Valley News Dispatch category, Page 85
Fox Families Care partners with Sharpsburg library for family literacy
Sharpsburg toddler Asa Reinthaler reared her head back in delight after having a few tiny bites of fresh fruit with her family. Accompanied by her parents Kelsey Squelch and Nick Reinthaler, they were among the participants of a children’s literacy program called Story Supper. “I like the concept — encouragement...
The Stroller, Feb. 25, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Cash bash to benefit...
Finalized schedule for Burrell’s Huston Middle School prioritizes academics, aligns time for cocurriculars
A focus group charged with recommending proposals to a reconfigured Charles A. Huston Middle School next year landed on a schedule administrators say prioritizes academic time and maintains integrity for each grade level. The middle school task force — a group of parents and teachers that have met over the...
Former Vandergrift cop had sex with teenage girl about 100 times after starting job in 1990s, state police say
A former Vandergrift police officer is accused of having sex with a minor about 100 times in the early to mid-1990s, when he worked as a part-time patrolman for the borough. A criminal complaint filed by state police alleges former Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Depanicis invited a 14-year-old girl to his...
Burrell Unified Bocce team receives playoff-worthy departure
Burrell’s Unified Bocce team got a fine sendoff from first responders and Bon Air Elementary youngsters while en route to a playoff match Monday at North Allegheny High School. Their bus was escorted between Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell fire departments, and Lower Burrell police, as it made its way...
Oakmont restaurant owners speak up against food truck ordinance
A proposed ordinance meant to regulate food trucks in Oakmont, while not encouraging their use, could have a negative impact on borough restaurants. The operation of food trucks not affiliated with borough restaurants is what brought about the proposed ordinance. Borough Manager Scot Fodi said Oakmont officials have been contacted...
The Stroller, Feb. 24, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Maple syrup to be...
Crocs in crosshairs nationwide as schools cite safety risks
The chunky rubber-looking shoes called Crocs have been on the market since 2002. In recent years, as they have become the obsession of children and teens, they have caught the eye of school administrators nationwide — but not as fashion favorites. Some districts across the country are stepping up to...
Burrell community festival to be bigger and better this spring
A one-stop shop for all things community and school is returning to Burrell’s Charles A. Huston Middle School this spring. The Community Connections event — which had nearly 64 organizations and businesses and 1,000 guests last year — will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6. “The middle...
Leechburg Scouting America troop sees 1st girls cross over from Cub Scouts to newly co-ed troop
Lydia Cummings and Ivy McCollough on Sunday became the first girls in Leechburg to move from Cub Scouts to Scouting America, the official new name for Boy Scouts of America since early this month. The two became friends in Cub Scouts and were eager to participate in a ceremony officially...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Feb. 13-19, 2025
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, TribLive’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate, please...
Faces of the Valley: Dick Pesci has been cutting meat, making memories at Golden Dawn for 62 years
Dick Pesci jokes that when he starts his car each morning, it already knows where to go. After all, he’s been making the same trip from his Natrona Heights home to Golden Dawn in New Kensington for decades. And the 10-minute commute to get to work by 5 a.m. is...
Alle-Kiski Valley Senior Citizen Center calendar: Feb. 23
Armstrong County Senior Centers Apollo Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m., bingo. Thursday: blood pressure screenings, health and wellness program. Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Details: Charlotte at 800-368-1066 or Amy at 724-478-1410. The center is at 707A N. Fifth St., Apollo. Freeport Tuesday and Thursday: bingo. The center...
The Stroller, Feb. 23, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Trivia night to test...
Investigators hope advancements in biometrics, social media could aid in the case of Cherrie Mahan
A 6-year-old California boy was abducted in 1951 and found last year living on the East Coast — 73 years after his disappearance. The discovery was thanks to an AncestryDNA test, the sort sold at drugstores that have people submit saliva samples to create DNA matches that can track family...
After 40 years of searching and praying, Cherrie Mahan’s mother asks for closure
Cherrie Mahan’s favorite color was purple. The 8-year-old loved Cabbage Patch dolls, the movie “E.T.” and tuna fish sandwiches. She sang at church on Sundays with her grandma. It’s the happy details that her mother, Janice McKinney, remembers most about Cherrie. The Winfield Elementary third grader went missing Feb. 22,...
Community rallies behind South Buffalo Elementary student after brain tumor diagnosis
South Buffalo Elementary School fourth grader Mya Wienskovich can’t wait to get back to cheerleading. It was among the 10-year-old’s top concerns leading up to her surgery Friday morning at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Surgeons spent five hours removing a brain tumor. One thing is for certain: The Freeport...
Oakmont zoning hearing raises more questions than answers for businesses
Questions remained unanswered and issues unresolved after a public hearing before the Oakmont Zoning Hearing Board was postponed Thursday night and rescheduled for a second time. The hearing was initially scheduled Feb. 8, after an ongoing legal battle involving various Oakmont businesses and the borough was to be brought in...
The Stroller, Feb. 22, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Tickets available for annual...
Kwik Fill in Oakmont burglarized
Oakmont and Allegheny County Police are investigating a burglary at the Kwik Fill gas station along Allegheny River Boulevard. A cashier at the convenience store said someone broke through a door, stole a register and attempted to access the safe around 4 a.m. Friday. Both the door and the register...
Vandergrift man apprehended after standoff facing multiple charges
A Vandergrift man is facing a slew of charges after being involved in a standoff with several police agencies Friday afternoon after he allegedly ran from police the day before. Westmoreland County Chief Deputy Sheriff Jen Shipley said 44-year-old Luis Brackman refused to surrender to deputies Friday when authorities attempted...
Bloser Mansion sold; will remain restaurant, bed-and-breakfast with new name
New Kensington’s historic Bloser Mansion has a new name but will remain a restaurant and a bed-and-breakfast under new owners. Lost Dreams Awakening, founded in 2014 by the husband and wife team of VonZell Wade and Laurie Johnson-Wade, bought the mansion on Sixth Avenue in the Parnassus section of the...
Junior ROTC programs on solid ground thanks to change in federal law
Krysta Harper’s education wasn’t going well when she was a freshman at Plum High School. “My grades were failing and absolutely miserable,” she said. Now a senior, her grades are up and she’s preparing to graduate, thanks in part, she says, to the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program. “ROTC...
Turf field project moves forward at Allegheny Valley
The Allegheny Valley School District is moving forward with its plan for a proposed multipurpose turf field and track at the high school. The board this week authorized Field Turf USA to proceed with construction drawings and permitting for the proposed turf project at the soccer field, which is across...
Riverview alum wins national teaching award
A Riverview alum has been recognized by the White House for her work in shaping the minds of young scientists and engineers. Ella Hereth, 42, of Indianapolis, was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching — the highest honor a math or science teacher can receive...
