Valley News Dispatch category, Page 354

Running Cicero’s Bar & Grill in Leechburg was a family affair for Melinda Albert and her husband, Rick. When Albert’s husband passed away in December 2020, she had to quickly learn to run a restaurant on her own. The two founded the restaurant in 2006. It was the fourth business...

Anyone who likes to take their time to savor a good book from the Community Library of Allegheny Valley in Harrison can now return it after the due date without repercussion. The site on May 1 announced it is fine-free. “We are committed to serving our community in the best...

New Kensington police were investigating a report of shots fired Monday afternoon near the entrance to the Westmore­land County Community College campus in New Kensington. New Kensington police Detective Sgt. Matt Saxman said no one appeared to be hit or injured in the incident that happened about 4:30 p.m. in...

Two men from Romania were accused by Frazer police of stealing credit card information by installing a skimming device in a self-checkout lane at the Sam’s Club store at Pittsburgh Mills. They may be responsible for doing the same thing at Sam’s Club stores in Monroeville, West Mifflin and Butler...

With its bright orange cladding, the Digital Foundry at New Kensington stands out in downtown New Kensington. But as it gets up and running, officials hope it will be better known for helping students and residents acquire the skills employers are looking for and giving manufacturers access to technologies they...

The cost of paying off a parking ticket in Aspinwall has gone up. The borough has also done away with the yellow envelope citations officers had to write on and could be damaged in heavy rain. Police are using handheld devices now that both print and electronically store citation information....

Two people from Clarion were charged with a felony after Arnold police accused them of hiding a man wanted on a misdemeanor theft charge. Tyler Bennett, 30, and Amber Jane Adamiak, 31, both of Grand Avenue, each face a felony count of hindering the apprehension of a criminal. Bennett also...

State police charged an East Franklin man with homicide after, they say, he got into a dispute with another man on Sunday and shot him to death in North Buffalo. Police charged Nicholas Alexander Fortuna, 24, of the 100 block of Alpine Wood Drive with a felony count of criminal...

Two upcoming events will honor the life and celebrate the work of a former New Kensington-Arnold art teacher while helping to create opportunities for future artists. The New Kensington Art Center, 950 Fifth Ave., will host the Andrea Dorwart Memorial Art Show from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday. The...

State police arrested a Pittsburgh man in North Buffalo Township after a trooper accused him of driving with three children in the car while being high on marijuana. Leroy Lamar Grace Jr., 30, of Tybee Street in the city’s Sheraden neighborhood, faces two felony counts of endangering the welfare of...

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission has allotted up to $3.5 million for Armstrong Trails and Armstrong County to buy the Kiski Junction rail line corridor for a recreational trail. Announced earlier this month, the funds are covered by SPC’s Transportation Improvement Program, which includes money from SPC and PennDOT, said Shannon...

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. Animal Protectors welcomes donations Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley, 730 Church St.,...

Sarah Snider didn’t put her own name on her first book, “The Metamorphosis of Becca.” “Because I was chicken,” said Snider, 61, of Allegheny Township. “It’s a very vulnerable thing to put a book out into the world.” Friends and colleagues who read the book before its February publication had...

Artfest organizers in Vandergrift are planning a bigger-than-ever festival this summer on the heels last year’s success. More than 1,000 folks visited a closed-off Grant Avenue last August, during the daylong festival celebrating all things arts. The annual Artfest is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 31. Chairperson...

Motorists traveling Route 28 can expect yet another traffic hurdle — single-lane restrictions on the highway at the Harmar on- and off-ramps for two months, around-the-clock, starting Wednesday, May 25. The new long-term, single-lane restrictions at Harmar Exit 10 are necessary for shoulder and lane widening and reconstruction, according to...

The Allegheny Township Historical Society dedicated a historical marker and placard honoring pioneer woman Massy Harbison on Sunday. Massy (also spelled Massey in some documents) Harbison was captured by Native Americans in her cabin along the Allegheny River, in what is now River Forest Country Club in Allegheny Township. According...

The Harmar supervisors have approved the conversion of a former gambling site into a medical equipment manufacturing facility. By a 4-0 vote with Supervisor Bob Exler absent, the supervisors greenlighted the plan of Madison Acquisitions to remake the former Meadows off-track betting site on Anchor Drive into a manufacturing facility...

Five of the Alle-Kiski Valley’s high schools ranked in the top 25% of the best high schools in the state, according to a recent U.S. News & World Report, and three are ranked in the bottom quarter. Freeport Area High School ranked among the Valley’s highest in the state at...

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. Drive-through food distribution set at Lernerville Speedway Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank...

Fresh eggs, just-picked produce and homemade raisin bread will help fill the parking lot at First United Presbyterian Church of Tarentum when its farm market returns for the season June 8. At least three new vendors will join the fray, along with the annual offerings that include fried potato pancakes...

About 25 to 30 residents of West Deer gathered Sunday at Deer Lakes Park to discuss concerns over fracking projects proposed by Olympus Energy, a company headquartered at Southpointe in Cecil Township. Of particular concern is a proposed site — the Leto Well Pad — off Middle Road Extension behind...

It was good eats for a good cause Saturday afternoon in Lower Burrell. A food truck festival attracted a sun-baked crowd with a variety of delicacies, capable of satisfying anyone’s tastes, and a percentage of the sales benefited Lower Burrell Fire Company No. 3. The weather might have been a...

A tractor-trailer hauling a load of coffee up Pittsburgh Street in Springdale caught fire Saturday afternoon, causing its front tires to blow out and damage nearby businesses. No injuries were reported. The incident happened about 1:40 p.m., according to Springdale police. Traffic on the street was rerouted on three blocks...

Efforts continue to preserve the majestic elm trees along Carlisle Street in Harrison, and with good reason. It is the largest stand of elms in a suburban setting in Pennsylvania, according to Gene Becker, president of the Allegheny Shade Tree Association. The 10-member group of neighbors formed in 2004 with...

Organizations and communities planning Memorial Day activities should send the information as soon as possible to: Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084; email cpinto-smith@triblive.com; or fax 724-226-4677. All events are on May 30 unless otherwise noted. Apollo Apollo Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will sponsor...