Year in Review 2020: The top stories in the Alle-Kiski Valley

The Alle-Kiski Valley faced an unprecedented year marked by a global pandemic and a historic presidential election. Although life went on in the Valley, the year was tumultuous from start to finish. We look back at some of the most memorable stories of 2020.

Coronavirus hits the Valley

The pandemic upended lives throughout the A-K Valley and altered everything from our jobs to our schools. Restaurants closed or offered only take-out dining as state officials implemented mitigation plans to contain the spread of the virus. Schools began educating students at home and administrators were forced to cancel sports and extracurricular activities. Graduations, weddings and other milestones shifted outside, or were altogether cancelled.

Through it all, front line health care workers never faltered, as sick patients jammed the region’s hospitals. Among Valley communities, New Kensington was one of the first to be hit, when the spouse of a New Kensington-Arnold School District employee went on a bus trip to New York City with the Valley High School Marching Band and later tested positive for the virus.

Voters break turnout record

The turbulent presidential election left its mark in our communities and drew a record turnout of more than 6.9 million voters. Pennsylvania — where mail-in votes outnumbered in-person voting — played a pivotal role on Nov. 7 when its 20 electoral votes put former Vice President Joe Biden over the 270 needed to clinch. Some of the notable candidate visits to the Valley included Vice President Mike Pence, who visited David’s Diner in Springdale Township on June 12. President Trump’s son, Eric, campaigned at Oakmont Bakery on Oct. 22.

Ambulance companies struggle as calls increase

A dwindling workforce of emergency first responders prompted some Alle-Kiski ambulance companies to sound alarms about adequate coverage, saying response time to incidents can take longer than usual. Some worry they will have to consolidate or shut down altogether, something that has already happened in communities such as Springdale, Avonmore, Arnold and East Deer.

Oakmont girl dies from abuse

The case of Bella Seachrist, a 3-year-old from Oakmont, stunned neighbors and dominated headlines in June when the girl was found unresponsive, malnourished and badly bruised at her home. She later died at a hospital. The girl’s father, stepmother and stepmother’s sister were charged with with homicide, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child and endangering the welfare of a child.

Allegheny Health Network opens Harmar hospital

The Valley has another health care facility, this one a 25,000-square-foot micro-hospital in the heart of the Harmar business district where Eat n’ Park once stood. Its services include a 10-bed outpatient floor as well as outpatient and emergency care. It boasts a full laboratory where test results can be produced within minutes. All the emergency and outpatient care is on the first floor, including a full lab where test results can be produced in 12-15 minutes.

ATI sells stainless steel cars

Three stainless steel cars that exemplified the history of Allegheny Ludlum in the Valley were removed and later sold at an auction in September. The cars — a 1936 Ford sedan, a 1960 Ford Thunderbird and a 1967 Lincoln Continental convertible — were part of a lot produced by the company in a partnership with Ford to promote the properties and uses of stainless steel. The company, now called Allegheny Technologies Inc., removed the cars from a garage at ATI’s Hot Rolling and Processing Facility in Harrison. They sold for $950,000.

Hockey referee assaulted in New Kensington

A Buffalo Township doctor in October attacked a hockey referee during a recreational game in New Kensington. Dr. Jeremy G. Gilbert was playing in an adult ice hockey game when he collided with a player and referee Mario de Leon called a holding penalty. Video of the incident shows Gilbert approach de Leon and bump into him before pushing him to the ice and punching him, according to police. Gilbert, who was charged with assault on a sports official, later accepted an agreement for calling for two years’ probation and requiring that he attend anger management sessions.

John Pallone resigns

One of the most high-profile educators in the Valley, John Pallone, stepped down from his role as superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District, in July. Pallone, a former state representative, did not specify the reasons for his departure. He had been appointed to the post in 2012. Jon Banko, previously assistant superintendent, has been serving as acting superintendent since late August.

Leechburg native appointed Greensburg bishop

Catholics in the Greensburg Diocese celebrated the appointment of Leechburg native Msgr. Larry J. Kulick as bishop-elect. Pope Francis announced the appointment Dec. 18. Kulick, 54, has spent his entire career in the diocese. He will be installed as bishop Feb. 11 at a special Mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg.

Valley instant millionaires

Two Valley residents become millionaires after winning lottery games, one in Leechburg, another in Harrison. Charity Stivason won $1 million off a $20 scratch-off lottery ticket she bought at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market. Stivason had recently lost her husband, Travis, who died from a brain aneurysm. In January, a regular customer of Community Supermarket in Harrison won $1 million – also on a $20 scratch-off.