Valley News Dispatch category, Page 50
Educators question validity of national report claiming decline in test scores
Some Western Pennsylvania educators are pushing back on a national report indicating a decline in math and reading test scores among high school seniors. The report, released by the National Center for Education Statistics, has circulated through K-12 education sectors in recent weeks, raising concerns about seniors’ math and reading...
‘Trickle-up effect’: Administrators weigh in on improvements
As national test score reports generate concerns over student learning, an opposite pattern is unfolding at New Kensington-Arnold School District, according to Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. After hitting an all-time low in 2020, the district’s math and science scores on state tests are gradually increasing, Sefcheck said. In just two years,...
Harrison goes with new garbage hauler to keep the same service, but residents will pay more
The Harrison Commissioners voted to stay the course on its garbage collection system, even though it will cost more. The commissioners voted 3-2 to award a three-year, $4.9 million garbage hauling contract to Noble Environmental, which also does business as County Hauling. The new contract will boost residents’ monthly rate...
$7 million upgrades revealed for Rachel Carson Riverfront Park in Cheswick
Cheswick resident Bruce Holtman carefully perused the newly released plans for upgrades to Rachel Carson Riverfront Park, noting the addition of restrooms, an elevated overlook and a boat dock. “I like it all,” said Holtman, a borough resident for 25 years. “I don’t know if we can afford it all,...
Authentic pow wow in Indiana Township aims to teach, share, celebrate culture
Vic Alvin stood in full Native American regalia, waiting to perform for a crowd of thousands at the 46th annual Pow Wow at the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center in Indiana Township. Alvin, 35, has been dancing his whole life. This year was more special because his oldest...
The Stroller, Sept. 27, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Ghost tours to feature...
Former Newport Business Institute building in Lower Burrell to be demolished
The former Newport Business Institute in the Kinloch section of Lower Burrell will be demolished. City officials will move forward with plans to demolish the building at 945 Greensburg Road. “We’re excited to see this next, and massive, step forward with that property,” Mayor Chris Fabry said. “Razing that building...
‘A healthier place to be’: Lower Burrell fire companies to get new, updated equipment
Lower Burrell’s fire departments will be getting new equipment that, the chiefs say, will improve safety for its volunteers. Interior firefighters in Lower Burrell’s Kinloch fire department will soon have new air packs when they battle blazes, and Lower Burrell Co. 3 will get an exhaust system to eliminate hazardous...
Armstrong County announces furloughs, program cuts stemming from state budget delay
Armstrong County officials say the state’s budget fiasco is forcing furloughs and program cuts that could affect the county’s most vulnerable populations. Beginning Oct. 1, seven out of nine county senior centers will be closed, effectively furloughing eight center employees and eliminating about 500 senior meals. Only the Kittanning and...
Overnight traffic stops expected on Route 28
Overnight intermittent traffic stops will take place next week on Route 28 between the Harmar and Fox Chapel exits. PennDOT will be testing its wrong-way detection system at the off-ramps from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays. Vehicles could be stopped for up to 15 minutes at a time. The...
Lower Burrell Family Dollar property to have its real estate tax slashed by 40%
Real estate taxes on the Family Dollar Store in Lower Burrell apparently will be slashed for this year and next. The Burrell School Board approved a real estate assessment appeal settlement with Greensburg Road LLC, et. al., the owner of the property. The settlement would reduce its school taxes by...
A-K Valley High school class reunions, Sept. 26, 2025
• Arnold High School Class of 1964 will get together at 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Hunter’s and Fisherman’s Club, 2400 Constitution Blvd., New Kensington. There are no stairs to the back room at the club. Reservations required. Reservations: Glenn, 440-221-5988. • Har-Brack High School Class of 1966 will...
Fox Chapel welcomes new junior council members
A handful of Fox Chapel teens will have a front row seat to observe how their hometown government works. In an expansion of its junior council program, borough officials welcomed four new members on Sept. 15: Fox Chapel Area High School junior Aiden Drucker, Shady Side Academy juniors Anna Grace...
Budget impasse leaves school districts in limbo over $4 billion in funding
The state’s nearly three-month budget impasse has cost Pennsylvania school districts almost $4 billion. That’s how much districts, technical schools and intermediate units should have received in state funding since July 1 — the day a new budget was supposed to take effect. Without a budget, the state isn’t making...
West Leechburg Council considers fire tax; tax bill would increase by $60 a year for most homeowners
West Leechburg officials are exploring a new revenue stream to prop up the borough’s volunteer fire department. A new ordinance establishing a 3-mill fire tax to assist with equipment purchases is being considered. According to a statement on the borough’s social media, the millage rate is the maximum allowed under...
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Oktoberfest to feature German...
New Kensington man charged, accused of providing fentanyl that killed 2 people
A New Kensington man was charged Thursday with providing fatal doses of drugs investigators said killed two people two days apart: his girlfriend and a man who was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. Davi J. Roman, 29, was denied bail. The case was investigated by a grand jury...
TV shoot delayed to Friday in Vandergrift
Filming has been set back a day in Vandergrift for a new Apple TV+ series, tentatively titled “Parallax.” Crews were originally set to film throughout the borough’s downtown Thursday, but series publicist Shelly Williams said cameras will likely now roll Friday. Williams did not give a reason for the delay,...
Harrison Rite Aid location for sale for $1.75M
The shuttered Rite Aid in Harrison is on the market for $1.75 million. It was among more than 70 Rite Aid pharmacies across the Pittsburgh area to close this summer amid company bankruptcy and restructuring. Other Rite Aid stores that closed locally include one on Oregon Drive in Lower Burrell,...
Springdale residents remain skeptical of data center plan
Many Springdale residents aren’t sold on a massive proposed data center in their borough. Dozens showed up for a standing-room-only planning commission meeting Wednesday to probe developers and express concerns about the project. By the end of the night, the commission decided to delay its decision on whether Springdale Council...
Indiana Township road work will cause traffic restrictions
Motorists who travel along Harts Run Road in Indiana Township should plan extra time for their commute the next several weeks. A portion of the road will see temporary restrictions through mid-November, PennDOT announced Thursday. Work is expected to start Friday, with crews working in the area from Route 8...
Pioneer Hose volunteers committed to bringing back community fireworks
For Tammy Jones, childhood Fourth of July celebrations were spent watching fireworks at her grandma’s house down the street from Pioneer Hose Company in Brackenridge. She continued the tradition with her own family until this year, when the 60-year pyrotechnic display was canceled after fundraising difficulties. “It was boring without...
West Leechburg roads to close intermittently for gas line replacements
West Leechburg travelers can expect to encounter construction in the Hillville area of town. Borough officials announced in a social media post that there will be intermittent road closures and roadwork centered around West Street. The closures will allow Peoples Natural Gas and its contractor to replace natural gas lines...
The Stroller, Sept. 25, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Native American culture to...
‘Renegade’ in Ireland: New Kensington brew crosses the pond for Steelers game
It probably won’t knock Guinness off the list of most popular beers in Ireland, but Renegade is giving Dubliners a taste of the Alle-Kiski Valley this week. New Kensington-based Tortured Souls Brewing collaborated with Hope Beer in Dublin to brew Renegade in celebration of the Steelers’ game Sunday against the...
