Valley News Dispatch category, Page 522
Ross Walker begins 23rd year as chairman of Upper Burrell Supervisors
Although his father tried to dissuade him from entering politics because he didn’t think it would mix well with the family funeral home business, Ross G. Walker III became the longest-tenured chairman of the Upper Burrell Board of Supervisors. This month, he began his 23rd year as chairman and 24th...
West Deer diner welcomes riders and their horses
You might not be able to lead a horse to water and make it drink, but West Deer’s Gerry Vaerewyck led his horses to Deer Creek Diner and got a free hot drink for himself. As he and two friends were headed home from horseback riding in Deer Lakes Park...
South Buffalo welcomes new police officer, looks to hire another
South Buffalo has hired a second full-time police officer and plans to add a third. Aaron S. Fuesting, 24, was hired as the department’s newest officer on Jan. 4. After completing training, Fuesting’s first day on duty was Wednesday. He will make $17.50 an hour. “It was kind of a...
Health problems keep Christina O’Brien from seeking 4th term as Westmoreland prothonotary
Westmoreland County Prothonotary Christina O’Brien will not seek a fourth term in office. O’Brien, 54, a Democrat from Ligonier Township, said ongoing health issues prevent her from participating in another campaign and serving four more years as the head of the county office that oversees all civil and domestic court...
Man suffers smoke inhalation in Harrison house fire
One person was hurt in a fire that seriously damaged a house in Harrison early Friday morning, Hilltop Hose fire Chief Mike Krzeminski said. The fire in the attic of a large, two-and-a-half story house with a commercial addition at 1421 Freeport Road was reported shortly after 1:30 a.m. A...
The Stroller, Jan. 22, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s meetings, fundraisers and community events in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Freeport Area Library accepting donations Freeport Area Library is accepting donations of new and used household items, books, toys, games, puzzles and DVDs...
Man alleges disability discrimination against Ryan Homes
A man who relies on a wheelchair to get around filed a federal class-action lawsuit on Wednesday against Ryan Homes for failing to make its local sales offices accessible to people with limited mobility. John Egan, of Shaler, alleges in the complaint that the company is violating the federal Americans...
New Kensington-Arnold considers property tax increase to address ‘bleak’ financial picture
New Kensington-Arnold School District’s financial picture for the coming school year looks “bleak,” with officials considering raising taxes and burning through the district’s reserves but still facing a deficit, according to Acting Superintendent Jon Banko. “We’ve been about as fiscally responsible as we possibly could be,” Banko said. “We closed...
New Kensington man accused of sexually assaulting 9-year-old girl
A New Kensington man was arraigned this week on charges accusing him of sexually assaulting a girl when she was 9 years old. New Kensington police said Chester Elmer Green Jr., 61, has “vehemently denied” the allegations. He faces felony charges of aggravated indecent assault of a child and corruption...
West Leechburg program to honor veterans with Main Street banners
Excitement over an anticipated homecoming reunion turned to horror for West Leechburg’s Natalie Schmidt when she received life-changing news in 2012. Her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Schmidt, was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan five days before their 3-year-old son Aiden’s birthday. Jonathan Schmidt, then 28, had been...
Highlands agrees to state cap on any property tax increase
Highlands School District will not increase its property tax rate by more than its state-imposed limit for next school year. The school board certified this week that the district will not increase property taxes by more than 4.3%, the inflation limit set for the district by the state under Act...
New Kensington police say man seen driving stolen car threatened to kill officers, their families
A man from Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood was sent to Westmoreland County Prison without bail Wednesday because police said he threatened to kill police officers and their families as soon as he gets out of jail. New Kensington police said they arrested Daevar Lamont Stevens, 21, about 7 p.m. Tuesday after...
Fox Chapel residents affected by ‘Squaw’ road name changes will be compensated
Fox Chapel residents who are impacted by the impending name change of Squaw Run Road and Squaw Run East will get $250 from borough tax dollars to offset costs and compensate them for inconveniences. Council on Jan. 18 approved the stipend, saying anyone who can prove financial hardship will be...
