Valley News Dispatch category, Page 556
Burrell parents organize homecoming dance for high school students
As coronavirus-related restrictions limit large indoor gatherings, school districts are not offering all of the traditional events they normally would. So parents of Burrell High School students took matters into their own hands, organizing a homecoming dance Saturday evening in the ballroom of the Quality Inn in New Kensington. “When...
With granite shop relocated to Gilpin, former corporate exec’s future set in stone
Lisa Akscyn of Manor Township has risen from a place of adversity. Akscyn, 54, received life-changing news in 2011 while caring for her terminally ill brother. “I got a letter in the mail informing me I was let go,” Akscyn said. She had lost her her lucrative, long-term corporate job...
Alcoa aluminum smelter moving from Station Square to New Kensington’s Voodoo Brewery
A 39,000-pound piece of Alcoa history is coming to New Kensington. A retired aluminum smelting pot that has been displayed near the Gateway Clipper ramp at Station Square since 1990 will be placed in the beer garden outside Voodoo Brewery at Fifth Avenue and 10th Street. “We are in the...
Burrell staying with in-person learning for now as covid-19 cases increase in Westmoreland
Burrell School Board is monitoring Westmoreland County’s recent increase in covid-19 cases, but hasn’t decided whether it will make any changes to the way it’s delivering education to its students. Burrell students now have the option to go to school in-person or attend virtual classes. The percentage of students taking...
Palmer Pharmacy in West Deer wants to get children reading moreVideo
Teaching children to read and developing an interest in books from a young age is important. That’s why Palmer Pharmacy in West Deer is starting its “Ready to Read Program.” “Our goal really is to partner with parents and educators to develop literacy skills and foster a love of reading...
West Deer appoints acclaimed educator as township supervisor
West Deer has a new township supervisor. Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously appointed Jennifer Mann, 59, to fill the seat formerly held by the late Shawn Maudhuit. Mann was one of 10 residents who applied for the position. “I’m honored to be part of this organization and this community, and I’m...
The Stroller, Oct. 23, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your church or organization going to host a free Thanksgiving Dinner? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Donations being accepted for holiday vouchers Allegheny Valley Association of Churches is accepting donations to help with the food...
Legionella found in both Allegheny Valley schools
Testing revealed elevated levels of legionella in several sinks at both Acmetonia Elementary School and Springdale Junior-Senior High School in Allegheny Valley School District, officials announced Thursday. Water fountains in the affected schools have been shut down and students will drink bottled water until the problem has been resolved, Superintendent...
Police: North Huntingdon cat hoarder said animals took over his house
Police said a North Huntingdon man told them he stopped staying at his township home because cats had overrun it. In September, authorities rescued 73 cats from the property on Leger Road and removed 11 that died. Since being surrendered to Frankie’s Friends in New Kensington, another 22 cats died...
Natural gas project to detour West Seventh Avenue traffic in Tarentum
A Peoples Gas project will affect traffic in Tarentum beginning Sunday night. The company will be working in the area of West Seventh Avenue and Mill Street. Work will be done between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and is expected to last through Friday. Peoples Gas spokesman Barry Kukovich said...
Westmoreland County schools could face difficult closure decisions as coronavirus risk remains high
Westmoreland County school districts face difficult choices as the county’s coronavirus transmission risk is expected to remain “substantial” for at least another week when the state updates its three-tiered Early Warning Monitoring System. Leaders will need to weigh student safety and legal liability as they decide whether to close schools...
O’Hara manufacturer named Small Business Administration Exporter of the Year
A third-generation O’Hara manufacturer was named the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Western Pennsylvania Exporter of the Year. Sauereisen, Inc., along Gamma Drive in RIDC Park, is a locally owned coating company that, since 1899, has produced corrosion-resistant materials commonly used in household appliances. “We’re not a commodity material provider but...
