Valley News Dispatch category, Page 425
After 38 years with Parks Township police, Chief Ciuca to retire in February
In his 38 years patrolling Parks Township, Chief Douglas Ciuca has just about seen it all. Tasked with helping to keep law and order in the township’s 14 square miles, Ciuca has responded to calls ranging from quirky to tragic. His most difficult moment? “Finding an infant, alive and unharmed,...
Lower Burrell man accused of threatening Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert online
A 55-year-old man accused of making threats on social media to harm Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert and his family was taken into custody after a search of a home in Lower Burrell on Saturday. Matthew A. Betts was found hiding in a storage locker at a residence on Lori...
State police: Butler County podiatrist accused of indecent contact with patients
A well-known Western Pennsylvania podiatrist was arrested Friday in Armstrong County on charges that accuse him having indecent contact with patients on two occasions at a Ford City office. Dr. Matthew J. Sabo, 48, of Chicora, is was charged with two felony counts of engaging in sexual conduct and two...
Love of coffee and art yields creative exhibit in Freeport
Two friends from Freeport use their complementary knowledge and talents to open a coffee shop. Two friends from Sarver push each other to develop their individual artistic talents. One of the artists and one of the shop owners also are friends, and therein lies a tale. Freeport residents Virginia Lindsay...
Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMS buys new ambulance with enhanced safety features
Despite dwindling staff and fundraising obstacles, Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMS in Tarentum has added a $260,000 paramedic rescue ambulance to its fleet, enabling volunteers to continue to serve a wide swath of the Alle-Kiski Valley, as they have since the 1800s. The newest addition is more than an ambulance. The vehicle stands...
The Stroller, Jan. 29, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Natrona food pantry offers help The Natrona Community Pantry is in Natrona Community Park, 12-20 River Road, Harrison. Anyone in need is...
Over 40 bridges in Alle-Kiski Valley are rated the same as span that collapsed in Pittsburgh
In a town aptly dubbed the “City of Bridges,” Friday morning’s collapse of a span carrying traffic over Fern Hollow Creek in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park while cars and a Port Authority bus were on it might very well be the worst nightmare a local motorist could imagine. The early morning...
Springdale woman runs home bakery, teaches cookie decorating classes
Taking a cookie decorating class three years ago has led a Springdale woman to open her own home bakery business. Amanda Monnich was an on-and-off teacher for 10 years before finding her passion in baking. She practiced baking and decorating her own cookies at home. While she was teaching, she...
6 projects in A-K Valley receive total of $600K from Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund
Six projects across the Alle-Kiski Valley have received funding totaling more than $600,000 from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund. Nearly $9.4 million was disbursed to communities in Allegheny County in this year’s round, announced Wednesday. In the Alle-Kiski Valley, these projects were named: • West Deer Township Volunteer Fire...
Police: Teen missing from New Kensington since Jan. 25 back home
New Kensington police have called off the search for a teen who went missing on Jan. 25. Police reported that Amir Kennedy, 14, returned home Sunday....
Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas embrace parents through the loss of a baby
Their tiny hands will never hold on to their parents. Their small feet will never take a step. Their eyes will never open wide with wonder. The unthinkable death of a baby is a moment that lives on in a parent’s heart forever. The heartache of losing them is infinite....
Police: Leechburg woman charged after giving cops video she said proved her innocence
A woman is accused of pointed a rifle at her neighbor’s dog and threatening to shoot it before turning the weapon on its owner when he told her killing the animal would land her in jail, according to Leechburg police. Tracey A. Geracia, 53, of Kirkpatrick Avenue, was charged with...
The Stroller, Jan. 28, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Shoe collection to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society A used shoe collection to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will continue through...
Stay off the ice: Allegheny River frozen for more than 45 miles north of Cheswick
Recent clear and frigid nights accelerated ice formation on the Allegheny River stretching from Cheswick north past Kittanning, according to the National Weather Service. With more than 45 river miles iced over, authorities are urging residents to stay off the ice for safety reasons. The ice mass is expected to...
West Deer man takes satisfaction in caring for Bull Creek Cemetery
West Deer resident Howard Kirkbride tries to keep his visits to Bull Creek Cemetery to a minimum of once a week, but his passion for it makes that impossible. The 77-year-old has volunteered his time to the cemetery, on Tarentum-Culmerville Road, for more than 28 years. He became president of...
Fox Chapel church hoping to ‘Fill the Truck’ for food pantries in Indiana Township, Sharpsburg and Etna
On Super Bowl Sunday, football won’t be center stage for everyone. Volunteers at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church are scheduled to host the 8th annual Fill the Truck fundraiser through which several hundred food and nonperishable items are collected for hungry neighbors. “It is a great event for the community,” Deacon...
Police: Raid at Arnold man’s home nets 4 pounds of pot, cash, illegal guns
An Arnold man faces seven felony charges after police raided his home and found more than 4 pounds of marijuana, thousands of dollars in cash and several illegal guns, according to his arrest papers. John Wermlinger, 53, of the 1500 block of Riverside Drive, was charged with five counts of...
ACMH Hospital nurses vote to authorize potential strike
A clash over wages and staffing has led to a potential strike by the nursing staff at ACMH Hospital near Kittanning. ACMH Nurses United, which represents 213 staffers at the hospital along Nolte Drive, voted Wednesday to authorize a strike after being what they called “pushed to the brink by...
Tarentum councilman aims to make borough a destination with Craft Beer Fest
With plans underway for the second annual Craft Beer Festival in Tarentum, organizers are looking to adjust the timing to account for the weather. “Everything was great, but it was boiling hot,” event coordinator Brian Snyder said of last year’s festival, held in August at Dreshar Stadium. Snyder, a member...
Vandergrift Public Library to hold escape room fundraisers with live actors
The Vandergrift Public Library wants you out the door — for a good cause. As a fundraiser, the library will hold two escape room events, on Feb. 11 and 25, in its historic building in downtown Vandergrift. People are invited to register in teams of four to six to compete...
Police: Woman faces gun, drug charges after speeding past officer on the berm in a snowstorm
Lower Burrell police charged a woman with a felony count of carrying a gun without a permit after she was pulled over for using the shoulder of the road to speed past an officer on Route 56 during a snowstorm, police said. In addition to the gun charge, Susan Ann...
The Stroller, Jan. 27, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Volunteers needed to help order food in New Kensington The City of New Kensington is partnering with Oasis Grocery Direct as a...
Burrell School Board agrees to not raise property taxes above 4.4% — if at all
The Burrell School Board has agreed to not raise property taxes for next school year higher than the state-inflation based limit of 4.4%. For the 2022-23 budget budget, the board could vote on a budget calling for that maximum tax increase, a smaller tax hike, or none at all. The...
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer making progress as it aims for summer production
Citing steady progress at its new site in East Deer, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. general manager Todd Zwicker said Wednesday he expects brewing to be underway by the summer. The makers of Iron City Beer started work at the former Pittsburgh Glass Works last year. A tour of the facility Wednesday...
Springdale police: Borough man used stolen debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs
Springdale police charged a Pittsburgh Street man with using a stolen debit card to make a string of ATM withdrawals totaling more than $850. Clarence Fletcher White, 63, was charged Jan. 25 with a felony count of access device fraud along with charges of theft and receiving stolen property in...
