Valley News Dispatch category, Page 220
New Kensington’s Willie Thrower celebrated for breaking color barrier for NFL quarterbacks 70 years ago
Wednesday’s “1st Snap” celebration was 70 years in the making, and NFL pioneer Willie Thrower’s family and friends made the most of the anniversary. A steering committee worked nearly a year to the day to mark Thrower becoming the first Black quarterback to take a snap in an NFL game....
Tarentum man guilty in 2019 fatal stabbing
A jury on Wednesday found a Tarentum man guilty of third-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a woman with whom he had a relationship. Juan H. Hayden, 58, will be sentenced Jan. 16. He also was found guilty of tampering with evidence. Police said Hayden beat, strangled and stabbed...
Apparent demolition permit confusion leads Springdale Council to review policies
While recognizing a demolition permit was issued for the former Cheswick Generating Station, Springdale Council on Tuesday said it needs to review its policies for such permits. Council discussed the permitting process for the demolition at the former power plant, which included the two smokestacks that were imploded in June...
La Belle Vue Road roundabout connection opens
Construction on the first roundabout in the Alle-Kiski Valley is complete. Mark Kmetz, assistant construction engineer for PennDOT, confirmed Wednesday that the La Belle Vue Road portion comprising the third access to the roundabout in Allegheny Township opened to motorists without incident Tuesday afternoon. “There was a complete reconstruction to...
Tractor-trailer damaged, disabled in unusual accident in Allegheny Township
Allegheny Township police Chief Duane Fisher just about has seen it all in his 20-plus years responding to vehicle accidents. That is, until he responded about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to a 911 report of a tractor-trailer incident along South Leechburg Hill Road. A major malfunction caused the trailer to crush...
Police say Harrison man and his grandson downloaded, shared child pornography
A Harrison man and his adult grandson face multiple felony charges after state agents accused them of downloading and sharing child pornography. Agents with the state Attorney General’s Office charged Thomas Franklin Vincent Jr., 63, of Garfield Street with 31 felony counts that include sexual abuse of children and criminal...
Leading off, Re:Build to produce softball bats at new site in New Kensington
Softball bats will be the first thing produced at a new manufacturing plant in New Kensington. Components for satellites are the second. Production for both will begin next year at Re:Build Manufacturing’s facility in the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park, formerly the Schreiber Industrial Park along the Allegheny River in...
The Stroller, Oct. 18, 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 churches plan bus trip to Steubenville Our Lady, Queen of...
Construction on new Starbucks, other businesses nears completion in Buffalo Township
It’s out with the old and in with the new in Buffalo Township. A former Kings Family Restaurant in Buffalo Plaza along Route 356 has undergone sweeping renovations since January to make way for a new Starbucks and two additional businesses, all under one roof. “It’s better than an empty...
Damaged tractor-trailer hinders traffic on South Leechburg Hill Road
First responders and fire crews worked Tuesday night to remove a disabled truck in Allegheny Township from the roadway on South Leechburg Hill Road. No one was injured, and firefighters were on the scene directing traffic while the tractor-trailer was removed, according to Westmoreland County 911 dispatchers. The truck was...
Springdale zoning officer, council members testify in power plant’s boiler house implosion case
The plant manager of the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale, Springdale’s zoning officer and two council members testified Tuesday as the injunction hearing to block an implosion at the boiler house continued in court. Last month, 16 Springdale residents filed an injunction to block the demolition of the boiler...
Route 356 reopening now expected Friday, related to weather delays
After waiting three years, Alle- Kiski Valley motorists have something to toot their horns about. But they’ll have to wait until Friday. Mark Kmetz, PennDOT’s assistant construction engineer for the area, said Route 356 through Allegheny Township now is scheduled to reopen completely late Friday. PennDOT officials originally were eyeing...
New Kensington firefighters to host 1st fire safety day in honor of Matt Sobecki
Fire prevention and safety were passions for New Kensington volunteer firefighter Matt Sobecki. When he did programs for kindergarten students at Martin Elementary School, Sobecki would show the children what firefighters look like dressed in their gear, so they would not be afraid of them. “He was always worried that...
Trial set for man who police say was videoed burglarizing Freeport home
A Freeport man who police say was caught in the act of burglarizing a home after the owner showed officers video of him breaking in and loading items into garbage bags has been ordered to stand trial. James Cornman III, 33, whose last known address was in the 800 block...
Dadowski, Smith seeking election to ward seats in Tarentum but also vying for at-large position
Two people are vying for three open seats on Tarentum Council — but there’s still a race at hand. Council President Scott Dadowski, a Democrat, is running unopposed for a four-year 2nd Ward seat. Republican newcomer Maggie Smith is seeking a four-year term in the 3rd Ward. They also are...
‘Someone’s going to get seriously hurt’: Fox Chapel residents concerned about speeding
Fox Chapel resident Byron Falchetti wants motorists to slow down when driving in the borough. “It’s getting worse,” Falchetti told borough officials Monday. “Someone’s going to get seriously hurt and there’s going to be liability issues. I don’t think it’s right. “I have never seen a car pulled over for...
The Stroller, Oct. 17, 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. Monthly Breaking Bread dinner planned at Knead Community Cafe Knead Community...
Members of Tarentum, Brackenridge churches deliver ‘seeds of friendship’ on mission trip to Ghana
Members of two local churches are on a mission nearly 5,400 miles across the globe to deliver “seeds of friendship” in the form of eyeglasses, jump ropes and produce. A group of eight congregants from Abundant Joy Fellowship in Tarentum and Generations House of Worship in Brackenridge recently traveled to...
Demolition company president, contractor testify in Springdale injunction case
A prepared implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale is the safest way to take down the structure, the president of Controlled Demolition Inc. testified Monday. Mark Loizeaux, president of CDI, testified before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. as part...
CMU police officer accused of switching price tags to steal from Walmart in Frazer
A Carnegie Mellon University police officer whose photograph once welcomed visitors to the department’s website has been accused by Frazer police of switching tags to lower the price of merchandise she bought at the Walmart store in the Pittsburgh Mills complex. Ashley Dawn Polka, 31, of the 100 block of...
Lower Burrell supermarket sells jackpot-winning Cash 5 lottery ticket
Friday the 13th was a lucky day for a lottery player at Lower Burrell’s Community Supermarket. A jackpot-winning Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket sold there for Friday’s drawing matched all five balls drawn — 19, 23, 30, 31, 41 — to win about $404,000, less withholding, the Pennsylvania Lottery...
Best Guitar Show ‘like a flea market’ for the instruments in New Kensington
Michael Pencak owns Michael’s Auto Sales in Creighton. But like many people, he also has a passion for music, which he has been playing for most of his life. In Pencak’s case, it’s playing guitar. “I play Gibsons, and my favorite is probably my Gibson Les Paul,” he said. “My...
The Stroller, Oct. 16, 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. Craft sale to benefit hospital projects Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will...
Plum’s Festival of Honor returning to support Rustic Ridge community
A festival created after a tragedy that shook the Plum community more than a decade ago is returning in the wake of another. After a six-year absence, the Plum Borough Education Association, the school district’s teachers union, is bringing back its Festival of Honor to support Rustic Ridge families affected...
Armstrong, Conley seek Upper Burrell supervisor seat
An incumbent and a newcomer are seeking a seat on Upper Burrell’s board of supervisors. Cari Armstrong, 40, and Mike Conley, 60, are running for township supervisor in the Nov. 7 election. The position is a six-year term. Armstrong, a Democrat, works as an end-of-life doula. An end-of-life doula is...
