Valley News Dispatch category, Page 428
West Deer boy featured in ‘Superheroes’ calendar
Seven-year-old Marco Mangieri of West Deer was treated like a star during a red carpet reveal of his photo included in a 2022 calendar by local nonprofit Superheroes Believe in Miracles. Dressed as Spiderman, Marco is one of 12 children featured in the group’s calendar. The youngster was diagnosed as...
Ex-cop who used police gear to stalk woman pleads guilty; sentenced to jail, probation
A former police officer who worked for three Alle-Kiski Valley police departments has pleaded guilty to charges filed in connection with his arrest for using police-tracking software to monitor a woman who ended a relationship with him. Michael McSherry, 29, of Harrison pleaded guilty Wednesday, Dec. 15 to two counts,...
Dasher’s Lightshow at Pittsburgh Mills mall receives mixed reviews
A portion of the Pittsburgh Mills mall parking lot in Frazer received a holiday makeover with the newest Christmas drive-thru attraction, Dasher’s Lightshow. The show made its debut Nov. 5 following its announcement in August. Dasher’s Lightshow co-owner Clyde Lindsey, a Leechburg resident, said he wanted to bring another light...
The Stroller, Dec. 17, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your holiday 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. Live Nativity planned Sunday in Tarentum Abundant Joy Fellowship, 101 Allegheny St., Tarentum, will present an outdoor live Nativity from 6...
Alle-Kiski Valley school districts forced to add security after online threat prank
Several school districts in the Alle-Kiski Valley increased security Friday in response to a “troubling post” circulating on social media. Kiski Area, Fox Chapel Area, Leechburg Area and New Kensington-Arnold school districts were among those where extra security was placed in school buildings after the post on TikTok referenced a...
Police seek tips from public about late-night fatal shooting in Tarentum
Homicide detectives are seeking tips from the public about a fatal shooting in Tarentum late Thursday night. The shooting was reported at about 11:08 p.m. in the 300 block of Main Street. Neighbors reported hearing between five and seven shots fired in rapid succession. The location is near the intersection...
Rain postpones Lantern Walk in Fox Chapel’s Salamander Park
A celebration of light in Fox Chapel will have to wait. Heavy rain predicted for Saturday has postponed the park conservancy’s Winter Solstice Lantern Walk until Saturday, Jan. 8. “For the safety of our guests, we have to push it back,” said Mandy Steele, councilwoman and conservancy co-founder. The lantern...
Schools in Western Pa. reacting to general threats of violence posted on TikTok
A social media warning of potential violence at schools across the United States on Friday — largely deemed to be not credible — still had police and districts across Western Pennsylvania on alert. “Greensburg Salem had all of our school police officers on duty, and our local police department was...
Police charge 19-year-old who shot himself in foot with unlawful carry
A Lower Burrell man was charged with carrying a gun without a license after police say he got drunk and shot himself in the foot while showing off the weapon to a friend. Logan Robert Farr, 19, of Violet Drive was charged by Lower Burrell police with a felony count...
Harrison man accused of shooting up house while people watched football game
A Harrison man was charged with felony criminal mischief and a dozen other counts accusing him of shooting up a house after getting into an argument with people there watching a Steelers game. In addition to the felony count, Zeya Dixon, 24, of Park Avenue, Sheldon Park, was charged with...
West Deer approves 2nd Dollar General, delays vote on Rose Ridge development
Supervisors approved a location for a second Dollar General store in West Deer but tabled a request for a planned 247-unit residential development at a former golf course. Supervisors felt that with at least two new members coming onto the board in January, the decision would be best left to...
Highlands school officials say threat to high school on social media not credible
Highlands School District officials say rumors of a threat against the high school that circulated on social media Thursday morning are not credible. In an email message sent to parents, high school co-principal Laura Burns said school police worked with members of the administration to conduct “a thorough investigation of...
Buffalo Township supervisors pass $2.8 million budget with 9% tax increase
Homeowners in Buffalo Township will be paying 9% more in property taxes next year. Township supervisors recently approved the tax hike as part of the township’s $2.8 million budget for 2022. The millage will increase from 5.5 to 6 mills. Township real estate taxes for an average home, assessed at...
Police: Suspect ID’d after his Social Security card found in confiscated bag of drugs
Allegheny Township police say they were able to identify a suspect who gave them a fake name when they found a satchel of drugs on him with his Social Security card inside the bag. Antwuan Duane Berry, 25, of Broadway Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood was charged with felony flight...
From Hollywood to home, Allegheny Township chaps maker roped an interesting life
At 94, Tom Phillips’ hands have served him well. The Leechburg native and Allegheny Township resident wakes up early each day and gets to work making custom leather chaps. He’s been at it for 60 years. “It’s my hobby,” he said. “I start at 6 o’clock in the morning and...
The Stroller, Dec. 16, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your holiday 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. Community invited to Springdale Christmas carol social A community Christmas carol social will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Springdale Open...
Differing reports given regarding contractor hurt in 30-foot fall at Valley High School
The New Kensington-Arnold School District and an attorney who says she is representing the victim’s family gave differing reports about the condition of a repairman who fell through Valley High School’s auditorium ceiling Tuesday morning. New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said he was told Wednesday evening the man was being...
Gilpin officials start talks on how to spend federal covid relief funds
Gilpin officials have begun discussions on how to spend about $250,000 in covid relief funds. Township supervisor chairman Charles Stull said Monday that Gilpin received $125,000 so far with the second disbursement expected in either June or July. Possible uses include $10,000 for bathrooms at the public works garage, money...
Property taxes in Allegheny Township to remain the same for 12th year
Allegheny Township’s real estate tax rate will remain the same for 2022. The township supervisors on Monday night gave final approval to a $5.03 million budget that keeps property taxes at 16.50 mills. The tax rate for the general fund will be 13.35 mills, the fire services tax will be...
Santa will ride through Kinloch streets Wednesday night atop fire truck
Santa Claus will make his rounds perched on a fire truck through Lower Burrell’s Kinloch section Wednesday night from 6 p.m. until about 8 p.m. Santa’s special ride was initially scheduled for Thursday night but was changed because of rain forecasted for Thursday. For more than 50 years, the city’s...
Santa to tour Gilpin on Saturday
Gilpin police understand the pandemic might have some families concerned about packing into one place to see Santa this holiday season. So officers have made arrangements with the North Pole department to bring the jolly man on a tour of the township Saturday. The police department also collected donations to...
The Stroller, Dec. 15, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your holiday 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. Fundraisers to benefit Roaring Run Watershed Association Roaring Run Watershed Association is selling 2022 calendars as a fundraiser. Calendars are $10...
Fox Chapel Area teens create their own jobs using tech skills
Technology is changing the way some teens work. Meet three Fox Chapel Area High School sophomores using their entrepreneurial skills online to turn a profit with unique part-time jobs. Stephen Schrim, James Kneiser and Justin Ling are 15-year-old friends and help one another with their businesses. Kneiser, of O’Hara, owns...
Pair of Kiski Area juniors collecting food and shoes to help Alle-Kiski Valley families
Two Kiski Area High School juniors are collecting items to benefit local charities this holiday season. Tabytha Hogan, 16, has launched a food drive for the Leechburg Food Bank at First United Methodist Church. Allison Thompson, 17, is collecting old and new shoes to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society....
Gilpin teen seeks Eagle Scout honor through project for Leechburg fire company
Lukas Remaley knew he wanted to do something to help out Leechburg. The Gilpin teen had been a part of the Boy Scouts for more than 10 years and earned at least 40 merit badges. “You learn how to work with other people and be a better person,” said Lukas,...