Westmoreland County: Almost 70,000 mail-in ballots approved
The Ohio company processing mail-in ballots for Westmoreland County has sent more than 64,000 to the post office and is up-to-date with its processing, a county election official said Thursday. Midwest Direct of Cleveland, which prints and mails the ballots, handled 64,604 ballots as of Tuesday, with an additional 3,800...
Cheswick woman charged with assaulting 2 Springdale Borough cops
A Cheswick woman is accused of kicking and punching two Springdale Borough police officers during an arrest. The incident took place shortly after midnight Tuesday in the 900 block of Chester Street when Candace Rae Winstead assaulted the two officers who were responding to a call regarding unknown trouble, according...
Hearing for man accused of assaulting woman in Frazer hotel delayed because alleged victim in jail
A preliminary hearing for a Wilkinsburg man accused of assaulting a woman in a Frazer hotel room was postponed until November because the alleged victim was in jail, according to online court records. Frazer police charged Michael Joseph Battaglia, 44, with aggravated and simple assault, strangulation, unlawful restraint, making terroristic...
Eric Trump makes surprise visit to Oakmont Bakery
Eric Trump made a surprise visit Thursday to Oakmont Bakery, where he passed out cookies decorated with his father’s face to dozens of supporters. Oakmont Bakery is hosting its traditional presidential Cookie Poll. The bakery serves up sweets adorned with images of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe...
Veteran state House member Petrarca challenged by Silvis, a longtime film stuntman, in 55th District
Democrat Joe Petrarca is asking voters on Nov. 3 to return him to Harrisburg for a 14th term representing residents of the 55th District in the state House. Republican challenger Jason Silvis is hoping those voters instead will help him end that long run. “I think people are ready for...
The Stroller, Oct. 22, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your church or organization going to host a free Thanksgiving Dinner? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Leechburg VFD to host Oktoberfest Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department will host Oktoberfest 2020 from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday...
Riverview School District to move to hybrid model Nov. 5, online option still available
The Riverview School District is switching to a hybrid model with students having the option of returning to in-person classes for the second nine weeks. Classes have been taught exclusively online since the beginning of the school year on Aug. 27. District leaders spoke with teachers, parents and Allegheny County...
Boil water notice lifted for Pittsburgh Mills mall complex
A boil water notice that was issued for the Pittsburgh Mills mall complex in Frazer earlier this week has been lifted, according to an official with the Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority. “The boil water notice has been lifted and all businesses have been notified,” Authority Chairman Ed Adams said Wednesday....
Deer Lakes students to tentatively return to full-time, in-person instruction in NovemberVideo
After strong demand from parents, the Deer Lakes School District on Tuesday voted to reinstate full-time, in-person learning. Students will be able to return to school full-time tentatively starting Nov. 9. “I’m begging you as our leaders to please, please think hard and get these kids back in the school...
Allegheny Valley School Board votes against expanded classroom learning for K-6 students
The Allegheny Valley School Board this week rejected a proposal by Superintendent Pat Graczyk to return Acmetonia Elementary School students to in-person classroom learning four days a week. The board voted 9-0 against the proposal Tuesday night. If the plan had been approved, K-6 students would have come back to...
Leechburg fire company to host food truck festival this weekend
Another food truck festival is coming to Leechburg. Oktober Fest 2020, sponsored by Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, will be Saturday on the fire company grounds on Canal Street. The second mobile food-themed fundraiser comes on the heels of the inaugural food truck festival hosted last month, said Brian Scott, president...
The Stroller, Oct. 21, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your church or organization going to host a free Thanksgiving Dinner? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Clothing, household items being collected Women of Alle-Kiski Engaging, a division of the Alle Kiski Strong Chamber, is conducting...
2nd Deer Lakes staffer tests positive for covid-19
A Deer Lakes High School staff member has tested positive for covid-19, spokeswoman Coby Detar said. The district released a statement about the case on Tuesday. The statement did not identify the infected individual other than to say its a high school staff member. “We cannot divulge the names of...
