Valley News Dispatch category, Page 415
Burned-out license plate bulb leads to arrest of 3 men wanted on warrants in New Kensington
A man was charged with felony drug possession and arrested for an outstanding warrant along with two other wanted people when the vehicle they were riding in was pulled over by New Kensington police for a burned-out license plate bulb. Don Lamont Carter Jr., 26, of Broad Street in South...
Freeport scuba shop owners produce documentary on Cedarville freighter shipwreckVideo
The Freeport couple who own Scott’s Scuba Service are behind a just-released documentary, “The Cedarville Expedition,” exploring the famous shipwreck of a freighter in Michigan in 1965. Jennifer and Josh Dillaman, the local diving experts who bought the Freeport scuba shop in 2019, assembled a team of scuba divers from...
Fox Chapel Area’s Liu a piano virtuoso with international titles
Growing up, Fox Chapel Area junior Lawrence Liu had only one CD to listen to – Michael Jackson’s “Essentials.” That one album spanned the best of Jackson’s hits from “ABC” to “Beat It” and was the launching point for Liu’s musical achievements. The teen recently captured top awards in several...
Police: Leechburg men charged after telling cops they burglarized house to rescue dogs
Two Leechburg men have been charged with multiple felonies after telling police they got drunk, broke into a neighbor’s house and took two dogs because they thought they were being abused, according to their arrest papers. Michael Paul Keim, 39, and Kevin Karl Trefelner, 55, of Evergreen Road each were...
Fawn earns state grant to pave Thompson Road
Fawn Township Secretary Pam Ponsart was pleasantly surprised to learn last week that the township had earned a state grant for road work. “I had no idea,” Ponsart said. “That’s great.” The township will receive $50,000 from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund, which announced the awards Wednesday. Fawn is...
Johnstown man charged with disorderly conduct at North Apollo supermarket
Kiski Township police arrested a Johnstown man on charges including disorderly conduct Saturday evening at a North Apollo supermarket. According to police, Ryan Fredericks, 27, was going down the aisles of Held’s Shop ‘n Save taking bites out of food items then returning them to the shelves at about 8:30...
New assistant principal at Kiski Area Upper Elementary brings homegrown passion to role
A familiar face has a new leadership role at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Washington Township. Maggie Nicholas, a longtime teacher at the school, became assistant principal at KAUE on Jan. 3. She replaced Dan Smith, who moved to a new position as the district’s technology integration specialist. For...
The Stroller, Jan. 31, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Weather science program planned Thursday in Leechburg Leechburg Public Library will sponsor a free weather science program with author Diana Perry at...
Pair of longtime teachers reflect on meaningful aspects of their jobs at Kiski Area East Primary School
Two Kiski Area elementary teachers have “ruled the school” for a combined 67 years. Sharon Komandt and Mary Emanuelson are the district’s most tenured educators. Both teach at Kiski Area East Primary School in Vandergrift. Komandt, a reading specialist, has been a teacher for 32 years with deep roots in...
Police: Man found loitering on porch in Parks Township had warrant for his arrest
Parks Township police took into custody a man whom they said was loitering on the back porch of a home and had an arrest warrant issued for him by authorities elsewhere in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Police responding to a report of a man trying to break into a home at...
Highlands cheer squad supports cancer fight with ‘Pink Out’ fundraiser
Highlands School District police officer Joe Naviglia has the right people cheering for him in his fight against cancer. Naviglia, in his fourth year at Highlands, was among four local residents who were presented $1,000 by the district’s cheer team Dec. 17. “I was surprised but so thankful and honored,”...
Always pretty in pink: Leechburg’s 1st fundraiser for Pink Day draws full house
First there was Pink Day 11 years ago in Leechburg to raise money for breast cancer research and have some fun. Now there’s Pink Day plus two smaller fundraisers brimming with live music and more fun that continues to faithfully draw hundreds to thousands of people annually. Even the pandemic...