Mattresses creating too big a hassle at Fox Chapel garbage bins
Fox Chapel residents will no longer be able to dispose of mattresses in the dumpsters at the municipal complex. “We’re having a problem where we’re getting five or six a week,” Manager Gary Koehler told council during its Jan. 18 meeting. The borough supplies trash bins behind the municipal building...
Reconstruction of Third Street wall in Leechburg expected to start in April or May
A new wall reconstruction project on Third Street in Leechburg is underway. Borough engineer Shane Michael said portions of the wall on Third Street are collapsing in some places. “It’s 260 feet long, and we’re replacing about 150 feet of the wall,” Michael said. Council opened six contract bids Tuesday....
The Stroller, Jan. 21, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s meetings, fundraisers and community events in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Library sponsoring annual Quilt Show Community Library of Allegheny Valley in Harrison is hosting its 23rd annual Quilt Show through Saturday online. Online...
New Burrell School Board president, a psychiatric nurse and black belt, says she’s ready for the job
Pam Key, a preschool teacher, psychiatric nurse, martial artist and grandmother, has been chosen to lead Burrell School Board as it tries to navigate a historic pandemic with educational challenges. She succeeds board member and former board president Tricia Shank, who nominated Key to lead the nine-member board. “It was...
New Kensington mother awaiting manslaughter trial pleads guilty to animal neglect
The mother of a 2-year-old boy police said was brutally murdered by her boyfriend as she slept in a nearby room pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a related misdemeanor count of animal neglect. Police said Teresa Fetterman, 24, formerly of Aliquippa, did not get medical help for her 8-month-old mixed-breed...
New Kensington family recalls Biden sharing their grief, comforting a mother who lost son to brain cancer
Dolly Regoli wiped away a tear, paused and composed herself during an interview Wednesday as Joe Biden prepared to take the oath of office. The new president many hope will heal the nation’s wounds has a special place in the heart of the 81-year-old New Kensington woman. Three years ago,...
Drive-thru e-waste, hazardous household waste recycling event planned in West Deer
Noble Environmental is offering a hazardous household waste and e-waste recycling event in West Deer in March for people to get rid of unwanted electronics or household chemicals not typically picked up by garbage haulers. The recycling event will take place at the township’s municipal building from 9 a.m. to...
New nonprofit Fox Families Care quickly fulfilling mission to help students
When a Fox Chapel Area student couldn’t afford to get senior photos, the new nonprofit Fox Families Care stepped in to provide them. The nonprofit also was there for a student who needed a new bed and hundreds of others who needed breakfast and lunch during the extended covid-19 remote...
The Stroller, Jan. 20, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s meetings, fundraisers and community events in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Drive-through food distribution planned Tuesday at Lernerville Speedway Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will host a drive-through food distribution for anyone in need...
Oakmont Commons flooding solutions dependent upon grant approval
Flood mitigation projects proposed for the Oakmont Commons housing plan are contingent upon grant funding, Oakmont officials said Tuesday. The borough applied for $500,000 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Flood mitigation Program last July. It’s a matching grant with the borough projected to shell out 15%, about $75,000, should it...
Medical expert approved for New Kensington man’s murder defense
A judge on Tuesday ruled that defense lawyers for a New Kensington man facing a potential death sentence for the death of a 2-year-old can hire a medical expert to evaluate and potentially refute prosecution evidence at his upcoming trial. Keith Dale Lilly Jr., 31, has been in the Westmoreland...
New Kensington police seeking information in JJ’s Country Tavern shooting
New Kensington police are asking the public for information about a shooting that happened this month at JJ’s Country Tavern. Detective Sgt. Matt Saxman said the shooting was reported at about 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Fifth Avenue bar. Saxman said several cars and a couple of buildings were...
