Valley News Dispatch category, Page 339
Polkamaniacs to perform at Harrison Hills: ‘It ain’t your grandpa’s polka’
An eight-piece band in matching blue plaid suits will perform Saturday in Harrison Hills Park, and the musicians have a message for anyone who might attend: “It ain’t your grandpa’s polka.” “We’re a king-size plaidtastic stage show that no audience can resist,” said Michael Devine, a member of the Polkamaniacs....
Remember When: Nellie Bly, an Alle-Kiski Valley native, broke down barriers, stereotypes
The newest addition to greet passengers at the Pittsburgh International Airport is a statue of Nellie Bly — flanked by Steelers great Franco Harris and the “Father of Our Country,” George Washington. Bly was an Alle-Kiski Valley native. Born Elizabeth Cochran on May 5, 1864, in the Cochran Mills neighborhood...
Alle-Kiski Band Festival postponed to Thursday
The annual Alle-Kiski Marching Band Festival will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at Yuhas McGinley Stadium at Penn Hills High School. The day was changed from Wednesday due to expected inclement weather. Schools participating in the non-competitive event include Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport Area, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg Area,...
The Stroller, Sept. 21, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Annual Harvest Jubilee planned in Avonmore The Avonmore Harvest Jubilee will be...
Motorcyclist injured in New Kensington accident
A motorcyclist is in the hospital after an accident on Tuesday evening in New Kensington. The accident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. in the 1100 block of Seventh Street, according to a Westmoreland County dispatcher. EMS transported the motorcycle driver to an area hospital, the dispatcher said. No further information...
Leechburg fire company’s carnival continues through weekend
The annual Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company carnival opened Tuesday and continues through Saturday night at the fire company grounds, 268 Canal St. Gates open at 6 p.m. nightly and admission is free. There is a cost to ride the rides and play carnival games. There is food, rides, games, and...
Trial for sex trafficking of teen ends in guilty plea for Turtle Creek man
A Turtle Creek man pleaded guilty Tuesday to the sex trafficking of a 14-year-old runaway from New Kensington. Davon Allen Fuqua, 36, cut short his trial midway through testimony from his accuser, who told a Westmoreland County jury she was transported with a prostitute to have sex with two older...
Harmar to maintain Springdale Township road to help residents
Harmar supervisors approved an agreement allowing the township to permanently maintain a section of road in neighboring Springdale Township. Under the memorandum of understanding, according to township engineer Matt Pitsch, Harmar will maintain Crone Hollow Road from its intersection with High Street in Springdale Township to the Harmar line. As...
Indecent graffiti in Kennedy Park in Vandergrift draws ire from parents
The last thing Vandergrift resident Sarah Cooper expected to find at her local park during an outing Sunday with her young son was X-rated graffiti. Cooper said her 10-year-old son noticed vulgar images of male genitals and obscene words spray-painted on two stone pillars at the entrance to Kennedy Park....
Man charged with cocaine trafficking in North Carolina arrested on new charges in Arnold
A man released from custody on a $500,000 bond for drug and weapons charges in North Carolina was arrested at a house in Arnold where, police said, they found cocaine and a pistol. Alvinn Davonn Twine, 32, was arrested after officers from the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and agents...
New Kensington mother accused of locking teen kids out of home
A New Kensington woman is facing child endangerment charges after, police say, she changed the locks to her home, locking out her teenage daughter and son. Police filed two counts of endangering the welfare of children against Shayla Marie Covington, 35, of Leishman Avenue on Sept. 14. She is scheduled...
Christian-based fundraiser on tap Sunday in West Leechburg
West Leechburg resident, author and tax collector Kevin Smith is hosting a Christian-based charitable dinner to help raise funds for the West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. Smith will discuss his book, “God Discovery: How Science and Logic Reveal the Existence of God,” during the God Discovery Banquet on Sunday, Sept....
