Valley News Dispatch category, Page 170
Defense seeks dismissal of charges for father charged with son’s murder in New Kensington
Lawyers for a Brackenridge man who faces a potential death penalty for the alleged murder of his 9-year-old son in New Kensington claim prosecutors violated the state’s standard for a speedy trial. They asked a Westmoreland County judge Tuesday to dismiss homicide and other related charges against Jean Charles, 44,...
Fox Chapel Council approves new solar panel project for public works facility
Fox Chapel officials are continuing their efforts to improve energy efficiency through solar means. Council unanimously approved a $70,700 contract with Energy Independent Solutions to install solar panels at the public works operations facility behind the borough building along Fox Chapel Road. The vote took place May 20. EIS was...
Stay cool: Find your pool’s opening day and hours
Swimming pools across the region are set to open soon. Here’s when pools near you will open for the summer season: Allegheny County • Boyce Park Wave Pool, Monroeville: Opens June 1, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For more information, visit alleghenycounty.us or call 724-325-4667. • Deer...
Morning Roundup: 2 teens shot in Stowe; Man shot in Arnold
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, May 21: 2 teens shot in Stowe Two teens were in critical condition after a shooting late Monday night in Stowe, Allegheny County Police said. The shooting in the 800 block of Seventh Street was reported to Allegheny...
The Stroller, May 21, 2024: 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. Bereavement event for children planned Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of...
Many West Deer residents are calling for more stringent regulations on gas drilling
Ron Zielinski doesn’t want a gas well anywhere near his West Deer home. “I strongly oppose it because of the problems we could face in the future,” said the Bryson Road resident, who recently led a parade of residents complaining to supervisors about proposed changes to the township’s gas well...
Assault on unborn child charge dismissed as part of New Kensington man’s plea deal
A New Kensington man pleaded guilty to the simple assault of his pregnant girlfriend last year and nearly a year later to ransacking the home of a former girlfriend in Monessen. Jamar Al Gee Jr., 22, was ordered to serve up to two years on probation after he pleaded guilty...
Police say New Kensington man restrained, assaulted woman in Springdale
Springdale police filed charges against a New Kensington man who, they say, broke into a woman’s apartment and assaulted her while he was still on probation for a previous incident against her. Zachery Darnell Hickman, 34, faces a felony burglary charge and misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, simple...
Deer Lakes students learn to ‘chill’ through AHN, Pirates Charities initiative
Everyone needs a minute once in awhile. Just ask Ana Drum, a Deer Lakes fifth grader learning about mindfulness through a school initiative sponsored by the Allegheny Health Network and Pirates Charities. The Chill Project, launched in 2019, aims to teach evidence-based coping techniques to students of all grade levels....
Highlands’ Summer Fun Runs to bring reading, STEAM, snacks to children while school’s out
Highlands library specialist Kristen Gettens is ready for summer fun — but it’s not because the longtime teacher is counting down the days to vacation. She’ll be motoring the district’s Ram Van through Fawn, Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum to promote reading and prevent learning loss. “We are very excited about...
The Stroller, May 20, 2024: 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. Anniversary celebration set at Concordia at Rebecca Concordia at Rebecca Residence,...
Safety courses encouraged for motorcyclists as peak riding weather nears
Rhonda Diercks knows firsthand the importance of motorcycle safety. In 2020, another motorcyclist collided with her while she was riding her motorcycle, causing her to lose a leg. Now, she stresses the importance of safe riding to her students and instructors as facilitator of a state-approved motorcycle safety class held...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from May 9-15, 2024
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, the Tribune-Review’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,...
Faces of the Valley: Teenage trio starts faith-based charitable endeavor in Freeport
Who says social media is all bad for young people? A YouTube video gave 16-year-old Dawson Gaillot the idea to start The Hope Project, a Catholic charitable venture whose first undertaking is a hygiene pantry along High and Fifth streets in Freeport. After watching the video in January, the Freeport...
Indiana Township teen Mira Owens takes top prize in Congressional Art Competition for 17th District
Sixteen-year-old Mira Owens pays a lot of attention to what’s around her. The self-taught artist from Indiana Township is an ardent observer, which provides all the inspiration she needs to develop her passion for art. “I have a sketchbook or drawing utensil with me everywhere I go, as well as...
Plum foundation honoring junior firefighter awards scholarship
A foundation created to remember a teen from Plum has awarded its first scholarship to a junior firefighter graduating from the borough’s school district. Jennifer Martinez created The Mark Matesic Memorial Foundation shortly after her 16-year-old son died by suicide in March 2022. Fascinated with trucks, especially firetrucks, since he...
The Stroller, May 19, 2024: 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. Free shredding event planned Thursday A free mobile shredding event will...
Highland Hose firefighters mark 50 years of service
Dave Torrence vividly remembers his first fire call in 1974 with the Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company — it was the night he joined the Tarentum department. “I got in bed and the whistle blew,” said Torrence, 72, a lifelong borough resident. “I just thought, ‘Here we go.’ ” Fellow...
Allegheny Valley School District budget proposes 2.65% tax increase
Property owners in the Allegheny Valley School District could see a 2.65% tax increase next school year. District Finance Director Hamsini Rajgopal is proposing a $25.8 million budget for the 2024-25 school year. A property owner with a median assessed value of $85,900 would pay $1,837 annually in taxes, Rajgopal...
Highlands launches summer tech internship
The Highlands School District is offering a unique summer internship for students who want to test the tech waters. Students in grades 8 to 11 have an opportunity to shadow the district’s technology department during two separate sessions that last about 10 days each. Positions are unpaid but Superintendent Monique...
Interest in policing rebounds, earns Burrell students spots in citizen police academy
Eyeing a career in criminal justice, Burrell High School student Mariah Kaiser wants to figure out why people commit crimes. “I’ve always been interested in law enforcement in general,” said Kaiser, 16. “I want to have a better understanding to why people do what they do.” Kaiser and eight other...
The Stroller, May 18, 2024: 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. Safety town camp planned for children Mary, Queen of Apostles School,...
New Kensington police investigate phone store robbery
New Kensington police are searching for a man who is accused of robbing a business Friday evening. Westmoreland County Public Safety officials said officers were dispatched shortly after 7 p.m. to the AT&T store at 270 Tarentum Bridge Road. No injuries were reported. Officials said the suspect was described as...
Man arrested after he tried to mail cocaine from New Kensington to California, police say
A man was arrested when, police say, he tried to mail about 2 pounds of cocaine to California from the New Kensington post office. Jonathan Ray Booher, 33, was arraigned Friday before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. on charges filed by the Office of Attorney General of...
Frazer police arrest California man linked to gift card scams in 6 states
A Walmart at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer proved to be the last stop in an alleged scammer’s nationwide crime spree. Frazer police arrested Zhixiang Chen, 19, of San Gabriel, Calif., on Wednesday after their license plate readers alerted them to a silver Toyota sedan linked to 16 other...
