Valley News Dispatch category, Page 708
Effort to fix vandalized Brackenridge veterans memorial continues
The investigation to find who vandalized a Brackenridge veterans memorial in February appears to be stymied as fundraising to restore the memorial continues. The 54-year-old honor roll memorial in Brackenridge Memorial Park was damaged when someone painted parts of it silver. It is believed to have been done on at...
Highlands to start registering children for kindergarten, pre-K
Highlands School District will start registering children for prekindergarten and kindergarten at its upcoming Early Childhood Fair. The fair runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 14 at the district’s Early Childhood Center at 1060 Atlantic Ave. in Brackenridge. It will feature crafts, activity tables and refreshments. There also will...
Freeport parishoners warned after text message phishing scam
Parishioners at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Freeport were warned about a text message phishing scam over the weekend. Two parishioners reported to church officials last week they received text messages that appeared to be from the parish asking for iTunes gift cards to be donated to hospital...
Armstrong DA approves extradition of three Virginia men accused of stealing from Walmart
Three Virginia men accused of stealing more than $6,000 worth of merchandise from an Armstrong County Walmart will return to Pennsylvania to face felony theft charges, state police in Kittanning said. The Armstrong County District Attorney approved the extradition of Shawn Terrance Acklin, 27; Adarrus DePriest Ferguson, 27, and Brandon...
Big Blitz looks to take its ‘noise jazz’ and Burrell High School roots on the roadVideo
They play “noise jazz.” That’s how Big Blitz members Nick Grabigel, 17, and brothers Lucas, 18, and Mason Ciesielski, 16, describe their original jazz/rock/dance music. The teens hail from Lower Burrell and formed Big Blitz in 2017, after meeting in middle school and later performing together at a high school...
Gun enthusiasts lukewarm on proposed background check legislation
Gun enthusiasts didn’t seem fazed by the gun control legislation being considered in Congress during a gun show Sunday at the Pittsburgh Mills. The gun show was one of several held each year by the Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Association, which draw dozens of gun sellers, buyers and collectors. Sunday’s event...
Injuries reported in multi-vehicle crash in Manor Township
Emergency responders are on the scene of a multi-vehicle crash in Manor Township. An Armstrong 911 dispatcher said the crash happened around 12:40 p.m. in the area of Route 66 and Fairground Road. The dispatcher said there is a report of injuries. No other information was immediately available....
Vehicle hits Springdale veterinary hospital
A pick-up truck crashed into the River Valley Veterinary Hospital at 1046 Pittsburgh St., Springdale, on Saturday night. The crash destroyed the front doors of the business but, according to social media reports, no animals are housed in the hospital overnight. Springdale Police Chief George Polnar could not be reached...
Longtime volunteer a familiar face in LeechburgVideo
Violet Stivason cannot walk more than a few feet in Leechburg without seeing a familiar face. “My great grandchildren don’t like to go shopping with me because I see too many people I know,” she said. It’s for good reason. The lifelong resident has volunteered for organizations in the area...
Litter, declining water quality in Buffalo Creek watershed among concerns in upcoming report
Diminishing water quality, litter, development and lack of recreational opportunities were among the chief concerns in an upcoming report on the Buffalo Creek watershed, which extends from Buffalo Township to north of Chicora in Butler County. Keeping the beautiful and biologically diverse Buffalo Creek area that way continues to be...
New Kensington’s Bloser Mansion could become a bed and breakfastVideo
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Sunday, March 3, but with an incorrect address and photograph of the property being proposed for a bed and breakfast. This story contains the correct information. Corey Pistininzi wants to turn a New Kensington landmark into a destination, and the city’s zoning hearing...
Pittsburgh’s Kolb brothers ‘brought the world to the Grand Canyon’
Ellsworth Kolb left Pittsburgh in 1900 with $2 in his pocket. He nearly ended up in China. After working his way across the country to San Francisco, he signed on with the crew of a freighter headed across the Pacific. But before he shipped out, something swayed him to go...
