Valley News Dispatch category, Page 221
Tarentum Boo Festival brings hayrides, balloon art and an obstacle course
A sidewalk chalk contest, inflatable obstacle course and caricature artist will fill Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park for the annual Boo Festival. Sponsored by the borough’s recreation board, the event will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 28. “It’s a wonderful event,” said Carol McPherson, a longtime volunteer. “It’s so...
Knoch Middle School student, 12, died in crash with grandfather in Butler County
A 12-year-old boy who died in a crash Friday night in Butler County was a student at Knoch Middle School. Zane D. Rupert was killed in the crash in Winfield Township along with his grandfather, David A. Faulx, 65, of Cabot. The crash happened shortly before 10 p.m. Friday on...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Oct. 5-11, 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: Lower Burrell bookstore owner shares love of reading with community
The story of Karen Watkins’ business isn’t ending anytime soon. In fact, it’s starting a new chapter. Watkins, 52, of Lower Burrell owns The Last Word bookstore along Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. She held a grand reopening of the store Sept. 15. “I’m here. I’m open. I will be...
Hands-on fire safety demonstration excites Highlands students
Highlands first grader Isabella Young didn’t seem fazed that the Eureka Fire-Rescue engine she was admiring at school this week cost more than $1 million. She only wanted to know what all the buttons were for. “Where do the firetrucks come from?” she asked. “How do you put out the...
Deer Lakes students help take Tarentum audience back to the 1940s at USO-themed event
When Deer Lakes High School drama and choir teacher Matt Derby sought student volunteers to sing 1940s songs for an event in Tarentum, he found his 21st-century students knew more of the tunes than he thought they would. Marianna Vergerio, 17, recognized “At Last” from the America’s Got Talent. Young...
East Deer’s preliminary 2024 budget includes tax cut
For the third time in eight years, East Deer commissioners have cut real estate taxes for residents and businesses. That news emerged Thursday as the commissioners approved a preliminary budget for 2024. “There will be a real estate tax cut in this budget of 0.25 mills,” Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani...
Natrona Park and Playground hosts pumpkin fun Saturday
Gray skies and rain falling would seem to be perfect weather for a Halloween event. For the folks involved with the Fall Fun for Youth event Saturday at the Natrona Park and Playground on River Avenue, the gloomy weather prevented the kids, 3-year-olds up to high schoolers, some 40 in...
The Stroller, Oct. 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. Annual lottery ticket fundraiser to aid Animal Protectors Animal Protectors of...
Leechburg Recycling Center still going strong after about 40 years
Leechburg has taken recycling into its own hands. The Kiski River town in Armstrong County operates its own recycling center with an all-volunteer staff of about a dozen dedicated people from the Leechburg, Apollo and Allegheny Township areas, said Leechburg Council President Tom Foster. And it has been doing it...
2 charged in scuffle at Dollar General in Springdale
Springdale police say a fight between two men last week at Dollar General led to one dispatching pepper spray at the other, causing the store to be evacuated. On Thursday, police charged William Stephen Korbe, 59, of Cheswick and Donald William Brownlee, 64, of Springdale with simple assault and disorderly...
Testimony to resume in injunction case over boiler house implosion in Springdale
The court case to block the implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale is expected to resume Monday. Last month, 16 Springdale residents filed an injunction against the companies that were scheduled to perform the implosion at the site. The boiler house was scheduled...
The Stroller, Oct. 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. Community development workshop offered The Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority and Land...
Rally for Israel hosted in Aspinwall parkVideo
Orly Aridor did not mince words when talking about the war in Gaza. A native of Israel who lives in Fox Chapel, Aridor called the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas unbelievable, barbaric and horrific. “What happened there needs to be condemned. That’s what I expect from the people in the...
Harrison police go pink for October, Breast Cancer Month
Harrison police are sporting a new hue for October. Bright-pink uniform patches are intended to raise awareness for the battle against breast cancer, Chief Brian Turack said. “People are already talking about it, so it’s working,” he said. The department is participating in the Pink Patch Project, founded in 2013...
Freeport Area board extends superintendent’s term with new 5-year contract
Superintendent Ian Magness will lead the Freeport Area School District for five more years. The school board approved a new contract that will keep Magness at Freeport Area until October 2028. “I am humbled and grateful that the school board is giving me an opportunity to lead the district for...
Tarentum eyes ways to salvage ‘unsustainable’ water plant system
Tarentum has experienced eight water main breaks in the past two months. Ninety percent of the pipes at the water distribution plant are 100 years old. “Our system is failing,” Manager Dwight Boddorf said. “Anytime we go to replace something, there’s a high chance of collapse.” Officials are trying to...
Butler teachers organize concert fundraiser for colleague who lost husband, home in Plum explosion
It was from the shape of a swimming pool that Valerie Lepage realized her friend and colleague, Jackie Thomas, was among those affected by the August house explosion in Plum. The pool was all that was left of the Thomas home, which burned after the house of Paul and Heather...
The Stroller, Oct. 13, 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. NK Salvation Army to offer holiday assistance, coats The New Kensington...
Traffic slowdowns expected after Oakmont water main break
Oakmont Borough officials notified residents about 4 p.m. Thursday of a water main break at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Allegheny avenues. Traffic backups are expected while the break is being repaired. The Oakmont Water Authority and Oakmont police were not immediately available to provide an update....
Aspinwall council race features 6 candidates seeking 3 seats
The Aspinwall Council race has six candidates vying for three, four-year seats in November. Republican incumbent and current council president Tim McLaughlin and Democratic incumbents Patti McCaffrey and Heth Turnquist are joined in the political battle by Republican challengers Terry Taylor and Louis Curcio Jr. and Democrat Mark Chimel. Here...
Arson suspect heads to court; ‘not the type of person we want in the fire department’
Andrew Bischof, the former Arnold volunteer firefighter charged with arson in connection with four fires in Arnold and New Kensington earlier this month, waived his preliminary hearing Thursday morning before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. Police accuse Bischof, 21, of setting four houses on fire the weekend of Sept....
4 seeking 3 seats on Fox Chapel Council
Four candidates are vying for three open seats on Fox Chapel Council. Incumbent Betsy Monroe is on the Democratic ticket. Candidate Michael Pohl is running as a Republican. Incumbent Fred Leech and candidate Jonathan Colton earned enough votes in the spring primary to be placed on both the Democratic and...
LCB grants East Deer noise exemption for concerts at Pittsburgh Brewing plant
Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board has granted East Deer’s request for the township to enforce its own noise ordinance, as a concert venue at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. plans to open next summer. East Deer established its own noise ordinance in June and sought the exemption from the LCB because of Pittsburgh...
Walk for Hunger in Harrison to benefit local food bank efforts
A tradition more than four decades old is going strong to help the A-K Valley’s most needy. A Walk for Hunger, set for Sunday in Harrison, aims to raise money to buy boxed meals, peanut butter, pasta and other shelf-stable items for local food pantries. The walk is sponsored by...
