Valley News Dispatch category, Page 201
Retailers, shoppers gear up for final holiday rush
Shoppers had their pick of products and parking Friday ahead of what retailers hope will be a chaotic and profitable weekend — the last full weekend before Christmas celebrations get underway. “It’s not very crowded. I was thinking it would’ve been busier on a nice Friday,” said Karen Belin of...
East Deer OKs new billboard regulations
East Deer has formalized rules that regulate billboards in the township. Township commissioners have amended the zoning ordinance that regulates billboards. The township began the process of reviewing its billboard rules after a June hearing for Butler-based outdoor advertising agency America First Enterprises, which does business as Oliver Outdoor. The...
Police charge Springdale Township man in wife’s shooting
A Springdale Township man is accused of shooting his wife, then turning the gun onto himself in their home on Friday, according to court documents. Scott A. Mishler, 65, was charged by Allegheny County Police with aggravated assault and attempted criminal homicide in connection with the shooting that was reported...
Lane restrictions to run through early April on Freeport Road in Aspinwall, O’Hara
Upgrades to traffic signals along Freeport Road in Aspinwall and O’Hara will begin Monday, according to PennDOT. Single-lane restrictions will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through early April on Freeport Road between 23rd Street in Sharpsburg and Fox Chapel Road in O’Hara. There will be only...
2 northbound lanes open on Route 28 near Highland Park Bridge
Northbound Route 28 will now be open to two lanes at the Highland Park Bridge interchange, PennDOT announced Friday. The new northbound lane opened about 5 p.m. Friday, PennDOT said. The lane, which aims to address congestion and the existing bottleneck, will allow for two lanes of free-flowing traffic from...
1 of 2 men charged with selling cocaine after SWAT raid in New Kensington ordered to stand trial
One of two New Kensington men accused of dealing cocaine after a SWAT team raided their home last month has been ordered to stand trial. Police charged the homeowner, Andrew Michael “Sly” Slywczuk, 39, of the 400 block of Charles Avenue, with two felony counts of possession of drugs with...
No real estate tax increase, more money for firefighters in Lower Burrell’s 2024 budget
Lower Burrell Council has approved a 2024 budget that includes no tax increase for property owners and a larger donation to the city’s volunteer fire departments. City council approved the budget this week. It totals slightly less than $11.2 million and maintains a millage rate of 24.75 mills. At that...
Allegheny Township promotes 2 corporals to sergeant, hires others to bring police force to 13 officers
The Allegheny Township supervisors have approved the promotion of two officers and hired full-time and part-time officers. Promoted were Cpls. Mark Junod and Charity Hollis, who were elevated to the rank of sergeant. Junod has served in the department since 2007 while Hollis has been a township officer since 2014....
The Stroller, Dec. 15, 2023: 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. Gift card collection to aid A-K HOPE Center The Alle-Kiski Area...
Freeport official forms coalition to promote child seat safety and provide loaner car seats to the public
Roberta Bouch of Harrison takes her great-grandmother responsibilities seriously. A part-time caretaker for her two young great-grandchildren, Bouch was unsure whether the two child safety seats in the backseat of her vehicle were installed properly. “When I first put the car seat in a few years ago, I contacted a...
Fire study recommends Fox Chapel area departments merge
A fire protection study by the state Governor’s Center for Local Government Services recommends fire departments from Sharpsburg, O’Hara, Blawnox and Aspinwall merge into a regional department. The study was prepared with input from officials in those communities. Its final report was released earlier this year. The study finds the...
Plum approves Dollar General development, housing subdivision on Saltsburg Road
Plum Council has given its final approval for the construction of a new Dollar General store and approved a subdivision that could lead to the construction of three new houses, all along Saltsburg Road. At its meeting Wednesday , council unanimously approved without further discussion the land development plan for...
Springdale planners hold off on renewing demolition permit for power plant site
Springdale planners on Wednesday pressed pause before making a recommendation on renewing a demolition permit at the borough’s former Cheswick Generating Station. Cheswick Plant Environmental Redevelopment Group, a subsidiary of property owner Charah Solutions, and Grant Mackay Co. requested renewal of the demolition permit, which expires Jan. 17. “The next...
