Valley News Dispatch category, Page 400
Springdale business big hit with furniture made out of used wine, whiskey barrels
Michael Monahan was looking for an opportunity that would allow him to quit his job as a mechanical engineer. In 2018, a project in the basement of his McCandless home helped Monahan find his true calling, which led to a business in Springdale with plans to expand in New Kensington....
Motorcyclist involved in March 4 wreck in Harrison dies from injuries
A motorcyclist who collided with the rear of an SUV in Harrison earlier this month has died from his injuries. James P. “Jim Bob” Stivers, 45, of Buffalo Township, died at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh on Saturday, according to family members. Police said Stivers was traveling behind an SUV...
Agents seize $22K in drugs during raids at 2 apartments in New Kensington
Police arrested two men and confiscated more than $22,000 worth of drugs when they raided a pair of apartments in the same building last week in New Kensington. The March 8 raids were conducted at a home in the 1200 block of Constitution Boulevard by agents from the state Attorney...
The Stroller, March 15, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community Easter Egg hunts, breakfasts with the Easter Bunny and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Irish celebration to raise funds for recovery ministry Addiction Recovery Ministry will host an Irish...
Building the Valley: SoCal Mexicali Grill takes time to get it right in New Kensington
Sean Watson and Jeff Cieslewicz didn’t want to serve any taco, burrito or quesadilla before its time. That’s why instead of opening SoCal Mexicali Grill in November like they had planned, it didn’t open until mid-February. Watson blames himself, because he wanted to get the design of the new restaurant...
New Community Concern Portal well received by Fox Chapel residents
Fox Chapel has launched a new online portal for residents to submit concerns or requests 24/7 directly to borough officials for service in the community. Borough manager Gary Koehler said the Community Concern Portal launched last month on the borough website was created to help residents communicate with borough officials....
Medical marijuana dispensary coming to New Kensington
A vacant pizza shop along Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington is expected to become the city’s second medical marijuana dispensary this year. City officials confirmed Zen Leaf, headquartered in Nevada, is set to take over the space formerly leased by Papa John’s across from Giant Eagle and adjacent to...
East Deer braces for large increase in water rates
East Deer Commissioners are searching for options to ease an expected hefty increase in residents’ water rates. Tarentum Borough, from which the township purchases water in bulk, approved a rate increase in December as part of its 2022 budget. The East Deer increase takes effect May 1. Rates for East...
Tarentum, Brackenridge will consider sharing services
Tarentum and Brackenridge officials will team up to consider sharing certain municipal services to save tax dollars. It’s an idea Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser said makes sense because of the proximity of the two boroughs. “Given the geography, maybe we can, hopefully, look at merging some of our services,” Fraser...
The Stroller, March 14, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community Easter Egg hunts, breakfasts with the Easter Bunny and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Volunteer opportunities available with Family Hospice Family Hospice, a part of UMPC, serves patients and...
Harrison resident named Pennsylvania’s Miss Agribusiness, with mission to highlight the food chain
Growing up in a suburban neighborhood of Harrison, Emily Rankin’s favorite TV show was “Green Acres.” It was a comedy from the 1960s about a fancy New York couple who moves to a country farm. To this day, she relishes the foibles of Lisa and Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eva Gabor...
Faces of the Valley: Allegheny Township man steadfast in mission of cleaning up roadwaysVideo
A dedicated senior citizen is doing his part to tidy up roads in Allegheny Township. Dahrl Talmage, 84, of Allegheny Township began volunteering 14 years ago, collecting litter discarded along Route 56 and School Road. “I like the roads to look nice and clean,” Talmage said. Talmage said he travels...
Tarentum police charge man with using stolen credit card to buy $5K in motorcycle parts from 2 shops
Tarentum police charged a man with stealing about $5,200 worth of motorcycle parts from Gatto Cycle Shop using a stolen credit card. Parrish Savon Middlebrook, 28, of Halcomb Avenue, Clairton, was charged with felony counts of theft, theft by deception, access device fraud and identity theft along with driving with...
