Valley News Dispatch category, Page 195
Age no barrier for newly elected female mayor in Leechburg
Doreen Smeal of Leechburg received a unique gift on her 70th birthday. A mayoral title. She was sworn in Dec. 29 as the second female mayor of the borough she has called home her entire life. “I live in my late grandfather’s house,” Smeal said Monday while stopping by the...
Plum honors Rustic Ridge resident for heroism, elevates interim manager
Plum has honored a man for his heroism in the aftermath of the Rustic Ridge explosion, while also taking a step to help the borough’s government move forward from the August catastrophe that left six dead. Greg Renko, president of the Rustic Ridge homeowners association, received a proclamation honoring him...
Police accuse Parks Township man of stealing thousands from relatives’ bank account
A Parks Township man is accused of stealing more than $9,000 from his parents’ bank account, police said. Brandon Watterson, 52, was charged via summons Friday by state police with six felony counts, including theft, theft by deception and access device fraud. Watterson faces a preliminary hearing March 28 before...
No injuries reported in Lower Burrell school bus crash
No injuries were reported Tuesday morning when a school bus carrying students rear-ended a car in Lower Burrell. The fender bender occurred about 9:30 a.m. in the area of Puckety Church Road and Route 56. Police described the incident as minor. The Burrell School District was on a two-hour delay....
Fox Chapel Area School District officials approve new security upgrades
Fox Chapel Area School District officials are starting off the new year by spending nearly $379,000 on security upgrades. Board members unanimously voted Monday night to approve an approximately $254,900 proposal from Convergint Technologies and a five-year deal with AEC Group at a cost of about $123,700. The meeting agenda...
Harrison police warn of attempted Kia, Hyundai thefts
Would-be thieves appear to be targeting Kias and Hyundais in Harrison, according to township police. Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said there has been an uptick in people trying to steal the two makes of vehicles over the past month, with at least five cases reported. “They both seem to...
The Stroller, Jan. 9, 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. Donations welcome for veterans canine support dogs Angels for Everyday Heroes,...
Surviving crash ‘truly a miracle’ for Citizens Hose EMT
A Citizens Hose EMT is lucky to be alive after being struck by a vehicle and thrown nearly 30 yards while responding to a Harrison road made treacherous by ice and snow Saturday. Kelly Jackson of Tarentum was clipped by a vehicle as it slid down Burtner Road before striking...
Crash injures at least 1 on Route 8 near Etna
Route 8 between Kittanning Street and Route 28 in Etna has reopened in both directions after being closed for several hours Monday afternoon following a crash in which two men were hospitalized. Allegheny County dispatch said calls for the vehicle rollover came in about 2:30 p.m. Etna police and firefighters...
Man accused of felony aggravated assault following West Deer bar fight
A West Deer man faces a felony aggravated assault charge after, police say, he hit a man with a pool cue. Michael Richard Skiles, 49, was arrested and charged Friday. A preliminary hearing before District Judge Tom Swan is scheduled for Jan. 24. West Deer police said they, along with...
Tarentum looking to fill council vacancy
Tarentum Council has a vacancy to fill but it won’t be clear until Tuesday who can apply for the position. Council President Scott Dadowski won two seats in the November election, his 2nd Ward term and the at-large position. He declined to say which seat he will accept until Tuesday’s...
The Stroller, Jan. 8, 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. Tickets on sale for drag queen bingo fundraiser A drag queen...
Looking to stay fit in 2024? Consider local rec departments, nonprofits
If you’re hoping to get fit and stay active in 2024, you’re not alone. A survey from Forbes Health/OnePoll from October found that “improved fitness” is the No. 1 New Year’s resolution, with just under half of the 1,000 U.S. survey respondents saying it is a priority. Finding ways to...
Food ‘rescuing’ teams up nonprofits and businesses to reduce waste, hunger
When The Grill at River Forest caters a banquet, sometimes there are leftovers destined for the landfill. But the River Forest Country Club’s restaurant in Allegheny Township has turned to donating the food to those in need. Since October, the restaurant has donated more than 300 pounds of prepared meals...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Dec. 28, 2023 to Jan. 3, 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: Leechburg woman volunteers countless hours at Alle-Kiski Valley organizations
Volunteering is more than a word for Leechburg resident Robin Patton. It’s a lifestyle. Patton volunteers at four Alle-Kiski Valley organizations: Leechburg Area Food Bank, Cat Crusaders, Homeless Cat Management Team and Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department. “I’ve met a lot of special people in all the groups I work with...
Plum, Fox Chapel Area students raise big money for charities in annual telethons
Plum High School senior Sophie Anderson was astonished when classmate Hailey Depkon told her the district’s annual telethon benefiting Make-A-Wish had reached $50,000. “We did not think we were going to be able to raise that much money,” said Anderson, 18, who was the telethon’s co-head floor director with Depkon....
Beach-themed eatery on the market in Gilpin
A little slice of the beach life is for sale in Gilpin — shoes optional. The popular Barefoot Bar & Grill on Schenley Road was listed Monday for $325,000 by Chrissy Heinle of Realty One Group. Jim McKee, Barefoot co-owner, said the decision to sell comes with mixed emotions but...
Burrell student to serve as Lower Burrell junior councilman
A teenager will be joining the ranks of Lower Burrell Council. Jason Wagner, 17, will be the city’s junior councilman throughout the year, Mayor Chris Fabry said. Wagner, a junior at Burrell High School, said he is looking forward to being involved in local politics. “I want to show that...
The Stroller, Jan. 7, 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. Volunteers needed at Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley Animal Protectors of...
Innovative Polish Hill company looks to future of robotics, technology
Need a robot that can crawl up a metal wall? How about one with suction cup legs that can go almost anywhere? It won’t be long until robots with those abilities and more become common. In fact, you can see them now in Pittsburgh’s Polish Hill neighborhood. HEBI Robotics is...
Friends remember late Lower Burrell bar owner ‘Mogie’ Magill as loving, passionate
Hundreds of people attended a celebration of life Saturday for David “Mogie” Magill, a popular Lower Burrell restaurant owner who was shot and killed a little over two weeks ago. And as family members and friends remembered of Magill, 64, it was clear to see what prompted the large turnout...
Emergency medical technician struck by sliding car on icy hill in Harrison
What started as a routine traffic control call on Saturday afternoon escalated when an emergency medical technician was hit by a car in Harrison. The EMT was taken to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she was reported to be in stable condition, according to authorities. As wintry weather hit...
East Deer to discuss 5% amusement tax this week; decision could come as early as next month
An amusement tax in East Deer could be enacted as soon as February. The township commissioners Thursday discussed the idea of establishing an amusement tax, in light of scheduled events at the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. facility. Township officials plan to continue the discussion Thursday, said commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani. If...
Police say felon found with stolen gun when SUV was pulled over after fight in New Kensington
A New Kensington man who is not allowed to possess a gun is accused of having a stolen pistol tucked in his waistband when an SUV in which he was a passenger was pulled over. Michael Lamar Harris Sr., 47, of the 300 block of Third Avenue was charged with...
