Valley News Dispatch category, Page 4
Plum police: ICE detains Scott Township man at court hearing after he tried to run
A Scott Township man arrested last year in connection with a series of road rage incidents was detained by ICE agents following an altercation at the district court office in Plum, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Vishavdeep Singh, 22, of Scott was charged in November with multiple felonies after...
5 charged in connection with Lower Burrell vape shop raids
Lower Burrell police filed drug-related charges against five people following a yearslong, undercover investigation into three vape shops in the city. Those charged are: Hussain M. Almerdaie, 33, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Maulik H. Thakkar, 43, of Mars; Qasem A. Almardeai, 37, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Baldwiner Singh, 54, of Monroeville; and...
Mysterious metal shards causing flat tires around Harrison
Low tire pressure lights are coming on throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley — and it’s not because of the cold. Dozens of drivers are reporting flat tires caused by small metal fragments of unknown origin, mostly around the Harrison area. Beverly Lydic of Springdale Township heard a hissing noise coming from...
Valley High School to offer girls flag football
Girls at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School will have a new sport to play this spring. The New Kensington-Arnold School Board on Tuesday unanimously approved adding a flag football program. “We’ve had so many girls that have wanted it for so long,” board President Jane Graham said. “It is definitely something...
Porter Street revamp ahead for Tarentum
A large swath of Porter Street in Tarentum might soon be open for new development. Three homes that sit in a row will be demolished this year. One was destroyed by fire in September, one of the others is condemned and another is abandoned. Council held a property hearing in...
French classes cut at Valley High School; district will add in-house English as a Second Language programming
Say adieu to the French program at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School. The New Kensington-Arnold School Board on Tuesday voted to phase out its French programming and create an in-house English as a Second Language program, following enrollment declines in French and the rapid growth of students needing ESL services. Board...
The Stroller, Feb. 4, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Musical alumni concert set...
Harrison native keeps Super Bowl streak alive, plans to attend his 60th matchup in Calif.
At 84, Harrison native Tom Henschel won’t let a stroke — or disappointment in his beloved Steelers — keep him from celebrating at the Super Bowl this weekend in Santa Clara, Calif. After all, why break a 59-year streak? The football enthusiast will be in the stands at Levi’s Stadium...
Oakmont Council to vote on non-cooperation resolution with ICE
Tensions ran high and anger boiled to the surface during Oakmont’s council meeting Tuesday in the wake of a borough resident being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Jose Flores, 47, was taken by ICE agents Thursday morning after being approached in front of his Oakmont home while preparing...
Volunteers step up for community snow shoveling effort in Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg residents and visitors are navigating sidewalks and bus stops a little easier after an effort coordinated by a community nonprofit. About 25 people responded to Roots of Faith’s call for volunteers Jan. 31. They included residents, elected leaders, a few Kerr Elementary teachers and people from a church group...
Fire guts Springdale Township home
A Springdale Township home is likely a total loss after a fire early Tuesday morning, according to Allegheny Valley VFC Chief Jay Zangrille. Crews were dispatched to the scene along the 700 block of Maple Street just after 2 a.m. When they arrived, firefighters discovered a fully involved house fire...
Plum Council expected to vote on new Taco Bell
Plum’s new Taco Bell is on the horizon. Borough council is expected to vote to approve the project along Golden Mile Highway at its meeting Monday, Feb. 9. So far, developers have progressed through Plum’s planning commission and zoning hearing board, which granted them minor changes to the drive-thru and...
Tarentum mayor says ‘standard is the same’ for consolidated police force
When Tarentum and Brackenridge police consolidated in 2023, there were concerns from Brackenridge residents that the community would lose its daily patrols and coverage would lean toward the larger of the two boroughs. A newly published report, presenting data from the first full year of combined policing, might help put...
Fishing tournament honors legacy of late Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire
A fishing tournament this summer will honor the legacy of slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire and create a scholarship in his name. The Chief’s Challenge, scheduled for June 27, was founded as a way for the family to give back to the community, said McIntire’s mother, Lori. She posted...
The Stroller, Feb. 3, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds...
Fox Chapel Area School District sets property tax hike limit
Fox Chapel Area School District officials voted to cap any property tax increase for next school year at 3.5%, which is the maximum allowed by the state without seeking voter approval through a referendum. School directors unanimously voted to pass a resolution confirming that pledge Jan. 20. The current tax...
Oakmont ICE arrest spurs new policy on cooperation with law enforcement at Riverview School District
The Riverview School Board has found itself front and center in the nation’s debate over immigrant deportations. The board’s agenda meeting Monday served in part as a place for residents to express frustration following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest in Oakmont on Thursday. Jose Flores, 47, was detained by...
1 person in hospital after Washington Township crash
One person was transported to the hospital after a vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Washington Township. Westmoreland 911 said there was a two-vehicle wreck reported at the 1400 block of Route 286 just before 2 p.m. A person was taken to the hospital by helicoptor as a precaution, dispatchers said....
Fundraiser for family of Oakmont man detained by ICE raises more than $75K
An online fundraiser to aid the family of a man taken into ICE custody in Oakmont on Thursday had collected more than $75,000 as of Tuesday evening. Jose Flores, 47, was handcuffed and placed in an unmarked SUV by ICE agents Thursday morning in front of his 8-year-old daughter, Lily....
Lower Burrell zoning board to consider credit union’s proposal to move to old PNC Bank building
A credit union may soon occupy the former PNC Bank building in Lower Burrell’s Hillcrest Shopping Center complex. Western PA Federal Credit Union, which has a location in Feldarelli Square, New Kensington, seeks a zoning variance as it plans to move to the former PNC building at Hillcrest. PNC closed...
Penn State launches change-of-campus program
A new Penn State University program is designed to help undergraduate students explore and navigate changing campuses. The university announced Monday it is launching “Penn State Pathways” this spring through its Student Orientation and Transition program. It will feature in-person events at six campuses — University Park, Abington, Altoona, Beaver,...
Fox Chapel police chief search wrapping up
Fox Chapel officials are wrapping up their search for a new police chief. The borough partnered with Dailey Operation Consulting several months ago to help with the nationwide search to replace retired Chief Michael Stevens. Stevens retired Nov. 2, and Sgt. Craig Sorg was named interim chief the following day....
The Stroller, Feb. 2, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Lower Burrell Citizen Police...
Making the grade: School districts vary when configuring grade levels in buildings
A realignment of grade levels in Burrell School District buildings has offered more opportunities for students this school year. Students had more clubs, career exploratory classes and leadership prospects because of a district realignment that followed the closure of Stewart Elementary in August 2025. Effective this school year, Bon Air...
The Stroller, Feb. 1, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Library collecting handmade Valentines...
