Valley News Dispatch category, Page 677
Couple’s effort grows New Kensington’s sense of community
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. New Kensington couple Kevin and Mary Bode have traveled the world on Christian mission trips, and discovered one of the best ways to help people is to fulfill a...
Firefighters from across Western Pa. pay respects to New Ken chief J. Edward SalibaVideo
New Kensington fire trucks lined Alder Street street Saturday in Lower Burrell. More from Lower Burrell, Upper Burrell, Arnold, Tarentum, Greensburg and departments throughout and beyond the Alle-Kiski Valley were parked across Freeport Road in a plaza parking lot awaiting their spot in the procession. There wasn’t a parade. Instead,...
First responders interact with kids at Sam’s Club Safety Day in Frazer
About a half a dozen fire trucks Saturday lined up for Safety Day at the Sam’s Club in Frazer Township, drawing more than 200 children and their families, organizers said. Christian Schreckengost, 5, of Leechburg, tried on a fire helmet that engulfed his small head. “It helps kids to see...
Police ask motorists to avoid Piper Road in Allegheny Township due to subsidence
Allegheny Township police are asking residents to avoid Piper road near Route 356 if possible because of continued damage to the road. The road continues to experience subsidence despite efforts to fix it, police wrote in an advisory message for residents signed up with the Nixle.com alert service. The road...
Springdale Firemen’s Jubilee kicks off Monday
A fourth generation of Springdale firefighters are among volunteers who will bring to life the nearly 90-year-old Fireman’s Jubilee starting Monday. The fun begins with carnival rides, bingo and a family night emphasis at Veterans’ Field, said Springdale VFD station 273 Secretary Jeannie Harman. It’s the largest annual fundraiser for...
2 charged in Harrison cocaine bust
Two Harrison residents were jailed on drug charges after police discovered more than $25,000 worth of cocaine in a home along North Canal Street. Police Chief Mike Klein said officers were responding to a disturbance call Thursday in the township’s Natrona section when they found resident Jervon Faison. He told...
Police seek Tarentum man in Fayette County homicide
A Tarentum man is wanted by state police in connection with the Sept. 17 shooting death of a Fayette County man outside his home. Trooper Richard Sizer said police are seeking the whereabouts of Omari Parker Jr., 18, who is wanted in connection with the slaying of Tywain James Reid,...
Pittsburgh Mills store owner could avoid trial on counterfeiting charge
A Pittsburgh Mills mall store owner accused of selling counterfeit merchandise will be able to get a misdemeanor charge against him thrown out if he completes 100 hours of community service, a judge ruled Friday. Tommy Wang, 42, of Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood had been scheduled to appear Tuesday for...
Plum’s Frank Furko, best remembered as Pudgie Wudgie’s owner, dead at 85
Frank J. Furko’s claim to national fame was being the owner of a 20-pound tabby cat named Pudgie Wudgie — a famed feline in the 1990s. But Furko was more than that to people who knew him in the Oakmont and Plum areas. Furko of Plum’s East Oakmont neighborhood died...
Man wanted on drug charges in Alle-Kiski Valley accused of Arizona murder
A man with Alle-Kiski Valley ties who has drug charges pending against him in Allegheny Township is accused of shooting a man to death in Arizona. The Arizona Daily Star reported that Cam-Ron Broadway, 35, is charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in Tucson in March....
Route 66 in Leechburg, Gilpin closed until July after another landslide
For the second time this week, a landslide along Route 66 in Gilpin has closed the road and it is expected to remain closed until July 1, according to PennDOT. Route 66 will be closed in both directions between Main Street in Leechburg and Airport Road in Gilpin as the...
Brick restoration to begin along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont
Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont between Terrace Place and Virginia Avenue is expected to be closed late next month as part of a brick repair project. Council awarded the nearly $197,800 job to Apollo-based Kishmo Concrete Contractors at a meeting June 17. “They’ve done previous work for us, and they...
