Valley News Dispatch category, Page 351
Kiski Area School District, teachers union agree to 5-year contract
The Kiski Area School Board and the district’s teachers union have ratified a new five-year contract. Under the agreement, teachers will receive a total salary pool increase of 3.35% each year, according to Kiski Area Business Manager Amy Simmons. The funds from this increase are distributed based on each teacher’s...
1 person injured in Kittanning fire
One person was injured in a house fire early Wednesday morning in Kittanning, authorities said. Crews responded to scene in the 500 block of North Water Street just before 5 a.m. Armstrong County dispatchers said one person suffered burns and was transported to a hospital. Crews are still on the...
The Stroller, Aug. 17, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Cadogan to mark 100 years with festival The township of Cadogan will...
Gilpin cop off the job after corruption of minor charge filed against him in Greensburg
A Gilpin Township police officer was suspended without pay and subsequently resigned after he was charged with corruption of a minor in Greensburg. William Andrew Rapone II, 22, of the 200 block of Longfellow Street in Vandergrift, was charged by Greensburg police on Aug. 3 with misdemeanor counts of corruption...
ChildLine report leads to new charges against man convicted in 2020 of inappropriate contact with child
A Monroeville man on probation for corruption of a minor in a 2020 case was issued a summons last week from Allegheny Township police on similar charges. Guerau Bernat Cabrera, 44, of the 3800 block of Northern Pike in Monroeville was charged Aug. 8 by township police with a misdemeanor...
Public input continues to be sought for O’Hara, Fox Chapel comprehensive plan
People can still weigh in on a joint comprehensive plan between O’Hara and Fox Chapel via survey. Both communities are in the process of forming a plan that will shape their futures for the next decade. A survey is open through the end of the month. It is available online...
Gateway Clipper cruises on Allegheny River in Freeport slated for Oct. 1
After a sold-out Gateway Clipper cruise in Armstrong County last year, the county’s tourism agency is offering three Allegheny River cruises on Oct. 1. Tickets for cruises lasting several hours aboard the clipper fleet’s Princess are selling fast, said Experience Armstrong, Inc. Director Cheyenne Filous. As of Tuesday, the sightseeing...
Allegheny Township winery officially hits market for just under $1 million
Wooden Door Winery in Allegheny Township is officially on the market. Owners Jeff and Chrissy Pollick announced they were selling their flagship winery in June, but the property wasn’t officially listed for sale then, and an asking price was not disclosed. The barn-themed winery at 4087 Greenwood Road in Allegheny...
The Stroller, Aug. 16, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Dogs and owners welcome at annual HOPE Center fundraiser The annual Mutts,...
Building the Valley: Cindy’s Soft Serve and Hometown Food serves up good vibes in Tarentum
A Tarentum diner is offering “good vibes only” through its homestyle cooking and friendly conversation. Cindy’s Soft Serve and Hometown Food, at 309 E. Fourth St., is a 1950s-style eatery with menu items named as an homage to the Alle-Kiski Valley. There’s the Red Cat, a burger with fries and...
Arnold man sentenced for city shooting
An Arnold man was ordered to serve up to nine years in prison for his role in a shooting near the city’s police station more than three years ago. Michael Todd Lasko, 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and two firearms offenses in connection with gunfire that erupted May 24,...
Police: Body armor, narcotics, cash seized during raid at Lower Burrell house
Police accused a Lower Burrell man of being a drug dealer after narcotics, body armor, a large amount of cash and other evidence was seized from his home during a raid. Jevon Damian Sims, 33, of the 100 block of Ireland Drive was charged with felony counts of illegal possession...
New Kensington police accuse man of stealing cane from elderly man, using it to smash his car window
New Kensington police accused a man of stealing a cane from a 75-year-old man with physical challenges and using it to smash the rear windshield of the 75-year-old’s car because he was rooting through a dumpster to gather metal cans. Charles Darnell Jones, 48, of the 1900 block of Alcoa...
Investigators say Michigan man pulled from river near Tarentum Bridge drowned accidentally at scene
Authorities say a Michigan man who was found dead in the Allegheny River several hundred yards downstream from the Tarentum Bridge on Thursday drowned accidentally at the scene. Tirrell Lamont Smith, 40, of Grand Rapids was found unresponsive in the water a short time after first responders arrived because someone...
Arnold stepping up collection efforts on overdue sewage, garbage bills
Arnold residents who are not paying their garbage and sewage bills are placing a burden on the city, which is stepping up its efforts to collect. The city was owed about $250,000 from delinquent accounts when it took over billing for the services from Pennsylvania Municipal Service, commonly known as...
2-day home-school program in Vandergrift doubles enrollment after 1st year
A hybrid home-school program has doubled its fledgling enrollment since opening last year in Vandergrift. Willow Tree Academy opened last September at The Center on Franklin Ave. Classes are held in two sessions, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. All students enrolled are required to be in a...
Faces of the Valley: Art imitates life for Lower Burrell graphic artist, who got early boost in field from his father
New Kensington native Shane Henderson followed his father’s example into his life as an artist. “He taught me stuff before I was even in high school. I had a nice starting point for taking it professionally,” Henderson said. “I always drew as a kid. He always encouraged that. It was...
First Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games set for Lower Burrell’s Kotecki Park
A Lower Burrell mom is working with the city to present the first Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games for kids who can’t play traditional sports. Courtney Kobelenske, a Lower Burrell mom and co-owner of Cora Lee Cupcakes in New Kensington, said she wanted to provide a fun, athletic event for her daughter,...
Back-to-School Bash at Brackenridge Salvation Army provides for students
Highlands senior Eli Majocha swept through the back-to-school aisles at local discount stores filling his cart with all the coolest items he thought kids might like. Armed with $500 in donations from friends and strangers, the 17-year-old happily plucked an array of Sharpies, crayons and tablets from the shelves. “It’s...
2 Springdale volunteer firefighters receive award for heroism
When Springdale Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Tanner Michael and firefighter Zachary Wilhelm rescued a man from a Cheswick fire last September, the two saw the work as routine to their job. The pair was surprised with the Provident Agency Valor Award from the Allegheny County Fireman’s Association on Aug. 5,...
The Stroller, Aug. 15, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. 56 East Band to play free concert at Concordia at Cabot Concordia...
$3.5M purchase of bridge, rail line, opens path to Armstrong trail expansion
An old railroad bridge spanning the Kiski River that kids double-dog dared each other to cross is now a critical link to hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling trails — and potential economic development. Armstrong County purchased the bridge, erected in 1899 over the Kiski River, and 14 miles...
Highlands School District to expand pre-K program with new full-day option
Highlands School District will grow its pre-K program by 25% through a new full-day class. “We’re excited to welcome the new opportunity,” said Kristie Gizienski, principal at the district’s Early Childhood Center. She outlined plans during the school board meeting Monday, saying the new class will make room for 17...
The Stroller, Aug. 14, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. St. Margaret Mary Parish festival planned Friday and Saturday St. Margaret Mary...
Mobility equipment drive at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum benefits people around the globe
The lobby of Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum is filled with items you don’t expect to see in a sanctuary. Mobility walkers, tub chairs and canes are piled high, waiting to be collected and shipped to needy people near and far. There are at least 100 pieces of equipment. “We’ve...
