Valley News Dispatch category, Page 181
Westmoreland to consider services similar to Uber and Lyft as public transit options
A program modeled on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft could begin in Westmoreland County early next year as part of a recasting of the county transit system. The Westmoreland County Transit Authority plan includes changes to existing routes and an emphasis on local service. The ride-sharing program would...
Burrell-Deer Lakes championship game offers historic basketball matchup
Something will take place Friday that hasn’t happened in 86 years — two Alle-Kiski Valley boys basketball teams will battle each other for a WPIAL title. In 1938, Ford City defeated Har-Brack, 32-26, for WPIAL honors. It was so long ago, neither school still exists. Nor did the two A-K...
Harrison approves paving plans with money to spare — for now
Harrison intends to pave all or parts of 12 township streets this year, but a 13th will have to wait until its status is clarified. The Harrison commissioners awarded a $352,000 contract this week that calls for repaving Broadview Boulevard, from Alabama Avenue to Argonne Drive and from Dallas to...
Springdale Township and Harmar ink 20-year water contract
Springdale Township and the Harmar Water Authority signed off on a 20-year deal that eventually will cap increases at 3% each year for the township’s rate for bulk water. The agreement “keeps the rate the same through 2024 and 2025, to $2.95 per 1,000 gallons that we’re paying now,” Commissioner...
The Stroller, Feb. 29, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. National Pig Day celebration to benefit local rescue A National Pig...
Saxonburg woman faces forgery charges in relation to fraudulent UPMC fax
Police have accused a Saxonburg woman of forging information from a UPMC physician to get out of a scheduled court appearance. Danielle McWilliams, 49, was charged with forgery and identity theft after, police say, she sent a fake fax that she attempted to make look like it came from UPMC...
Penn State New Kensington rallies against proposed cuts to branch campuses
Anthony Palyszeski can speak firsthand about the impact his time as a student at Penn State New Kensington has had on his life. “My years at Penn State New Kensington turned me into a professional, to enter the workforce with pride,” said Palyszeski, 27, of Harrison, a network coordinator at...
Multiple emergency crews respond to boiler fire at Harrison church
Emergency crews from Harrison, Tarentum and Freeport responded to an apparent boiler fire Wednesday morning at Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church, just before children were scheduled to arrive for day care. No one was injured but the building was evacuated for safety, Harrison Hills Fire Chief Jules Beer said. Crews were...
The Stroller, Feb. 28, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Quilt show reception planned Saturday A free reception to honor those...
New Kensington Giant Eagle red tagged after failing price accuracy test
Shoppers at Giant Eagle in New Kensington might want to double check their receipts. The store’s price scanning system failed an annual inspection Monday, resulting in red “rejected” tags being placed at all of the Tarentum Bridge Road store’s registers to alert consumers. The inspection by the Westmoreland County Bureau...
Federal grand jury indicts 2 men authorities say had 22 pounds of cocaine in New Kensington house
A federal grand jury has indicted two men authorities say had 22 pounds of cocaine in a New Kensington house. Marcos Francisco-Tomas, 33, and Andres Flores-Cedeno, 27, were indicted on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced Tuesday. Each is being held in the Allegheny...
Fundraiser for injured Harrison EMT will pay tuition for future emergency responders
EMT certification for 10 people will be paid in full thanks to a fundraiser Sunday in Harrison. A spaghetti dinner hosted for Citizens Hose EMT Kelly Jackson, who was critically injured Jan. 6 while working traffic control at a crash scene, brought in nearly $10,000. Jackson of Tarentum opted to...
Neo, the rescued Kiski River alligator, among more than 70 animals to die in South Park fire
Neo didn’t make it. The wayward alligator, only recently recovered in Kiski Township after escaping and apparently living along the Kiski River since last summer, was one of the more than 70 animals confirmed to have died in a fire that swept through Nate’s Reptile Rescue in South Park on...
New Kensington-Arnold increases high school security measures after live round found in bathroom
New Kensington-Arnold School District officials have not figured out how a live firearm round got inside Valley High School two weeks ago, Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said Monday. The district has not changed any policies in response to the Feb. 13 incident, which caused a lockdown of the school that morning,...
West Deer police SUVs stay in service through donation to fire and EMS
West Deer emergency services will have new utility vehicles for errands or to haul extra personnel to scenes, thanks to a township donation of used police SUVs. Township supervisors voted last week to give vehicles no longer used by the police department to West Deer No. 2 and West Deer...
The Stroller, Feb. 27, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Annual subscription campaign continues at Lower Kiski Ambulance Service Lower Kiski...
Sharpsburg library’s chili cook-off draws crowd, honors former winner
A food-tasting fundraiser brought folks from Sharpsburg and surrounding towns to the borough building in memory of a community legend. At least 60 people participated in Sharpsburg Community Library’s Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off on Feb. 25. They including 10 competitors and 25 registered taste testers. “This is the best...
New Kensington gun store burglary suspects enter not guilty pleas
A federal grand jury returned indictments against two men accused of burglarizing a New Kensington gun store in January. Michael Guin, 26, of Harrison and Steyn Sarduy, 18, no address available, each are charged with conspiracy and theft of a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer. Guin also is charged...
Ukrainian church in Arnold on the market for $200K
The closing of a Ukrainian church serving the Arnold community for almost 100 years has left many former parishioners and residents in a state of disbelief. Holy Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Church held its last Divine Liturgy on Aug. 27 and is listed for sale for $199,999. “I’m not doing that...
West Deer considering multimunicipal watershed study
West Deer supervisors could join a multimunicipal study of the Deer Creek Watershed to outline ways to improve water sources and residents’ access to them. Spearheaded by the Allegheny County Conservation District, the study would leverage its support from watershed municipalities, which include Harmar and Frazer, to apply for state...
The Stroller, Feb. 26, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. ‘The Little Mermaid’ to be presented at Fox Chapel Area High...
‘2nd chance at life’: Nurse performs CPR, saves Plum teen who collapsed on run
Today, Giustino Racchini is a freshman at Penn State University studying journalism, with plans to be a play-by-play announcer or a sportswriter. On a cold Monday in December, the 19-year-old lay dead on Old Frankstown Road in his hometown of Plum. He wasn’t breathing. He had no pulse. His heart...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Feb. 15-21, 2024
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, the Tribune-Review’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate,...
Lower Burrell aims to improve communication, collaboration among community groups
More than three dozen community groups in Lower Burrell gathered last week to share information and determine how they might pool resources. The event, organized by city officials, drew representatives from 38 organizations, including youth sports boosters, civic groups, parade organizers, businesses, schools, police, firefighters and Lower Burrell’s parks commission....
Faces of the Valley: Kiski Area fourth grader takes center stage in ninja skills competitions
A Washington Township 10-year-old is climbing to new heights in the competitive ninja sports world. Caelin Kaminski won the championship in the mature kids (9- and 10-year-old) division at the 2023 World Ninja League Premier Series Championships in November in Forox Ninja Park in Brooklyn. “It was really awesome,” Caelin...
