Valley News Dispatch category, Page 207
Western Pa.’s small merchants navigate pricing, staffing challenges as holiday rush arrives
When Marion McFeely makes a batch of caramel pecan turtles at her shop in Greensburg, she’s aware of the pain in her pocketbook as well as the sweet delight her customers will experience. Like many small retailers heading into the critical holiday shopping season, she’s feeling the pinch of inflation...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Nov. 16-22, 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,...
Building the Valley: Father-son veterans provide self-defense options at RC Firearms in New Kensington
Roy Berg recently helped a couple in their 70s buy their first gun. Worried by current events, they came to Berg’s New Kensington store wanting a weapon for protection. After discussing their desire for home defense and their age, he helped them find something uncomplicated that would be best for...
Remember When: 4 Tarentum railroad stations have been in operation over the years
The clamor of trains chugging through Tarentum — and perhaps the inconvenience of getting stuck at one of its crossings — is a daily reminder of the role locomotives play in the borough. While the route is no longer used for passengers, that wasn’t the case in the early days....
Chill Mobile RV headed to Deer Lakes’ East Union Intermediate School
The Chill Mobile will be coming to Deer Lakes. The program, sponsored by Allegheny Health Network and Pirates Charities, will make stops at Deer Lakes’ East Union Intermediate School this year. The customized RV travels to school districts across the Pittsburgh area. Behavioral health specialists from AHN teach students skills...
The Stroller, Nov. 26, 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. Christmas play scheduled at Freeport Theatre Festival Freeport Theatre Festival will...
Former churches are finding new life after religious calling
Jason Fitzpatrick has one primary requirement for his living arrangements: space, lots of it. “I lived in an old gymnasium in Chicago, and that inspired me to buy a church,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m a little claustrophobic, so I’ve always loved big spaces. The gym was 4,000 square feet, and I...
ChildLine report leads to arrest of man accused of repeatedly raping child in Lower Burrell
A Moon Township man was accused of repeatedly raping a child over a five-year period while he was living in Lower Burrell. Stevan Joseph Mracna, 43, of Bonnie Brae Drive was charged Nov. 16 with felony counts of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, endangering the...
Shoppers flock to New Ken for 3rd annual Small Business Saturday
Mary Ringbloom grabbed an ax by its wooden handle Saturday afternoon and lunged toward at a target on the nearby wall. The ax missed the bull’s-eye, ricocheting to the ground. “Try to hold it steady and throw hard,” said her coach — and co-owner of the ax-throwing venue — Brian...
Shoppers forgo the internet, fill Oakmont business district for Small Business Saturday
When Mystery Lovers Bookshop opened in 1990 on Oakmont’s brick-lined Allegheny River Boulevard, it didn’t contend with online shopping. There was no Amazon Prime service, no Target app, no click-n-ship from Walmart.com. But co-owner Tara Goldberg-DeLeo said the quaint bookstore, with its checkerboard floors and the smell of fresh paper...
Crawford Run Road in East Deer reopens after Clarks Run bridge repairs are completed
Crawford Run Road in East Deer and its sidewalk near Meadow Avenue have reopened. The closures, which began on Sept. 25 were required for repairs to the Clarks Run bridge No. 1. The work included replacing an outlet wall, pouring new pavement, building concrete curbs, a sidewalk, installing new guide...
New Kensington residents facing 73% increase in garbage bills for 2024
New Kensington residents could see their garbage bills jump by more than 70% next year. City Council is set to consider a five-year garbage collection contract and set the annual fee during a special meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall. According to the meeting agenda, council will...
Taxes to rise for majority of residents under proposed West Deer budget
West Deer officials are putting the final touches on a proposed $10.8 million budget for 2024 that will see a tax increase that outweighs an accompanying decrease for most residents. The paradox is due to the establishment of a half-mill fire tax approved by voters Nov. 7 in a referendum....
2023 holiday happenings in the A-K Valley
Allegheny Township • Freeport Theatre Festival will present “The Nativity — A Christmas Delight” at 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at the theater located at the Steele Family Farm off Route 356 on White Cloud Road. Donations will be accepted. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-295-1934. Apollo • Apollo Area...
Lower Burrell officials see momentum in business growth, but there’s still more work to do
What once was an empty building in the Burrell Plaza could now be home to businesses that will reap nearly $35,000 in tax revenue for Lower Burrell. Schaedler Yesco, a Harrisburg-based wholesale electrical distributor, will host its grand opening at the Burrell Plaza in the coming months. The store already...
The Stroller, Nov. 25, 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. Local students to participate in annual Rotary Choral Festival Highlands Area...
Legends of Pittsburgh fitness center eyes April opening at former Holy Martyrs in Tarentum
The potential owners of the former Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum are moving forward with their original plan to open a fitness center inside the shuttered facility and build a practice field alongside it. This comes just one week after Legends of Pittsburgh co-owner Stefan Lundberg was told the floor...
Trooper says man clocked driving 100 mph in Harmar was selling drugs found in his car
A Pittsburgh man was accused of being a drug dealer after a state trooper pulled him over for driving 100 mph on Route 28 in Harmar and found cocaine and marijuana in the vehicle, according to authorities. Shontal Anthony Austin, 47, of the 6700 block of Apple Street in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar...
Frazer police agreement includes 3% increase for officers
Frazer police officers will see a 3% annual increase in hourly wages for the next three years as part of an agreement between township supervisors and the Frazer Township Police Association. Supervisors earlier this month approved a collective bargaining agreement between the township and the Frazer police association through the...
Attorneys spar over ‘forgotten’ notebook of pictures from Springdale power plant visit
It appears neither party in the Springdale power plant injunction case is budging from its stance regarding a “forgotten” notebook of pictures from a site visit of the former power plant. Residents seeking the injunction say the notebook of photographs from an on-site inspection are a valid piece of evidence...
The Stroller, Nov. 24, 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 needs help: You can ‘adopt’ a senior for Christmas Concordia...
Holiday diners thrilled with return of Thanksgiving Day buffet in New KensingtonVideo
Dan Leo barely had time to advertise his Thanksgiving dinner before he started running out of tickets. The former popular holiday buffet has returned to the ballroom at The Quality Inn in New Kensington, and diners were lined up in advance of the noon start time. The annual Thanksgiving buffet...
Merits of Arnold’s firefighter tax credit still debated as measure awaits passage next month
Members of the Arnold Volunteer Fire Department have to wait a little longer to see the firefighter tax credit become reality. Council was expected to vote on the credit, which would give the city’s volunteer firefighters a tax break for their service. The tax credit, approved by the state Legislature...
The Stroller, Nov. 23, 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. Happy Thanksgiving! I was contacted recently by the daughter of our...
Highlands juvenile to be charged by Harrison police after assault at school
A 15-year-old boy will be charged with simple assault after an incident Nov. 10 at Highlands High School. Harrison Police Chief Brian Turack said charges are pending. Officers responded to a call at about 1:15 p.m. and found four boys involved in some type of incident inside the bathroom, Turack...
