Valley News Dispatch category, Page 583
A summer unlike any other: Events canceled across Western Pa., but options remain for warm-weather fun
The unofficial start of summertime has arrived. The season of warm weather, sunglasses and shorts stretches out in front of us, an annual rite as the days grow longer and porch furniture reappears. But the days of filling up calendars with festivals and concerts are in the past, at least...
Plum High School teacher selected to be a part of state science committee
A Plum High School teacher has been selected to be on a state Department of Education committee examining new state science standards. Biologist Shubhada Bhamre said she’s excited to be on the 10-member panel called PA Academic Standards for Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology Content Committee. “I love biology,...
The Stroller, May 23, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Free shredding event planned in Lower Burrell A free paper shredding event will be hosted by Rep. Bob Brooks...
Lower Burrell fire department hosting food, clothing drive to help apartment fire victims
A Lower Burrell fire department is hosting a food and clothing fundraiser Saturday for the victims of the fire that destroyed the Cedar Crest Apartments on Thursday. The public is encouraged to drop off dry food, clothing and other supplies to Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Department No. 3, 3255 Leechburg...
Lower Burrell apartment fire that displaced at least 34 remains under investigationVideo
Tom Haley lost more than belongings when fire tore through Lower Burrell’s Cedar Crest Apartments on Thursday, displacing him and at least 33 other residents. Haley said he moved multiple times while his late wife, Shirley, was in nursing homes, but he settled in at Cedar Crest after moving there...
West Deer woman wins big on ‘The Price is Right’
Mary Kay Giarrusso was the big winner on “The Price is Right.” The West Deer resident won $34,202.97 on Friday’s show, broadcast on CBS at 11 a.m. “The experience was amazing,” said Giarrusso. The show was taped in early March, and Giarrusso said, “I couldn’t remember everything that happened, so...
Detectives: 2 teens opened fire on New Kensington undercover officers
Two men are accused of firing nearly a dozen shots at three New Kensington police officers who were following them in February. Westmoreland County Detectives said Ezra Michael Grant, 19, of Greensburg, and J’Lamar Jeremiah Washington, 18, of Duquesne, face three counts each of attempted homicide, assault of a law...
The Stroller, May 22, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Redemption Church to serve free dinners today Redemption Church of Lower Burrell will serve free drive-through dinners from 5...
Apollo man charged with raping teen girl
An Apollo man is accused of raping a teen girl with a mental disability. Kiski Township police charged Frank Dean Shaner, 20, with rape, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault and indecent assault. Shaner is being held at Armstrong County Jail in Kittanning. A preliminary arraignment is scheduled for June 3....
Fire destroys garage, 3 vehicles at Allegheny Township home
An Allegheny Township couple will have to find another place to spend the night as a fire ripped through their garage and caused some damage to their home. A truck and two cars inside the red brick, three-car attached garage were destroyed in the fire at 160 Hummingbird Lane on...
Crews responding to downed wires, brush fire, in Allegheny Township
Crews are on scene of a brush fire in Allegheny Township caused by downed wires, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. Fire officials responded to the area of Route 356 and White Cloud Road around 6:20 p.m. Roads remained open. The fire is not endangering any structures. Further information was...
Authorities investigating ‘Zoom-bombing’ of Leechburg school board meeting
Schools, governing bodies and other organizations using teleconferencing software to hold online meetings during the coronavirus pandemic are facing a new form of cyber attack known as “Zoom-bombing.” Leechburg Area School Board became the latest victim Wednesday night when someone participating in the board’s virtual meeting via the online platform...
New lawyer for Arnold man appeals conviction for 2015 murder
An Arnold man serving a life prison sentence for the fatal shooting of a family friend more than four years ago now contends his trial lawyer’s continued misrepresentation of his age to jurors warrants a new trial. In an appeal filed Thursday, Erik Lamont Reed Jr., now 23, contends his...
Cheswick Council president to step down
Cheswick Council President Paul Jack said Thursday he is resigning to give someone else a chance to serve. “I’ve completed everything I wanted to complete. If I leave now, they can put someone in there who can be in office for a better part of a year and decide if...
Fire at Lower Burrell apartments leaves at least 25 people homeless
More than 25 people are homeless after a fast-moving fire Thursday afternoon destroyed the third floor of the Cedar Crest Apartments along Puckety Church Road in Lower Burrell. No one was injured. The fire likely started in the building’s attic and burned for a while before breaking out into a...
Gov. Wolf signs bill allowing bars, restaurants to sell cocktails to go
Bartenders began whipping up mixed drinks Thursday afternoon at Mogie’s Irish Pub as soon as they learned Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law allowing cocktail to-go sales during the pandemic-spurred restrictions. Craig Licata, who lives nearby the Lower Burrell bar, picked up two plastic foam cups of Long...
Boil water advisory lifted for Blawnox residents
A boil water advisory in Blawnox has been lifted. Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said residents can safely drink water from the tap after the borough ran two consecutive successful water quality tests. She thanked residents for their patience. The borough has been without water since Sunday, when a 12-inch line burst...
The Stroller, May 21, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Curbside food drop-off planned in Kiski Township Kiski Township Fire Department and Straight-N-Clear will host a curbside drop-off food...
Leechburg Area School Board meeting ends abruptly when ‘Zoom-bomber’ shares pornographic image
The Leechburg Area School Board ended its Wednesday meeting early after someone attending online aired a pornographic image. The school board was winding down its work session and was set to begin its regular meeting, when the pornographic image first appeared. “Oh dear, we just got ‘Zoom-bombed,’ I apologize,” Board...
Proposed New Kensington-Arnold budget has $1.2M deficit, 2.3% tax hike
New Kensington-Arnold’s proposed budget for the 2020-21 school year now includes a 2-mill property tax increase, but some board members are asking if it should be higher. Such a tax hike amounts to 2.3%. The school board discussed the budget during a virtual finance committee meeting Tuesday. It is scheduled...
Police charge 3rd person in murder of Armstrong County man in Arnold alley last June
A third person has been charged in the murder of an Armstrong County man in a drug deal gone bad in Arnold last year, police Chief Eric Doutt said Wednesday. Santyna Marie Bennett, 26, of Arnold is or was the girlfriend of Allen Duwayne Herring, 33, of Braddock, who is...
Western Pa. Gordmans stores could close after parent company files for bankruptcy
Several local Gordmans stores, including those in Allegheny Township, East Huntingdon and Rostraver, are at risk of closing for good, another victim of the coronavirus pandemic that left stores largely shuttered across the country. Houston, Texas-based Stage Stores Inc. — the parent company of Gordmans, which has been in operation...
Boil water advisory continues for Blawnox residents
Blawnox residents remain under a boil water advisory following a water main break on Sunday. Assistant Manager Mallori McDowell said people can get fresh drinking water at the municipal building at 376 Freeport Road. There are two water buffaloes on site, and residents should bring containers to fill. The boil...
Memorial Day events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The following Memorial Day observances are planned Monday in the Alle-Kiski Valley unless otherwise noted: Apollo Volunteers are needed at 7 a.m. Saturday to place flags on the graves of veterans in Riverview Cemetery and Historic Apollo Cemetery. Apollo-Ridge School District students can earn community service hours by checking in...
The Stroller, May 20, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Christopher’s Light children’s charity accepting donations Due to the increasing number of families experiencing unemployment, Christopher’s Light is seeking...
