Valley News Dispatch category, Page 611
Harmar fills vacancy on board of supervisors
Harmar Supervisors appointed Jim Devlin to fill a vacancy on the township board. Devlin, 73, will fill the unexpired term of Supervisors’ Chairman Bob Seibert. Seibert, who had two years left on his six-year term, decided to run for the seat vacated by Patricia Janoski, who retired from the board...
Leechburg man accused of assaulting girl at Westmoreland MallVideo
A 16-year-old girl from the Greensburg area told state police a man “grabbed her by the throat, picked her up and threw her to the floor” at Westmoreland Mall last month after she replied to an off-hand comment her assailant and two juvenile companions made about her appearance. State police...
Fire marshal to investigate cause of East Deer house fire
An East Deer man said he was trying to thaw frozen water pipes when his home caught fire Thursday morning. The fire at 931 Bellview St. was reported around 5:45 a.m., according to Allegheny County 911. No injuries were reported. Zachary Shutak, 24, said he was using a heat gun...
The Stroller, Jan. 23, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Banners to honor veterans in West Deer West Deer Township is accepting orders for banners to honor township residents who served in the Armed Forces. The double-sided banners will be printed by Gray Signs and measure 24 x 30-inches. Cost is $120 plus tax and includes banner, hardware, photo scanning...
State Rep. Joseph Petrarca to hold 2 free concealed carry events
State Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Washington Township, will hold two free concealed-carry events to ensure 55th District residents are aware of their Second Amendment rights. The informational events will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Huber Hall in Latrobe and Feb. 6 at the West Leechburg Fire...
Fire marshal can’t rule out arson in blaze that destroyed Freeport home
A state police fire marshal said he can’t rule out arson as the cause for a fire that destroyed a Freeport home last weekend. The single-story, ranch-style house at 165 Washington St. was being renovated after it was damaged in another fire four months ago. The home caught fire again...
Former Highlands principal’s federal lawsuit going to mediation
A former Highlands School District principal’s federal lawsuit against the district is going into mediation, according to court records. Attorneys for the school district and Heather Bigney have agreed to evenly share the costs of mediation. Bigney resigned as principal of Highlands Early Childhood Center in October 2019 . She...
The Stroller, Jan. 22, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Bowling fundraiser to aid St. Joseph HS student The St. Joseph High School Bowling Team is sponsoring a bowling fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Wildlife Lanes, Lower Burrell, to support fellow student Eli Swierczewski who is battling Ewing’s sarcoma. Cost is $20 and includes bowling and shoe...
Oakmont police collecting expired, unwanted medications
Oakmont police want to make it easier for people to properly dispose of their expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. The department can do that via its new drug disposal box provided by KidCents and the Rite Aid Foundation. It was installed earlier this month. Drop-offs can be made...
Plans to address Oakmont Commons flooding problems under review
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reviewing plans and models designed to fix flooding problems in the Oakmont Commons. There’s no timetable for a response, but officials hope hear from them soon. “They’ll probably give us a recommendation to it and let us know if we’re doing something improper...
Leechburg wants to honor military veterans with banners
Leechburg is joining other Alle-Kiski Valley communities in honoring their veterans and active military service members with banners. A three-person committee that includes Mayor Wayne Dobos has been working on the “Hometown Hero” banner program since last year. The other community members are Doreen Smeal and Debbie Canzano. The banners...
Man accused of starting North Apollo bar fight, then fighting with cops
A New Kensington man faces charges after police said he started a fight early Tuesday at a North Apollo bar and then fought with officers who responded. Kiski Township police said they arrived at the R Bar on 16th Street to see Nicholas Jack, 25, throwing punches at people who...
Vandergrift man accused of hitting girlfriend with hammer during argument
A Vandergrift man accused of hitting his live-in girlfriend in the head with a hammer allegedly told police he only “nicked her.” Police said Thomas Andrew Funkhouser, 34, had fresh blood on his hands when officers arrived at a Grant Street apartment at about 12:30 a.m. last Thursday. His girlfriend,...
