Valley News Dispatch category, Page 685
Brackenridge police ‘desperate for applicants,’ councilman says
Back in September, Brackenridge officials issued a desperate call for part-time police applicants. Eight months later, that situation hasn’t changed. The borough continues to find itself as part of an alarming trend plaguing small municipalities throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. “We’re desperate for applicants,” Councilman John Stanzione said Thursday. “We will...
Get back to nature on the Butler-Freeport Community Trail
At times, the Butler- Freeport Community Trail seems to be a mere ribbon of pathway cutting through a landscape so large. Steep, rocky hillsides loom within a matter of miles of calmer and drier terrain of rolling farm fields, accounting for the trail’s variety and charm. Then there’s the lack...
An Arnold tax preparer pleads guilty to filing false federal income tax returns
A tax preparer for Cititax Refund Co. in Pittsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court to aiding or assisting in the preparation or filing of false federal income tax returns. Authorities said Daniel K. Hamilton of Arnold prepared federal income tax returns for other persons that included false Schedule C information,...
New Kensington man gets up to 20 years in prison for raping child
A New Kensington man will serve up to 20 years in prison for raping a child. Edward McNeal, 63, pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he had sex with a 9-year-old girl and continued the sexual assaults for another seven years. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Rita Hathaway ordered McNeal...
Local SWAT team to help northern Westmoreland County communities
Upper Burrell is the fifth community to join in a SWAT-like team covering northern Westmoreland County to respond to high-risk events such as active shooters, barricaded gunmen and serving drug warrants. This new multi-municipality Community Emergency Response Team (CRT) is a team bound by a mutual-aid agreement among New Kensington,...
Gilpin volunteer firefighter honored for saving man’s life in LeechburgVideo
Gilpin firefighter Charlie Stull was having lunch at a Leechburg restaurant in August when he noticed a man who was having trouble breathing. In seconds, the man was choking. So Stull, 21, who also is a Gilpin supervisor, took action to save the man’s life. “I performed the Heimlich maneuver....
Vandalized Brackenridge memorial set to be restored by Memorial Day
With the help of donations large and small, the vandalized honor roll memorial in Brackenridge Memorial Park is expected to be restored to glory in time for Memorial Day. The 54-year-old memorial, featuring the names of veterans of both World Wars and the Korean War, was damaged by a still-unknown...
Pittsburgh man accused of killing man in Arnold ordered to stand trial
A Pittsburgh man was ordered Monday to stand trial in connection with the April 5 shooting death of a man in Arnold. Shawden L. “Black” Ross, 32, of Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, is accused of fatally shooting Lamont Simmons, 27, after an early-morning argument in which Ross blamed Simmons for setting...
O’Hara native elected president of Penn State College Democrats
For Penn State University junior Kelsey Denny, politics is her priority, particularly with the May 21 primary election inching closer. The O’Hara resident was elected president of the College Democrats on April 1. This club has equipped me in ways I could have never imagined. I attribute all of my...
Tarentum’s closed Cycle Diner continues search for new management
The Cycle Diner in Tarentum is closed but perhaps only for a short time. “We have several people interested in leasing it. One is a guy from Europe who we will be meeting with,” said George Gatto, who has owned the diner since 1990. “So we hope to know something...
Harrison teacher gets to join AVH’s Stork Club on her birthdayVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Allegheny Valley Hospital and Linda Hartig Gibson are both marking milestones this year. The Harrison hospital is celebrating its 110th anniversary with daily events this week. Gibson, a retired...
Remember When
100 years ago Borough gives money to fight city annexation An appropriation of $100 was submitted by Tarentum council to the County League of Boroughs and Townships to fight the proposed, forcible annexation by Pittsburgh. Other municipalities have also joined the fight. 75 years ago 100 chickens lost in coop...
Highlands School Board race may serve as referendum for superintendent
The election for Highlands School Board may, in part, serve as a referendum on the district’s recently elevated superintendent. In the contested primary in Region 3, incumbent board member Michelle Peters praises Superintendent Monique Mawhinney as having a “great vision” for the district. Challenger Laura Butler believes Mawhinney is not...
Dozens of motorcycle riders come out for Blessing of the Bikes in LeechburgVideo
One by one, motorcycles roared into the parking lot at Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company on Sunday, despite the gray skies and drizzling rain. “I was happily surprised to see a good turnout,” said Raymond Zekier, co-coordinator of the annual Blessing of the Bikes hosted by Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church....
Belle Voci women’s choir steps up to help Race for the Cure
Music lovers who attend Belle Voci of Pittsburgh’s final season concert Saturday might feel like they’re on a whirlwind tour of Europe, Asia and Africa — all while never traveling farther than New Kensington. Belle Voci, the inter-generational women’s choir led by O’Hara resident Craig Cannon, will perform “Musica Folk...
Comparing superintendent salaries in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Tribune-Review examined Department of Education data to gauge what our local school districts are paying their superintendent. Below is a look at how superintendents are paid in the Alle-Kiski Valley....
Vandergrift police officer honored for community service by VFW
Vandergrift Police Sgt. Tony DePanicis knows listening is crucial to quality police work. That, and not letting a 103-year-old woman grab her slippers during a house fire. The Vandergrift VFW Post 566 recently honored DePanicis and Vandergrift Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Tom Schaeffer with its prestigious Community Service Award....
North Hills Brew Fest takes over Pittsburgh Shrine Center
They brew beer in the basement, sometimes in their kitchens. It’s a hobby, a passion and often an experiment. They will share their drinks at the third annual North Hills Home Brew Fest on May 11 at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center’s Pavilion, an outdoor covered space in Cheswick. This will...
Kitchen fire causes smoke damage at former Giuliani’s Market in Arnold
There was heavy smoke damage Saturday afternoon after a kitchen fire in an apartment in the former Giuliani’s Market in Arnold. Arnold No. 1 Fire Chief Walter Gouza said it was an accidental grease fire that broke out at about 4:30 p.m. and was put out in about 15 minutes....
Photos: Fox Chapel Area prom
Fox Chapel Area students celebrated their prom on May 4, 2019 and this year’s fashions didn’t disappoint. Prior to the event, hosted at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, students and their dates struck poses at many of the picturesque locations across the Lower Valley. Perennial favorites for photos include Squaw...
After overcoming bullies, 9-year-old becomes Lower Burrell’s mayor
Lower Burrell Mayor Nico Pampena was full of smiles as he shook hands with a bevy of officials after taking office Saturday, when Richard Callender abdicated his seat for a day. Nico, 9, was excited to get to inspect the city’s fleet of police cars, fire trucks and other vehicles...
Special meeting set for Monday in Oakmont to hire new borough manager
Oakmont officials may have found their new borough manager. A special meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 6, at the borough building to approve the new hire. A workshop meeting will follow. More than 70 people have applied and s dozen were interviewed since the original announcement of...
Cause of fire that destroys vacant house in Plum under investigation
An Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating a fire that destroyed a vacant house Friday night in Plum. No injuries were reported. The blaze started shortly before 9 p.m. in the 800 block of Unity-Center Road. Smoke could be seen from blocks away. Unity Volunteer Fire Dept. Fire Chief Glenn...
Roaring Run Rumble brings mountain biking to Apollo this weekend
The Roaring Run Rumble is coming back to Apollo this weekend, with activities for biking pros and novices alike. “The theme is to get people out on bicycles, get them trying bicycles,” said Ashley Reefer, event organizer and owner of Greensburg’s Flat Tire Co. bike shop. The annual rumble is...
Burrell High School Prom
Burrell High School had its prom Friday night. Here is a photo gallery of the highlights from the grand march....
