Valley News Dispatch category, Page 482
Police: Woman dies after crashing into 2 parked cars in Oakmont
A Verona woman died after police say she drove into two parked cars in Oakmont. Kayla Kane, 38, died after being taken to a hospital, according to a release from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Police Chief Michael Ford said officers responded to a three-vehicle crash along the 500...
South Buffalo farm turns field of 150,000 sunflowers into fun, limited-time destination
The flower power scene is reppin’ at a farm in South Buffalo Township. Renshaw Farms has kicked off Sunflower Days. More than 150,000 sunflowers are in bloom in a giant field — available for the public to explore, buy and enjoy. Owner Jason Renshaw said his wife, Jamie, suggested he...
The Stroller, July 19, 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. Veterans outreach offered in Lower Burrell Rep. Bob Brooks will offer veterans outreach hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July...
New Kensington firefighters seek participants for annual convention paradeVideo
If you love a parade, there’s going to be chance to not just watch one, but to be in it. The New Kensington fire department will host the 128th annual Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association convention from Saturday, Aug. 7, through Wednesday, Aug. 11. The convention’s first day includes a traditional...
The Stroller, July 18, 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. Prospect Cemetery welcomes public for tours, research A free picnic will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Prospect...
Lower Burrell mulling over where backyard chickens can live
Lower Burrell Council did not dispute or appeal the city zoning hearing board’s ruling allowing a family to have chickens that serve as pets and satisfy the medical needs of a family member. But council tabled further discussion last week on whether to change the city’s ordinance governing where chickens...
Pulled pork, history on menu for Prospect Cemetery picnic
A cemetery may seem like an unusual place to have a picnic, but it’s a great place to learn about history — maybe your own. Prospect Cemetery in Brackenridge will host a free picnic with food provided by neighboring Infuzed Bistro from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The cemetery...
Closure of Cheswick Generating Station sparks mixed feelings in community
Some mourn the loss of jobs. Others celebrate the demise of a coal-burning plant and related environmental concerns. All acknowledge their Alle-Kiski Valley communities surrounding the Cheswick Generating Station will be forever changed. The station, which is Allegheny County’s last coal-fired power plant, is scheduled to close permanently in mid-September....
State Rep. Abby Major: ‘People should know there are good-paying jobs out there.’
State Rep. Abby Major, R-Ford City, hosted the state House Majority Policy Committee to showcase local businesses and the issues they face. Major’s district includes part of Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties. Local business leaders testified about business conditions for economic recovery and job growth before the committee Thursday at...
Alle-Kiski Valley firefighters practice driving firetrucks in tight spaces
Parallel parking is often the most difficult part of any driver training course — staying between the orange barrels, learning to use your side mirrors and hoping you don’t hit the curb. Now imagine doing it in a 40-ton fire rescue truck. “This is like a driving test, but way...
Kiski Township traffic stop turns up drugs, guns
Police arrested an Indiana man this week after a traffic stop turned up drugs and guns, authorities said. Sahid Nasir-Evans, 27, faces charges related to firearms violations and possession of marijuana, said Kiski Township Police Sgt. Thomas Dessell. Officers stopped Nasir-Evans just after 1 a.m. Monday on Route 56 near...
Brackenridge restaurant owner bringing a taste of Louisiana to Lower BurrellVideo
A taste of the bayou is coming to Lower Burrell. Taylor Chappell, who will be the head chef of Bayou in the Burrell, recommends those new to Cajun food try the gumbo. “You can’t go wrong with that,” she said. Bayou in the Burrell is expected to open the second...
Firefighter disputes Kiski Township police charges stemming from plans to burn building debris
Kiski Township police arrested an Apollo firefighter and charged him with disorderly conduct after they say he refused to abandon plans to burn rubbish with prohibited items. Police charged Lyle Rusz, 60, of Kiski Township with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and tampering with fire apparatus. Rusz’s attorney, Gregory Swank, disputed...
Gilpin man hospitalized after large tree falls on his campground homeVideo
A Gilpin man was taken to a local hospital for treatment after a tree fell on his porch Friday. Neighbors Lori and Brian Barbieri said they heard a snap as the late-afternoon storms died down and watched as the tree came down across their neighbor’s home in the Kiski River...
Harmar supervisors reappoint Karen Peconi-Biricocchi as acting township manager
For the second time in two months, the Harmar supervisors appointed Karen Peconi-Biricocchi as the acting township manager. Peconi-Biricocchi was initially appointed acting manager at the end of May, succeeding Tony Rozzano. He was hired to fill the position full-time earlier in May but had to step down because he...
Owners of Vandergrift home destroyed in blaze thankful to be alive
Robert Harvey Mills and his wife Caroel Mills watched a fire destroy their Vandergrift home of 51 years Thursday morning. They helplessly stood by as their their home on Holland Street burned — along with two neighboring houses. Still, the couple said they’re thankful to be alive, and determined not...
Fox Chapel Area High School hosts blood drive amid critical shortage
In the few weeks since Vitalant issued a call to replenish severe blood shortages across the region, the situation has improved — but not quite enough. “There is still a critical need for blood,” said Kristen Lane, Vitalant communications manager. “Donors are needed now to help prevent another shortage during...
Pink Day fundraiser founder contracts cancer, yet ups game with new Leechburg event
A Leechburg woman diagnosed with cancer hasn’t let personal hardship diminish her passion for fundraising. Sherry Price, founder and organizer of Pink Day, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February during a routine mammogram. “Never in a million years did I think I’d get breast cancer,” said Price, 57. She...
Fridays on Fifth aims to show off the new New Kensington
A new monthly food truck event aims to showcase all the new and existing businesses in downtown New Kensington. Fridays on Fifth will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month from July through October on Fifth Avenue between Ninth and 10th Streets. The first...
The Stroller, July 16, 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 concert planned at Concordia Lutheran Ministries Concordia Haven II at Concordia Lutheran Ministries will host a free outdoor concert featuring...
Lower Burrell Council bestows honors for covid-19 response and city beautificationVideo
Call it pent-up gratefulness. Lower Burrell Council awarded a whopping four proclamations this week thanking residents and others. After covid-19 pandemic restrictions shut down public meetings for more than a year, Lower Burrell Council is in its second month of in-person public meetings. Council delayed publicly honoring residents and groups...
The Stroller, July 17, 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. Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, first responders The fourth annual Operation Gratitude Collection drive will take place through July 31. The...
Fire destroys 3 Vandergrift homes, 6 people left homeless; cause remains under investigationVideo
Six Vandergrift residents were left homeless when their three respective homes caught fire Thursday morning. The American Red Cross is assisting four men and two women with temporary shelter as state police in Greensburg are investigate the cause of the blaze. Vandergrift Fire Department No. 2 Chief Steve Potoka said...
A divided Highlands School Board passes plan for return to in-person classes 5 days a week
Students in Highlands School District will resume five-day, in-person classes when school resumes in August. In a 5-4 vote, the school board approved the plan at a special meeting Monday. Under the plan, wearing masks in the schools is voluntary for students and staff in school. But they are mandatory...
Hazardous waste collection scheduled for Freeport Area Middle School
Paint, pesticides and other chemicals will be collected at Freeport Area Middle School during a July 24 event hosted by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school off Route 356. “This event is part of...
