Valley News Dispatch category, Page 419
Self-defense claim made in Lower Burrell baby shower shooting
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday lowered the bond of an Arnold man who police said shot three people during a baby shower last fall at the Lower Burrell fire hall in Kinloch. Isiah Jumaane Hampton, 25, is awaiting trial on two counts of aggravated assault and one charge of...
Attempted murder charge dismissed in Upper Burrell man’s attack on mother
An Upper Burrell man who police said pointed a gun and pulled the trigger during a domestic dispute two years ago with his wheelchair-bound mother was paroled from prison Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Matthew Best, 33, had been in jail since his arrest on Oct....
Plea deal reached in New Kensington man’s fatal overdose in 2017
A Lower Burrell man was ordered to serve up to eight years on probation for the sale of drugs that caused the 2017 fatal overdose of a childhood friend in New Kensington. Donald K. Lewandowski Jr., 37, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony drug count in connection with the May...
Kiski Township police: Hallucinating man tasered after tossing hammer, glass at officer and fleeing
Kiski Township police say they had to use a Taser to stop a man who fled from a home early Monday morning after throwing a hammer and shards of broken glass at an officer. An officer responded to a home in the 600 block of Isabella Avenue shortly after 3...
The Stroller, Jan. 18, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Start the new year off right! 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. Vaccination clinic planned at Knead Community Cafe Covid-19 vaccinations will be available from 5:30 to 6:30...
Building the Valley: Gilpin resident plans to open craft doughnut shop in Leechburg
When people hear the word “goat,” they think of the stubborn animal, or maybe the slang for “Greatest Of All Time” athletes in their respective sports. For those strolling along Market Street in Leechburg, the word soon will make them think of a sweet circular treat. Gilpin resident Jeremy Smail...
Allegheny RiverTrail Park expands 2 acres with help from state grant
A two-acre addition to Allegheny RiverTrail Park (ARP) in Aspinwall is a coveted gift to the community, park founder Susan Crookston said. “For now and for generations to come,” she said. The site, just off Freeport Road, was awarded a $367,000 state grant last week to help with the purchase....
Public can weigh in on future of Tarena roller rink
Tarentum council on Tuesday will provide the public with a chance to weigh in on the proposed transformation of the Tarena roller rink. A Wexford-based construction company hopes to buy the 50-year-old skating rink and use it as a storage facility. Bridges & Co. is seeking a conditional use zoning...
Fox Chapel councilwoman Mandy Steele to enter race for 33rd House District
A Fox Chapel councilwoman is expected to launch her candidacy on Tuesday for state House of Representatives in the 33rd District. Mandy Steele is seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat in the May 17 primary. She is the first candidate to announce a campaign for nomination. Steele, 44, said...
West Deer receives $291,000 grant to rehabilitate Bairdford Park
West Deer has received a $291,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to rehabilitate and develop Bairdford Park. The grant is a part of a $70 million pool helping to fund more than 300 recreation and conservation projects across the state. West Deer was among three...
Tragedy impacts, but does not define, New Kensington native Brian Jacob’s life
The first time Brian Jacob tries to answer the question raised by his memoir, “Is Life Fair,” he is remembering an unpleasant experience attending a play with his wife. Brian and Jamie Jacob were at a Pittsburgh Public Theater performance when an employee approached Brian, who is quadriplegic and uses...
The Stroller, Jan. 17, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Start the new year off right! 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. Open house planned at the Corner Launchbox The Corner Launchbox in New Kensington will host a...
Projecting Hope to host free film festival at Pittsburgh Mills Cinemas
The Projecting Hope Film Festival, a showcase of faith-focused movies with uplifting themes, will be held at the GQT Pittsburgh Mills Cinema from Jan. 21 to 23. Admission to all seven of the films is free — with free popcorn, too. It will be the 18th Projecting Hope festival, which...
Arnold officials debate what to do with ‘extra space’ in city hall — including whether there is any
Leasing space in Arnold City Hall to outside parties has emerged as a bit of an issue for two city officials. Mayor Joseph Bia and Councilman George Hawdon are on opposite sides on just how much space the city may need in the building and how much it should lease...
St. Vladimir unveils initial plans to rebuild as bishop visits for Divine Liturgy
Just six weeks after a massive fire caused more than $4 million in damage to St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, parishioners gathered for Divine Liturgy in the church social hall and devised a plan to move forward. “You can’t stop this church,” said Susan Podolski, 68, a lifelong member of...
Kiski Township supervisors to weigh how to spend American Rescue Plan money
The Kiski Township supervisors and other municipalities received some good news on how funds from the American Rescue Plan Act can be spent. “Spending rules are now greatly expanded,” said township Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Bono, as he held up a 50-page guide provided by the U.S. Treasury Department during a recent...
Lower Burrell Police awarded $105,000 for SWAT Team funding
The Westmoreland District Attorney’s office recently awarded Lower Burrell police $105,000 to go toward equipment for the Westmoreland SWAT team. The money comes from property seized from drug trafficking busts, which is forfeited to the DA’s investigative fund. It is distributed to law enforcement agencies to uphold the Controlled Substance,...
Feline fans needed: 2 Alle-Kiski cat rescue groups seeking volunteers
Calling all cat lovers. Two local groups dedicated to helping homeless and feral felines are in need of additional helpers. Cat Crusaders of Leechburg and Homeless Cat Management Team of Tarentum both work to feed, house and tend to cats in need — with a primary focus on providing low-cost,...
AHN to offer free monthly cancer screening clinics; first stop is Allegheny Valley Hospital
The Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute will offer free monthly cancer screening clinics throughout the region starting with Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison on Saturday, Jan. 29. Advance registration is required. AHN offered five screening clinics last year that booked up quickly, said Dr. David Bartlett, chairman of the AHN...
Valley High sophomore competing in statewide Veterans of Foreign Wars spoken essay contest
A sophomore from Valley High School in New Kensington is representing Westmoreland County in a statewide audio essay contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. If 15-year-old K’Ahna Witcher is the winner of the state “Voice of Democracy” contest, she’ll go on to the national program and a chance...
The Stroller, Jan. 16, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Start the new year off right! 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. Fund established to rebuild St. Vladimir Church St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold plans to...
Northern Westmoreland communities would get new state senator through redistricting
Several northern Westmoreland County municipalities in the Alle-Kiski Valley would get a new state senator if a proposed redistricting map is approved. The affected municipalities are the cities of Arnold, Lower Burrell and New Kensington; the boroughs of East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Vandergrift and West Leechburg; and Allegheny Township. State...
East Deer making progress to join police force with Allegheny Valley Regional Police
East Deer is getting closer to joining the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department. Township officials discussed the status of the process during their meeting Thursday night. The police board will consider East Deer’s application to join the force at a special meeting on Jan. 25. The move will become official...
Legislation in the works to change South Butler County School District to Knoch School District
The State House of Representatives is expected to move on legislation in the next month to change the name of the South Butler County School District to the Knoch School District. The school board approved the name change about a year ago. “There’s lots of enthusiasm and excitement about it,”...
The Stroller, Jan. 15, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Start the new year off right! 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. Substance abuse seminar offered Jan. 22 Addiction Recovery Ministry in Harmar will host a day of...
