Valley News Dispatch category, Page 669

The mood was sober during Allegheny Township police Officer Charity Butz’s presentation Tuesday on the dangers and penalties for driving under the influence for a freshman health class at Kiski Area High School. But the students perked up considerably when they wore goggles that simulate being drunk or under the...

A 40-year-old Homestead man was shot in the hand in Kittanning on Friday over a drug debt, state police said. Police said the incident happened in an apartment along the 100 block of South Jefferson Street at about 9:45 a.m. Willie Lunsford, 33, of Mount Union; Eric McKenzie, 32, of...

An Armstrong County man already required to register as a sex offender is accused of raping a mentally disabled teenage girl last year, according to state police. Dwayne Edward Hawk, 52, of Manor Township also is charged with statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and three related charges. He was...

If you’re over 55 years old and looking for an excuse to dress up and have some fun then you’re in luck. The Deer Lakes High School National Honor Society is putting on a Senior Citizen Prom Night in May as a way to provide a night of entertainment for...

Harrison may not be able to repair all the roads it planned to this year. The township sought bids to resurface 18 roads and to seal and coat nine alleys and lanes. The two contracts came in at $481,500, nearly $80,000 more than the township budgeted, according to township Engineer...

More transparency, more fiscal responsibility and a focus on teaching basic life skills to complement a strong curriculum were among the ideas expressed by Highlands School Board candidates at a forum in Harrison. “I’ve gone to many, many meetings and watched the deterioration and frustration of the community,” said Region...

Anyone interested in helping restore Harrison’s crumbling Honor Roll war memorial is asked to attend an upcoming meeting. A committee is being formed to address the condition of the memorial, prominently located at the intersection of Freeport and Springhill roads. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2...

Harrison commissioners agreed to help the volunteers struggling to operate the township’s historic Burtner House. With fewer than 10 active members, the Burtner House Restoration Society said earlier this year it was becoming impossible for it to maintain the home and that the group was in danger of shutting down....

Bhante Pemaratana had trouble processing the devastating news that came on Easter Sunday. The native of Sri Lanka and abbot at the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center in Harrison was heartbroken about the bombing massacres that killed at least 290 and left hundreds more injured. “I’m a Buddhist monk — but, in...

The search is on this summer for the Allegheny alligator or the snot otter, better known as the Eastern hellbender, in rivers in Western Pennsylvania. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy plans July surveys in the Kiski, Allegheny and Youghiogheny rivers for the salamander, a reclusive creature that lives under rocks the...

A Harmar man charged with rape in connection with an incident in January has been arrested, Allegheny County authorities say. James Michael Tessauro, 38, was arrested and arraigned Monday evening, according to Mike Manko, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office spokesman. Manko said he couldn’t say more about the case. Police...

Trib Total Media has received several top awards from the Keystone State Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, including being named Best Overall Daily Newspaper across all circulation categories. The award was announced as part of the group’s annual “Best in Journalism Contest,” which draws entries from throughout Pennsylvania...

Lower Burrell Council is exploring a local tax incentive for city firefighters to boost their thinning ranks and properly reward their community work. Councilman Joe Grillo is looking at city firefighters forgoing the city’s earned income tax or other possibilities. A course for young firefighters is also under consideration. “It’s...

Amateur astronomer Ed Potosky helps University of Pittsburgh students reach for the stars. The Buffalo Township resident who grew up in North Huntingdon helps aspiring astronomy students at his alma mater learn about the history of the Allegheny Observatory as well as different ways to gaze upon the galaxy. “It’s...

Spending months in a hospital on an antibiotic made David Krajci tired most of the time. “So, I was always sleeping,” he says. “And when I would wake up, I would remember my dreams and would tell them to my wife Lori. She would write it all down, and by...

Inspection activities on the New Kensington Bridge which carries Route 1038 over the Allegheny River in East Deer Township in Allegheny County and New Kensington will cause traffic delays Saturday, according to PennDOT District 11. Single-lane alternating traffic will occur on the bridge until 3 p.m. as crews from The...

Two people were injured when their car was struck Friday afternoon by a pickup head-on along a windy road in Allegheny Township, officials said. According to the initial investigation, a man and his wife were traveling in a silver four-door car along Markle Road near the Markle Fire Hall when...

An organization aiming to bring a dose of reality about drug abuse to young people has asked for the Allegheny Valley School Board’s support. Members of the Allegheny Valley HOPE (Helping Our Peers Everyday) Association outlined a program called the Reality Tour to the board on Monday. HOPE President John...

The Easter Bunny is set to skydive Saturday into an egg hunt at Golden Rams Stadium. Generations House of Worship will host its sixth annual Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the stadium and Highlands Middle School, 1350 Broadview Boulevard in Harrison. The Easter...

A family and its three dogs are safe after a fire damaged their Plum home Friday. The fire was called in about 1 p.m. when Brian Churchfield, 44, noticed a fire in his laundry room. “My wife tried to throw a pitcher of water on it,” Churchfield said moments after...