Valley News Dispatch category, Page 671

State Sen. Jim Brewster is hosting a free shredding event in Plum. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the Plum Community Center, 499 Center-New Texas Road. The event, held in partnership with the Plum Library and the Plum Community Center, is...

A Tarentum man involved in a disturbance at the Praha Hotel earlier this month pleaded guilty to lesser charges Wednesday. Misdemeanor charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person were withdrawn against Felix Brun Sondova Blancarte, 34. He pleaded guilty to summary offenses of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness....

Allegheny Valley School Board rejected a request from Springdale High School’s head football coach to buy new uniforms the coach said are needed because there’s a shortage of ones that fit. “I only have about 15 to 20 uniforms that fit properly,” head coach Seth Napierkowski wrote in a letter...

The Harrison Township Democratic Committee is hosting a non-partisan public forum for township commissioner and Highlands School Board candidates. The forum will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Drive. It’s off of Freeport Road near Harrison Hills Park....

The Officer Derek Kotecki Scholarship Fund will have distributed $42,500 to area students when awards are presented this spring at graduation time. Kotecki, a Lower Burrell native, a husband and father of two, served his hometown as a police officer for 18 years, including many as its police dog officer....

The Kittanning state police station’s Trooper of the Year has prevented numerous tragedies on the roads in his part of the Alle-Kiski Valley, his supervisors said. Trooper Nick Elliott, of Butler, helped arrest about 100 people for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol last year. “That’s 100 potential...

Highlands School District’s new superintendent formally resigned from her previous post with the district. Monique Mawhinney started as the district’s assistant superintendent in April 2018. She became substitute superintendent in place of former Superintendent Michael Bjalobok, who went on medical leave July 2 last year and retired on April 1....

Two New Kensington men who police said went into unlocked vehicles in Lower Burrell last month told police they were drunk and looking for a lost cellphone, but denied going into cars to steal items inside, according to a criminal complaint. Isiah C. Mangol and Darius Rasavn Johnson, both 19,...

It doesn’t take much to bring out the cadre of wildlife photographers who faithfully follow the whereabouts and activities of the region’s bald eagles. After more than a week of watchers and photographers trying to get a peek of the eaglet in the Harmar nest, Fox Chapel’s Gina Gilmore managed...

Gary Torick has had enough of Deer Lakes School District leadership. The longtime school board member made that clear with his resignation, ending a total of 24 years on the board. “With all the misleading statements and all the untruths being told, I can no longer be a part of...

An Armstrong County woman is facing child endangerment and assault charges after an encounter with emergency medical technicians Tuesday, according to State Police in Kittanning. Ashley Hiles, 31, of Cowansville, shoved emergency medical technicians and became aggressive as they responded to a call for a possible overdose on Hollow Road...

The gas company that had to plug a problematic gas well earlier this year in Washington Township got approval from township supervisors for a new well pad along Turack Road. CNX Resources of Canonsburg is applying for permits for a new well pad on property owned by the Municipal Authority...

A crackdown on speeding by New Kensington police resulted in more than two dozen traffic stops Tuesday morning, including one involving a motorist who police said was traveling more than twice the speed limit on a city road. New Kensington police Chief Bob Deringer said the crackdown is in response...

Harrison commissioners are going to try to get by on one meeting per month instead of two. Commissioners President Bill Heasley said he is recommending the five-member board cancel its agenda meetings through August to see how it works. Those meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month....

Janelle Stankiewicz and Dennis Gronski II don’t know why an armed man shot his way into their Leechburg home early Monday or what might have happened if the man hadn’t died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in their kitchen. Stankiewicz said she does know the incident will be hard to...

Highlands School Board has postponed choosing a busing company from two bidders for the district’s transportation contract, while facing immense pressure to keep its long-time provider. The school board appeared set to vote Monday on approving a five-year agreement with ABC Transit. It would replace WL Roenigk, which Highlands has...

A New Kensington man accused of selling heroin to an undercover police officer last year at a Harmar hotel is facing drug charges. Police said Shawnti “Savage” Shifflett, 23, sold 20 stamp bags of heroin to an undercover officer in January 2018 at the Days Inn, according to a criminal...

For the third time since January, a Highlands School District employee has been suspended without pay. The school board on Monday approved a statement of charges against the employee, who was placed on unpaid leave. The board did not identify the employee at its meeting Monday. The person was identified...

Going to the prom can cost a lot, and staff members at Highlands High School are seeking help make it more affordable for their students in need. Volunteers are being sought to do hair, makeup and nails for girls on the day of the prom, May 10. Not to leave...

The Washington/Bell Township Lions Club will stock trout in Pine Run in Kunkle Park on Saturday. The fish are donated by the Blackleggs Creek trout nursery in Clarksburg, Indiana County, according to John Turack of the Lions Club. The stocking of about 200 fish is for young anglers, ages 10...

Allegheny Valley Hospital is among seven Allegheny Health Network hospitals and affiliated institutes recognized by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Allegheny Valley earned a “Blue Distinction Center-Plus” designation for knee and hip replacement. The hospital was recognized for its efficiency in delivering care in...

Now that Tax Day has arrived, state officials are alerting Pennsylvania residents that the deadline for registering to vote in this year’s municipal primary is April 22. Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said the state’s Online Voter Registration (OVR) is the quickest and easiest way to register to vote...