Leechburg inmate, 19, accused of asking girl to expose herself during video call from jail
A man being held at the Westmoreland County jail was arraigned Thursday on child pornography charges after authorities said a 16-year-old girl exposed herself to him during video calls. Dylan Walmsley, 19, of Leechburg has been at the jail since his April arrest on weapons violations stemming from a fatal...
Lower Burrell makes rules for medical marijuana dispensaries, growers
Lower Burrell has new rules about where medical marijuana dispensaries, growers and processors can operate in the city. Council this week approved the regulations, which allow medical marijuana growers and processors to be located in light manufacturing- and manufacturing-zoned districts as a special exception use. The dispensaries cannot be within...
Warrant suspect accused of fleeing from police in Harrison ordered to stand trial
A man accused of trying to ditch a stolen gun and drugs as he fled from police officers attempting to arrest him for warrants in two counties has been ordered to stand trial. Warren Paul “Boo” Greenleaf Jr., 39, of College Avenue in Mt. Pleasant, was charged Nov. 15 with...
The Stroller, Dec. 14, 2023: 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. Santa Claus has scheduled visits in several local towns and townships....
Valvoline proposes building oil change shop off Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington
A $1.4 million drive-thru oil change business is proposed along Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington. The Valvoline Instant Oil Change would be between the main entrance to Giant Eagle and Shamey’s Gas Station in front of Quality Inn. City council approved creating the lot, about three-fifths of an acre,...
Freeport Area student-produced documentary to air on WQED
An award-winning media course has united aspiring student filmmakers and resulted in benefits that go beyond book learning at Freeport Area High School. Students channeled their inner lights, camera, action for months, filming a behind-the-scenes peek into all aspects of creating a high school musical. Junior and senior students enrolled...
Leaders of merged Aspinwall, Sharpsburg fire departments elected
A Sharpsburg firefighter will take command of the newly merged Aspinwall and Sharpsburg fire departments after winning an election over longtime Aspinwall Fire Chief Gene Marsico to lead the department. Mike Daniher becomes the inaugural chief of Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services, or SAVES. The deputy chief is J.C. Teyssier....
Aspinwall officials approve nearly 22% tax hike for next year
Aspinwall property owners will have to pay about 22% more in real estate taxes next year. Council voted 6-1 at its Dec. 13 meeting to adopt its 2024 budget and set the millage rate at 8.36 mills, a hike of 1.5 mills. Councilwoman Patti McCaffrey dissented. Borough Manager Melissa O’Malley...
Plum residents worried, angry as council approves nearly 40% increase in property tax rate
Plum residents voiced concerns and, at one point, erupted in anger as council approved a nearly 40% increase in borough property taxes Wednesday. Council voted 6-1, with Dave Vento against, to increase the borough’s 2024 property tax rate by 1.85 mills, from 4.78 mills to 6.63 mills. It will support...
3rd person accused of failing to keep gators from escaping in Kiski Township
Another person is facing charges in the case of wayward alligators in Kiski Township. Stephanie A. Suman, 26, of the 1300 block of Brownstown Road in Kiski Township, was charged via summons last month with two misdemeanor counts each of reckless endangerment and cruelty to animals. Police say she risked...
Indiana Township ambulance service closing after 28 years
After working under the same roof for almost three years, employees with Seneca Area Emergency Services soon will be working as West Deer EMS Service. Seneca Area EMS announced Tuesday night that it will close as of Jan. 1, after operating for 28 years. Seneca Area EMS covers the western...
Aspinwall community cookbook now for sale, benefits nonprofit Aspinwall Neighbors
A new cookbook features recipes from more than 60 Aspinwall area residents and business owners. “Home to Home: Shared Recipes from Your Aspinwall Neighbors” is described as a culinary journey around Aspinwall. The book is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Aspinwall Neighbors, a community organization dedicated to bringing people together...
