Valley News Dispatch category, Page 564
Upper Burrell to audit fire company’s books to quell concerns over proposed fire tax
Not only are some Upper Burrell residents resistant to paying a proposed 2-mill fire tax, but they have wanted, and just got, the township to pay an auditor to review the fire company’s finances. Supervisors rolled out a proposal for a 3-mill fire tax in August, then reduced the proposed...
Proposal outlines future, identifies key issues in Harrison, Brackenridge, Tarentum
Economic development, property deterioration, recreation and branding are the four key issues identified in a new comprehensive plan aimed at guiding the future of Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum. “Our goal was to formulate an implementable plan — not a 100-page plan that would sit on a shelf,” said Robin Bergstrom,...
The Stroller, Sept. 27, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list of autumn events and Halloween parades, parties and trick-or-treat nights. Send an email to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Peoples Library plans annual Adventure with Wine event Peoples Library will sponsor a different kind of Adventure with Wine event – a drive-thru takeout meal with wine...
Man flees on foot after car crash that heavily damaged New Kensington houseVideo
A car crashed into a New Kensington house Saturday morning with such force that it knocked out a corner of the concrete block building and landed in the middle of the kitchen. The vehicle was traveling along the 1200 block of Equator Alley, which runs behind Leishman Avenue about a...
West Deer family pays it forward with fundraiser for fellow child with cancer
At barely 7 months old, Noah Latronica was diagnosed with brain cancer. “It was just one of those out-of-body experiences,” said his mother, Sara Jane Latronica, 28, of West Deer. Latronica and her husband, Nick, realized something was wrong a few months after Noah’s birth on June 9, 2016. Noah...
Vandergrift meeting abruptly ends amid accusations, confusion
It was a short meeting. A Vandergrift councilwoman called for the resignation of the council president Thursday night, during a continuation of the September council meeting. Councilwoman Karen McClarnon was immediately called out of order, resulting in a brief shouting match before the meeting was quickly adjourned and the Zoom...
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list of autumn events and Halloween parades, parties and trick-or-treat nights. Send an email to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Participants sought for benefit walk Apollo Area Churches will sponsor the area CROP Walk at 2 p.m. Oct. 4 on the Roaring Run Trail, Kiski Township Registration...
East Deer to use federal grant to replace aging waterline
East Deer will use federal grant money to replace an old waterline on Parsonage Street that supplies water to about 15 homes. Jenna Miller lives on the street and has experienced water issues. She was happy to hear the news. “I’m excited for them to replace it after all these...
The Stroller, Sept. 25, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list of autumn events and Halloween parades, parties and trick-or-treat nights. Send an email to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Bands set to play at outdoor fundraiser in Gilpin A fundraiser to support the Leechburg Pink Day event,“Lingrow Goes Pink,”will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday...
One Brilliant in Aspinwall can style you and your homeVideo
Customers can feel at home shopping at One Brilliant in Aspinwall. The women’s clothing and accessories boutique launched “One Brilliant Home,” a stylish line of products to spruce up an abode as well as leisure wear such as comfy bathrobes, soft pajamas and cozy slippers for those whose office is...
New Kensington woman sentenced to 3-7 years for helping to hide Officer Brian Shaw’s killer
A New Kensington woman was sentenced Thursday to serve at least three years in prison for helping her cousin escape capture in the hours after a city police officer was gunned down nearly three years ago. Lisa Harrington was convicted of five felony offenses and one misdemeanor for helping Rahmael...
Trove of historical information that had been kept in Tarentum now at Harrison library
A treasure trove of local history is available at the Community Library of Allegheny Valley in Harrison. The library’s local history department had been located in the Tarentum branch on Lock Street, but that branch closed in late February. Its resources were being moved to the Harrison library and set...
Police: Brackenridge man strangles, threatens to kill woman during argument
A Brackenridge man charged with strangling a woman late Wednesday allegedly told her they both were going to die, according to a criminal complaint against him. Brackenridge police charged Roy Bryan Cavitt, 63, with a felony count of strangulation, misdemeanor offenses of simple assault and making terroristic threats, and a...
