Valley News Dispatch category, Page 660
Former Harrison cop ‘Bucky’ Taraszewski just can’t seem to retire
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. When Floyd “Bucky” Taraszewski retired after nearly 50 years from the Harrison Township Police Department in 2016, his wife jokingly scolded him. “She told me I wasn’t just...
Oversized fun for all ages at Harmar’s Zone 28
Oversized patio games, a fire pit and more than 100 different beers are just some of the options being offered at the new beer park at Zone 28 in Harmar. The beer park is the latest in Zone 28’s entertainment evolution over the past few years. In that time they’ve...
Tri-City Historical Society hopes to learn more about area’s past
The Tri-City Historical Society may be relatively new, but its members already have high aspirations for what it will be able to offer the Alle-Kiski Valley in the future. The nonprofit group was founded this year to collect, preserve and make available materials related to the histories of Arnold, New...
Autistic musicians rock at Pittsburgh Blues and Roots FestivalVideo
There was nothing not funky about the Spectrum’s version of “Play that Funky Music White Boy” at the Syria Shrine Center in Harmar on Sunday for the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival. But there was an aura — something almost supernatural and powerful — that wowed the crowd. Maybe it...
Annual Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival heating up the summer
The Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival, scheduled for July 27-28 at the Syria Shrine Center in Cheswick, delivers again with a lineup of blistering blues talent. Those on the bill include national marquee acts Tommy Castro & the Painkillers, “Across the Universe” fame and Joplin-esque vocalist Dana Fuchs, Joe Grushecky...
Plans for 162-acre development off Route 28 a ‘go,’ developer says
Plans to develop 162 acres near the Tarentum interchange along Route 28 are moving forward, according to a consultant on the project. Nothing has been built on the Harrison site known as Jobe’s Hole since trees were cleared from it more than two years ago to protect an endangered species...
South Buffalo police actively patrolling 30 square-milesVideo
South Buffalo is regularly patrolled by police officers who know the township’s 30 square miles and the neighboring community of Cadogan Township. That comes as a surprise to some residents, said police Chief Jeffrey Kuntz. Maybe that’s because, the chief says, the most dangerous thing in the quiet community might...
At Vandergrift’s Artfest, thousands showed they could be an artist for the dayVideo
Several thousand visitors attended Vandergrift’s Artsfest on Saturday, where anyone was an artist, with children freestyle painting and adults throwing some clay on a potter’s wheel. Sponsored by the Vandergrift Improvement Program (VIP), Artsfest featured 37 artists, crafters and vendors selling paintings, jewelry, prints, leather work, home decor items, photography...
Recent flooding forces Plum’s Monday Market to change location
The location of this week’s Monday Market has been changed to the Plum Municipal Building parking lot, 4575 New Texas Road. The change comes as the result of flooding at Plum Creek Park and activity scheduled at its fields. The market will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m....
Brackenridge woman, 28, dies in Washington Township crash
A 28-year-old woman was killed Saturday morning in a two-vehicle accident in Washington Township. Washington Township police identified the fatality victim as Haley D. Montgomery, of Brackenridge. Montgomery was driving northbound on Route 66 and attempted to turn left onto Greensburg Road (Route 366) at about 7:40 a.m. Saturday. She...
Police: Drums, guns, alcohol played role in Washington Township arrest
A Washington Township man is accused of threatening to shoot police officers who responded to a noise complaint at his home and then resisting arrest. Police say it took multiple attempts to subdue Robin Mitchell Saula, 61, with a Taser. Police said they received calls after 11 p.m. Tuesday about...
Arnold man accused of punching New Ken police officer in face
An Arnold man will stand trial on charges that he punched a police officer in the face earlier this month in New Kensington. Chaz Anthony Hooper, 30, will head to Westmoreland County Court on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, defiant trespass and public drunkenness in connection to...
