Valley News Dispatch category, Page 6
Parks Township residents told more details about nuclear dump cleanup
From her kitchen window, Parks Township resident Candy Johnson, 71, can see buildings on a nuclear waste dump that has sat nearby since the 1970s. Johnson, who has lived in the township for a decade, came Wednesday night to voice her concerns about the $500 million cleanup at the site,...
Plum man headed to court, accused of trying to hit a TV news crew with his SUV
The father of a former Highlands School District teacher charged with sexually assaulting students will have his own day in court. Harold Dicer, the father of Sean Dicer, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. His case now will head...
Firefighters battle blaze at historic Indiana Township church
Josie Boyd was driving home after an afternoon of shopping when she noticed the sky above her Indiana Township neighborhood turning dark. “All these fire trucks started racing past,” Boyd said. “I could see smoke filling the air.” A few blocks from her home, firefighters from multiple companies were battling...
Tarentum Mini Mart opens in historic bank building, bringing 3rd grocery store to borough
For the third time in less than a year, a small grocery store has opened in Tarentum to accommodate residents, especially those without transportation. Tarentum Mini Mart opened Monday on East Sixth Avenue in the former bank building at the corner of Corbet Street. “We will try to be a...
Building the Valley: Historic building serves as Vandergrift community gathering center
An almost century-old Vandergrift building that once served youth sports groups has been transformed into a community event space, breathing fresh life into a structure long tied to the borough’s history. Venue at 413, located on Linden Street, opened in January as a two-story rental venue. It already has hosted...
The Stroller, May 6, 2026: 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. May 17 super bingo...
Fox Chapel Area fencing team rises to physical, mental challenges of game
Fox Chapel Area senior Lil Thomas joined the fencing team as a freshman at the urging of her older brothers. “None of my family is very athletic, but they thought it was a good way to make friends,” she said, laughing. Turns out, it was a smart move. Thomas, 17,...
Upper Burrell residents seek answers at data center town hall
Upper Burrell residents asked questions regarding environmental impacts, noise pollution, energy usage and health concerns about an incoming data center at a public meeting Tuesday and were told by the developer and township officials the project would not pose risks. TECfusions is in the process of building the data center...
Pittsburgh artist John Pena has mini residency at Highlands High School
Artist John Pena — on the heels of having his work displayed at the new $31 million Arts Landing in the Pittsburgh Cultural District — was on hand Tuesday for a mini residency at Highlands High School. Students in teacher Teresa Emeloff’s mixed media class were treated to hands-on consultations...
Parks Township medical technology company projected to create 40 new jobs locally by next year
Cook Medical-Vandergrift in Parks Township is in the process of expanding after being acquired by Nexpring Health, a global medical technology production company that specializes in assisted reproductive technology. By next year , the expansion is expected to create about 40 jobs in Armstrong County. “(Nexpring) is looking to be...
Family Promise House in Brackenridge awarded $20K to help people avert need for shelter
Family Promise House in Brackenridge exists to help people who need temporary shelter. But Karen Snair, executive director, said her group also works to thwart that need wherever possible. Run by Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, the nonprofit was awarded $20,000 to help people avert the need to use the...
The Stroller, May 5, 2026: 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. National Day of Prayer...
Independent coffee shops: A community and economic driverVideo
Seeking a sense of community is what got April Zeolla, owner and operator of Novo Café in Arnold, into the coffee business. And a community is what she found. “I’ve always loved just any way to gather people in a room,” Zeolla said. “This is the best way to gather...
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. announces Pittsburgh Music Festival
Brews and tunes are on the menu this summer as the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. gears up for the first Pittsburgh Music Festival. The event is an expansion of the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival organized by Ron “Moondog” Esser of Frazer and John Vento of West Deer. The two began...
Public can share opinions on proposed 172-unit housing plan in Indiana Township
Indiana Township residents can weigh in on a proposed 172-unit housing plan during a public hearing May 13. The township supervisors will discuss an application by Mars-based Weaver Homes for a planned residential development (PRD) situated at the intersection of Cove Run Road and Field View Lane. Developers are seeking...
More than $1M in new fines handed down to Mills mall owners
Almost $1.5 million was added to existing fines owed by the companies that operate the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer on Monday. District Judge Michael Girardi imposed the fines for Pitt Galleria Realty, Pitt Realty, Pitt Galleria CH and Pitt Galleria Nassim — also known as Namdar Realty Group...
Tarentum OKs 2 chimney swift towers critical to supporting bird population
Chimney swifts — tiny birds that can eat up to 6,000 insects a day and whose population is in rapid decline — will have two new places to roost in Tarentum. The migratory birds are expected to arrive in Western Pennsylvania this week from their winter home in South America....
The Stroller, May 4, 2026: 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. Memorial Day events to...
Leechburg town hall to highlight public resources
A town hall to raise awareness about local resources will take place this month in Leechburg. Mayor Doreen Smeal said she decided to put the event together because it has been years since the town gathered for a similar meeting. The last town hall was hosted in 2023. “I just...
The Stroller, May 3, 2026: 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. Drug take-back box available...
Term limits gain traction in Allegheny County
Support for imposing term limits on Allegheny County officials has become a bipartisan issue, despite concerns from some experts that the move could weaken accountability. “Term limits are not a partisan issue,” said Lisa Buckiso, chair of the West Jefferson Hills Republican Committee. “I think it’s a good thing.” The...
Pittsburgh Brewing brings some of the sights, sounds and scents of the Kentucky Derby to East DeerVideo
There was a strong aroma of spearmint behind the bar and women wearing jaunty chapeaus in the taproom of Pittsburgh Brewing in East Deer on Saturday. While it might be more than 400 miles from Churchill Downs, the distance didn’t stop Pittsburgh-area folks from gathering at the brewery to celebrate...
Local school districts join statewide push for increased public school funding from the state
As public school districts across the state face increased expenses and stagnant revenue, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association has introduced a resolution asking for increased state funding. PSBA is a Harrisburg-based organization that brings issues that affect districts across the state to the attention of state policymakers and the Legislature....
Alle-Kiski Senior Citizen News: May 2, 2026
Armstrong County Senior Centers Apollo Wednesday: noon, site council meeting; Mothers Day celebration; . Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Details: Charlotte at 800-368-1066 or Amy at 724-478-1410. The center is at 707A N. Fifth St., Apollo. Freeport Tuesday and Thursday: bingo. The center is at 102 Fifth St.,...
The Stroller, May 2, 2026: 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. Children welcome at free...
