Valley News Dispatch category, Page 621
The Stroller, Dec. 16, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
HOPE Center seeking clothing donations The Alle-Kiski HOPE Center is seeking donations of clothing and personal items for the clients that it serves. Items most needed include new pajamas, slippers, socks, underwear for all sizes and genders, full-size shampoo and body wash, hair brushes, combs and Chapstick. Donations can be...
In New Kensington, there really is a SantaVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. A casting call for a sixth-grade school play would land New Kensington native Tom Hogan the role of a lifetime. St. Joseph School in the early 1970s needed someone...
’Tis the season for the 12th year of Leechburg LightsVideo
Leechburg is lit. Leechburg Lights, the annual synchronized holiday music-and-light show, is open for the 2019-2020 season — its 12th. The free show invites visitors to enjoy a unique visual display from the comfort of their vehicle by tuning their car radio to 100.3 FM. Visitors also can park and...
A tasty exchange: Cookie swap moves from Harrison home to fire hall
When Lori Miller decided to organize a Christmas cookie exchange last year, she did it out of her Harrison home with about a dozen women. She had to move it to a bigger venue this year — a fire hall — due to popular demand. “The first year was last...
The Stroller, Dec. 15, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Santa planning trips through Arnold Members of Arnold Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 will escort Santa Claus around the borough beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Listen for horns, sirens and music. The route on Tuesday will begin at the Sunoco station on Freeport Road into the McKean Plan,...
Formal shop in Vandergrift closing for renovations
Wednesday was the last day of the year to shop at Get Dressed Formals, a formal consignment shop in Vandergrift. The store will be closed for renovations through Jan. 2. Michelle Wehrle opened the shop in April but has quickly outgrown the 1,500-square-foot space. She has more than 1,200 consigned...
Holiday wreath-making is a ‘family affair’ for Upper Burrell manVideo
The lighted wreaths along the driveway leading to the VFW along Wildlife Lodge in Lower Burrell and in front of the Vietnam War memorial are hard to miss. Those are no ordinary holiday decorations. “Those wreaths with the LED lights — people rave every time they drive into the place,”...
West Deer resident says he can’t escape streetlight’s glare into his home
When Adam Fusan moved into his West Deer home 10 years ago, there wasn’t a streetlight at the corner of Saxonburg Boulevard and McKrell Road. One was installed in July at the request of township supervisors. Fusan, who lives on Saxonburg, said it’s impacting his everyday life. “It’s driving me...
35 cats and dogs rescued from West Deer home
Thirty cats and five dogs living in “deplorable conditions” at a West Deer home were rescued, according to a local animal shelter that is caring for them. Authorities responding to a complaint from a resident Friday said there was a “pungent odor emanating from the house” and obtained a warrant...
Ring in 2020 at the Quality Inn ballroom in New Kensington
Welcome 2020 in style. The grand ballroom inside the Quality Inn in New Kensington will be dressed up for a festive New Year’s Eve celebration. The event has returned after several years’ hiatus thanks to Brenda and Daniel Leo of Leechburg, owners of the food and beverage and banquet facilities...
The Stroller, Dec. 14, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Holiday open house planned Tuesday in Kittanning Sen. Joe Pittman will host a holiday open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at his Armstrong County office, 109 S. Jefferson St., Kittanning. Information about programs and services will be available. His district includes Saxonburg and Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson and...
Artistic replica of the old Hulton Bridge in Oakmont unveiled at Riverview High School
An idea formed nearly four years ago in a Riverview High School jewelry making class turned into an artistic replica of the historic Hulton Bridge in Oakmont. Glenn Garrison, a technology education teacher and former art instructor, said a student suggested crafting jewelry from the 107-year-old bridge that was demolished...
Man convicted of attempted murder, robbery at large after skipping last day of trial
A Huntingdon County man convicted Thursday in Armstrong County for attempted homicide is on the run, state police and court officials said Friday. Willie James Lunsford, 34, of Mount Union, had posted $200,000 bond on Aug. 6 to await a trial that started Monday. He took part in his trial...
