Valley News Dispatch category, Page 608

Pivik Elementary students and a Habitat for Humanity Allegheny Valley volunteer have partnered to provide special hand-made toys for the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. Tom Hughes, a Korean War veteran and one of the original Habitat helpers, made multiple hand-carved wooden reindeer for the nonprofit. He continued that effort this...

An Oakmont contractor knocked $1,000 off the final bill to restore a veterans’ monument in front of Lower Burrell’s Stewart Elementary School. The monument for residents who served in World War II toppled over earlier this year. The office of state Rep. Bob Brooks, R-Murrysville, headed up the monument restoration...

The Tarentum branch of the Community Library of Allegheny Valley is set to close, according to the library’s board of directors. All operations will be run out of the Harrison branch, a few miles away. “After much consideration and discussion, the Community Library of Allegheny Valley Board of Directors voted...

Allegheny Township Supervisors on Monday night adopted a budget for 2020 that will keep the property tax rate at 16.5 mills. It’s the 10th consecutive year that township officials have held the line on property taxes. Of the 16.5 mills, 13.35 will go toward a $4.1 million general fund. A...

Pittsburgh isn’t exactly the bird capital of world, but its volunteers who count birds for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count are ranked as the 10th largest group of counters in more than 2,600 count areas. Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is the largest citizen survey in the country that measures...

Springdale High School Drama Club to present two plays The Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School Drama Club will perform two shows in one, “The Charge Is Murder,” and “Our Place,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $8; $5 for students and senior citizens; Gold...

Former Leechburg police Chief Michael Diebold will remain in jail for an indefinite period pending a hearing to determine whether his parole will be revoked. Diebold, 42, a convicted sex offender, was jailed late last week after he was accused of accessing a social media site that specializes in sadomasochism....

A former Leechburg police chief — who was fired and prosecuted for seeking sex from what he thought was an underage girl — used his cellphone while meeting with a probation officer to access a website devoted to fetishes, bondage and sadomasochism, state investigators said in court. In doing so,...

Tarentum could pay nearly $35,000 to update its zoning ordinance and map. The review comes as a billboard company arguing to place a sign at the Tarentum Bridge has pointed to errors and omissions in the borough’s zoning ordinance, which the company said unlawfully excludes billboards from any location in...

A couple who wants to put horses on a 24-acre property in Frazer is now one step closer to getting their wish. Supervisors last week unanimously voted to pass an ordinance that allows agricultural operations on properties larger than 15 acres as a conditional use in residential moderate density, or...

A girl missing since Friday has returned home, New Kensington police said Tuesday. Police said Monae Matthews is safe and was not injured when she returned home. In a post on the department’s Facebook page, police said Monae was a runaway who was last seen on Friday....

Festival of Trees raffle supports hospital projects Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary is hosting its annual Festival of Trees raffle to benefit projects supporting the hospital. Each hospital department decorates a tree to be raffled off and they are on display in the lobby. Tickets are 10 for $5 or 25...

Donations are needed for the second annual Small Town Christmas event in Harrison’s Sheldon Park neighborhood. The event was first held last year to help bring together and heal the community in the wake of two shootings. It ended up filling the void left when the township’s own parade and...

It’s easy to see why St. Joseph High School is rallying around Eli Swierczewski and his second battle with cancer. Classmates, teachers and friends describe the senior with a broad infectious smile as a great person. He’s an A-student who plays soccer, basketball and his favorite, baseball, and is also...

Real estate tax rates will be staying the same in Brackenridge, but residents will see hikes in trash collection and water rates. Council on Thursday gave final approval of a $1.16 million budget that will keep the tax rate at 6.25 mills. A new, three-year contract with Richard S. Adamik...

Highlands students to present winter concert The Highlands High School Choirs will present their winter concert, “Christmas Classics” at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school auditorium, Natrona Heights. Performances will be by the Concert Choir, Honors Choir and Variations Show Choir. Donations will be accepted to benefit the spring...

An online map could soon help the growing number of paddlers in the Kiski and Conemaugh rivers and outdoor enthusiasts discovers where to stop for a beer and to take in a small town attraction. A $230,000 state grant to the nonprofit Allegheny Ridge Corporation will pay for an updated,...

New Kensington held its annual Christmas parade Saturday. The parade wound through downtown and featured floats and bands. It was followed by a touch-a-truck event on Fourth Avenue in front of the fire station....