Fire, EMS organizations in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties slated for state grants
More than $850,000 has been slated for 68 local fire and EMS organizations in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, Sen. Jim Brewster announced on Tuesday. The $858,144 was made available through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, Brewster said. The funds are...
Police: 14-year-old Avonmore girl was high when she led police on chase
A 14-year-old Avonmore girl is accused of being high on drugs Monday morning when she took her mother’s car and led Gilpin police on a high-speed chase before crashing, according to police. Gilpin police Chief Chris Fabec did not identify the girl but said she faces juvenile charges including reckless...
Kiski Township’s 1st manager resigns
Kiski Township’s first township manager has resigned less than two years after taking the job. Donna Piper tendered her resignation for the position and supervisors will hold a special meeting Jan. 29 to accept it. Piper could not be reached for comment. Supervisor Chuck Rodnicki said he is unsure whether...
West Deer acquires box for residents to safely dispose of medication
West Deer residents now have a safe place to drop off unwanted medications. The township recently acquired a Safe Medication Disposal box, which is in the lobby of the municipal building. West Deer police partnered with KidCents and The Rite Aid Foundation to get the box, which was donated by...
Highlands hires new principal for elementary school
Highlands Elementary School has a new principal. Stan Whiteman was hired at an annual salary of $108,000. His start date is not yet known, school board President Misty Chybrzynski said. Whiteman is coming to Highlands from the Duquesne City School District, where he was director of curriculum, instruction, assessment and...
Cheswick’s MaxMotive to sponsor ‘World of Wheels’ car show in PittsburghVideo
When Buffalo Township’s Bobby Maxwell was growing up in Saltsburg, he and his brother, David, worked at their father’s company Max Construction and learned business values such as being fair with customers. David stayed in the field of construction and runs the company today. Bobby became fascinated with the machinery,...
Springdale Township, pool, veterans try to resolve drainage issues
Bouquet Park Pool is appealing a decision by Springdale Township to revoke its occupancy permit amid allegations that pool water drained onto a neighboring property. Township Commissioners President Anthony Rozzano said the pool water entered the neighboring property of the Springdale Veterans Association. “You are not allowed to discharge water...
Police looking for missing Verona man last seen in December
Authorities are looking for a 22-year-old Verona man who was last seen in December in Penn Hills. Allegheny County police said the Verona Police Department notified them of Christian Moore-Rouse’s disappearance on Jan. 6. The man was last seen Dec. 21 at the Dollar Tree on Rodi Road in Penn...
The Stroller, Jan. 20, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Pool tournament to aid fire victims A doubles pool tournament fundraiser to benefit Jason and Marissa Femc of Allegheny Township who lost their home Jan. 3 in a fire, will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Barefoot Bar & Grill, 614 Schenley Road, Gilpin. For details, call Kimberly Grafton at...
Allegheny Valley School Board eyes proposals for Colfax Elementary demolition
Allegheny Valley School Board has agreed to request additional detailed proposals for the demolition of Colfax Elementary School. Canzian-Johnston and Associates, a New Kensington architectural firm, previously supplied the board with a demolition plan for the school in Springdale. Actual cost of demolition totaled around $676,000 in that plan, according...
The Stroller, Jan. 20, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Youth football association collecting shoes Allegheny Valley Youth Football Association is collecting gently-used and new shoes from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Feb. 15 at Veterans Memorial Field, Lincoln Avenue, Springdale. Shoes will be redistributed through the Funds2Orgs network of small business partners and helps them to create, maintain...
New name can’t change the splendid view from Veltre’s in PlumVideo
It’s a slightly different spelling with the same spectacular view. An iconic venue in Plum affording stunning views of the Allegheny River and surrounding countryside has reopened. Veltre’s Wedding and Event Centre, formerly Veltri’s Restaurant, opened in 2016 after being shuttered for 12 years. Only a vowel separates the surnames...
