Valley News Dispatch category, Page 349
The Stroller, Aug. 16, 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Dogs and owners welcome at annual HOPE Center fundraiser The annual Mutts,...
Building the Valley: Cindy’s Soft Serve and Hometown Food serves up good vibes in Tarentum
A Tarentum diner is offering “good vibes only” through its homestyle cooking and friendly conversation. Cindy’s Soft Serve and Hometown Food, at 309 E. Fourth St., is a 1950s-style eatery with menu items named as an homage to the Alle-Kiski Valley. There’s the Red Cat, a burger with fries and...
Arnold man sentenced for city shooting
An Arnold man was ordered to serve up to nine years in prison for his role in a shooting near the city’s police station more than three years ago. Michael Todd Lasko, 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and two firearms offenses in connection with gunfire that erupted May 24,...
Police: Body armor, narcotics, cash seized during raid at Lower Burrell house
Police accused a Lower Burrell man of being a drug dealer after narcotics, body armor, a large amount of cash and other evidence was seized from his home during a raid. Jevon Damian Sims, 33, of the 100 block of Ireland Drive was charged with felony counts of illegal possession...
New Kensington police accuse man of stealing cane from elderly man, using it to smash his car window
New Kensington police accused a man of stealing a cane from a 75-year-old man with physical challenges and using it to smash the rear windshield of the 75-year-old’s car because he was rooting through a dumpster to gather metal cans. Charles Darnell Jones, 48, of the 1900 block of Alcoa...
Investigators say Michigan man pulled from river near Tarentum Bridge drowned accidentally at scene
Authorities say a Michigan man who was found dead in the Allegheny River several hundred yards downstream from the Tarentum Bridge on Thursday drowned accidentally at the scene. Tirrell Lamont Smith, 40, of Grand Rapids was found unresponsive in the water a short time after first responders arrived because someone...
Arnold stepping up collection efforts on overdue sewage, garbage bills
Arnold residents who are not paying their garbage and sewage bills are placing a burden on the city, which is stepping up its efforts to collect. The city was owed about $250,000 from delinquent accounts when it took over billing for the services from Pennsylvania Municipal Service, commonly known as...
2-day home-school program in Vandergrift doubles enrollment after 1st year
A hybrid home-school program has doubled its fledgling enrollment since opening last year in Vandergrift. Willow Tree Academy opened last September at The Center on Franklin Ave. Classes are held in two sessions, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. All students enrolled are required to be in a...
Faces of the Valley: Art imitates life for Lower Burrell graphic artist, who got early boost in field from his father
New Kensington native Shane Henderson followed his father’s example into his life as an artist. “He taught me stuff before I was even in high school. I had a nice starting point for taking it professionally,” Henderson said. “I always drew as a kid. He always encouraged that. It was...
First Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games set for Lower Burrell’s Kotecki Park
A Lower Burrell mom is working with the city to present the first Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games for kids who can’t play traditional sports. Courtney Kobelenske, a Lower Burrell mom and co-owner of Cora Lee Cupcakes in New Kensington, said she wanted to provide a fun, athletic event for her daughter,...
Back-to-School Bash at Brackenridge Salvation Army provides for students
Highlands senior Eli Majocha swept through the back-to-school aisles at local discount stores filling his cart with all the coolest items he thought kids might like. Armed with $500 in donations from friends and strangers, the 17-year-old happily plucked an array of Sharpies, crayons and tablets from the shelves. “It’s...
2 Springdale volunteer firefighters receive award for heroism
When Springdale Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Tanner Michael and firefighter Zachary Wilhelm rescued a man from a Cheswick fire last September, the two saw the work as routine to their job. The pair was surprised with the Provident Agency Valor Award from the Allegheny County Fireman’s Association on Aug. 5,...
The Stroller, Aug. 15, 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. 56 East Band to play free concert at Concordia at Cabot Concordia...
$3.5M purchase of bridge, rail line, opens path to Armstrong trail expansion
An old railroad bridge spanning the Kiski River that kids double-dog dared each other to cross is now a critical link to hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling trails — and potential economic development. Armstrong County purchased the bridge, erected in 1899 over the Kiski River, and 14 miles...
Highlands School District to expand pre-K program with new full-day option
Highlands School District will grow its pre-K program by 25% through a new full-day class. “We’re excited to welcome the new opportunity,” said Kristie Gizienski, principal at the district’s Early Childhood Center. She outlined plans during the school board meeting Monday, saying the new class will make room for 17...
The Stroller, Aug. 14, 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. St. Margaret Mary Parish festival planned Friday and Saturday St. Margaret Mary...
Mobility equipment drive at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum benefits people around the globe
The lobby of Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum is filled with items you don’t expect to see in a sanctuary. Mobility walkers, tub chairs and canes are piled high, waiting to be collected and shipped to needy people near and far. There are at least 100 pieces of equipment. “We’ve...
Weather focus of exhibit by New Kensington Camera Club at Pittsburgh Mills
The timeless visual elements of rain, storms, snow and sunsets are presented by local photographers at the Focus on the Arts Gallery at the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer. The New Kensington Camera Club is presenting “Weather: Many Expressions of Mother Nature’s Personality” for free until Sept. 3. The 32 entries...
Springdale’s Community Day on a ‘Second Saturday’ brings fun in the sun
Springdale Council member Brittni Bair couldn’t hide her delight as she watched people make their way down Lincoln Avenue between Center Street and Walters Lane 10 minutes before 11 a.m. on Saturday. “It’s filling up quick. We don’t start until 11,” said Bair, pleased to see that the second edition...
ShawRide V benefit motorcycle ride an overwhelming success
It was a beautiful, sunny August Saturday morning at the Shriners Center in Harmar, minutes away from the start of ShawRide V to benefit the Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship fund, and New Kensington Police Chief Bob Deringer was nervous. He was about to lead the ride in a marked...
State police arrest man after Parks Township resident accuses him of burglary, knife threat
State police charged a man with a felony count of burglary after a Parks Township resident accused him of entering his home without permission, stealing a computer and then returning later the same day to threaten him with a knife. In addition to the burglary charge, Brandan Lee Sacik, 25,...
The Stroller, Aug. 13, 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 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Oakmont Scout troop marks 75th anniversary Boy Scout Troop 854 of Oakmont...
Influx of young families stresses Freeport Area elementary classrooms
The Freeport Area School District continues to grapple with an influx of new families into the area and budgetary concerns. Several parents complained at Thursday’s school board meeting about plans to cut the number of first- and third-grade classes at Buffalo Elementary School from five to four. The school board...
Authorities ID Michigan man found dead in Allegheny River off East Deer shore
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has released the name of the man who was found dead Thursday afternoon in the Allegheny River off the East Deer shore. The medical examiner identified the man as Tirrell Lamont Smith, 40. Inspector Mike Peairs of the Allegheny County Police said Smith is...
Music down by the river delights concertgoers in Freeport
Music fans came by foot, bike, car, and even boat to attend the last summer concert held Friday at Riverside Park in Freeport. Sponsored by the Freeport Renaissance Association, the monthly music series wrapped up with the summer’s third free performance from the gazebo in the park. Sommelier, an indie-rock...