New Kensington couple charged in death of 2-year-old also face animal abuse counts
A New Kensington man accused of inflicting fatal injuries on a 2-year-old boy also beat a dog so badly that one of its legs had to be amputated, according to court documents. New Kensington police on Wednesday charged Keith Dale Lilly Jr., 31, with cruelty to animals and neglect of...
Mr. Smalls in Millvale switches focus to food, outdoor concerts
The scent of grilled burgers and Mexican street corn will fill Butler Street in Millvale on weekends as Mr. Smalls Cafe takes over the road for socially distanced food, friendship and live music. It is the latest move by the music venue to stay afloat after being hard hit by...
New Ken-Arnold can’t afford to change tax deadlines or eliminate late penalties, board member says
New Kensington-Arnold School Board isn’t changing the district’s property tax deadlines or eliminating late penalties this year because it said doing so could cost the district nearly $100,000. While Westmoreland County and the cities of New Kensington and Arnold extended their discount windows and eliminated penalties to help property owners...
Wendy’s in Lower Burrell to close
The Wendy’s restaurant on Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell will close Oct. 4. A Wendy’s manager, Brandan Davis, confirmed the closure. Davis said 20 employees will be affected, about half of them full-time workers. “The Lower Burrell location is a lower-volume store and the cost to remodel it didn’t make...
Mother petitions Deer Lakes to go to in-school instruction 5 days a week
A mother whose three children go to school in Deer Lakes School District has started a petition asking district officials to reinstate in-person instruction five days a week. Traci Stotler, who mounted a petition drive on Change.org, said it’s not physically, mentally or emotionally healthy for young, developing children to...
More coronavirus cases found at Westmoreland Manor; county calls in National Guard to helpVideo
As coronavirus cases at Westmoreland Manor continue to rise, county commissioners on Thursday called in the Pennsylvania National Guard to take over testing of residents and staff at the county-owned nursing home. County officials said Thursday another 14 residents and four employees tested positive for the virus. That brings the...
New Kensington woman sues Pittsburgh police for wrongful arrest after mistaken identity
A New Kensington woman who said she was assaulted after being wrongfully arrested last year as a result of mistaken identity is suing the Pittsburgh police and the officer who filed the charges. Desiree Pinkston, 35, said in her federal complaint that Pittsburgh officer Morgan Logan, who was investigating a...
Supermarket to bring Germany’s Oktoberfest to Saxonburg
A little bit of Bavarian Germany is coming to Saxonburg. Sprankle’s Markets will host their second annual “Octoberfest”-themed beer and food festival on Saturday in its parking lot at 270 W. Water St. in Saxonburg. The location is has moved from last year’s celebration held at Lingrow Farm in Gilpin....
The Stroller, Sept. 24, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list of autumn events and Halloween parades, parties and trick-or-treat nights. Send an email to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Outdoor concert to benefit Lighthouse Foundation Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church will present opera singer Marianne Cornetti in concert at 4 p.m. Saturday outdoors in Roebling Park, Saxonburg....
CNX applies for new Utica gas wells in Washington Township
CNX Resources is applying for permits to develop and operate a Utica shale gas well pad along Evans Road in Washington Township near property owned by the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. CNX, which has other gas wells on authority property, plans to develop up to seven Utica wells at...
Leechburg Area students to return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5
Leechburg Area School District students will return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5. “I’m thrilled that the students are coming back,” Superintendent Tiffany Nix said. Students have been learning online exclusively since school started Sept 2. The original back-to-school plan approved in June offered students a choice of returning to school...
Oakmont officials consider allowing cycling, off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow permanently
Oakmont officials are considering an ordinance that would formally allow cycling and off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow Woods Park. Bicyclists and dogs roaming free have been permitted in the park off Crystal Drive during parts of the day and in certain sections of the site for more than a year...