New restaurant owners look to infuze Brackenridge with flavorsVideo
Tim Emery has been in the restaurant business since he was 13. He’s been a busboy, a line cook and a chef. He’s opened hundreds of restaurants working for a chain. “I’ve been cooking almost my whole life. I’ve cooked every cuisine you could think of,” said Emery, 36, a...
Historic Brackenridge cemetery seeks help to make a comeback
Vegetation used to be a problem at Prospect Cemetery. Now, it’s an enhancement. The historic Brackenridge cemetery, where many prominent and notable figures from the area’s past are buried, was once being consumed by grass and weeds. That slide into disrepair was reversed. And now, a small hill in the...
Frosted Mug in Cheswick, soon to close, remembered for much more than good food
The freshly popped popcorn on the tables, the chicken wings and the fish sandwiches are just a few of the items regulars of the Frosted Mug in Cheswick will miss once it closes. Karen Black, 62, said the bar and restaurant will close its doors and she will retire later...
New Kensington-Arnold reports progress in teacher contract talks
New Kensington-Arnold School District officials are optimistic that teachers will have a new contract before classes resume next month. The district’s teachers have been working without a contract for almost two years. The last contract ended on Aug. 31, 2017. At a school board meeting Thursday, Superintendent John Pallone said...
6 things to do in and around Westmoreland: July 26-28
We are creeping toward August but there’s still plenty of summer fun yet to come. Here’s what’s going on in and around Westmoreland County this weekend. Ready for some football? Just like the swallows to Capistrano, the Pittsburgh Steelers return each summer to the Unity campus of Saint Vincent College...
Plum offering variety of help for residents with flood damage
Help is continuing to come in and be made available for Plum residents hit by flooding brought on by heavy rain earlier this week. That includes dumpsters for residents to dispose of flood damaged property; cleanup and hygiene kits; and a Facebook group where residents who can help and those...
Voodoo Brewery set for pop-up pub in New Kensington
Voodoo Brewery’s newest brew pub won’t open at its New Kensington location until this fall. But fans of Voodoo’s craft beer will have a chance to sample some of it Saturday. While work continues at Voodoo’s newest establishment inside the former Ritz Theater at 956 Fifth Ave., the brewery is...
Video: In 10 minutes, massive fire decimated historic Belvedere HotelVideo
It took only about 10 minutes for a massive fire to engulf the four-story Belvedere Hotel late Tuesday, according to the fire chief on the scene and a surveillance video from Naser Foods across the street. Firefighters on their way to the station could see that the blaze started behind...
Woman’s cross-country horse ride against domestic violence coming to Tarentum
A woman riding across the country on horseback to bring awareness to domestic violence will make a stop in Tarentum on Monday. Meredith Cherry and her horse, Apollo, are expected to be at Riverview Memorial Park at noon on Monday, according to the Alle-Kiski Valley H.O.P.E. Center, a domestic violence...
Vandergrift paints the town Saturday for Artsfest
A 5-foot painting of Albert Einstein, 25 original artworks on palettes throughout town, a gallery of fine artwork, food trucks, live music and more are all on tap for Vandergrift’s Artsfest Saturday. Festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Grant Avenue, which will be closed to...
Police: Pizzeria worker stole $500 from Allegheny Township shop
A River City Pizza employee is accused of using a hammer to break into the Allegheny Township pizzeria in May and steal about $500. Police said the girlfriend of Muhammad Imran Hashmi, 20, of Apollo told police that he used the stolen money to buy food and instant lottery tickets,...
Penn State names road after Lower Burrell native
Joe Swanderski has made quite an impression in his 17 years working at Penn State University. So much so that the Lower Burrell native recently had a road named after him at the State College campus. Swanderski, 67, works as a supervisor for utility operations at the university. He has...
Ceremonial groundbreaking set for New Kensington apartment project
A ceremonial groundbreaking has been scheduled for the Pioneer Apartments project already under construction in New Kensington. The event for the Wesley Family Services project is set for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, at the site at 319 10th St. The $18.2 million, four-story, 36-unit building will provide affordable...
