Valley News Dispatch category, Page 476
Fox Chapel Area school board approves universal masking
An angry, boisterous crowd marched out of the Fox Chapel Area School Board meeting after members voted to require masks at all grade levels when school returns this month. More than a dozen people booed the board’s decision, decrying universal masking and saying their liberties are being violated. The board...
Highlands School Board may revisit decision on face masks
Highlands School Board may revisit its decision on whether students will be required to wear face masks when they return to schools later this month. The board may discuss the district’s health and safety plan, and vote on changes, when it meets on Aug. 16. The board has resumed meeting...
Citizens Bank set to close Ligonier, New Kensington, Ross branches
Citizens Bank is set to close branches in Ligonier Borough, Ross Township and New Kensington by early December. Bennett Griesmer, spokesman for Citizens Financial Group, confirmed the New Kensington branch, at 901 Fifth Ave., is slated to close Nov. 17, while additional closures are set for Dec. 7, at the...
DEP stops Kiski Township from burning residents’ yard brush
The state stopped Kiski Township from collecting residents’ yard brush to burn on township-owned property. The Department of Environmental Protection received an anonymous complaint about the township burning residents’ yard brush, a free service the township has provided for years, said township Secretary Patrick Bono. Residents would drop off their...
Greensburg diocese reinstates limited mask requirements
Responding to a surge in the coronavirus delta variant, the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg on Monday reinstated requirements that priests and church volunteers wear face masks indoors, regardless of whether they received their covid vaccination. Those attending worship or indoor parish events are “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask as...
Felony sex counts dismissed as part of plea deal in New Kensington assault case
A Bridgeville man pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on Monday after a Westmoreland County prosecutor agreed to dismiss four violent sexual offenses in connection with allegations made two years ago by a former girlfriend. Terry James Clawson, 30, told a Westmoreland County judge it was in his...
Jury seated in trial of Allegheny Township man charged in 6 sex assault cases
A Westmoreland County jury was seated Monday to hear evidence in six cases against an Allegheny Township man charged with sexual assaults against two young children, a teenager and two adults. Prosecutors contend Eric Alan Wright, 50, raped two children — including one accuser who told police the sexual assaults...
Fox Chapel Area modifies proposed mask plan to include all students
A vote on Monday night by the Fox Chapel Area School Board will determine whether students of all ages will be required to wear masks when school returns Aug. 24. The board is expected to vote on the district’s health and safety plan during a meeting at 7 p.m. The...
The Stroller, Aug. 9, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Freeport Theatre Festival goes to the ‘Circus’ with season ender The Freeport Theatre Festival will present the comedy, “Bertha and Bailey’s...
Detectives: Women’s fight was cause of Arnold shooting
A fight between two women resulted in four people, including a juvenile, being shot in Arnold on Sunday night, police said. The shooting in the 2000 block of Kenneth Avenue, near Moore Street, was reported about 11:15 p.m. According to Westmoreland County detectives, who were called to help with the...
Oakmont Carnegie Library plans fundraisers
With the ever-changing pandemic protocols making large indoor gatherings difficult to plan, Oakmont Carnegie Library officials and board members had to think of new ways to help fund programs and building improvements. The result was the return of an outdoor event in which families can express their creativity and ride...
Apollo officials considering food truck regulations
Given the rising popularity of food trucks, Apollo Council plans to adopt an ordinance regulating food trucks during its Aug. 26 meeting. Council voted in favor of the ordinance last month and will cast its final vote later this month. “Food trucks have been booming and with the covid-19 pandemic,...
New outdoor concert venue in Harmar set to hold 1st act next month
So far, it seems to be a pretty well-kept secret. But a new outdoor concert venue is coming to Harmar. The Mountain View Amphitheater is at 10 Rich Hill Road, off Route 910. It’s up the hill from the Harmarville business district and not far from Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 48...
Masks will be optional at Freeport Area School District, school board tells parents
When Freeport Area School District opens its schools Aug. 26, masks will be optional for students. The school board confirmed that decision at its agenda meeting Thursday to a group of about 25 concerned parents. Most voiced opposition to the district mandating the use of masks by its students and...
National championship boat racing at Riverbration in Kittanning Aug. 20-22
Speedboats will hit 90 mph or more as they slice through the Allegheny River for national championship boat races during Riverbration, Aug. 20-22 at Kittanning Riverfront Park. Sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post 896, the free public riverside event is expected to draw boat racers from across the...
The Stroller, Aug. 8, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Highlands band slates Pie Night The Highlands High School Varsity Marching Band annual Pie Night will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday...
Litigation prevented earlier demolition of Arnold’s former Ida’s Place building, family says
The former owner of the old Ida’s Place building in Arnold has been harassed since it collapsed late last month, according to her daughter. Ida Peluso turned out authentic Italian food along Fifth Avenue for about 36 years until a kitchen fire severely damaged her restaurant and a neighboring building...
Leechburg to get new restaurant at familiar location
A new restaurant is coming to Leechburg. Frankie’s on 2nd St. will occupy the former Pappy’s restaurant, at 81-83 Second St. Before closing, Pappy’s was a staple eatery in downtown Leechburg. Before that, it was home to another popular restaurant, Bonello’s. “I’m thrilled,” Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos said. “It’s good...
Relay for Life of Riverview surpasses fundraising goal despite less participation
The past few months have been a roller coaster of emotions for Springdale borough resident Jamey Lavelle. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in April. Within a few weeks, he was promoted from supervisor to operations manager at Lower Valley Ambulance Service, where he has worked for about 24 years....
Western Pa. Firemen’s convention kicks off in New Kensington with parade, car cruise
Dozens of fire trucks from throughout the state made their way through New Kensington streets Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t for an emergency. Instead, it was to celebrate the start of the 128th annual Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association’s convention. Festivities kicked off with a car cruise and a parade. The convention...
River Road in Armstrong County set to close Aug. 15
A multi-million dollar construction project in Parks and Kiskiminetas Townships is the reason for a road and bridge closure on Route 56 scheduled for Aug. 15. The affected area is near the intersection of River and Gravel Bar roads, from Vocelli’s Restaurant to Taps and Caps on River Road (Route...
Tarentum mulling refinancing bonds, borrowing $2M for projects
Tarentum Council is moving forward in refinancing two old bond issues and possibly adding several million to the borough’s debt. With municipal bond rates around 2% , council this week authorized Borough Manager Michael Nestico to contact the borough’s bond underwriters about refinancing two old bond issues from 2011 and...
The Stroller, Aug. 7, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Armstrong outdoor center to host program about elk The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a live interactive program...
New Kensington woman jumps from 2nd-story window to escape assault, police say
A woman in New Kensington jumped out a second-story window, hurting her back, to get away from a man she was fighting with, according to city police. New Kensington police charged Jerome Michael Dussia Jr., 34, of Haser Drive with simple assault following the Thursday morning incident. Police said Dussia...
Grant money to help Vandergrift’s historic Casino Theatre replace crumbling fire escape
A crumbling fire escape at Vandergrift’s historic Casino Theatre that dates back nearly a century will be replaced with the help of grant money. “It’s rusty, attached only in one location and the steps are not up to code,” said Janice Oberdorf, treasurer of the nonprofit Casino Theatre Restoration Management....
