Valley News Dispatch category, Page 673
Shooting fireworks in Tarentum still a no-no despite new law, police chief says
Despite Pennsylvania’s new fireworks law, shooting them within Tarentum remains illegal, according to police Chief William Vakulick. Since October 2017, residents age 18 and over can buy, possess and use consumer fireworks. State lawmakers changed the law to raise more money for the state. But because of its building density,...
World War II fighter pilot, retired Leechburg eye doctor promotes recycling, renewable energyVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Dr. Arthur Duppstadt owes most of his life to the French. The now-retired optometrist from Leechburg was 20 when his P-51 Mustang, a single-seat fighter plane, was shot down...
Experts: Allegheny Township fracking case highlights importance of local elections
In Pennsylvania, if a local government decides to open up Marcellus shale drilling throughout a community, even a residential area, it might not be challenged in court because of a recent, precedent-setting case in Allegheny Township. The courts didn’t buy the role of local governments as environmental stewards when it...
Tarentum plans 4 more ‘Trash to Treasure’ markets
More trash, more treasure. Tarentum’s first “Trash to Treasure” flea market was so successful that the borough’s Recreation Board has scheduled four more for this year. The markets will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20 in the parking lots...
Alle-Kiski Valley Catholics take proposed change to Lord’s Prayer in strideVideo
While Pope Francis has proposed changes to the Lord’s Prayer, it’s going to be a while before parishioners in the Alle-Kiski Valley change the words they recite. A new translation endorsed by Francis changes the penultimate petition in the Lord’s Prayer — “and lead us not into temptation” — to...
AG Shapiro: Legal war against health giant UPMC has just begun
UPMC’s newly relaxed prepay rules for Highmark-insured seniors and cancer patients have not assuaged Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s intensity in his legal fight against the health giant. As he prepares to face off UPMC in Commonwealth Court on Monday, Shapiro appears more determined than ever to take on UPMC...
Back the Blue concert raises funds for fallen Officer Brian Shaw’s foundation
People rocked out Saturday night at a hotel ballroom to raise money for the Back the Blue benefit concert that honored fallen New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw. After the first benefit concert Friday at the same venue, six bands signed on to play their music at the New Kensington...
IUP student, 21, dies in East Franklin car wreck
A student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania died Friday when his car crashed over an embankment in East Franklin. Brian H. Swatt, 21, of Lackawanna County, was pronounced dead at the scene by Armstrong County Chief Deputy Coroner Robert Bellas early Friday morning. State System chair and chancellor, Cindy Shapira...
Route 366 reopens in Tarentum after accident is cleared
Route 366 in Tarentum reopened Saturday evening after it was shut down as the result of a three-car accident. The road, locally known as Ross Street, closed for a time in one direction between the Marathon gas station at the foot of the Tarentum Bridge and East 10th Avenue, near...
Relay for Life of Apollo marks 24 years of fighting for cancer cure
They’re old pros at the Relay for Life of Apollo. Too windy to keep the purple-and-white inflatable arch up at the track? Take it down. The T-shirts belong here, the luminarias over there. The signs and banners lined the fence around the Apollo-Ridge High School track Saturday in Kiski Township...
Riverview Class of 2019 members earn their diplomas
Here is the Riverview High School Class of 2019: Rachel A. Aber, Yasmeen M.G. Al-Khawaja; Mirjana M. Balkovec, Devon C. Binz, Noah D. Black, Benjamin P. Blacksmith, Carter C. Alexander Cameron, Michael J. Condron II, Devlin S. Costello, Angeleque S. Y’vonne Craighead, Katelyn N. Davis, Nathan M. Davis, Cassandra G....
All things jeep celebrated at Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in Butler County
Jeep owners and those who enjoy the storied history behind them are flocking to Butler County this weekend for the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, which runs through Sunday at Cooper’s Lake Campground in Worth Township, near Slippery Rock. The festival is organized by the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association...
Springdale High School Class of 2019 is one for the ages
Here is the Springdale High School Class of 2019: Andrew Alese, Logan Baur, Timothy Bellin, Madison Beyer, Laurel Black, Morgan Blanchflower, Leann Brannock, Alexis Byrd, Erica Crail, Gavin Densmore Jaden Domaratz, Deserai Duncan, Gianna Foglia, Jocelyn Folmer, Jacob Garmong, Julia Garmong, Christina Gaschler, Kaitlyn Hails, Rachel Halapchuk, Rachel Hayes Autumn...
