Valley News Dispatch category, Page 406
New Kensington’s ‘Lost Dreams Awakening’ part of national Black History Month event
A New Kensington substance use recovery organization is participating in a national virtual block party Monday celebrating Black History Month. The free event from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening will include food, music and dance, said Laurie Johnson-Wade, a co-founding director of the organization that specializes...
The Stroller, Feb. 26, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Course available...
Bethel A.M.E. in Tarentum builds community connections through fish fry
Tom Pendergast knew better than to procrastinate ordering his fish dinner from Bethel A.M.E. Church on Saturday. “It’s always good,” said Pendergast, a Brackenridge resident who has patronized the sale for years. “And it always sells out.” More than 100 people flocked to the church along West Seventh Avenue in...
2 tenant deals in the works for Burrell Plaza – Dunkin’ and First National Bank
Deals are in the works for two new tenants — Dunkin’ and First National Bank — in the Burrell Plaza along Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. The mostly empty strip mall that once was home to Montgomery Ward, J.C. Penney and other stores has not seen much action since 2017...
Woman accused of being drunk when she crashed into New Kensington hotel that caught fire
Police accuse a woman of being drunk when she crashed into a New Kensington hotel early Sunday, which caught the building on fire when her car sheared a natural gas line, authorities say. Jaden Saje Price, 27, of the 2600 block of Chestnut Street, Lower Burrell, was charged with driving...
Police say passenger fled from traffic stop leaving his 2-year-old behind, driver charged with felony
The driver of a car pulled over with a 2-year-old inside was charged with a felony by Tarentum police after the toddler’s father, who was a passenger, fled from officers, police say. Police charged John Francis Brockman Jr., 31, of Cornetti Road in Clearfield Township, Butler County, with felony child...
Upper Burrell raises fees 32% for inspection of new private septic systems
The Upper Burrell supervisors recently approved a 32% increase in fees for property owners installing new septic systems and other associated services. Virtually all homes and businesses in the township use septic systems because public sewage pipelines don’t exist. The township raised its rates for its sewage enforcement officer to...
Contractor accused of failing to do work at West Deer church after cashing $15K check
West Deer police charged a home improvement contractor with multiple counts of felony theft after the pastor of a local church reported that the contractor never showed up to do the work after cashing a $15,000 check. Ronald Lee Pirring, 61, of Fairley Road in Ross, was charged with felony...
The Stroller, Feb. 25, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. String ensemble...
New Kensington’s Leslie Reimer retiring from 42-year career as Episcopal priest
When the Rev. Leslie Reimer began the journey of her life, it was toward a destination that was, at the time, unreachable for a woman. After growing up in an Episcopal Church family in New Kensington’s Mt. Vernon neighborhood and graduating from Valley High School in 1970, Reimer went to...
Police: Stolen gun, drugs found when Arnold woman’s home raided by task force agents
An Arnold woman faces felony gun charges after police say they found a stolen gun and evidence of a drug dealing operation when they raided her house. Mariah Relyn Lewis, 25, of the 1600 block of Fourth Avenue, was charged with felony counts of illegal possession of a firearm and...
Vandergrift officer once suspended over alleged racial incident retires
A Vandergrift police officer suspended last year for his conduct on the job involving a patron at a local restaurant is no longer on the force. Officer William Moore submitted his retirement to council Feb. 7. “Council accepted it (retirement) at the last meeting. I have no details,” Vandergrift Mayor...
New Kensington closes downtown parking garage following structural evaluation
Concerns over the condition of New Kensington’s downtown parking garage have prompted the city to close it. The city last year hired a structural engineer to assess the condition of the Kensington Plaza Garage on Fourth Avenue at Seventh Street. Dedicated in December 1979, the garage has seen usage fall...
Police: Fayette County woman arrested in Arnold for trying to trade AK-47 for 2 bricks of heroin
Police say a Fayette County woman tried to trade an AK-47 rifle for heroin after a source tipped off agents from the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force who were conducting a drug sweep in Arnold. Jessica Sue Thorpe, 41, of Clinton Road, Saltlick, was charged with felony counts of illegal...
Motorists stop to assist driver of car that flipped on Route 28 near East Deer
State police are investigating the cause of a crash Thursday morning near the East Deer exit along Route 28, according to authorities. The accident was reported around 10 a.m. in the northbound lanes. Several passing motorists stopped to help the occupant of the vehicle get out before emergency crews responded...
Leechburg Area School Board lifts mask requirement for unvaccinated staff members
Unvaccinated Leechburg Area School District staff members will be able to choose whether to wear a mask in school buildings. The Leechburg Area School Board voted 5-3 Wednesday night to rescind its mask requirement. Members chose between voting yes to lift the requirement or no to hold off on a...
Highlands School District, teachers union agree to 5-year deal
Highlands School District teachers, who have been without a contract for more than seven months, have a five-year deal that runs through June 2026. The district and the Highlands Education Association announced the contract agreement Wednesday after the two sides ratified a plan that includes average annual pay increases of...
Highlands students create colorful community ‘quilt’ for library
Highlands Elementary second grader Stella Thiry slowly studied a box of markers before selecting her favorite colors. Classmate Isabella Malinsky chose ones that reflected bright rainbow hues. In a project aimed at fostering creativity and self-expression, the students collaborated on a colorful “quilt” to be displayed at the Community Library...
The Stroller, Feb. 24, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Donations needed...
‘Hamilton’ performer inspires, energizes, educates Valley High drama studentsVideo
Breathing is something most people do without thinking about it. But for a performer on stage, breathing correctly is paramount. Drama students who gathered at Valley High School in New Kensington learned that lesson directly from a professional Wednesday morning. Nikisha Williams, a member of the “Hamilton” touring company now...
Lower Burrell woman gets probation, fine for fiery crash in bridge construction zone
A Lower Burrell woman accused of causing a fiery crash in a work zone while the Tarentum Bridge was closed in June has been sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $1,500 in fines. Allison Plusquellic, 40, was sentenced during a nonjury trial Wednesday, Feb. 23 before...
Possible threats target Highlands middle, high schools
Highlands students were the target of a possible threat Wednesday, district officials said. Families were alerted by a robocall that the district was investigating a threat against certain students at the middle school and high school. It was not clear which students were the subject of any threats. High School...
The Stroller, Feb. 23, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Annual Shamrock...
The Boho Ve’ lash studio opens along Corbet Street in Tarentum
New Tarentum business owner Ashly Kish is bringing a mix of boho and beauty to the borough. Her lash boutique, The Boho Ve’, opened Jan. 31 in the Murphy Building along Corbet Street. “I like getting pampered, and I think there’s opportunity in a growing field,” said Kish, 36, a...
Fox Chapel teen, emergency responders and dispatcher honored for saving boy’s life
New Year’s morning began with a crisis for the Stephany family of Fox Chapel. Their youngest member, Max, 11, was found unconscious inside their Riding Trail Lane home. Parents Rob and Molly Stephany tried all they could to wake him up. However, Max did not respond and was not breathing....
