Valley News Dispatch category, Page 693
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....
Lower Burrell Dems to hold 2 rallies for incumbent candidates at Burrell Plaza and Mogie’s
Three of Lower Burrell’s incumbent candidates in hotly contested races – Mayor Rich Callender and Councilmen Christopher Koziarski and Christopher Fabry – will hold campaign rallies this month. A “flash rally” with free hot dogs is set for Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the U-Haul moving and...
Upper Burrell officials defend proposed home inspection ordinance
Editor’s note: this story has been modified to clarify and correct errors. The Upper Burrell Supervisors are trying to assure residents that a proposed home inspection ordinance would not be restrictive. Ron Saylor of Guyer Road recently questioned the intent of the ordinance. Saylor said Upper Burrell’s is similar to...
Ford City, Cadogan residents face cocaine charges
Two Armstrong County residents are accused of selling cocaine. Dennis John Johnson Jr., 38, of Ford City, and Shana Lee Warcholak, 33, of Cadogan each are facing 11 drug-related charges. Johnson was arrested Thursday by the Armstrong County Narcotics Enforcement Team (ARMNET). He was arraigned and sent to the Armstrong...
People being scammed out of ‘thousands of dollars,’ West Deer police chief saysVideo
West Deer Police Chief Jon Lape has seen phone scams pop up pretty much everywhere, including his community. In the last year, Lape said his department has received roughly a dozen calls from residents reporting phone scams. “They seem like around March, April and now there’s a lot of them...
DeStefano Florist is closing after 35 years in business in Arnold
And then there was one. For years, Arnold Flower Shop and DeStefano Florist have been a few doors from each other on Fifth Avenue in Arnold. That’s changing this month, as DeStefano’s is closing. “It’s time,” said Lynda Demharter, who has owned DeStefano’s for 17 years. She bought it from...
Upper Burrell temporarily shelves fire-tax proposal
Upper Burrell Supervisors will temporarily shelve a proposal for a 2-mill fire tax as they further study the finances of the township’s volunteer fire company, according to Supervisors Chairman Ross Walker. In April, the board directed its solicitor to draw up a resolution for a 2-mill fire tax to pay...
Springdale flushing hydrants this month
Springdale residents may experience changes in water color and pressure while the borough flushes hydrants this month. Crews will flush the hydrants the week of May 19 to May 24. Residents should test the water before washing clothes or using large amounts of water. If problems persist, residents can contact...
Freeport Area looking at tax hikes for proposed $33.5M budget
Freeport Area school directors will vote Wednesday on a proposed budget that would raise real estate taxes an average of $20 per year in Armstrong County and $80 per year in Butler County. The $33.5 million budget for the next school year is a 2.4% increase over the current school...
West Deer schedules family fishing event
The West Deer Parks & Recreation Board and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold their annual family fishing event this month. Families can come out and fish from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 31 at Deer Lakes Park. Children will learn basic fishing skills such as baiting a...
