Valley News Dispatch category, Page 196
‘Skill’ games become popular, ubiquitous but may not stay legal
Frequent Pittsburgh Mills walker Paul Tyree recently noticed a new form of entertainment during his fitness jaunts around the inside of the Frazer shopping mall. A four-game skills gambling kiosk, each with large, colorful digital displays and an accompanying chair occupy the middle of a corridor that’s visible from Macy’s,...
The Stroller, Jan. 6, 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. Pa. Litter Hawk Youth Award accepting entries Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is...
River Road from Apollo to Vandergrift reopens following widespread fuel spill
River Road from Apollo to Vandergrift reopened Saturday morning after a truck leaving Apollo Plaza had its fuel tank damaged Friday afternoon, dumping hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel onto the road. According to Armstrong County 911 dispatchers, the road was reopened by about 7:18 a.m. Saturday, and the spill...
New mayor outlines goals for Lower Burrell in 2024
Lower Burrell’s new mayor took the gavel Wednesday night and prioritized continued business growth and development, community engagement and transparency. “There’s no more of us reacting to stuff,” Mayor Chris Fabry said. “We’re really going to take a proactive approach moving forward in the city, because that’s what needs to...
In events like the Springdale high-rise evacuation, coordination is key, officials say
Evacuating a high-rise building full of senior citizens, many of whom are physically handicapped, during a cold January night could spell a recipe for chaos. But on Tuesday night in Springdale, it wasn’t. The Springdale Manor high-rise, which houses about 90 residents, was evacuated because of a natural gas leak....
Wage increases included for some Frazer part-timers in 2024
Frazer supervisors opened 2024 with reappointments to boards and commissions as well as pay increases to some part-time employees. Matthew Beacom was unanimously reappointed as the supervisors chairman, and William Creevey will remain vice chairman. Supervisor Lori Ziencik was reappointed as the township’s secretary and treasurer. Because Ziencik is an...
The Stroller, Jan. 5, 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. Local schools competing in Paint the Plow contest Leechburg Area and...
Death penalty prosecution can continue against New Kensington man accused of child’s murder
A Westmoreland County judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors have enough evidence to bring a New Kensington man to trial and seek the death penalty for the alleged first-degree murder of a 2-year-old boy in 2020. Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears rejected defense claims that medical evidence was insufficient to prove...
Narcotics agents say Tarentum man on parole for drug conviction arrested for selling cocaine, heroin
A Tarentum man was accused of being a drug dealer after state narcotics agents found cocaine and heroin in his SUV and at his home. Sir John Withrow, 33, of the 100 block of Second Avenue was charged Dec. 21 with two counts of possession of drugs with the intent...
Harrison woman with 4 kids in car charged with DUI, speeding
State police accused a Harrison woman of being drunk and speeding with four children in her car, including an infant who wasn’t buckled in a baby carrier. Tiffany Lynn Carter, 36, of Princeton Avenue was charged Dec. 29 with four felony counts of endangering the welfare of children along with...
East Deer couple faces 11 felony counts, accused of causing 1-year-old’s skull fracture
An East Deer couple face nearly a dozen felony charges after police accused them of causing a skull fracture to a 1-year-old while fighting with the child’s mother. Catalina Hirth, 26, and Lewis Davis, 23, both of the 100 block of Clarks Pike Road, were charged by Allegheny County Police...
Oakmont council swears in new members, selects leadership
Oakmont Council welcomed two new members and one returning member during its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan 2, as Nancy Ride, Jennifer Paris and Deborah L. Ormay were sworn in to serve four-year terms. It is Paris’ and Ormay’s first time serving in an elected office. Ride...
Standout basketball player, coach sentenced to jail for indecent assault, must register as sex offender
A former standout high school and college basketball player who was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage student at a skills school he operated in Ford City was sentenced to 23 months in jail and must register as a sex offender. In October 2022, South Buffalo police charged Mark Anthony...
Blasting began Thursday in West Deer
Some residents in West Deer heard a siren and a blast Thursday around 1 p.m. They’ll have to get used to the commotion — at least until Weaver Homes finishes excavating part of the Ridgewood Heights housing plan. For an estimated three weeks, contractors will set off a charge every...
Oakmont councilwoman resigns, replacement sought
Editor’s note: This story has been amended to correct the the date of council’s next meeting and the names of current council members. Oakmont officials are looking to fill a vacant council seat after the recent resignation of councilwoman Tracey Holst. Holst, a Democrat, submitted her resignation letter Dec. 31....
Morning Roundup: Police say gunfire ends in vehicle crash in Penn Hills; ambulance crashes in Lawrenceville
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Jan. 4: Police say gunfire ends in vehicle crash in Penn Hills Penn Hills police said gunfire resulted in a vehicle crashing into a home Wednesday on Crab Hollow Road, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The incident...
Arnold food pantry warned about leaving food outdoors; service will continue
A few boxes of bananas earned an Arnold food pantry a code violation warning last Saturday. But the warning won’t stop food from being available to those who need it. City code enforcement left a warning notice at The Speed Family Blessing Box and Pantry for leaving four boxes of...
The Stroller, Jan. 4, 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. Local trout club plans annual sport show and flea market The...
Plum welcomes 4 new council members, prepares to make interim manager permanent
Plum has four new council members and might soon have a permanent borough manager with a familiar face. Newly elected Councilmen Dave Majernik, Jerry Purcell and Steve Schlauch were sworn in to office by District Judge Mike Doyle during council’s reorganization Tuesday. Doyle, previously council president, resigned from council in...
Late Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire remembered at candlelight vigil, with his own day in the Highlands School District
A police chief, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his community, was honored a year after his death. Close to 200 people gathered for a vigil at Brackenridge Memorial Park on a cold Wednesday night, warmed a little by candles but mostly by each other, in memory of...
Apollo man accused of selling stolen guitar, biting trooper ordered to stand trial
An Apollo man accused of assaulting a state trooper who arrested him on charges of stealing an electric guitar from a home and selling it to a music shop has been ordered to stand trial. Jack Russell Frain, 34, of the 500 block of Crowe Street was charged with a...
Sharpsburg Councilmembers sworn in; leadership selected
Sharpsburg Council welcomed a few new faces and appointed familiar leaders at its reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Mayor Brittany Reno swore in newcomers Kacie Cope and Corey Egwrube Ochai as well as incumbents Sarah Ishman, Adrianne Laing and Jonathan Jaso to their new seats. Cope, Ishman and Jaso won four-year...
The Stroller, Jan. 3, 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. Library announces 26th annual Quilt Show Community Library of Allegheny Valley...
Lower Burrell ready to hit the ground running with new council
When Lower Burrell Council meets and reorganizes Wednesday evening, almost everyone behind the dais will have spent fewer than five years in their current roles. But that’s not a cause for concern, says incoming Mayor Chris Fabry. “Thanks to my relationship with (outgoing Mayor John Andrejcik), this administration is going...
Aspinwall Council welcomes new members, appoints new leadership
Aspinwall Council added new members and new leadership to start the new year. Mayor Joseph Noro swore in newcomers Mark Chimel II and Louis Curcio Jr. to their first four-year terms at a reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Incumbent Heth Turnquist was sworn in to his second term on council. He...