Building the Valley: Leechburg salon owner expands by adding boutique
A Leechburg salon owner has expanded her footprint in the area by adding a clothing boutique. Brianne Sofaly, owner of Elevated Hair Co., opened Oak + Pine. The store is online only, but Sofaly said there are plans to have a physical space for customers to shop. The 26-year-old said...
The Stroller, Sept. 20, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. A-K Band Festival set Wednesday The annual Alle-Kiski Marching Band Festival will...
Tarentum seeking nearly $300,000 in grants for 2 water line projects
Tarentum Council is eyeing more than $300,000 in grants from Allegheny County to improve borough infrastructure. Council last week approved two applications to the county Department of Economic Development for projects along West 11th Avenue and Collins Way. “Ultimately, both projects are about the safety of our residents,” Manager Dwight...
Logans Ferry Road in Plum anticipated to reopen Friday
Thousands of drivers who regularly use Logans Ferry Road in Plum have another reason to look forward to Friday. The stretch of Logans Ferry between Entrance Drive and Columbia Road, near New Kensington, which has been closed since Aug. 2, is anticipated to reopen Friday, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said...
Police use dog to capture woman they say sped through Mt. Vernon yard sale
A New Kensington police dog was used to apprehend a woman police say fled from an officer in Parnassus and sped through a neighborhood yard sale in Mt. Vernon on Friday afternoon. Alyssa Nicole Depanicis, 32, was arraigned Saturday on several felony charges including fleeing, escape and resisting arrest, misdemeanor...
Travel alert: Long-term single-lane restrictions along Route 28 begin this week
More traffic delays are likely along Route 28 beginning Wednesday, when single-lane restrictions take effect near O’Hara and Aspinwall, PennDOT announced. Work will begin at 6 a.m. in the northbound lanes and is expected to be ongoing through mid-October. Restrictions will be in place from Exit 7 (Delafield Avenue off-ramp)...
Faces of the Valley: The Cupcake Girls incorporate inclusivity into their lives and their bakery business
About nine years ago, two sisters started with a mixer and an idea to make small gourmet cupcakes and large old-time cookies served with a mix of fun and inclusiveness. Courtney Kobelenske and Kylie Lash, both of Lower Burrell, opened Cora Lee Cupcakes, now based in New Kensington’s Feldarelli Square,...
After mass resignations, Kiski Township hires more officers to restore positions
After Kiski Township police Sgt. Thomas Dessell, four other officers and the police secretary quit in protest in early July, the township supervisors whose actions they objected to have scrambled to replace the officers. The township is recovering from the mass resignation. The township supervisors have restored the positions with...
Fare hike planned for Go Westmoreland shared-ride system
Fares to ride Go Westmoreland vehicles will increase next year under a revised fee structure expected to be approved this fall by the county’s transit authority. Authority board members said last week they intend to approve the agency’s first fare hike in more than four years to ride the door-to-door...
The Stroller, Sept. 19, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Vandergrift museum to host Christmas Tree Lane fundraiser Victorian Vandergrift Museum and...
Fire damages Vandergrift duplex; no one hurt
Fire caused moderate damage Sunday afternoon to half of a duplex in Vandergrift, a borough fire chief said. No people or pets were hurt in the fire in the 100 block of McKinley Avenue, said Randy Dunmire, chief of Vandergrift No. 1. McKinley is an alley between Grant and Washington...
‘Winter Ready Rams’ seeks coats, hoodies for students in need
Highlands volunteers are seeking to build a community of warm hands and hearts through a coat collection for needy district students. Parent Christina Faltot of Harrison has launched her third annual “Winter Ready Rams” drive, which runs through October. “Knowing even one student will be warmer this winter is enough...
Public survey seeks input on zoning issues in Gilpin
The Gilpin supervisors are seeking public input as they work to modernize what they consider an outdated zoning ordinance. Supervisor Charles Stull launched the first of two online public surveys Tuesday. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey, which is available through Oct. 7. It can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/GilpinZoning....