Sandy Hook mom Scarlett Lewis’ to speak Monday at Burrell High School
Burrell School District officials are encouraging the public and area community groups to attend a free presentation Monday on social emotional learning from Scarlett Lewis, whose son was Jesse was one of 26 people killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Lewis’ presentation is scheduled to start...
New Kensington teen accused of shooting man in Vandergrift
A New Kensington teen is accused of shooting a man in a leg in Vandergrift last month when the man allegedly told him he didn’t have any drugs for sale. Court records show Ryleik Amitre Arbuckle, 15, is charged as an adult. A criminal complaint said Arbuckle pistol-whipped the 20-year-old...
Vandergrift merchants band together for new Christmas event
Vandergrift business owner Kelly Adamik said she organized the first-ever Mistletoe & Merchants event scheduled for Saturday to showcase what she considers to be the borough’s resurgent business community. “We’ve really turned a corner, and I thought it was time to highlight,” said Adamik, who owns The Gathering Room, a...
Brackenridge’s Vibo’s Bakery hopes to make some dough at pop-up market
Dino “Vibo” Lopreiato will wake at 4 a.m. Saturday and start baking bread. His 86-year-old father, Giuseppe, will have been in the kitchen for an hour or longer already, kneading dough and preheating the ovens. They will be prepping for the day ahead. The elder Lopreiato will bake items to...
West Deer Christmas gift program a ‘labor of love,’ police chief says
When it comes to Christmas shopping, West Deer police Chief Jon Lape has an eye for deals. That pays off when you’re shopping for hundreds of children. Lape has spearheaded a campaign for the past 23 years to provide gifts to needy families in West Deer, and he buys most...
Kiski Area High School’s Breakfast with Santa expected to attract 300 people
Sarah Gracey, an advisor and business teacher at Kiski Area High School, thinks there are several reasons why the school’s sixth annual Breakfast with Santa resonates with the community. “It’s like a wholesome, family event,” she said. “It’s for the community, by the community.” Breakfast with Santa will take place...
The Stroller, Dec. 13, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Volunteers needed to tutor students at Peoples Library Peoples Library in New Kensington is seeking adult volunteers to tutor elementary students in its afterschool program. Adult tutors work one-on-one with at-risk students from the New Kensington-Arnold School District from 4 to 5:20 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the New Kensington...
Boyce Park ski slopes to open this weekend
Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts can rejoice, because the Boyce Park slopes open up for the season on Saturday. Allegheny County Parks Department officials said the beginner slope and main slope will be ready around 9:30 a.m. with a base of 18 to 24 inches of snow. Other slopes, trails and...
Apollo Borough office closed for move to new location
The Apollo municipal office closed this week and will remain closed until Dec. 20 when it reopens at a new location at 809 N. Warren Avenue. The move was prompted by the expiration of the borough’s lease at the end of the year at 616 First St., the former Apollo...
Cousin accused of aiding convicted cop killer Rahmael Holt ordered to stand trialVideo
New Kensington District Judge Frank Pallone refused to lower Lisa Harrington’s $100,000 bond Thursday after holding her for trial on charges of getting rid of the gun her cousin used to kill city police Officer Brian Shaw two years ago. Harrington, 33, is a cousin of Rahmael Holt, who a...
New Kensington-Arnold preliminary budget spikes taxes, exhausts reserves
Even with a property tax increase more than double its state limit, the New Kensington-Arnold School District will empty its reserves by the end of the 2020-21 school year and go into the red, the district’s business manager projects. A 7-mill property tax increase is included in the $38.96 million...
Missing New Kensington youth found
A missing New Kensington youth has been found, police said. Police and the family of Da’ Montae Brooks, 13, had been looking for him since 10 p.m. last Thursday. Detective Sgt. Paul Manke said Monday he has been found. No other details are available....
