Valley News Dispatch category, Page 369
Medical marijuana dispensary opens in former Kings spot in Harmar
A medical marijuana dispensary has made its way to a bustling food plaza in Harmar along Freeport Road. Ethos Cannabis, a Philadelphia-based firm, opened a third regional location in the former Kings Restaurant building on 5 Alpha Drive East in late April, according to a news release. Ethos also has...
Arnold’s Simpson Reinforcing in the bones of many Pittsburgh landmarks
Just about everyone in the Pittsburgh area has seen the work of Bob Simpson’s company, without ever seeing it. And they’ve walked through it, sat in it and driven on it, probably without knowing it. Simpson’s business, Simpson Reinforcing in Arnold, made the steel reinforcing bars, or rebar, that’s in...
Former Yak Diner in North Apollo reopens with new owners as Dolly’s Diner
An iconic roadside diner reopened Monday under new ownership and a new name in North Apollo. Dolly’s Diner, formerly the Yak Diner, welcomed patrons beginning at 6:30 a.m., after months of renovations and relocating of the classic 1950s-style diner from 2104 River Road less than a half-mile to its new...
Freeport Area School Board considers $66 million high school overhaul, yearly tax hikes to pay for it
Updates to Freeport Area High School that school officials call long overdue are planned as part of a $66 million renovation project. The project is part of a five-year plan that still must be approved by the school board. Last month, the board heard presentations from J. Greer Hayden of...
The Stroller, June 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. Sweep event to collect trash along Kiski River Volunteers are needed to...
Harrison garden coordinator Jennifer Greenwood aims to grow community spirit
After 14 years in education administration, Harrison resident Jennifer Greenwood is turning her talents away from the confines of the classroom and toward the outdoors. As coordinator for the township’s new community garden off Burtner Road, Greenwood is eager to grow the space into more than a place to pluck...
Police say Armstrong County sex offender arrested for failing to comply with Megan’s Law
An Armstrong County man who must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life was arrested by state police after, they say, he failed to notify them when he moved out of his Parks Township home six months ago. John Robert Kunkle Jr., 60, of the 1100...
Tax hike proposed for Apollo-Ridge School District residents
Apollo-Ridge School Board recently passed a preliminary budget for next school year proposing a 2.37% increase in real estate taxes for the median district home in Armstrong and Indiana counties. Although millage increases in each county are different, the percentage increase of what residents would pay in school taxes is...
Faces of the Valley: Pam Seguin works to bring history to life at Harrison’s Burtner House
Sarver resident Pam Seguin considers her volunteer role with the Burtner House Restoration Society a perfect fit. Outside of being transported for a visit to life in the 19th century, nothing could suit her passions better, Seguin joked. The Burtner House, situated on a Harrison hillside near the Route 28...
Cheswick resident continues mom’s legacy of decorative painting
Walking into Cheryl Vizzo’s home feels like a museum of cherished memories — from the flowery lamp on her living-room side table to the spring-themed knobs on her kitchen cabinets. Every decorative item in her home was created by her late mother, Marie Fucci Williams, an accomplished porcelain artist and...
New Kensington-Arnold approves joining blight-fighting program, sets stage for Arnold
A new blight-fighting program is set to come to New Kensington and Arnold now that the cities’ school district has gotten on board. The New Kensington-Arnold School Board voted Tuesday to join the Westmoreland County Land Bank. Its approval was needed for either city to join. Westmoreland County established the...
Tarentum church to celebrate Feast of Corpus Christi with sawdust carpets
A tradition that can be traced to the Black Forest of Germany will continue for nearly the 80th year at Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum. The Corpus Christi Celebration featuring sawdust carpets will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday, June 19, at the church, which is part...
Children’s musical celebrates reading by bringing novel characters to life in Vandergrift
More than 23 young thespians from Armstrong and Westmoreland counties are busy rehearsing for the upcoming production of “The Enchanted Bookshop Musical.” The musical celebrates the joy of reading and is based on the popular children’s play “The Enchanted Bookshop.” The show is presented by Armstrong Community Theater and will...
Historic stained glass to be revamped at Central Presbyterian in Tarentum
It’s hard to miss the massive stained-glass windows at Central Presbyterian Church. “When people come in, they’re in awe,” said Gail Taglieri, secretary at the church along Allegheny Street in Tarentum. “It’s such beauty and art. The reverence I feel is a reminder that there’s something greater than ourselves out...
The Stroller, June 12, 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. Casino Theatre to host youth musical Armstrong Community Theater will present its...
Harmar crash closes Freeport Road late Friday at the spot where train accident already restricted traffic
Lower Valley rescue crews and police responded to an accident late Friday on Freeport Road in Harmar near the Advance Auto Parts. At least one person was reported to have been taken to a hospital. The accident closed a section of Freeport Road where a train accident weeks ago had...
West Leechburg boy raises thousands — again — for Alzheimer’s research
He’s a pint-sized fundraiser with a sweet goal. Every year, Brody Toy, 10, of West Leechburg operates a tricked-out lemonade stand to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. A fifth-grader at David Leech Elementary, Brody has raised more than $16,000 since starting his fundraiser in 2016. “I’m just a boy with...
Introducing the Cheswick Christian Academy Class of 2022
Cheswick Christian Academy held its commencement ceremony Friday evening at Living Word of Plum church. Here is the Class of 2022: Cheyenne Martino, Emily Rosio, Reyna Mohney, Olivia Rochkind, Abigail Zuback, Daylin Rivera, Amelia Bach, Zane McManus, Nicholas Phillips, Giovanni Bair, Payton Blazevich, Alexander Ricci, Nathaniel Bonomo. Missing: Zephaniah Malloy....
The Stroller, June 11, 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. Bike run to benefit Toys for Tots The sixth annual Toys for...
Freeport Area property taxes to increase; amount depends on where you live
Taxes will increase for Freeport Area School District residents next school year — but by how much depends on where you live. Those living in Buffalo Township will be hit substantially harder than those in Freeport or South Buffalo. That’s because the formula for the way property taxes are calculated...
Pittsburgh man gets up to 40 years prison for 2019 fatal Arnold shooting
Shawden L. Ross told a Westmoreland County judge Friday he understood the pain his victim’s family members experienced as he endured the same kind of loss. Ross, 36, of Pittsburgh was ordered to serve 20 to 40 years in prison for the third-degree murder of 27-year-old Lamont Simmons on April...
Bill to ban fracking in Allegheny County parks gets additional support
Allegheny County Council held a public meeting Thursday about a bill that proposes banning natural-gas drilling, aka fracking, in the nine county parks. The hearing was met with great fanfare from local environmental activists. The bill was first introduced in 2021, and the effort has increased its support since then,...
Parks Township police accuse woman of stealing nearly $10,000 from father’s bank accounts
Parks Township police charged a woman with multiple felonies after investigators accused her of stealing nearly $10,000 from her father by using his checking and savings accounts to buy merchandise, withdraw cash and forge checks without his permission. Jacqueline M. Kromka, 35, of the 3200 block of River Road, Kiski...
New patio at Casino Theatre in Vandergrift made possible by tourism grant
There’s now more room to roam for patrons visiting the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift. New patio furniture, including sponsored, personalized black and gray benches, were installed this spring on the terrace outside the theater, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An $11,800 grant from the Westmoreland...
State police searching for suspects who shot at vehicle along Route 28 in O’Hara
State police are seeking the public’s help in the search for two suspects wanted for shooting at a vehicle while driving along Route 28 in Harmar late last month. Investigators at the Kittanning station said a motorist reported that while driving near Exit 10 in O’Hara shortly before 9 p.m....
