Valley News Dispatch category, Page 611
1 lane of southbound Route 28 closed near Harmar after landslide
Authorities reduced Southbound Route 28 in Harmar Township to a single-lane around 5 p.m. Tuesday because of a landslide, PennDOT said. The single-lane closure is in place between the Harmar (Exit 11) and RIDC Drive (Exit 10) interchanges after two large boulders fell from the hillside onto the shoulder of...
Bouquet Pool needs 250 memberships by March 1 to stay afloat
If Bouquet Park Pool in Springdale Township can’t sell 250 memberships by March 1, the pool’s board could potentially close it. So far, only 44 have signed up, according to a recent count by pool board member Kellie Vergerio, of Springdale, who has been swimming at the pool since she...
Lower Burrell woman pleads guilty to attempting to deal fentanyl/painkiller mixture
A Lower Burrell woman this week pleaded guilty in federal court for attempting to deal roughly 47 grams of a fentanyl-tramadol mixture, prosecutors said. Amber Doller-Smith, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute the drugs, both of which are painkillers, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady...
Waterline extension project in South Buffalo gets key funding
A proposed waterline extension along Srader Grove Road in South Buffalo received a major financial boost Monday. State Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, appeared at the supervisors meeting to announce that the township has received a $150,000 state grant for the project. “I’ve always felt that if Armstrong County is going...
The Stroller, Feb. 18, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Fundraiser planned March 14...
Palmer Pharmacy in West Deer loves to serve community, keep hometown feel
Editor’s note: Building the Valley tells stories of businesses big and small and the employees who make them special. If you know of any standout employees, bosses or companies with a great story to tell, contact Senior News Editor Tom Fontaine at tfontaine@tribweb.com. Kaitlyn Sullivan likes making a difference and...
Body of missing kayaker formerly from Armstrong County recovered in West Virginia
The body of kayaker Jamie Lynn Gray was recovered Monday afternoon from a West Virginia river where she went missing on Feb. 9, authorities said. Gray, 41, went missing while kayaking with nine other people on a remote section of Middle Fork River in Barbour County, according to the West...
Washington Township scraps planning commission, hires administrator
Washington Township officials are dissolving the township’s planning commission in favor of a planning administrator. The township supervisors last week approved an agreement with the Municipal Authority of Washington Township that effectively takes that action. Supervisors Chairman Rich Gardner said the authority must still approve the agreement under which both...
Trump’s proposed budget includes spending boost for locks and dams in Pittsburgh area
President Trump’s proposed budget for next fiscal year includes $103.1 million for the civil works program in the Army Corps of Engineers’ Pittsburgh District and would boost funding for local locks and dams. The proposed budget is part of $6 billion in discretionary funding for the Army Corps worldwide civil...
Colorful Depression era glass show returns to New Kensington
Trying to pass on an appreciation of antique, colorful glassware, the Three Rivers Depression Era Glass Society is offering free admission to visitors under the age of 30 for their glass show March 7 and 8 at the Quality Inn in New Kensington. The 43rd annual Three Rivers Depression Era...
People can order banners honoring Leechburg and Gilpin veterans
Orders are now being accepted for Leechburg’s “Hometown Hero” banner program. Mayor Wayne Dobos, a member of the three-person committee working on the program, said a banner featuring him will be hung by the Leechburg municipal building in the near future. This will allow people to see what the banners...
The Stroller, Feb. 17, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Kiski Area Shamrock Run...
Additional shale gas well pad planned for Arconic property in Upper Burrell
Plans are being made for two new shale gas well pads at the Arconic property in Upper Burrell and two natural gas pipelines that would cross through the township. The township supervisors have accepted a recommendation from the planning commission on a pre-application meeting with Brian Dillemuth of Olympia Energy....
Discussion over Leechburg’s Veterans Memorial Stadium continues
The Leechburg Area School Board on Tuesday will present its plan for the Veterans Memorial Stadium renovations to Leechburg Council. Council members Chuck Pascal, Ruth Bender and Lorrie Bazella attended Wednesday’s school board meeting seeking information on the project. The borough owns the property where the field and adjoining practice...
Mobile cupcake business serves up happiness by the dozenVideo
Confectionery chef Amanda Dingey of Ford City is on a roll. Dingey owns and operates StudeCakers, a mobile and online custom cupcake business she opened in 2012 after leaving a corporate customer service job. “Last year, I sold over 35,000 cupcakes,” says Dingey, 45. “My cupcake flavors scream ‘fun.’ ”...
Remember When: Feb. 17
100 years ago Truck seized by U.S. carrying liquor An automobile truck with $2,000 of whisky and wine headed from New York City to Vandergrift was seized by federal authorities when the vehicle stalled near Greensburg. The incident occurred weeks after the nationwide prohibition of liquor was underway. 75 years...
Pittsburgh area’s mild winters creating mountains of salt
Back-to-back mild winters have caused a backlog of road salt for some communities, forcing them to scramble to find space to store incoming shipments for next year. A number of communities have not used as much road salt as they thought they would, said Tom Benecki, executive director of the...
‘Dr. Betsy’ and Scooter, her paraplegic therapy cat, bring happiness to Western Pa. nursing homesVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Goodwill doesn’t retire easily when it comes to animals and the vulnerable. For more than more than 11 years, a now-retired veterinarian known as “Dr. Betsy” Kennon of Fawn...
River Road in O’Hara closed at railroad crossing through Wednesday
Motorists who travel along River Road in O’Hara will need to detour through mid-week, according to a post on social media by township officials. The road is closed through Wednesday for repairs to the Norfolk Southern railroad crossing. Work is weather dependent. River Road will be closed at Freeport Road...
The Stroller, Feb. 16, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Hoagie fundraiser to benefit...
Freeport Area School Board wants more prices before acting on building work
The Freeport Area School Board is delaying nine capital projects until specific costs can be determined. The school board Thursday was prepared to pass a laundry list of items to be taken care of this summer. The administration submitted a list of estimated costs. They amount to about $520,000 in...
Young autistic boy who wandered from Harrison home rescued from thick brush in woods
A young, nonverbal autistic boy was rescued Saturday night by Citizens Hose firefighters after wandering coatless and alone into the woods in the Birdville section of Harrison. “He didn’t have any injuries; he was just chilly,” Chief Sean Jones said. The child, about 4 or 5 years old, walked away...
Elsa, Captain America, Batman help raise money for Highlands Relay for Life
Two-year-old Genevieve Olszewski of Brackenridge wore her fanciest purple dress Saturday and bundled up to brave the frigid temperatures. It seemed appropriate, given the toddler was on her way to a makeshift Arendelle to dance the day away with the kingdom’s most famous residents, Elsa and Anna. The event, a...
Sharing a meal: St. Joseph High School plans fundraiser for student battling cancer
Sitting down to eat this dinner will be about more than food for the body. It’s about feeding the spirit. The St. Joseph High School athletic association is hosting a fundraising dinner to support Eli Swierczewski, a senior three-sport athlete. The Harrison resident has been diagnosed with a recurrence of...
The Stroller, Feb. 15, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Bouquet Pool conducting membership...
