Valley News Dispatch category, Page 253
Familiar face to be next principal at Deer Lakes High School
Deer Lakes High School’s assistant principal is now the building’s top administrator. Ryan Aleski will replace current high school principal Patrick Baughman, who was appointed as Plum High School’s principal earlier this month. “I’m looking forward to continuing to build strong healthy relationships with both the students and the staff....
The Stroller, Sept. 28, 2023: 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. Peoples Library mural to be dedicated to the late Jane Glenn...
Wesley Family Services to offer wellness programs at new center in New Kensington
Programs open to the general public are expected to be offered starting in November at a new wellness center at Wesley Family Services’ Pioneer Apartments in New Kensington. Those programs could take the form of blood pressure screenings and vaccine clinics, financial workshops, meditation classes and yoga sessions, said Heather...
Kiski Area School Board president steps down early, district seeks short-term replacement
Kiski Area School Board President Michelle Schmidt has resigned from her seat on the board about two months before her term was set to expire, Superintendent Misty Slavic confirmed Wednesday. The board vacancy was announced Sept. 21 on the district’s Facebook page and website, and eligible residents were encouraged to...
Grand opening of mosaic trail, riverfront access celebrated in Natrona
Officials celebrated the grand opening of a mosaic trail off River Avenue in Natrona on Tuesday, saying it was the first step in a trifecta of upgrades that would transform the neighborhood. The small concrete trail, 10 feet wide and 100 feet long, provides a critical connection for walkers, bikers...
‘Keep it from becoming a strip mall’: Plum farm joins state preservation program
Farmland may be disappearing from Western Pennsylvania, but some property owners are bucking the trend. Greg and Kim Serakowski of Plum, for example, guarantee that their 36 acres off Elicker Road is preserved in perpetuity. On Sept. 26, they greeted guests with custom-made ball caps and T-shirts to celebrate Serakowski...
West Deer police say man was heavily intoxicated, had illegal gun, pot in car when pulled over
West Deer police say a man who was pulled over after nearly crashing into a police cruiser was intoxicated and had an illegal gun and pot in his pickup. Alexander J. Settembrino, 24, of the 500 block of Madison Drive in Richland was charged with a felony count of carrying...
Washington Township Fire Company to host recruiting open house in hopes of attracting volunteers
Volunteer first responders of all capacities are needed in Washington Township. The Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company is hosting an open house Saturday on the company grounds in an effort to bolster its volunteer roster. In Pennsylvania, the number of volunteer firefighters has plummeted since the 1970s, when there were...
Police: Harmar man threatens to set mother ablaze, tries to get gas from garage
A Harmar man was arrested after his parents gave police a video that showed him threatening to douse his mother with gasoline, light her on fire, and set the family’s house and vehicles ablaze, according to authorities. Randolph Gregory Schmotzer, 39, of the 100 block of Acme Avenue was charged...
The Stroller, Sept. 27, 2023: 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. Life-sized Candy Land game to visit Harrison library Community Library of...
5th-generation brewer gets ‘memory for a lifetime’ making Iron City in East Deer
Sitting in the brewery control room at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer, Justin Puharic clicked on his computer mouse, initiating the process of making Tuesday’s fourth batch of Iron City Beer. The click marked a historic moment for the Puharics. Justin, 27, became the fifth generation of brewers in...
Pennsylvania residents getting health insurance through Medicaid have to reapply, state secretary says
An important deadline is looming for millions of Pennsylvania residents who get health insurance through Medicaid that, if missed, could result in losing coverage. But even if residents find themselves no longer eligible for Medicaid, there is another way to keep coverage. Dr. Val Arkoosh, secretary of the state Department...
Fall in the Wall celebration returns to Aspinwall Oct. 7
Autumn is upon us all, and that means one thing in Aspinwall. It is about that time for the Aspinwall Chamber of Commerce’s Fall in the Wall. Food trucks, pumpkin and face painting, magicians, pony rides and plenty more are in store for residents and visitors at the annual celebration...
Friends recall Eureka Fire-Rescue EMS Manager Shannon McKruit as caring, dedicated
Members of Eureka Fire-Rescue in Tarentum are mourning the loss of a woman many referred to as the station “mom.” Shannon McKruit, EMS manager at the Third Avenue department, died Monday at 52. “I wonder if she ever realized the impact she had on thousands of people,” fire President David...
Arnold residents will get a chance to comment on manager’s firing after the fact
Arnold residents will get an opportunity to comment on last week’s firing of the city’s manager, but they’ll have to wait until next month. The firing of Mario Bellavia will be on the agenda for council’s regular meeting Oct. 10, Solicitor Jaclyn Shaw said. But Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel...
Brackenridge man set to complete 150-mile walk to boost Tarentum church project
At 70-plus years old, Mick McArdle of Brackenridge decided to tackle the Great Allegheny Passage from Cumberland, Md., to Point State Park in Pittsburgh — 150 miles total — to raise money for a new community center in Tarentum. “I’m a little tired,” McArdle said, on Day 8, having just...
Vandergrift library director resigns unexpectedly; board seeks replacement
The Vandergrift Public Library is hiring for its top position. Sarah Buzzard of Vandergrift is stepping down from her role as library director, and the board is accepting applications for a replacement. Buzzard submitted a resignation letter during the Sept. 18 board meeting. “Sarah will be missed at the library,”...
Lower Burrell honors girl who raised money for police dog
Kaley Bastine was told she had to attend Lower Burrell’s city council meeting this month, but she wasn’t told why. After the meeting started, though, she was happy to be there. The city honored Kaley, 11, of Harrison with a proclamation recognizing her efforts to raise money for Lower Burrell’s...
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to appear at Lernerville Speedway tonight
Fans will again swarm a racetrack to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. Though he won’t be returning to racing, the 26-time NASCAR Cup Series winner will likely draw quite a crowd Tuesday night at Lernerville Speedway. He will attend the $50,000-to-win Commonwealth Clash as part of the High Limit Sprint Car...
With membership ‘busting at the seams,’ Harvest Baptist Church launches $7 million expansion
A Harrison church that started with seven members in a meeting room at a local Holiday Inn is marking its 40th anniversary and launching a $7 million expansion. “It’s to the point now that we’re busting at the seams,” said Marc Likins, pastor of Harvest Baptist Church off Route 908....
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 2023: 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. Apollo Meals on Wheels seeking volunteer help Apollo Area Meals on...
Repairs to restrict morning Tarentum Bridge traffic
Traffic will be restricted on the Tarentum Bridge Tuesday morning, PennDOT announced. Single-lane restrictions will happen in both directions on the bridge from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. PennDOT said crews will conduct slider plate repairs on expansion dams during what it described as a “mobile operation.” Drivers are advised...
Police arrest woman on drug charges after officer spots transaction at Vandergrift convenience store
Vandergrift police say an Armstrong County woman was arrested after an officer saw her buying crack cocaine while parked at a convenience store gas pump. Melissa Elaine Ferraro, 39, of the 100 block of Girty Road in South Bend Township was charged with a felony count of possession of drugs...
Chipotle at Pittsburgh Mills complex set to open
Burrito lovers in the Alle-Kiski Valley soon will have a new place to get their fix. Representatives from Chipotle Mexican Grill announced the restaurant will open Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Mills complex in Frazer. The new restaurant is at 1003 Village Center Drive, in the Lowe’s parking lot, across from...
Plum to begin taking orders for new military banner program
Plum is rolling out a revamped program through which borough residents can honor family and friends who have served in the military. The new military banner program will launch Oct. 2 on the borough’s website at plumboro.com. The borough is partnering with CHi Signs & Designs of Penn Hills. The...