Snow days prompt New Kensington-Arnold to shorten spring break, extend school year
Given the choice of cutting spring break or extending the school year to make up for snow days, New Kensington-Arnold School Board did a little of both. With students already missing classes for four days this year, the board had limited options with time running short on the calendar. “Because...
IUP professor announces candidacy for Allegheny Township supervisor seat
Michael Korns, a member of the Kiski Valley Republican Committee and professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, announced he was running for Allegheny Township supervisor. There are three seats on the Board of Supervisors with Supervisor Joseph Ferguson’s seat expiring in December. A township resident for 25 years, Korns earned...
Allegheny Valley School music and choral students going to Walt Disney World
The Allegheny Valley School Board recently approved trips for students and staff in the school’s music and choral programs. Headlining the trips is the 2019-2020 fall band and choir trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., from Nov. 28 through Dec. 3. The cost for each...
Almost 90 in Kiski darkened by intended outage
An intentional power outage cut electrical service for almost 90 customers in part of Kiski Township on Friday. West Penn Power spokesman Todd Meyers said it was necessary to take service down in the area of School and Edmon roads. “There is a broken pole and lines hanging from it....
Sign of spring: The trout stocking trucks have begun to arriveVideo
Alle-Kiski Valley anglers, children and dogs turned out Friday for the second biggest day of trout season — the first day of trout stocking. “This is what everybody waits for,” Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission waterways conservation officer Mike Walsh said along Deer Creek in Indiana Township’s Emmerling Park. “When...
Virginia men accused of stealing items worth $6K from Walmart
Three Virginia men are accused of stealing more than $6,000 worth of merchandise from an Armstrong County Walmart and are suspected in similar thefts at other Walmarts and stores in at least two other states. State Police in Kittanning filed felony theft charges Friday against Shawn Terrance Acklin, 27; Adarrus...
Where to find Lenten fish fries in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Fish fries are scheduled throughout the Valley on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent, including: Allegheny Township Markle Volunteer Fire Department, 470 Joyce St., 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through Good Friday. All-you-can-eat dinner buffet. Apollo New Life Baptist Church, 319 N. Second St., 4 to 8 p.m. Ash Wednesday...
5 bakeries you may not have heard of but need to try
There’s something sweet about a trip to a bakery. The parking woes at the new Oakmont Bakery are a testament to that, as people flock to the new location in search of the fresh-baked goodness that’s made there. But Oakmont’s not the only shop in the region that’s worthy of...
No new deal from latest New Kensington-Arnold teacher talks
Teachers in New Kensington-Arnold School District will continue working without a contract through at least April 11. Negotiations between the district and the New Kensington-Arnold Education Association held Thursday did not produce an agreement, according to association spokesman Phil Cope, and the next bargaining session isn’t scheduled until April 11....
Trib offering free access to e-editions
Because of technical difficulties during the printing process, readers in the Alle-Kiski Valley did not receive the Tribune-Review Valley News Dispatch edition on Friday. The Trib apologizes and regrets the inconvenience. The Trib on Friday is offering free access to its e-editions, allowing readers to view either of the company’s...
Unity-Trestle Road in Plum reopened
A portion of Unity-Trestle Road in Plum, which had been closed today for waterline work, has reopened. Also known as Unity-Center Road, it had been closed between Universal and Old Leechburg roads. That is in the area where the road passes over the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The road had been expected...
Western Pa. business owners finding right fit in downtown communitiesVideo
When considering where to open her new business several years ago, Jenifer Amundson says there was never any question on location. Greensburg is her hometown and where Amundson, 52, and her husband, Jon Amundson, 53, make their home. “We were looking for a building in downtown Greensburg. We were going...
Sign removed at Schreiber Industrial Park
Workers from Shurina Brothers Landscaping used cutting torches, a front loader and some old-fashioned elbow grease to remove the sign Friday afternoon at Schreiber Industrial Park. The New Kensington Redevelopment Authority bought the park last year. The aluminum giant Alcoa employed 7,000 people at the site in its heyday. Public...
