dorseyville car crash
An Indiana Township man has died following a crash in Indiana Township on Friday night. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office on Saturday identified the victim as Shawn Lambert, 33. Emergency crews were called to the 100 block of Weber Drive, near Saxonburg Boulevard, at 9:30 p.m. Friday. That’s in...
Underwater pics with ‘Scuba Santa’ raises funds for aquatic program at Kittanning YMCA
Take a plunge with St. Nick and pose for an underwater holiday photo Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Richard G. Snyder YMCA in Kittanning. All proceeds benefit the YMCA’s annual campaign. The new fundraiser is in partnership with Scott’s Scuba Service in Freeport. “We’re so excited to be helping the...
Freeport Area High School projects underway
Freeport Area’s three remedial high school renovation projects are underway. The building, opened in 1961, is getting a new boiler and electrical system with new generator panels. A third facet of the overall project is updating the three-classroom science wing. Brick replacement, to match the original brick color, is being...
Westmoreland DA: Fatal shooting victim gunned down in New Kensington Friday night was a New Ken man
A New Kensington man was shot and killed Friday night on 11th Street in the city. Police were called to a shooting scene in the 400 block in a parking lot near the Kensington Arms Apartments shortly after 10:30 p.m., according to Westmoreland County 911. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole...
After 25 years, TryLife Center serves more young mothers, single dads and co-parents
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the mission for the TryLife Center in Lower Burrell has changed from primarily encouraging young pregnant women to give birth to assisting more single dads and working with co-parenting arrangements. The nonprofit offers educational services, covering pregnancy, abortion, adoption and parenting. “We get abortion-determined women and...
Kiski Township not defending former police sergeant in civil case, denies his allegations of intimidation
After a Kiski Township man recently sued former township police Sgt. Thomas Dessell for $12,000, the township has not responded to requests to defend him. Township Solicitor Tim Miller said the township supervisors had no plans to defend Dessell, at least so far. Dessell’s attorney said he has sent letters...
Cheswick holds line on taxes in 2023 proposed budget
Cheswick residents shouldn’t expect any tax increases next year if the 2023 proposed budget is passed next week. The $2.4 million proposed budget marks about a 10% increase over this year’s $2.2 million budget, with most of the increases coming from infrastructure projects, said Lorraine Zebrine, borough secretary. However, no...
Walking trail at Harrison’s Silverlake Park nearly complete
People are flocking to a new trail in Harrison that took barely a few weeks to construct in a park that sat vacant for decades. There wasn’t an official grand opening, but the walking trail is the first step in the commissioners’ plan to resurrect Silverlake Park, sandwiched at the...