Kittanning Township woman accused of hitting ghost hunter with car
A Kittanning Township woman is accused of striking a pedestrian with a car while the alleged victim was searching for ghosts in April. State police said Moniekia D. Erdley, 34, yelled at the alleged victim and her friends to get off the road around 2:30 a.m. April 28 in the...
Allegheny Township Save-A-Lot nearly empty, apparently ready to close
A discount grocery store in Allegheny Township apparently is closing soon. Save-A-Lot, located at 500 Hyde Park Road in Allegheny Plaza, is advertising 20% off all items in the store via handwritten signs displayed in store windows. There is no visible signage informing customers that a closing in imminent, but...
ARIN Intermediate Unit 28 reorganizes
Frank C. Prazenica Jr., of the Freeport Area School Board is the new president of the ARIN 28 Intermediate Unit. The new vice president is Charles R. Glasser of the Marion Center Area School Board. The unit’s secretary is Danielle L. Patterson and treasurer is Clifford A. Geary, both of...
Allegheny River advisory continues, locks to remain closed
A recreational boating advisory will remain in effect for the Pittsburgh Point because of swift water until 8 p.m. Friday, while lock No. 5 in Gilpin on the Allegheny River will remain closed until at least Saturday because of high water. Also because of high and swift water, the Allegheny...
Frazer police hire 5 new officers
Frazer hired four recent police academy graduates and a soon-to-be graduate to replace five part-timers who resigned to take jobs elsewhere over the past several months. With the new hires, Frazer now has 10 part-time officers. Chief Terry Kuhns and Sgt. Aaron Scott are the only full-timers. Police departments across...
West Deer native heeds calling to priesthood
Brendan Dawson first thought about becoming a priest as an altar boy in third grade. The idea would come up from time to time over his life, but he thought his future lay along another path. “I decided I was going to go to Pitt and study political science and...
Lower Burrell man moving closer to priesthood after spending year at Murrysville parish
Mark Dunmire didn’t always want to be a priest, but that didn’t stop him from thinking about it. Now that he’s about to be ordained a deacon, he’s well past the point of accepting a calling that began years ago with a suggestion from his parish priest. Dunmire, 35, of...
Ed Saliba Sr. remembered as icon of New Kensington firefighting
“Chief 56” has acknowledged his last call. An icon of New Kensington firefighting, J. Edward Saliba Sr. died Wednesday afternoon. “He was 89 and a half,” said his son Edward Saliba Jr., who followed his father’s footsteps and now is the city’s fire chief. “It’s a sad day for New...
Burrell School District extends contract with Lower Burrell police
Burrell School District students will continue to have a familiar face as their school resource officer for at least another three years. School board members agreed Tuesday to keep Lower Burrell Detective John Marhefka as the resource officer, extending the district’s contract with Lower Burrell through June 30, 2022. The...
Springdale summer camp teaches fun, community service
Nearly 140 Alle-Kiski Valley kids are learning how to have fun while also giving back to their community this week at the annual Fun and Freedom summer camp in Springdale. The camp is run by the faith-based nonprofit Fun and Freedom, which holds several events for area children throughout the...
Marine Corps League holding annual state meeting in Westmoreland CountyVideo
More than 200 members of the Marine Corps League are expected to gather for the group’s 74th annual state convention this week in Westmoreland County. Opening ceremonies will be Friday morning after two days of organizational meetings at Hempfield’s Ramada Hotel & Conference Center by Wyndham, said Fred Neilen, vice...
Police say Arnold shooting was robbery setup
Police now believe an Arnold shooting wasn’t just a drug deal gone bad; it was a robbery setup from the start. Police believe three people were involved in the plot, including a woman who initially met the victim and two men who tried to rob him, Arnold police Sgt. Joe...
Vehicle rollover shuts down Route 28 south near Tarentum
A pickup truck rolled over while trying to get onto Route 28 at Exit 14 Tuesday night, causing traffic to be rerouted. Fawn Township police responded to the incident around 10:30 p.m. Officials said the pickup truck was attempting to get on the ramp heading southbound when it rolled over....