After renovation, Lake’s Roadhouse reopens with new look as Kiski River Lodge
It’s out with the old at Lake’s Roadhouse and in with the new — starting with a new name: Kiski River Lodge. When the pandemic forced a prolonged closure of their business, co-owners Wanda and Rick Lake of Loyalhanna Township rolled up their sleeves and got busy renovating their motel,...
Morning Sun Senior Lofts housing project in East Vandergrift delayed
A $13 million revitalization project involving the redevelopment of the former East Vandergrift Elementary School is on hold. East Vandergrift officials said Morning Sun Senior Lofts, a proposed loft-style affordable senior-living residence on McKinley Avenue, was denied about $12 million in tax credits last November from the Pennsylvania Finance Housing...
Westmoreland County funds demolition of blighted properties in Vandergrift, New Ken and Arnold
Dangerously deteriorated buildings in three Alle-Kiski Valley communities are among a dozen structures slated for demolition through Westmoreland County’s redevelopment authority. The local buildings are in Vandergrift, New Kensington and Arnold. Jason Rigone, director of the county’s planning division, said the goal is to bring all of the buildings down...
The Stroller, Jan. 30, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Highlands High School to present Alumni Cabaret Concert The 10th annual Highlands High School Musical Alumni Cabaret Concert will be at 7...
After 38 years with Parks Township police, Chief Ciuca to retire in February
In his 38 years patrolling Parks Township, Chief Douglas Ciuca has just about seen it all. Tasked with helping to keep law and order in the township’s 14 square miles, Ciuca has responded to calls ranging from quirky to tragic. His most difficult moment? “Finding an infant, alive and unharmed,...
Lower Burrell man accused of threatening Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert online
A 55-year-old man accused of making threats on social media to harm Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert and his family was taken into custody after a search of a home in Lower Burrell on Saturday. Matthew A. Betts was found hiding in a storage locker at a residence on Lori...
State police: Butler County podiatrist accused of indecent contact with patients
A well-known Western Pennsylvania podiatrist was arrested Friday in Armstrong County on charges that accuse him having indecent contact with patients on two occasions at a Ford City office. Dr. Matthew J. Sabo, 48, of Chicora, is was charged with two felony counts of engaging in sexual conduct and two...
Love of coffee and art yields creative exhibit in Freeport
Two friends from Freeport use their complementary knowledge and talents to open a coffee shop. Two friends from Sarver push each other to develop their individual artistic talents. One of the artists and one of the shop owners also are friends, and therein lies a tale. Freeport residents Virginia Lindsay...
Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMS buys new ambulance with enhanced safety features
Despite dwindling staff and fundraising obstacles, Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMS in Tarentum has added a $260,000 paramedic rescue ambulance to its fleet, enabling volunteers to continue to serve a wide swath of the Alle-Kiski Valley, as they have since the 1800s. The newest addition is more than an ambulance. The vehicle stands...
The Stroller, Jan. 29, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Natrona food pantry offers help The Natrona Community Pantry is in Natrona Community Park, 12-20 River Road, Harrison. Anyone in need is...
Over 40 bridges in Alle-Kiski Valley are rated the same as span that collapsed in Pittsburgh
In a town aptly dubbed the “City of Bridges,” Friday morning’s collapse of a span carrying traffic over Fern Hollow Creek in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park while cars and a Port Authority bus were on it might very well be the worst nightmare a local motorist could imagine. The early morning...
Springdale woman runs home bakery, teaches cookie decorating classes
Taking a cookie decorating class three years ago has led a Springdale woman to open her own home bakery business. Amanda Monnich was an on-and-off teacher for 10 years before finding her passion in baking. She practiced baking and decorating her own cookies at home. While she was teaching, she...
6 projects in A-K Valley receive total of $600K from Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund
Six projects across the Alle-Kiski Valley have received funding totaling more than $600,000 from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund. Nearly $9.4 million was disbursed to communities in Allegheny County in this year’s round, announced Wednesday. In the Alle-Kiski Valley, these projects were named: • West Deer Township Volunteer Fire...
