Valley News Dispatch category, Page 371
O’Hara police Officer Natalie Richards introduced at township council meeting
Recently hired O’Hara Officer Natalie Richards was introduced to the township at a council meeting Tuesday night. The Lower Burrell resident has been on the force for about a month. She previously worked as a police officer for Swissvale and Port Authority of Allegheny County. Richards’ addition brings the O’Hara...
Plum’s Monday Market opens for 5th season
Plum’s Monday Market opened its fifth season with some familiar vendors — but a new time. Jim and Kay Bridge, the husband and wife team behind Bridge’s Farm in Plum, had their tables full of produce and other plants on June 6. Penn Hills-based Pappy’s Gourmet Popcorn, Oakmont Olive Oil...
Authorities confirm the deaths of two people found in Springdale were murder-suicide
The deaths of two people in Springdale in April is officially a murder-suicide. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office released the manners of death this week for Morgan Kurpakus, 24, of Springdale and Robert Devaughn Williams, 36, of New Kensington. Both were found dead of gunshot wounds on April 25...
Meet Lower Burrell police officers for coffee Thursday
Lower Burrell police want the public to stop by the station to meet the officers and discuss any issues they may have from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. After a two-year hiatus during the covid-19 pandemic, the third yearly meet-and-greet with city police is back. The event also fills the...
Pittsburgh woman facing felony charges after Arnold police say she punched woman, scuffled with officers
Arnold police accused a woman of spitting at officers and kicking one of them in the groin when they tried to arrest her for allegedly assaulting another woman. Korrina Jolynn Booker, 35, of the 6800 block of Frankstown Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, was charged with two felony counts of...
Pedestrian struck, killed by vehicle in Plum
A pedestrian was struck and killed Monday by a vehicle traveling along Route 286 in Plum. At 11:18 p.m., county dispatchers were notified of a vehicle-pedestrian crash along the 2200 block of the roadway, in the borough’s Holiday Park section, police said. First responders found a single vehicle had struck...
The Stroller, June 7, 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. Up The River band to be featured in Tarentum concert The Tarentum...
PBS series ‘Start Up’ to highlight New Kensington revitalization effort
New Kensington will be featured in the 10th season of a PBS series highlighting small businesses across the nation. Gary Bredow, host of “Start Up,” and a small crew were in the city Monday filming an episode focused on Olde Towne Overhaul and its efforts to revitalize downtown New Kensington...
Deer Lakes chemistry teacher retires after 35 years at the district
A Deer Lakes teacher is looking forward to the next chapter in her life as she retires from the school district after 35 years. Chemistry teacher Donna Turk — also known by the last name Howells — was surprised by students from her class with a breakfast and retirement celebration...
Building the Valley: Vesta Vintage and Handcrafted Goods coming to Tarentum
Brackenridge resident Denise Sloan vividly recalls childhood walks with her father through the booming Tarentum business district. “He worked at DiGirolomo’s and we would walk to Berkey’s, where he would chat with everyone,” she said. “The last stop was always Harrison’s on Corbet Street.” Sloan, a Highlands High School grad,...
Freeport Mayor James Swartz Jr. resigns: ‘It’s time to get out’
After serving the borough as a councilman and mayor collectively for 38 years, Freeport Mayor James Swartz Jr. resigned over the weekend because of recent disagreements over borough operations. The mayor has been in the news recently for questioning a proposed police department merger with Gilpin, as well as police...
Freeport Road in Harmar reopens to traffic
After being closed for about a week and a half, Freeport Road reopened shortly after 5:30 p.m. Monday. Allegheny Valley Regional Emergency Management Agency coordinator Bruno Moretti said the road is restricted to one lane in each direction. Moretti said there is still work to be done with removing the...
O’Hara to dedicate historical markers, host community event Saturday at township park
A dedication ceremony more than a year in the making is set to take place Saturday in O’Hara. The township plans to dedicate its historical markers at 11 a.m. at the gazebo at O’Hara Township Community Park along Fox Chapel Road. Six permanent signs measuring 4-feet by 3-feet have been...
Vandergrift police accuse woman of dealing drugs after cop says 5 ounces of pot found in SUV
Vandergrift police charged a woman with a felony drug dealing charge after, police said, they found more than 5 ounces of marijuana and a digital scale in her vehicle during a traffic stop. Mariah Shantel Hannay, 22, of Penn Hills was charged with a felony count of possession of drugs...
Vandergrift man dies after being pinned against loading dock in Harmar
Authorities say a Vandergrift man was the person who died Monday when he was pinned against a loading dock at a business in Harmar. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Samuel Plazio, 64, of Vandergrift. Allegheny County homicide detectives asked for the public’s help Monday in...
Penn State adjusts covid-19 masking policy at University Park, New Kensington, 4 other campuses
Penn State is no longer requiring indoor masking on the University Park campus. The change, which was announced Friday, comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved Centre County to the medium covid-19 community level. The county had been at the high level the previous week. The mask...
Troopers say North Apollo woman killed in crash while fleeing Armstrong County traffic stop
Pennsylvania State Police said a 21-year-old North Apollo woman died after she crashed her vehicle into a tree while attempting to flee a traffic stop Sunday in Armstrong County. Madison L. Sapinsky was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred on Margaret Road in Plumcreek Township at...
The Stroller, June 6, 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. Mingle on Market to feature music, food and sidewalk sales Leechburg Area...
Rockin’ Roosevelt brings bands, hundreds of spectators to Roosevelt Park in Arnold
Sounds of rock, blues and a little soul filled the air Sunday in Arnold for the annual Rockin’ Roosevelt fundraiser at Roosevelt Park. Hundreds of people flocked to the recreation site in the center of the city. Resident Wesslyn Owen watched her children and family friends have fun on the...
Westmoreland County Special Olympics teams, athletes capture medals in state competition
All five Westmoreland County Special Olympics basketball teams brought home either gold, silver or bronze medals this past weekend in the state’s Special Olympics competition at Penn State University. “Every one of our teams — three five-on-five (teams) and two three-on-three — won medals,” said Anthony Monstrola of Greensburg, coordinator...
The Stroller, June 5, 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. Firemen’s carnival begins Tuesday in Vandergrift The Vandergrift Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival will...
Harrison Hills Park gets facelift as students revamp overgrown pond embankment
Bird populations are expected to soar near the south pond at Harrison Hills Park after a rigorous project to restore habitat at the Allegheny County site. Japanese barberry, honeysuckle and other bushy invasives were plucked from the pond embankment — nearly an acre’s worth — and replaced with native species...
Cousin of slain Apollo woman found at U-Haul facility works to help those suffering from abuse
A domestic and sexual abuse survivor is volunteering her decorating talents to help other victims find comfort after fleeing from their abusers. Jennifer Zimmerman, 52, of Wexford said she escaped from years of mental and physical domestic abuse. Today, she is focusing her style skills to transform seven rooms at...
Springdale Police Chief George Polnar to retire
Becoming a police officer was a lifelong dream for George Polnar, and now, after dedicating 35 years of service, he’s ready to step away from it. Growing up, Polnar was inspired by his uncle, who was a sergeant with the Monroeville Police Department. He admired the uniform and looked up...
Cybersecurity insurance costs escalate for municipalities as cases of ransomware attacks climb
Cybersecurity insurance costs are growing for local governments as incidents of cyberattacks continue to surge across the country. The costs for communities to protect themselves from such attacks have tripled in the past year, according to a municipal insurance expert. “The costs of cyber insurance have gone wild in the...
