Valley News Dispatch category, Page 480
Arnold murder suspect pleads to minor drug-related offense
A New Kensington man charged in a fatal shooting last year in Arnold appeared in a Westmoreland County courtroom Monday and pleaded guilty to a minor drug-related offense as he continues to await trial on a charge of first-degree murder. Mario M. Gatti, 31, is scheduled for trial in October...
New Kensington prostitute sentenced for sex trafficking of teen
A former New Kensington woman will serve up to 10 years in prison for her role in a sex trafficking and prostitution ring that utilized a 14-year-old girl to maximize their earnings. Shannon Lynn Shannon, 46, formerly of Texas, pleaded guilty in November to felony counts of trafficking in minors,...
Owner of Lower Burrell auto repair shop vows to reopen after fire
Sharpe Automotive owner Arthur “Artie” Grazier vowed Monday that he would reopen his Lower Burrell shop after repairing damage from a Sunday night blaze. “Half of my customers showed up wishing me luck. Someone even brought me a pizza,” Grazier said late Monday morning. “This is a great community.” The...
Leechburg carnival returns, will help fire department raise money for new engine
The Leechburg Carnival is returning after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. The popular event raises money for the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. It will be held from Aug. 2-7 at the fire company grounds located at 268 Canal Street. The department is trying by August 2022 to...
Crews battle fire at Lower Burrell auto body shopVideo
Multiple fire departments were battling a fire at a Lower Burrell auto body shop late Sunday. Initial reports for a fire at Sharpe Automotive near the intersection of Leechburg Road and Chester Drive came in about 11 p.m. Units from Lower Burrell as well as Upper Burrell, New Kensington, Arnold,...
The Stroller, July 26, 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. Allegheny Valley Association of Churches accepting donations for food bank Donations are welcome for the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches food...
Artfest returns to VandergriftVideo
The arts came alive under a perfect summer sky Sunday in Vandergrift. More than 75 artists and vendors took over a closed-off Grant Avenue for the 2021 themed “Art, Heart and Soul” event that draws hundreds annually to the vibrant street fair. The event returned this year bigger-than-ever after being...
Presentation on Apollo beloved teacher Miss Amy Snyder set for Aug. 1
Residents can learn about the character of one of the most popular teachers in Apollo’s history, the late Miss Amy Snyder, in a special presentation by the Apollo Area Historical Society on Aug. 1. The event is free to the public. Snyder, who began teaching at the Apollo Elementary School...
Celebrating Christmas: On July 25, because of the pandemic
One Alle-Kiski Valley family hasn’t let covid stand in the way of celebrating Christmas. When the pandemic forced a cancellation of their usual Christmas Day family gathering in Tarentum last year, Kathy Kemp of the Cabot section of Winfield Township, Butler County, got creative. “My mom was not happy with...
The Stroller, July 25, 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. Free Covid-19 vaccines available Thursday in Natrona park A mobile covid-19 vaccination site will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m....
Oakmont Yacht Club holds regatta
It’s been smooth sailing this weekend for the 119th annual Oakmont Yacht Club Regatta. The three-day event is back along the banks of the Allegheny River this summer after being canceled last year because of the covid-19 related pandemic. Dom Conte, board member and 2021 regatta organizer, said the regatta...
No worries about what’s for dinner in Lower Burrell as food truck rally satisfies crowd
Lisa Fiorina of Lower Burrell didn’t have to fret over what to make for dinner Saturday. The Food Truck Extravaganza sponsored by Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 solved her dinner dilemma. “No cooking tonight,” Fiorina said. “It’s important to support your local fire community.” More than 18 food...
Springdale Borough Council changes water rates, keeps Springdale Energy as customer
Springdale Borough did not want to lose its biggest water customer — Springdale Energy — especially with the closing of the GenOn plant set for next April costing the borough an estimated $100,000 of water revenue. So, on Tuesday, Springdale Borough Council voted unanimously to cut the rate for any...
Gateway Clipper fall leaf tour is back on the Allegheny River in Armstrong County
After a five-year hiatus, the Gateway Clipper will return to the Armstrong County portion of the Allegheny River for two boat tours and a dinner cruise on Oct. 9. Tickets have gone on sale and are expected to sell out. While the Armstrong County portion of the Allegheny River is...
Farmer x Baker expanding with O’Hara location
A popular waterfront eatery is expanding its operations. Farmer x Baker, a repurposed shipping container-turned-eatery located inside Aspinwall Rivertrail Park, plans to open a new brick-and-mortar location in O’Hara Township this fall and serve as the exclusive caterer and provider for a new weekend brunch at Cellar on Penn in...
The Stroller, July 24, 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. Free Narcan to be distributed in Apollo A free community Narcan distribution will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at...
Charity dek hockey tournament going on in Oakmont, Banksville this weekend
A charity dek hockey tournament benefiting the American Cancer Society is going on this weekend at Oakmont and Banksville rinks. The annual Hockey for Life contest has returned to Riverside Park in Oakmont after a year hiatus due to the pandemic. Organized by Riverview Dek Hockey, the nonprofit home of...
National Night Out picnic to be held at Northmoreland Park
Allegheny Township is hosting a picnic next month at Northmoreland Park as part as part of the community’s participation in National Night Out. It’s a free gathering aimed at building relationships between first responders and the community and serves as a positive crime and drug prevention event. Coordinated by the...
Mosser Casting is looking for paid extras on the film ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’
Wanted: children ages 11-14 and adults, 18 and older who want to have a part in a movie. Nancy Mosser Casting is seeking the individuals to portray bar and bat mitzvah guests for the film “Cha Cha Real Smooth” starring Dakota Johnson, directed by Cooper Raiff, who is also starring...
PennEnergy to install well on Ekastown Road in Buffalo Township
PennEnergy will be installing a well site in Buffalo Township after gaining approval from township officials. Construction at the site, located at 765 Ekastown Road, is slated to begin later this summer, said Amanda Peterson, a stakeholder relations manager with PennEnergy. Some township residents have voiced concerns on social media...
Verona man’s furry green motorcycle helmet attracting attention on A-K Valley roads
Jeff Barnes wants you to notice him. That’s why the Verona man who works in New Kensington dons a furry, green motorcycle helmet cover with a Muppet-like face when he rides around the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond. Yes, he enjoys seeing people smile when they get a glimpse of his...
Greensburg man who fathered child with teen pleads guilty to sexual assault
A Greensburg man will serve up to 23 months in jail for the sexual assault of a New Kensington teenager who gave birth to his child. Marcus Franklin Crawford, 25, formerly of Jeannette, pleaded guilty Friday to statutory sexual assault, corruption of a minor and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Police...
Leechburg struggles to find police applicants
Faced with a bare cupboard when it comes to police applicants, Leechburg Council is looking at boosting pay for officers. At Thursday’s council meeting, borough officials said the Civil Service Commission has received no applications for a full-time job on the borough’s police force despite openings being advertised. Council President...
Astronomy for Disabled Veterans project at VA PHS Heinz campus in O’Hara moving forward
Stars continue to align for a pilot astronomy program at the VA PHS Heinz campus in O’Hara. James Surman, a Plum resident and one of the founders of the Astronomy for Disabled Veterans project, said they recently acquired a 48-inch pier from High Point Scientific to be the base of...
The Stroller, July 23, 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. Annual Artfest slated Sunday in Vandergrift Vandergrift Artfest will be noon to 8 p.m. Sunday on Grant Avenue between Columbia and...
