Valley News Dispatch category, Page 98
Then and Now: Aspinwall Catholic grade school celebrates 100 years in the borough
A lot has changed since St. Scholastica elementary school was established along the tree-lined streets of Aspinwall in 1925 – most notably, the name. But the school, now called Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy, remains true to its mission of providing a solid Catholic foundation for area youth. “Our...
Police to withdraw citations against East Deer man accused of targeting Trump supporters
An East Deer man cited by Aspinwall police in March for harassment and disorderly conduct will have all citations withdrawn by police after he completes community service. The decision came at the close of Christopher Brown’s, preliminiary hearing on Thursday, April 17 in District Judge Matthew Rudzki’s Sharpsburg courtroom. Brown,...
Plum approves ordinance to restrict parking around Oakmont Country Club during U.S. Open
Plum Council adopted a temporary ordinance April 14 that will apply parking restrictions in the area around Oakmont Country Club during the upcoming U.S. Open tournament. The ordinance, which restricts nonresident street parking in the area, will affect around a dozen streets and more than 200 households for a week...
3 Democrats vying for Vandergrift Council seat
Three candidates are vying for a two-year term on Vandergrift Council. Democrats will choose among Nick Morgan, Nikol Reed and Michael Reilly in the May 20 primary. No Republicans are on the ballot. Morgan, 33, is an insurance salesman at Howard Hanna. He’s also on the Vandergrift Business Association Board...
LEAP preschool at Sharpsburg’s Watson Institute the only one of its kind in Allegheny County
Teacher Christine Kunkel kicks off each day with a morning meeting that finds her shaking her arms, patting her stomach and pretending to swim. The meeting participants — 3- and 4-year-olds at the Watson Institute’s LEAP preschool in Sharpsburg — follow suit, singing and dancing on a colorful mat near...
The Stroller, April 17, 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. Free event to celebrate...
Harrison’s 1st Garden Tour aims to connect residents
From metal fish to mosaic tiles to a Victorian doorknob, every bauble in Bill Godfrey’s garden was either a roadside find or dropped at his door by friends and strangers. “It’s an artist’s garden,” said Godfrey, who has lived three decades at his Walnut Street home in the Natrona neighborhood...
6 buildings to be razed, others renovated at New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park
A familiar, if not attractive, sight to motorists on the New Kensington Bridge soon will be gone. Red brick buildings, known for decades for being empty and having smashed windows, are among six at the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park to be demolished over the summer as remediation efforts at...
Family reports 18-year-old hiker in stable condition after fall from cliff in Harrison Hills Park
First responders spent around two hours helping to rescue an 18-year-old woman on Wednesday who reportedly fell off a cliff in Harrison Hills Park, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. Emergency crews arrived around 2:50 p.m. and could be seen pulling the woman from a hillside. She seemed to fall...
Freeport Road underpass in East Deer to be closed Thursday
Northbound Freeport Road (Route 1001) under the New Kensington Bridge in East Deer will close to traffic Thursday, April 17, weather permitting. Northbound Freeport Road under the New Kensington Bridge will close to traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for bridge inspection work. Motorists on will use the ramp...
Springdale police move to 12-hour shifts after trial run
After getting approval from the borough on Tuesday, Springdale police officers will be operating on a 12-hour schedule for the next six months. Springdale police Chief Derek Dayoub said the officers already have been working 12-hour shifts for the last 60 days as a trial run before the borough agreed...
Rachel Carson Trail sees temporary detour in Springdale Township amid land dispute
A section of the 45-mile Rachel Carson Trail is closed near Agan Park in Springdale Township because of a dispute with a landowner, according to the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy. The conservancy has set up a detour for hikers while the matter continues, conservancy Vice President Steve Mentzer said. Trail...
Blawnox volunteers prepare for Good Friday fish fry
Blawnox fish fry fans have a few new menu items to get excited about. The volunteer fire company recently acquired a new fryer that will be dedicated to cooking jumbo shrimp. It will also introduce applesauce as a new side for dinners and a la carte selections. Rick Lee, fire...
The Stroller, April 16, 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. Scholarships available to local...
United Steelworkers, ATI reach tentative agreement; ratification vote yet to come
United Steelworkers and ATI have reportedly reached a tentative contract agreement. The USW announced the development Tuesday evening via a text to its members. ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie confirmed a tentative agreement was reached for a six-year labor agreement. She did not have specific information regarding the contract. She said...
Former cheer booster treasurer pleads guilty to stealing funds
An Upper Burrell woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to the theft of nearly $19,000 from the Burrell Cheer Boosters. Ashley Marie Frieberg, 41, agreed to repay the organization $8,900 as part of a deal with Westmoreland County prosecutors to plead guilty to a lesser charge related to theft allegations leveled against...
Westmoreland finalizes plans for May primary, mail-in ballots will begin next week
Westmoreland County voters could see primary ballots arrive in their mailboxes as early as next week, officials said on Tuesday. Election Bureau director Scott Ross said the county to date has processed more than 21,000 mail-in ballot applications leading up to the May 20 Democratic and Republican primaries, where voters...
New Kensington sinkhole deemed ‘public nuisance’ now fixed
A hole in a New Kensington alley deemed a “public nuisance” by officials has been filled. Crews spent Monday and Tuesday working to fill the hole in Moss Alley in the Parnassus section of the city. “It was a great day,” said Vince Davis, who owns property nearby. The hole...
Lower Burrell nixes idea for alcohol at city parks events
Lower Burrell is scrapping plans to allow alcohol at city park events — at least for now. The proposal, according to City Manager Greg Primm, would have required alcohol vendors to be state-licensed and offer only Pennsylvania-made alcoholic products. It would have established a formal permitting system and operational rules...
‘Potentially life-saving’: Arnold, Lower Burrell, New Kensington move to form daytime fire crew
Your eyes won’t be fooling you if you see an Arnold firefighter in a Lower Burrell fire truck en route to an emergency scene. Or a Lower Burrell firefighter in a New Kensington truck. The cities are working together to establish a Tri-City duty crew to effectively staff the cities’...
Holiday Park students raise trout for release in May
Fifth graders at Holiday Park Intermediate School have been raising dozens of newborn trout after placing 150 fish eggs in a classroom tank in January. After receiving the eggs from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, students designed and maintained the tank for several months as the fish grew and...
The Stroller, April 15, 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. ELO Tribute band to...
Proposed stormwater fee draws concerns from Allegheny Township residents, business owners
Allegheny Township’s plan to fund compliance with the state-mandated stormwater management program motivated around 50 residents and business representatives to attend Monday’s supervisors meeting, mostly in opposition. The ordinance has been unpopular among a vocal faction since its introduction this year. “We do our best to collect as much water...
Former Brilliant Branch rail line a ‘blank canvas’ for public trails, economic growth
Pittsburgh will have its own version of Manhattan’s High Line in coming years, providing 3.6 miles of trails, gardens and riverfront access along an antiquated rail corridor near Aspinwall. The Brilliant Branch, a former railroad line that stretches from the shore at Allegheny RiverTrail Park to Pittsburgh’s Homewood section and...
Knoch teacher accused of striking autistic student
A former Knoch Primary School teacher has been accused of slapping an 8-year-old autistic student in the face. State police charged Carly Miller, 35, of Hampton with simple assault and harassment in relation to a Nov. 26, 2024 incident. According to a criminal complaint filed in the case, the student...