Cheswick Christian Academy’s close-knit class of 10 students celebrate 2019 commencement
Here is the Cheswick Christian Academy Class of 2019: Sterling James Coles, Warren Eugene Godleski, Rebekah Emily Grant, Josiah Vladimirovich Ivanov, Natalie Ann Jones, Bethany Rose Kosor, Jada Rose Kress, Journee Renee Kress, Deanna Marie Ormesher, Anna Kimmarie Visk....
Highlands High School Class of 2019 set for the future
Here is the Highlands High School Class of 2019: Alyssa Nicole Adamovits, Guillermo Jose Alcantar, Jake Michael Arvay, Bailey Renee Ayers, Cameron Jeffrey Babinsack, Isabella Baker, Ryan Michael Baker, Anthony Joseph Balog, Bailey G. Beacom, Cole Nickolas Bergquist Daneasha Berry, Nicholas D. Bigenho, Karick Matthew Bigley, Richard Marcel Blake, Julia...
Apollo-Ridge seniors share their final high school moments
Here is the Apollo-Ridge High School Class of 2019: Marley Renae Altman, Trent Michael Arduino, Curtis Michael Arner, Carlos Daniel Baines, Emilee Lynn Barber, Audrey Lana Barnes, Travis Ray Baylor, Cheyenne Mycal Benemann, Owen T. Bernard, Parker J. Berry Jeremy Alexander Birch, Angelo Benjamin Bonnoni, Michael Elijah Booker, Jessica Dawn...
Gilpin native promoted to lead state police training academy
A Gilpin native is directing the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, where he graduated 32 years ago. Thomas Dubovi was promoted to major and director of the state police bureau of training and education. His promotion ceremony was Friday at the academy at Hershey. “I thought, if I made sergeant, I...
Man allegedly hits East Deer police officer in the face, runs away
A Tarentum man is accused of hitting an East Deer police officer in the face Thursday night when the officer tried to arrest him, according to court documents. Zeya Icquise Dixon, 21, faces charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and loitering and prowling at night in connection with...
Volunteers raising money for Upper Burrell’s Clark family
Upper Burrell volunteer firefighters are planning a benefit dinner to help a family known for helping others that was displaced by a fire last month. The Clark family’s house at 205 Rocky Lane house was damaged by an accidental fire on May 18. Nine fire departments fought the blaze. It...
New Kensington Subway damaged in December crash to reopen soon
The Subway restaurant in New Kensington’s Parnassus neighborhood, closed since a car heavily damaged the building in December, is expected to reopen in two weeks, the building’s owner and franchise holder said. “I’m happy to say they’re coming back to New Kensington and we’re glad they’re coming back,” said Jay...
Kids ‘want to be loved,’ retiring Highlands 1st-grade teacher says
Rita Youell was just settling into a discussion of her more than two decade teaching career when one of her former students walked through her door Thursday. Bobby Reesman was just a little boy when Youell had him for first grade 15 years ago in the 2003-04 school year. He...
Deer Lakes High School seniors collect their diplomas
Here is the Deer Lakes High School Class of 2019: Ethan Christopher Adamiak, Hannah Nicholle Allman, Richard Alexander Amy, Sydney Caroline Arbuthnot, William Milford Bailey IV, Holly Ann Baker, Armond Ballanca, Hunter Joseph Bauman, Shawn Collin Beacom, Ethan Bender Amanda Katherine Bialas, Alexandra Paige Bowser, Mikayla Lee Bridges, Kendall Delaney...
Introducing the 2019 Plum Senior High School Class of 2019
The Plum Senior High School Class of 2019: Nicole Abrams, Anthony Adamski, Hailey Ahsmann, Jonah Albert, Nicolas Albert, Matthew Allman, Arik Ankers, Cooper Aubele, Tallon Auth, Jonah Babusci, Shane Bacasa, Serena Badali, Elena Banta, Colin Barrett, Jarrett Bellotti, Daniel Benson, Joseph Benton, Skyler Bisceglia, Allison Blackwell, Katherine Bodnar, Tyler Boehm,...
Fawn, Ligonier artists recognized in ‘Art of the State’ exhibitVideo
This tea pot holds more than water. It contains the hours of blood, sweat and tears it took to make it. Known as the “Blue Bunny Tea Pot,” it was chosen to be showcased in the “Art of the State 2019 Exhibition,” held June 23-Sept. 8 at The State Museum...
Popular Cheswick six-pack shop bows out to larger competitors
Cheswick’s only six-pack beer store is closing. Allegheny 6 Pack and Doghouse at 1301 Pittsburgh St. opened in 2009 and will close Saturday. “My lease is up and I see what the future of the beer industry is becoming — it’s sliding, and Pennsylvania changing its beer sales laws are...
