Valley News Dispatch category, Page 579
Police arrest Delaware County man for returning to North Apollo home from which he was banned after assault
A Delaware County man previously charged with domestic assault was arrested Tuesday after he was found hiding inside a North Apollo home where the assault occurred, according to police. Police said Devante Grant, 21, of Lansdowne isn’t allowed in the Allison Avenue home because he previously assaulted a woman who...
Roof project at New Kensington-Arnold elementary school more than doubles in size, cost
A project to replace part of the leaking roof at Roy A. Hunt Elementary has more than doubled in size and cost to include all of the school’s roof. New Kensington-Arnold School Board member Steven Sorch, who voted against the project’s enlargement, said he had no idea how the district...
Victim in New Kensington witness intimidation trial says she fears for her life
A New Kensington woman testified Tuesday she fears for her safety after her cooperation with investigators was publicly disclosed during the prosecution of a man sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer. Tasha Williams, 39, told a Westmoreland County jury her life may still be in jeopardy...
West Deer police to go forward with golf outing fundraiser despite pandemic
The West Deer Police Department plans to hold its annual golf outing this month despite the coronavirus pandemic that has prompted many organizations to cancel similar fundraising events. “We’re actually very excited,” police Chief Jon Lape said. “Whatever it takes and however we have to social distance and all that,...
The Stroller, Aug. 4, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
Off-leash dogs and cyclists may be permanently allowed in Oakmont’s Dark Hollow Woods
Cycling and dogs running off-leash might be a permanent fixture in Dark Hollow Woods in Oakmont as the recreation board pushes for a change in borough policy. What was to be a six-month trial period to test the activities in the publicly owned park near Crystal Drive has now lasted...
New Kensington man sentenced in fatal heroin overdose
The mother of an Allegheny Township woman told a Westmoreland County judge Monday that her daughter finally had an opportunity to experience California, but it came after death when her ashes were cast into the Pacific Ocean. “She always had a love of California, and I finally took her there...
Vandergrift officer injured trying to subdue domestic abuse suspect
Allegheny Township Police say at least one officer was injured Friday evening during the arrest of a man on suspicion of domestic violence. According to police, officers responded to a domestic violence call along Hancock Avenue around 9 p.m. Friday. There, police say, a woman told them she was assaulted...
Westmoreland restarts criminal trials with case against Rahmael Holt’s father
After a four-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, jury trials resumed Monday in Westmoreland County. A 12-member jury and two alternates were selected to hear evidence in a witnesses intimidation case against the father of the man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police...
Repaving Richmond Street tops Arnold’s plans for $300K in grant money
Arnold is proposing to spend nearly half of a federal grant to pay for resurfacing Richmond Street. City residents will get a chance to comment on that, and other proposed uses for the more than $300,000 grant, during a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the public...
The Stroller, Aug. 2, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
The Stroller, Aug. 3, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
Co-workers rally around New Kensington mom whose toddler drowned in Harrison
Cassius Saulsgiver was a happy kid who always woke up with a smile. He went to bed with one, too. “He just loved life,” said his mom, Dominique Kemp. “He just loved everything. Everybody. You could be a complete stranger and he’d warm up pretty quick.” Two-year-old Cassius tragically died...
Nonprofit to reward people who donated to canceled West Leechburg fundraiser
Ian Coyle isn’t letting a canceled fundraiser stop him from doing something nice for people. Coyle, founder and president of the nonprofit Semper Gratus, will be handing out Semper Gratus cups and gift baskets at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Leechburg on Aug. 16. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Coyle had...
‘An awesome tribute’: Late New Kensington man’s damaged memorial to police replacedVideo
Dozens of people traversed a New Kensington hillside on Sunday to remember not just fallen police officers but also a local man who dedicated much of his time to honor them. Steve Pater of New Kensington died July 1 while placing flags for the Fourth of July on his adopted...
West Leechburg will hold car parade Tuesday for National Night Out in honor of first responders
The covid-19 pandemic isn’t stopping West Leechburg from thanking its first responders. But the borough will have to celebrate them a little differently this year. For this year’s National Night Out, the West Leechburg Crime Watch Committee is holding a car parade instead of the usual community get-together. National Night...
Hospital construction boom unaffected by pandemic in Western Pa.
Western Pennsylvania’s top hospital systems are pushing ahead with major construction projects despite the economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. In Harmar, crews are working on the final touches of Allegheny Health Network’s newest neighborhood hospital. The 23,000-square-foot “mini-hospital” under construction at Freeport and Guys Run roads will...
The Stroller, Aug. 1, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family...
Southbound Route 28 restrictions will begin Monday in O’Hara area
Drainage work along southbound Route 28 will begin Monday, Aug. 3, with single-lane restrictions between the Harmar (Exit 11) and RIDC Drive (Exit 10) interchanges. The restrictions will be in place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 14, as work crews from Allison Park Contractors perform inlet cleaning...
Rich Hill Road section will close Monday for slide repairs in West Deer
Landslide repair work will close a section of Rich Hill Road beginning Monday, Aug. 3, PennDOT officials announced Friday. The landslide occurred between Michael Road/Russellton-Dorseyville Road and Mill Dam Road. Traffic will be detoured along the following route: From north of the slide: • From Michael/Russellton-Dorseyville Road, follow East Union...
Allegheny Valley School District investigating Zoom bombing of public meeting
District officials are investigating the “Zoom-bombing” of a recent Allegheny Valley School Board meeting via the Zoom internet platform. During the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom have gained popularity with everyone — including hackers. Known as Zoom-bombing, people with fake identities enter virtual public meetings to disrupt...
Specialty Luggage going out of business after 76 years
The year was 1944 and victory in World War II was in sight for the Allies. With the war a year away from winding down, life in the U.S. was changing. The economy was on the upswing and city-dwelling Americans would soon be on the move. And as they traveled,...
Retiring Natrona Heights letter carrier lauded for dependability, cheerfulnessVideo
As he puts a cancel stamp on a nearly 40-year career as a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, one of Kevin Griffith’s concerns going into retirement is about putting on weight. Walking 25,000 steps a day has had its benefits. “I loved getting paid for getting exercise,” Griffith...
Highlands settles former teacher’s federal lawsuit for $150K
A former Highlands elementary teacher will get $105,000 as part of an agreement settling his federal lawsuit alleging the district had violated his rights. The Highlands School Board approved the settlement with Jason Smith on June 22. The district released details of the settlement Friday in response to a Right-to-Know...
Brain surgery helps Kittanning toddler become seizure freeVideo
Breane DeComo Kotyk was waiting to hear her daughter cry for the first time. Nothing. Not a sound. Little Khaleesia wasn’t breathing. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. She was lifeless and blue. It took doctors at West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield 18 minutes to resuscitate her. The...