3 new festivals approved for downtown Vandergrift
Vandergrift officials and the Vandergrift Business Association have partnered to bring three new community festivals to Grant Avenue. VBA is sponsoring a monthly vendor-focused event called Gathering on Grant, a Fourth of July festival and an Oktoberfest event this fall. Vandergrift Council members voted unanimously Monday to approve all three...
Freeport resident lives dream by publishing books, working in theater
A creative writing class at Freeport Area Senior High School helped jump-start Britt Kolek’s interest in writing novels. At the time, she was interested in Marvel and DC comics. When her teacher tasked the class with writing a story, she decided to write hers about a superhero. She thought of...
Tarentum seeking $2.5 million from state for water system projects
Tarentum is eyeing more than $3 million in water line infrastructure upgrades, with council hoping to land most of the money from the state. Council voted Tuesday to apply for about $2.5 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development. Three projects...
ACMH nurses go on 5-day strikeVideo
Nurses at ACMH Hospital near Kittanning walked off the job Sunday after months of stalled negotiations over staffing and wage issues. More than 100 employees, community leaders and strike supporters began picketing at 7 a.m. Many held handmade signs asking for respect, better wages, safe staffing and nurse retention. Sign...
Lower Burrell councilmen seek new uses for empty JCPenney store, a longtime eyesore
Two Lower Burrell councilmen are working to change the city’s symbol of lost retail luster — the empty JCPenney building fronted by pothole-riddled asphalt once lined with more than 300 parking spaces. Councilmen David Stoltz and Chris Fabry are trying to bring in a new buyer to Penney’s, as well...
Arnold Council couldn’t act on the business before it because it didn’t tell the public ahead of time
Arnold Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday after not getting anything done when it met last week because, legally, it couldn’t. That’s because, if it had voted on anything on its agenda, it would have been in violation of a state regulation that went into effect last August. The...
The Stroller, March 13, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community Easter Egg hunts, breakfasts with the Easter Bunny and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Kiski Area musical cast to host breakfast The cast of Kiski Area High School’s spring...
Local Provisions, a ‘chef-driven’ market and cafe, to open in Fox Chapel Plaza
A well-regarded Pittsburgh restaurateur is opening an artisan market and cafe in the Fox Chapel area. Brian Pekarcik, a chef best known for operating Spoon in East Liberty, and his wife, Jessica, are launching Local Provisions Market & Cafe in late summer. The 4,000-square-foot venue in Fox Chapel Plaza in...
Deer Lakes School District announces launch of Hope Squad
A West Deer mother’s goal to have a Hope Squad in the Deer Lakes School District soon will be a reality. The district announced Friday the suicide prevention program will launch later this month, teaching students how to lead their peers to mental health resources and help those who may...
Freeport seeking more grant funding for new sewage plant to keep consumer bills down
Freeport is continuing to seek more funding for a proposed $16.9 million sewage treatment plant. In January, the borough received an $11 million state grant. But officials are looking for more sources of funding to avoid a bank loan to finance the remaining $5.9 million. A borough analysis in February...
Aspinwall to get custom florist Fox and the Fleur on Brilliant Avenue
A new artisan floral business is coming to Brilliant Avenue in Aspinwall, thanks to a Fox Chapel woman with a passion for artistic floral expression. Anne Dickson, 41, is the force behind Fox and the Fleur, a custom florist specializing in weddings, events and holiday decorating and more. Dickson secured...
Lower Burrell holds St. Patrick’s Day parade for local folks in spite of bitter cold
Ellie Ogurchock of Upper Burrell was the first youngster to arrive along the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade route Saturday along Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. “I’m here for the good candy,” said Ogurchock, 5, who attended with her mother. Dozens of parade-goers braved overnight snowfall, temperatures in the low...
