Valley News Dispatch category, Page 548
The Stroller, Oct. 19, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Online raffle to benefit HOPE Center The Alle-Kiski HOPE Center is hosting an online raffle online through Friday on its Facebook page...
Police: Harrison officers arrest fugitive trying to swim away in Allegheny River
A Harrison police officer took a dip in the Allegheny River last week, having to chase a warrant suspect into the water to make an arrest, according to a criminal complaint. Police arrested Curtis Sims, 30, of Harrison’s Natrona section, on Oct. 13. He faces charges of flight to avoid...
West Deer supervisors to choose among 10 candidates to fill Shawn Maudhuit’s seat
The West Deer supervisors on Wednesday interviewed 10 residents interested in filling the seat formerly held by the late Shawn Maudhuit. The candidates are Anthony Spagnolo, David Oleniacz, Jennifer Mann, Robert Roth, Jim Cesnick, Collin Smith, Toby Kreidler, Brian Levec, Matthew Brudnok and Jay Fraser. All live in the township....
Former popular Leechburg restaurant slated to tax sale next month
A former restaurant in Leechburg remains unsold and is now up for public auction as the result of delinquent taxes. The former Pappy’s restaurant, located at 81-83 Second St., closed last year. The property, built in 1949, originally was listed for $185,000 last November by Coldwell Banker. The price has...
Student petitions Deer Lakes to continue hybrid learning
A Deer Lakes High School senior has started a petition asking district officials to continue hybrid learning. Connor D. Sharo, who mounted the petition drive on SumOfUs, said hybrid is the best way for students to continue receiving in-person instruction while remaining socially distant. “If Deer Lakes School District were...
Frazer seeking emergency management coordinator
Frazer is looking for a new emergency management coordinator. Supervisors said the current emergency management coordinator, Jacob Eckberg, is moving out of the township in December. “He did a good job,” Supervisor Lori Ziencik said. Eckberg has been Frazer’s emergency management coordinator since April 2017. He also serves as assistant...
West Deer district judge will accept letters to Santa to spread holiday cheer
District Judge Tom Swan wanted to add some cheer to an otherwise depressing year. That’s why he’s trading in his judge’s gavel for a Santa hat. Well, not really. OK, maybe a little. Swan decided his West Deer court office would be the perfect place to accept letters to Santa...
Kiski Area discusses new option for 4 days of in-person learning
The Kiski Area School District may start allowing students to attend school buildings four days a week for in-person instruction Nov. 2, when the second quarter of the school year begins. Under the district’s current system, students have the option between 100% online learning and a hybrid model that allows...
Santa to visit Tarentum, Brackenridge, Harrison atop fire trucks in place of canceled events
Santa Claus is coming to town — well, technically, a township and two boroughs. Santa is set to ride through Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison atop fire trucks on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 3-5 p.m., with a rain date of the following Saturday, Dec. 12. It’s something new that officials in...
Arnold manager: No tax increase needed to cover deficit from underfunded pension
Various cost savings will help Arnold absorb a 40% increase in its pension costs while avoiding a property tax increase, City Manager Mario Bellavia said. At a council meeting Tuesday, Bellavia said the increased pension obligation would create a deficit in the city’s budget that would need a property tax...
The Stroller, Oct. 18, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Free grab bags for senior citizens to be distributed in New Kensington The New Kensington Community Health Clinic Inc. and Home Instead...
In 1st re-election bid, Rep. Reschenthaler faces Democratic challenger Bill Marx
To say Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s first term in the U.S. Congress was busy might be an understatement. The Peters Township Republican was elected in 2018 to represent most of Westmoreland County, as well as Fayette, Greene and Washington counties, in the newly drawn 14th District. He was thrust into a...
