Valley News Dispatch category, Page 699

Lower Burrell police are warning residents about a suspicious man allegedly going around the city, asking residents for gas money. Police shared information about the situation on Facebook on Wednesday, asking residents to call 911 if they are approached by the man. “There is a local Facebook post circulating about...

Scammers pretending to be Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) representatives are calling people and asking them for donations, Upper Burrell police warn. Police shared information about the scam on Facebook Tuesday, warning people not to provide the scammers with any financial or personal information. “DO NOT give out any financial...

An Allegheny County man was sentenced Tuesday to serve up to 30 years in prison for the fatal beating of an Arnold woman and her adult son more than six years ago. Robert Briestensky, 45, formerly of Brackenridge, pleaded guilty to two lesser counts of third-degree murder in connection with...

Apollo soon could have a borough secretary and a solicitor again. The borough’s personnel committee has candidates to fill the vacancies, which council is expected to vote on during its regular meeting on Thursday. Borough council will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the borough building, 616 First St. Late...

Cheswick has lost its second borough secretary in little more than a year. Joseph Puet, 60, of Arnold resigned Tuesday, only two months into his yearlong contract. The borough’s previous secretary, Ian Fitzgerald, was hired in November 2017 and left in October 2018 to take a job with a jump...

Highlands School District is hoping to attract health room nurses by increasing pay, a union representative said Tuesday. In an agreement with the Highlands Educational Support Professionals Association, the district has increased the pay for health room licensed practical nurses to $15 per hour. The hourly rate had been as...

Armstrong County residents will be able to try out new voting machines at an expo next week. The new voting system expo will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Kittanning Township Volunteer Fire Department, 13126 Route 422. The Pennsylvania Department of State directed...

Harmar supervisors are making a bid to buy an Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Department substation that is not being used. The board wants to use the No. 2 substation building at 1000 Freeport Road as the headquarters for the township’s public works department. “Knowing they (fire department) don’t use that...

An Allegheny County man was sentenced Tuesday to serve up to 30 years in prison for the fatal beating of an Arnold woman and her adult son more than six years ago. Robert Briestensky, 45, formerly of Brackenridge, pleaded guilty to two lesser counts of third-degree murder in connection with...

In a 5-4 vote Monday night, Kiski Area School District board members voted not to renew the contract of girls soccer coach Melisa O’Toole. At least one parent said she was not comfortable with O’Toole coaching her daughter given the charges and the alleged behavior of her husband, Ryan O’Toole,...

Property owners in the Highlands School District could be facing another increase in their school taxes. The school board on Monday approved advertising a preliminary budget, a step toward increasing the property tax beyond the district’s state-imposed limit. The board did not discuss specifics of the budget at the voting...

The Highlands School Board is considering permanently closing the former Fawn Primary Center. The school was renamed the Highlands Support Center as part of the district’s controversial reconfiguration, which went into effect this school year. The school board voted Monday to schedule a state-required public hearing to consider the permanent...

A section of Karns Road in Harrison was closed Monday because of a downed tree and power lines, according to Citizens Hose Fire-Rescue-EMS. A post on the department’s Facebook page said Karns was closed between Burtner and Springhill roads. The road remained closed as of about 5 p.m., with no...

“You may find a cushy job and I hope that you go far, But if you really want to taste some cool success, You better learn to play guitar.” If John Mellencamp’s “Play Guitar” song is true, Apollo- Ridge students are well on their way as the district’s education foundation bought...

Highlands High School’s musical program puts the “fun” in fundraising. Each year, dozens of Highlands High School alumni team up with current Highlands musical students to perform a cabaret show that provides critical funds for the spring musical. “The average high school musical costs anywhere from $20,000-$30,000 — those are...

A retired pastor is enjoying an interim assignment helping a Freeport church reach out to the community. Earlier this month, the Rev. Robert Keplinger, 69, started in the pulpit at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Restoring hope is the focus of Keplinger’s ministry. “God is not done with my story nor...

The lights will be out for a while longer on the Apollo Bridge. Apollo officials were trying to get the lights back on but, according to West Penn Power, the ball now is in Oklahoma Borough’s court. Motorists have been in the dark on the bridge since the lights went...

A settlement between PPG and retirees from 13 of its facilities, including those from Springdale, Creighton, Ford City and Greensburg will mean an additional $7.65 million in medical benefits and continued health care coverage. A group of retirees filed suit against PPG in 2005 on behalf of past, current and...

New Kensington-Arnold School District students and teachers in grades one to 12, participated in their 2nd annual Cookies and Cocoa social event Friday. With the help of 15 “buddies” from grades seven to 12, about 40 elementary special needs students participated in five stations: cookie decorating and hot chocolate, winter...

Frank Smolenak isn’t worried about the impending storm that is expected to dump 6 to 8 inches of snow on the Pittsburgh area over the weekend. But he and his wife, Laura, have taken precautions regardless. The two spent $300 on groceries Thursday and then stopped by Community Supermarket in...

Allegheny Valley Hospital will be remembering its history and investing in its future in this, its 110th year. That will include saying goodbye to a large piece of its past. The hospital’s administration building, dating from 1928, is slated to be torn down this spring. It’s among many projects recently...

West Deer hasn’t had a public library for a while but one supervisor aims to create a bunch of little ones soon. Township Supervisor Arlind Karpuzi has proposed creating a number of “Little Free Libraries” to his fellow supervisors. “Little Free Libraries” are book sharing outlets in which books are...

The following events are cancelled: Lower Burrell Saturday: The luncheon bingo scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Details 724-335-4131 Tarentum Saturday: The performance by the band The Gruuve from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. Vandergrift Saturday: Karaoke at the...