Valley News Dispatch category, Page 343
Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison to celebrate 50th anniversary
A reluctant merger of two local churches in 1972 has led to a thriving congregation at Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison. Parishioners will mark the 50th anniversary Saturday, celebrating a unity that “accomplished many wonderful things,” longtime member Elaine Sakaluk said. “Now we’re like family,” said Marilyn Gilkey of Cabot....
Leechburg native returns home to open bookstore/gift shop
Lindsey Smith has a way with words. The Leechburg native embraced writing and English from a young age, and now she’s using her decades of experience in the publishing industry with her latest venture: a bookstore and gift shop opening soon in downtown Leechburg. One Idea Books & Gifts will...
Building the Valley: Pittsburgh Coffee Co. truck rolls into Lower Burrell with freshly roasted brews
Like many, Morgan Lineman of Lower Burrell likes a good cup of coffee or a mocha, latte or cold brew. When Lineman, 28, lost her job during the pandemic while she was pregnant, the Lower Burrell woman and her husband charted a new course. “We decided to start something on...
New Kensington residents mark 5th anniversary of police officer Brian Shaw’s death in line of duty
It has been five years since New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw was killed in the line of duty. For many, like police Chief Robert Deringer, it feels like yesterday. “They say time heals all wounds,” Deringer said, standing across the police station after a memorial service Thursday night. “It...
Tarentum doubling earned income tax to compensate for budget shortfall; millage to remain the same
An updated tentative 2023 budget for Tarentum calls for an increase in the earned income tax from 0.5% to 1%. Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf blamed the increase on a projected $1.2 million general fund deficit. The overall proposed budget for next year of nearly $17 million assumes the borough will...
Remember When: Veterans Day celebrations in 1945 recognized A-K Valley’s heroes
Veterans Day in the Alle-Kiski Valley was observed recently with reverence and reflection. While all Veterans Days are important, one might consider Nov. 11, 1945, the biggest Veterans Day of all. It was the first Veterans Day following the end of World War II, just 71 days after Japan signed...
The Stroller, Nov. 18, 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. Model train display set at Appleby Manor Presbyterian Church The 31st...
Lower Burrell Council approves 2023 preliminary budget with no tax hike
Lower Burrell’s 2023 budget of $11 million, which is 2.1% higher than this year’s budget, will include no tax increase. City council and the mayor voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the preliminary budget. The $11 million preliminary budget holds the line on real estate taxes for next year at 24.75...
Faces of the Valley: Longtime volunteer finds purpose at Knead Community Cafe
Colleen Clark-Sulava hasn’t been one to spend retirement in a rocking chair. She has been volunteering at Knead Community Cafe in New Kensington since its opening in 2017. “As much for me as anything, I wanted to feel I was doing something important,” she said. “I want my life in...
Frazer supervisors proposing 40% tax hike in 2023
Frazer residents may see a notable property tax increase if officials green light a proposed 2023 budget next month. The proposed $1.3 million budget calls for an increase from 2.5 mills to 3.5 mills on residents’ homes with a $40,000 homestead exemption, which equates to a tax of $210 on...
Sharpsburg sewer line project will bring minor disruptions for area residents
Sharpsburg residents in the area of 10th to 13th streets can expect slight water disruptions when a major sewer line project is scheduled in early December. Insight Pipe is expected to begin work Dec. 1 along Main Street. “The sewer line in that area needs to be relined,” Manager Christine...
The Stroller, Nov. 17, 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. HOPE Center seeks support for program The HOPE Center is seeking...
Springdale to hold line on taxes despite increased expenses
Springdale officials don’t anticipate any tax increase in 2023, even if their proposed budget shows higher expenses than this year. Springdale’s $2.8 million proposed budget marks an increase of about 17% over the $2.4 million budget in 2022. “(The increase) was because they want to do waterline projects and get...
No tax hike planned in Aspinwall’s preliminary 2023 budget
Aspinwall officials plan no tax increases in 2023. Budget documents indicate the property tax rate will remain at 6.86 mills. Council unanimously voted Nov. 9 to advertise its 2023 preliminary budget. “Everything’s pretty much status quo this year,” borough Manager Melissa O’Maley said. She noted there were no significant challenges...
Proposed budget shows no tax increase in West Deer
West Deer officials have not proposed a tax increase in their roughly $9.2 million budget, said township Manager Daniel Mator. “It is just a product of a board of supervisors and a municipal staff understanding the finances of the township, being able to project future expenditures and to plan accordingly,”...
Plum’s Beninati twins achieve ‘commended’ status in National Merit Scholarship competition
Amy and Jim Beninati raised their twins, Carly and Nathaniel, to value education. “We always thought it was important to do museums and science centers,” Amy Beninati said. “Play activities revolved around learning experiences in a fun way. They always enjoyed it, too. They seemed to have an affinity for...
The Stroller, Nov. 16, 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. Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas parade scheduled Saturday The Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas parade will begin...
Remember When: Major cleanup effort tranformed Kiski River from eyesore into destination spot
In 1971, the Kiskiminetas River was declared the most polluted river in the United States. Orange and yellow seepage from abandoned coal mines dotted the riverside where tributaries met the river. Various forms of wastewater also were predominant. A 1980 study done by the state Department of Environmental Protection’s predecessor...
Part of Route 356 reopens in Allegheny Township
Portions of Route 356 reopened to motorists Tuesday evening in Allegheny Township. Allegheny Township Supervisor Jamie Morabito confirmed the reopening about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The road is open in both directions. He said the road will remain open until PennDOT resumes construction in the spring. It’s estimated the road will...
Route 28 ramp closure in Frazer planned for Wednesday
A ramp closure on northbound Route 28 in Frazer Township is planned for Wednesday, weather permitting. PennDOT officials said it is scheduled for 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. for concrete patching on the Pittsburgh Mills Boulevard on-ramp (Exit 12A). Ramp traffic will be detoured. The detour is as follows: •...
Fire causes heavy damage to house in Buffalo Township, no injuries reported
A house in Buffalo Township sustained significant damage after a fire broke out on Tuesday morning. Multiple departments responded to the fire in the 500 block of Fleming Road at about 8:15 a.m., according to an Armstrong County 911 operator. There were no injuries reported, according to authorities. First responders...
Leechburg appoints Doreen Smeal as new councilwoman after resignation of Ruth Bender
A Leechburg native is the newest face serving on Leechburg Council. Doreen Smeal was unanimously appointed to council Oct. 18 after the resignation of former Councilwoman Ruth Bender. Bender of Leechburg served almost three years and cited a hectic schedule for the reason for her departure from council. “Personally and...
Demand for Murphy Building in Tarentum shows renewed interest in business district
Demand for office suites at the near-century-old Murphy Building in Tarentum is outpacing available space. The large corner building that sat vacant for eight years is breathing new life into the borough’s business district, with offices on the first floor rented at capacity. Owner Dave Rankin has kicked off a...
Handgun among items stolen from vehicles in Harrison; police seek help to identify suspect
Harrison police are seeking information on a person caught on camera entering and stealing from unlocked vehicles in the township. A handgun was among the items stolen, according to police. The suspect was captured by residential security cameras early Sunday ransacking cars along Saxonburg Road, High Street and Jefferson Avenue....
Building the Valley: Vandergrift native’s jewelry business success set in stone
Vandergrift native Bobbie Morda opened her dream jewelry store 34 years ago with a handful of necklaces and six engagement rings. Her store, Bobbie’s Jewelers, occupies a former barbershop at 173 Columbia Ave. in Vandergrift’s historic business district. “This comes from blood, sweat and tears. This was not turnkey,” Morda...