Police: Kiski Township teens arrested after 1 found with meth, other knocks officer to the ground
A suspicious vehicle investigation in Kiski Township ended with one teen charged for allegedly knocking an officer to the ground and another facing drug charges, authorities said. A township officer spotted what he deemed to be two suspicious cars about 6:50 p.m. along Brownstown Road near McCartney Road, according to...
Leechburg’s river rescue team get new inflatable boat thanks to public’s donations — despite pandemic
The Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company river rescue team has a new boat. The company took delivery of a new Rescue One inflatable rescue boat last week. It replaces a damaged 10-year-old Zodiak inflatable. Paid for with fundraising dollars, the new boat seats up to four people. It joins a larger...
3 arrested at Armstrong County bar for child endangerment, cops say
Three members a family who work at the same Armstrong County bar were arrested before midnight Saturday on child endangerment charges, according to Kiski Township police. Police Sgt. Thomas Dessell reported that Harley Rome, 23; Frank Branan, 29, both of Vandergrift, and Tawyna Palermo, 47, of North Apollo, were charged...
The Stroller, Oct. 17, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Peoples Library plans annual Adventure with Wine event Peoples Library will sponsor a different kind of Adventure with Wine event – a...
Harmar candy store struggles to stay in business
A little sweetness can go a long way in hard times. Just ask Robert Wyant, 47, who realized a lifelong dream two years ago when he created “Oh How SWEET It Is,” an old-fashioned candy store on Freeport Road in Harmar. “I’ve lived in this community for a lot of...
Nearly $100K in grants to benefit Buffalo Creek and sweet-singing bird that flocks there in spring
Nearly $100,000 in grant money has been awarded to support the Louisiana waterthrush and Buffalo Creek, which the migratory bird calls home for part of the year. The Louisiana waterthrush is known for being an indicator species for healthy streams and large forest tracks. The Pennsylvania Game Commission classifies the...
Lower Burrell police accuse Arnold man of driving 85 mph in a 35 mph zone, fleeing police
An Arnold man faces felony charges after Lower Burrell police accused him of speeding away from police who tried to pull his truck over early this month. James Dean Chiappetta, 54, is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, driving under the influence, reckless driving and other charges....
Alle-Kiski Valley area fire departments get cash infusion from state
Eighteen volunteer fire and ambulance companies in the Alle-Kiski Valley and western Westmoreland County will share in $386,000 in newly announced state grants. State Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Murrysville, said the grants are being doled out from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program. “These volunteers put themselves in...
Portion of Route 66 closed due to tractor trailer crash, power knocked out for a short while
A tractor-trailer truck knocked down a utility pole in Oklahoma Borough along Route 66 near Naser Foods on Friday night, knocking out power for a short time. Westmoreland County dispatchers said no injuries were reported in connection with the crash around 8:15 p.m. The road closed from Sheridan Road to...
South Butler school staffer positive for covid-19; classes resume as planned
An educator who works with children at two South Butler public schools has tested positive for covid-19, the district reports. The district learned of the employee’s test results late Thursday afternoon, according to Superintendent David Foley. The person now isolating at home rotates between South Butler Primary School and South...
Deer Lakes parents demand schools fully reopen
The Deer Lakes School Board could not ignore the message brought by district parents Tuesday night: Open the schools five days a week. “You need to quit holding these kids hostage,” parent Traci Stotler told the board during a virtual meeting. “They want to be in the classroom with their...
Burrell High School student tests positive for covid-19
A Burrell High School student has tested positive for covid-19 and some students in the district have been asked to quarantine, said Shannon Wagner, superintendent for Burrell School District. Wagner sent a letter to parents Friday, saying, “We are following the Health Department recommendations and have notified families that need...
Shoppes at Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer to be sold at online auction
Shoppes at Pittsburgh Mills, a shopping plaza near the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer, is going up for auction. The property is a six-tenant retail center, comprising 9,907 square feet. Current tenants include Mattress Firm, Bob’s Sub, Sports Clips Haircuts, SweetFrog and American Discount Uniform. The property, built in...
