Valley News Dispatch category, Page 339
YMCA officials dispel rumor of Vandergrift day care center closing, say school only undergoing licensing process
The operators of a Vandergrift preschool center are trying to dispel concerns among some parents that the program is being dismantled. In reality, the West Vandergrift Early Learning Center is in the process of obtaining state licensing, which is required, and there is no disruption in service, said Kelli McIntyre,...
Pumpkin sale at Fox Chapel church benefits Haitians
Haiti H2O: Hope to Opportunity will have a pumpkin sale from Oct. 6-9 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road. Each year, Haiti H2O sells pumpkins to support the communities in Haiti with which it partners. The pumpkin is an important reminder to Haitians of their independence, dating...
Gathering on Grant gains momentum in Vandergrift
A new seasonal monthly event in Vandergrift has proved to be a crowd-pleaser. Gathering on Grant, a community-based food and vendor festival, debuted in May. Lead organizer Eric Mikula said the event has been a great success. “It’s been wonderful. The response from our neighbors has been great. We have...
Building the Valley: One of nation’s largest building wholesalers sets up in Harmar
One of the nation’s largest building suppliers has opened a location in Harmar. ABC Supply Co. opened its doors Aug. 1 at 460 Nixon Road. “We’re a 40,000-plus-square-foot, all-under-roof supplier,” said site manager Mike Mrakovich. “We will be a one-stop shop for the Cheswick community and surrounding areas.” The facility...
The Stroller, Sept. 27, 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Local Marines to celebrate at birthday ball Westmoreland County Marines will...
Police say man accused of leading Frazer officers on chase arrested on separate charges
A Florida man who got away after leading police on a chase along Route 28 and trying to run down an officer who attempted to stop him with spike strips has been arrested, according to authorities. Frazer police have charged Derek Lewis Washington, 33, of Lauderdale Lakes with four felony...
Police: Surveillance leads to arrest of Arnold man on drug charges in Lower Burrell
A man with a history of felony convictions who is awaiting trial on bribery and other charges has been accused of dealing drugs by Lower Burrell police. Anthony Marsalis Howell, 35, of the 1700 block of Constitution Boulevard in Arnold was charged with two felony counts of possession of drugs...
Westmoreland County begins testing of voting machines in preparation for general election
Westmoreland County election officials Monday began the lengthy week-long process of testing all the voting machines and scanners to ensure they are operating properly before being sealed and transported to voting sites beginning seven days before the Nov. 8 election. The tests to be conducted on all 889 voting machines...
Faces of the Valley: Arnold firefighter returns to city, assumes leadership of Engine Company No. 2
Eric Gartley’s journey into the volunteer fire service started on his back porch in Arnold about 24 years ago. There, with his then-infant son, Gartley watched as volunteer firefighters from Arnold Volunteer Engine Company No. 2 responded to a stove fire at a house off Woodmont Avenue. He decided he...
Custom costume shop to open, by appointment only, in Vandergrift
A mother-daughter duo is combining their creativity to open a costume and mending shop in Vandergrift. Lauren Andrews, 28, grew up in Vandergrift and always had a keen interest in Halloween and dress-up. “I had four Halloween costumes every year. I was always winning the costume contests,” said Andrews, of...
New Kensington man arrested, jailed after fight; charges pending on second man
A New Kensington man is being held in the Westmoreland County jail after a fight with another man Saturday. Police charged Shawntre Malik Scott, 24, with a felony count of robbery and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and terroristic threats. Police said they have identified the other man involved in...
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Free workshop offered for youngsters experiencing grief Good Samaritan Hospice, a...
Donor families honored for gift of life at the CORE ceremony
Antwon Rice Sr. of Homewood was shot twice in the head during a crime in April 2020. When he died, his mother, Yolanda White made the difficult decision to donate his kidney and liver through the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), headquartered in O’Hara. “I didn’t even know...
New witch-themed Halloween festival slated for Vandergrift
Unleash the magic broomsticks! The inaugural Witching Hours Night Market is scheduled for the night of Oct. 15 in Vandergrift. Its organizers say more than 70 vendors are booked. The event will be held rain or shine, and Grant Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic. The market was organized...
Bethel AME’s longevity in Tarentum built from dedication of small, close-knit membership base
On the corner of Western Street and Heuser Way in Tarentum sits a stout red brick building, home to a small church that has stood the test of time. The Bethel AME Church serves a congregation of about 35 members and marked its 105th anniversary this year. “We’re a small...
The Stroller, Sept. 25, 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Tarentum scarecrow contest taking submissions Tarentum Recreation Board is sponsoring its...
Leechburg Area art students create custom birdhouses for local business
Some lucky birds are about to score colorful new digs, thanks to recent creative artwork by students at Leechburg Area High School. The Birdhouse Project is the latest project from high school art teacher Shayle Prorok. Six students designed and painted birdhouses last month. The houses will be donated to...
Arnold woman accused of stealing bank account information to gamble online, get loan
A woman from Arnold faces half a dozen felony charges after police accused her of using another woman’s bank account to gamble online and take out a line of credit. Nanci Jane Giuffre, 70, of the 1500 block of Horne Boulevard, was charged with two counts each of felony identity...
West Deer community festival canceled Sunday, poor weather expected
West Deer officials have cancelled Sunday’s community festival because of a forecast of bad weather. Parks and Recreation Director Amy Stark made the announcement early Saturday evening during what was scheduled to be the first of a two-day event at Bairdford Park. Township officials feared muddy conditions in the baseball...
Polkamaniacs concert at Harrison Hills draws a crowd of young and old
Gloria Parobeck alerted everyone on her Brackenridge street that a polka concert was coming to Harrison Hills Park on Saturday. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Parobeck said. “I even brought my German shepherd, Sunshine, because she’s 100% Polish since she joined the family.” About 100 people lounged...
German music, stein-holding contest highlight Vandergrift’s Oktoberfest
Beer flowed and brats sizzled Saturday during Vandergrift’s first-ever Bavarian-themed craft fair. Oktoberfest, co-sponsored by Allusion Brewing Co. and the Vandergrift Business Association, transformed portions of Grant and Columbia avenues into a lively celebration complete with authentic German music, dancing and a stein-holding contest. “We’re hoping to do our best...
75th Alle-Kiski Valley Marching Band Festival showcases halftime shows in Penn Hills
Hundreds of students from several schools performed at the 75th Alle-Kiski Valley Marching Band Festival on Thursday in Penn Hills. Instrumental tunes of generational hits such as Ike and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary,” and Hanson’s “MMMBop” to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” to Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” and...
Tarentum man wanted for parole violation arrested in New Kensington on gun, drug charges
Authorities say a Tarentum man wanted for a parole violation was arrested on felony gun and drug charges in New Kensington after narcotics agents say he engaged in a drug transaction last month. Christopher James McClinton, 27, of the 300 block of East Eighth Avenue in Tarentum was charged by...
Natrona Heights man hurt in Salem crash
A Natrona Heights man has been identified by state police as the driver of a car that overturned Thursday on Route 66 and hit a tractor-trailer at the entrance to Sunoco Logistics Partners in Salem Township. Noah E. Bianco, 19, suffered what state police said was a serious injury in...
The Stroller, Sept. 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. NK-Arnold School District to recognize distinguished alumni New Kensington-Arnold School District...
