Valley News Dispatch category, Page 473
Pulled pork, history on menu for Prospect Cemetery picnic
A cemetery may seem like an unusual place to have a picnic, but it’s a great place to learn about history — maybe your own. Prospect Cemetery in Brackenridge will host a free picnic with food provided by neighboring Infuzed Bistro from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The cemetery...
Closure of Cheswick Generating Station sparks mixed feelings in community
Some mourn the loss of jobs. Others celebrate the demise of a coal-burning plant and related environmental concerns. All acknowledge their Alle-Kiski Valley communities surrounding the Cheswick Generating Station will be forever changed. The station, which is Allegheny County’s last coal-fired power plant, is scheduled to close permanently in mid-September....
State Rep. Abby Major: ‘People should know there are good-paying jobs out there.’
State Rep. Abby Major, R-Ford City, hosted the state House Majority Policy Committee to showcase local businesses and the issues they face. Major’s district includes part of Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties. Local business leaders testified about business conditions for economic recovery and job growth before the committee Thursday at...
Alle-Kiski Valley firefighters practice driving firetrucks in tight spaces
Parallel parking is often the most difficult part of any driver training course — staying between the orange barrels, learning to use your side mirrors and hoping you don’t hit the curb. Now imagine doing it in a 40-ton fire rescue truck. “This is like a driving test, but way...
Kiski Township traffic stop turns up drugs, guns
Police arrested an Indiana man this week after a traffic stop turned up drugs and guns, authorities said. Sahid Nasir-Evans, 27, faces charges related to firearms violations and possession of marijuana, said Kiski Township Police Sgt. Thomas Dessell. Officers stopped Nasir-Evans just after 1 a.m. Monday on Route 56 near...
Brackenridge restaurant owner bringing a taste of Louisiana to Lower BurrellVideo
A taste of the bayou is coming to Lower Burrell. Taylor Chappell, who will be the head chef of Bayou in the Burrell, recommends those new to Cajun food try the gumbo. “You can’t go wrong with that,” she said. Bayou in the Burrell is expected to open the second...
Firefighter disputes Kiski Township police charges stemming from plans to burn building debris
Kiski Township police arrested an Apollo firefighter and charged him with disorderly conduct after they say he refused to abandon plans to burn rubbish with prohibited items. Police charged Lyle Rusz, 60, of Kiski Township with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and tampering with fire apparatus. Rusz’s attorney, Gregory Swank, disputed...
Gilpin man hospitalized after large tree falls on his campground homeVideo
A Gilpin man was taken to a local hospital for treatment after a tree fell on his porch Friday. Neighbors Lori and Brian Barbieri said they heard a snap as the late-afternoon storms died down and watched as the tree came down across their neighbor’s home in the Kiski River...
Harmar supervisors reappoint Karen Peconi-Biricocchi as acting township manager
For the second time in two months, the Harmar supervisors appointed Karen Peconi-Biricocchi as the acting township manager. Peconi-Biricocchi was initially appointed acting manager at the end of May, succeeding Tony Rozzano. He was hired to fill the position full-time earlier in May but had to step down because he...
Owners of Vandergrift home destroyed in blaze thankful to be alive
Robert Harvey Mills and his wife Caroel Mills watched a fire destroy their Vandergrift home of 51 years Thursday morning. They helplessly stood by as their their home on Holland Street burned — along with two neighboring houses. Still, the couple said they’re thankful to be alive, and determined not...
Fox Chapel Area High School hosts blood drive amid critical shortage
In the few weeks since Vitalant issued a call to replenish severe blood shortages across the region, the situation has improved — but not quite enough. “There is still a critical need for blood,” said Kristen Lane, Vitalant communications manager. “Donors are needed now to help prevent another shortage during...
Pink Day fundraiser founder contracts cancer, yet ups game with new Leechburg event
A Leechburg woman diagnosed with cancer hasn’t let personal hardship diminish her passion for fundraising. Sherry Price, founder and organizer of Pink Day, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February during a routine mammogram. “Never in a million years did I think I’d get breast cancer,” said Price, 57. She...
Fridays on Fifth aims to show off the new New Kensington
A new monthly food truck event aims to showcase all the new and existing businesses in downtown New Kensington. Fridays on Fifth will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month from July through October on Fifth Avenue between Ninth and 10th Streets. The first...
The Stroller, July 16, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Free concert planned at Concordia Lutheran Ministries Concordia Haven II at Concordia Lutheran Ministries will host a free outdoor concert featuring...
Lower Burrell Council bestows honors for covid-19 response and city beautificationVideo
Call it pent-up gratefulness. Lower Burrell Council awarded a whopping four proclamations this week thanking residents and others. After covid-19 pandemic restrictions shut down public meetings for more than a year, Lower Burrell Council is in its second month of in-person public meetings. Council delayed publicly honoring residents and groups...
The Stroller, July 17, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, first responders The fourth annual Operation Gratitude Collection drive will take place through July 31. The...
Fire destroys 3 Vandergrift homes, 6 people left homeless; cause remains under investigationVideo
Six Vandergrift residents were left homeless when their three respective homes caught fire Thursday morning. The American Red Cross is assisting four men and two women with temporary shelter as state police in Greensburg are investigate the cause of the blaze. Vandergrift Fire Department No. 2 Chief Steve Potoka said...
A divided Highlands School Board passes plan for return to in-person classes 5 days a week
Students in Highlands School District will resume five-day, in-person classes when school resumes in August. In a 5-4 vote, the school board approved the plan at a special meeting Monday. Under the plan, wearing masks in the schools is voluntary for students and staff in school. But they are mandatory...
Hazardous waste collection scheduled for Freeport Area Middle School
Paint, pesticides and other chemicals will be collected at Freeport Area Middle School during a July 24 event hosted by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school off Route 356. “This event is part of...
Summer Fest returns as unofficial 1-year anniversary celebration of merged Guardian Angels Parish in HarrisonVideo
A carnival atmosphere, live music and the smell of food and funnel cake are all part of the unofficial anniversary celebration of the Guardian Angels Parish this week. The parish, in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison, was formed by the merger of six congregations: Our Lady of Victory, Our...
Armstrong Trails explores converting 14-mile Kiski Junction Railroad into a recreational trail
With the demise of the Kiski Junction Railroad in Gilpin and surrounding communities, Armstrong Trails wants to convert the corridor into a 14-mile recreational trail. The Kiski Junction Railroad was a 165-year-old short line used for commercial hauling and autumn leaf tours for tourists. The railroad’s owner, Rosebud Mining, ceased...
Plum School District officials announce back-to-school plans
Plum School District officials plan to welcome all students back to school for full-time, in-person instruction for the coming school year. The announcement was recently made via letter to parents as well as posted on the district’s website. The first day of the 2021-22 school year is Thursday, Aug. 19....
The Stroller, July 15, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Harrison church invites community to free picnic Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, Harrison, will host a free community picnic from 5...
Vandergrift man charged in connection with Apollo Trust Bank robbery
Police have released details concerning the robbery of the Apollo Trust Bank in North Apollo on Monday and the arrest of Vandergrift man charged with the crime. Bradley James Mondi, 33, remains behind bars while awaiting a July 21 preliminary hearing at the Armstrong County Jail after failing to post...
New Kensington police ask for help finding 16-year-old runaway
New Kensington police are asking for the community’s help in finding a teenage runaway. Patience Daniella Lynn Johnson, 16, was last seen at her home in the city on July 6, police said. Police Det. Dino DiGiacobbe said police believe Johnson may still be in the New Kensington area, or...
