Valley News Dispatch category, Page 204
Toys for Tots requests up more than 40% over last year
Toys for Tots groups in some areas are seeing a more than 40% increase is requests over last year, a situation they say stems from a number of economic factors. “There’s a higher need for gifts for families in need,” said Jennifer Neilen, Allegheny Valley chapter Toys for Tots coordinator....
Vandergrift businesses unite with public fundraiser to benefit library
Some Vandergrift business owners are hoping their new initiative to raise money for the borough’s library can revamp how the town thinks about supporting its nonprofits. Throughout the year, customers at Chris Kakias’ G&G Restaurant had the option to donate to the Vandergrift Public Library through a wall-mounted box placed...
The Stroller, Dec. 6, 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. Toy drive to benefit Kiski Area SD families Kiski Area School...
A year later, still no resolution in online theft of nearly $140,000 from Tarentum
Few answers have turned up in the year since Tarentum was robbed of nearly $140,000 in an online phishing scam. The investigation by the borough’s insurance carrier is ongoing. Officers determined the person or group responsible for the crime netted a total of between $800,000 and $900,000 from many victims,...
Jury views surveillance video that shows New Kensington slayingVideo
A group of armed men and teens gathered in the lobby of a New Kensington apartment building and tussled just minutes before 39-year-old Jason Raiford staggered outside and was gunned down, according to video shown to jurors Tuesday. During the first day of the murder trial of three men charged...
Man accused of fleeing from traffic stop, assaulting and trying to disarm Arnold police officer faces charges
A Pittsburgh man accused of assaulting and trying to disarm an Arnold police officer told investigators that he fled from a traffic stop because he was wanted on a drug warrant and had a large amount of crack and heroin in the SUV he was driving, according to authorities. Tyrone...
Highlands School Board votes to limit tax hike; 3 new members sworn in
Residents in the Highlands School District should not expect to see a property tax increase for the 2024-25 school year beyond 7.6%. The school board agreed to keep any tax hike next school within a limit that’s tied to inflation. The tax rate for residents is 25.13 mills. The owner...
Oakland Catholic students host Longwood at Oakmont’s Winter Wonderland Formal
When Longwood at Oakmont hired Emma Winkler, the retirement community in Plum gained more than simply a part-time dining server. The Cheswick resident took the initiative to help organize Dancing Through the Decades, a spring prom for the residents. “Witnessing the sheer happiness the prom brought to the residents —...
Plum Middle School students return to school after odor investigated
Students and staff returned to Plum Middle School about an hour after an odor caused school and district officials to divert its students to another building this morning, district Superintendent Rick Walsh said. What initially was described as a faint natural gas odor in a classroom was detected about 7:50...
The Stroller, Dec. 5, 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. Tarentum homes and businesses welcome to enter decorating contest Tarentum Recreation...
‘It is a huge increase’ Plum resident tells council as nearly 40% tax hike discussed
A nearly 40% property tax increase sought in Plum is too much for residents to afford at once, one resident told borough council Monday. But leaders in Plum said the hike is intended to fund the borough for the next five years or more. Brenda Demello called the proposed increase...
Jury seated to hear case against 3 accused in New Kensington homicide
The trial of three men charged in connection with a fatal July 2022 shooting in New Kensington is expected to begin Tuesday. A 12-person jury and two alternates were seated Monday to hear evidence in the cases against Amir Kennedy, 16, DaMontae Brooks, 17, and Elijah Gary, 20, all of...
Springdale power plant implosion plan now in the hands of a judge
Whether the former Springdale power plant boiler house will be demolished using explosives is now up to a judge. Both sides in the injunction case filed their final proposed findings of fact and conclusions and, now, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. must rule on whether to...
Police say impatient driver faces list of charges for driving around Freeport’s Christmas parade
A man who was Tasered twice after leading police on a high-speed chase in Freeport on Friday evening told investigators he sped off because he didn’t want to wait in traffic for the borough’s Christmas parade to finish. Zachary Stephen Zecca, 22, of the 100 block of Spohn Road in...
Tarentum water rate increase aims to help restore failing distribution system, bring East Deer’s bulk costs in line
A failing water distribution system in Tarentum coupled with an impractical contract for wholesale water costs to East Deer will spur a rate increase this spring for people in both municipalities. Costs will climb by $1.30 per 1,000 gallons — about an 11% increase in Tarentum and about a 29%...
The Stroller, Dec. 4, 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. New Kensington church to ring in the season with soup, music...
2 years after devastating fire, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church rises in Arnold
Two years after a raging fire swept through St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold, support has swelled to see the rise of a new $2.2 million sanctuary. The disaster on Dec. 4, 2021, could easily have destroyed the congregation of just 35 members. Instead, it made the parish stronger....
Rain fails to ease concerns over falling water level at Beaver Run Reservoir
Heavy rains over the past two weeks have had little impact on water levels at the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s Beaver Run Reservoir. Officials in mid-November issued a mandatory call for water conservation for nearly half of the agency’s water customers amid drought-like conditions near the reservoir in Bell...
Indiana Township teen travels to Kenya through scholarship set up by late Fox Chapel Area teacher
Fox Chapel Area junior Ben Fiedler is an aspiring astrophysicist with an itch to travel the world. He got the chance on a nearly three-week summer visit to Kenya, the East African country nearly 7,700 miles across the globe. Known largely for its safari landscapes and wildlife preserves, Kenya borders...
Faces of the Valley: 10-year-old Allegheny Township girl revved to compete in national trail bike competitionsVideo
Dirt, leaves and blue smoke spray up from the trail bike crisscrossing a wooded hillside every afternoon on Markle Road in Allegheny Township. The chugging engine of the small Husqvarna dirt bike roars with a twist of the throttle, sending the front wheel airborne as it takes a short hill...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Nov. 18-29, 2023
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,...
Lower Burrell police to get training to better assess incidents, ‘prioritize deescalation’
Lower Burrell police officers soon will undergo training to better assist them in deescalating situations. The police department will participate in ICAT training — which stands for Integrating, Communications, Assessment and Tactics — the next two Fridays, Dec. 8 and 15. “This training for our police personnel is equipped with...
The Stroller, Dec. 3, 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 schedules visit in Arnold Cookies and Cocoa with Santa will...
Joy abounds for New Kensington’s Christmas parade
Joy and excitement — and even some fake snow — were in the air in New Kensington on Saturday morning, as crowds lined Fifth and Fourth avenues to make way for the city’s Christmas parade. “It’s nice to see everyone come out for the holidays,” said Justin Adamson, 23, of...
Plum Council reluctantly gives approvals for 3rd Dollar General development
Members of Plum Council said they had no choice but to approve construction of a new Dollar General in the borough. Council voted in favor of a conditional use application and a subdivision for store at Saltsburg and Clements roads. Land development will be the last part of the approval...
