Valley News Dispatch category, Page 372
Brackenridge focuses on revitalization, eyes 12 blighted structures for demolition
Five ramshackle structures in Brackenridge are expected to be razed this fall, and council is eyeing another seven to follow. It’s the first push in an effort to remove blight, clean the community and lay the groundwork for redevelopment. “It’s going to be fantastic,” Councilman Dino Lopreiato said. “They’ve been...
The Corner’s Opportunity Accelerator helps small-business owners in Alle-Kiski Valley
When Nicole Porterfield-Miller opens her breakfast restaurant, Cafe Nikki P, in New Kensington, it will be the realization of a dream. It started with a hobby making fruit and vegetable trays that she turned into a side business. “I never thought I could open a restaurant. I didn’t think that...
Woman accused of threatening to shoot Harmar gas station clerk over candy faces assault, robbery charges
A woman was arrested on her birthday after a clerk at the Marathon station in Harmar accused her of threatening to shoot him if he didn’t pay for her candy and then fighting with him when he tried to stop her from walking out with a pack of cigarettes. Samantha...
Police accuse North Hills man of beheading woodpecker sign at Upper Burrell tavern
A North Hills man is accused of decapitating the bird on a custom-made sign at Woodpeckers Pub & Grub in Upper Burrell and driving off with it as a souvenir. Matthew John Hoch, 33, of McIntyre Road in Richland Township was charged with felony counts of theft and receiving stolen...
The Stroller, Aug. 30, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Dogs and owners welcome at annual HOPE Center fundraiser The annual Mutts,...
Early reopening possible for Logans Ferry Road as slide work progresses
Logans Ferry Road in Plum may reopen to traffic earlier than expected, a PennDOT spokesman said Monday. The heavily traveled road between Entrance Drive and Columbia Road near New Kensington has been closed since Aug. 2 while a contractor works to repair a landslide. The closure has forced the more...
27 bands scheduled to play annual Band Blast at New Kensington’s Memorial Park
More than two dozen bands are scheduled to perform for the annual Band Blast at Memorial Park in New Kensington this year. The lineup consists of 11 bands performing on the main stage and 16 acoustic acts on the second stage. “This is the biggest lineup we’ve ever had for...
Faces of the Valley: Leechburg community embraces John Fiorina’s daily postings of Kevin the Peacock
John Fiorina remembers the first time he became aware of Kevin the Peacock. He was walking along the road where he would eventually live when he heard something that he said sounded like a pterodactyl. The flashy and sometimes noisy bird can be heard most mornings at 4 a.m. or...
The Stroller, Aug. 29, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. HOPE Center shares wish list for clients The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center,...
Two-day music festival held in West Deer enters 16th year
A music festival in West Deer, celebrating its 15th year, is gearing up for its annual two-day event Sept. 3 and 4. Corbriwoodstock, inspired by the iconic 1969 Woodstock, got its name from its location at a farmhouse at 36 Corbriwood Lane. The inaugural festival was held in 2008 on...
Point Park program allows those with other degrees to pursue teaching career
Over the course of Craig Johnston’s 20-year engineering career, the thought of becoming a teacher often crossed his mind. But it wasn’t until 2020 — months before the covid-19 pandemic would shut down most aspects of day-to-day life — that Johnston took the leap. In January of that year, Johnston...
Freeport alum killed in Armstrong County burn barrel explosion
An Alle-Kiski Valley native died in Armstrong County last week when something inside a burn barrel he was using exploded. Mark Liti, 48, was struck by debris in the explosion Tuesday and later died at ACMH Hospital. “He was a great family guy,” his brother, Chris Liti, told Tribune-Review news...
Brackenridge pursues $600,000 state grant to help foot cost of public works building
A new Brackenridge public works building could break ground by mid-2023 if the borough lands a $600,000 state gambling revenue grant. Council applied for a Local Share Account grant, funded by state gambling tax revenues, but will have to wait a few months before hearing back, engineer Gordon Taylor said....
New Tarentum manager eager to be part of borough’s growth
Tarentum’s new manager, Dwight Boddorf, feels he is joining the borough at the perfect time. “It seems like there’s a good connection between council, businesses and residents, and I want to be part of the growing success,” said Boddorf, 35, who serves as Stowe Township administrator. His first day in...
The Stroller, Aug. 28, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Hometown Christmas production seeking performers Rehearsals will begin Thursday for the 25th...
Trial ordered for man accused by Kiski Township police of having illegal pistol among weapons found in car
A man who isn’t old enough to have a handgun has been ordered to stand trial on felony charges because, authorities say, Kiski Township police officers found a pistol with a rubbed-out serial number, a rifle and a crossbow when they searched his car. District Judge James Andring ordered Lucas...
Hundreds turn out for backpacks, activities at Arnold Back to School Bash
Hundreds of students and families turned out Saturday for a back-to-school bash at Roosevelt Park in Arnold, a joint effort of several community groups meant to help kids in the area prepare for the start of classes. “It’s a way to give back to the community and ease the burden...
ACMH Hospital nurses and techs get 15%-23% wage increases in new labor pact
About 317 nurses and techs at ACMH Hospital in East Franklin will receive wage increases between 15% and 23% over the next two years, according to a new three-year contract. The contract was announced Friday by two unions involved. It was ratified Thursday. A representative from ACMH Hospital did not...
The Stroller, Aug. 27, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Inclusion games planned for special needs children The Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games will...
Prosecutors claim New Kensington man’s death involving teens was over owed drug money
Prosecutors for the first time Friday publicly revealed an alleged motive in the fatal shooting of a New Kensington man in July. Seven teens are charged in the death of Jason Raiford, 39. Westmoreland County Detective Jason Napier testified during a preliminary hearing for four of them that some of...
New Kensington church damaged by tornado in 2020 to reopen
Parishioners of a New Kensington church damaged by a tornado more than two years ago are slated to return to it for worship in November. The Rev. Larry J. Kulick, bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg, announced Friday that he will be at St. Mary of Czestochowa at 1 p.m....
Rosston boat launch at Allegheny River/Crooked Creek to close before Labor Day for improvements
The state Fish and Boat Commission is closing the Rosston boat launch in Manor Township at Crooked Creek and the Allegheny River for repairs beginning Monday, Aug. 29, through Sept. 23. The commission is building a new launch ramp and improving the parking lot, said Mike Parker, commission press secretary....
Work on northbound Highland Park Bridge ramp to Freeport Road to begin Monday, last into February
Another long-term roadwork closure along the Route 28 corridor is set to start at 6 a.m. Monday as PennDOT crews reconstruct the northbound Highland Park Bridge ramp to Freeport Road. The ramp is expected to be closed until early February. The work will include bridge rehabilitation and drainage improvements. Ramp...
Clinton Township man faces multiple felonies after woman calls police about stranger on her porch
A Clinton Township man was ordered to stand trial on multiple felony charges after state police responded to a call from a woman who said she became frightened when a man dressed in black came to her front door asking for a drink and then tried to pull the screen...
EPA schedules hearing on proposed injection well in Plum
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing Tuesday in Plum on a proposed commercial disposal injection well in the borough. The hearing is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Penneco Environmental Solutions of Delmont is seeking permission...
