Valley News Dispatch category, Page 534
Pittsburgh-area hospitals set record for treating covid patients
The latest surge of covid-19 cases has prompted a 500% increase in hospitalizations when compared to the spring stage of the pandemic, officials from the region’s health care systems said Sunday. While some hospitals are close to running out of intensive care beds, officials at Allegheny Health Network and UPMC...
Police: 2 hurt in Leechburg shooting
Two people were shot Sunday afternoon on Market Street in Leechburg, police said. Leechburg police Chief Jason Schaeffer would not provide further details Sunday, and would not comment on the extent of the injuries. Police spent several hours investigating. The shooting was reported shortly after 3 p.m., according to Armstrong...
Amid pandemic and court ruling, Western Pa. parishioners want to attend church, but remain safe
Allegheny Township resident Jessica Pulice and her daughters want to attend church in person, but they want to do it safely. That’s what Pulice said Sunday as she walked into Mass at Mount St. Peter Parish in New Kensington. “People are practicing social distancing (at Mount St. Peter). They are...
Sprankle’s adds sushi, brewpub to market in Saxonburg
The sole rural supermarket in Saxonburg has introduced urban shopping amenities to its customers. Sprankle’s Market recently added two cafes — Conny Creek Brew Cafe and Ace Sushi — both offering take-out or dine-in options, inside the store. Owner Doug Sprankle said customers want more variety with their shopping choices....
The Stroller, Nov. 29, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Toy drive to benefit NK Salvation Army A drive-thru toy drive to benefit the New Kensington Salvation Army will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Forza Motors, 2555 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell. Toys should be new and unwrapped and placed in the trunk of your vehicle. Donors...
Despite pandemic, A-K Valley shoppers come out for Small Business Saturday
Customers streamed into the newly opened Emma + Jane Shoppe along South Pike Road in Sarver on Saturday to check out eclectic gifts such as Freeport-themed Christmas ornaments, organic honey and Yinzer holiday cards. Small Business Saturday, started about 10 years ago by American Express, has grown into a tradition...
Food enthusiast, author heads to David’s Diner in Springdale Township
Eric Fontana wants to be the next Guy Fieri. The food enthusiast recently published his first book, “The Hidden Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh: An Insider’s Guide,” and is already working on its sequel. One of the restaurants that will be featured in the upcoming book is David’s Diner of Springdale...
Horn covers let Burrell musicians play safelyVideo
Burrell School District’s chairman of the music department, who was recently appointed president of the Westmoreland County Music Educators Association, continues to make beautiful music with students while trying to outsmart the pandemic. Brian Querry, a music teacher at Burrell’s Huston middle school, is embracing new ways for the district’s...
CNX grant to New Kensington-Arnold and Kiski Area school districts pays for needed virtual technology and equipment
CNX Resources’ grants totaling $12,200 will help two local school districts, providing one with equipment to tap free high-speed internet for students in the New Kensington-Arnold School District, where 150 homes either don’t have internet access or lack reliable service. The CNX grants, $6,500 to New Kensington-Arnold and $5,700 to...
The Stroller, Nov. 28, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Annual Lions Club event goes virtual this year The annual Jack Marino Tarentum Area Lions Club Charity event will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 online on the club Facebook page. Prizes totaling $5,000 will be given away. Proceeds will benefit Lions Club charities. Tickets are $50. For tickets, call...
Another student tests positive for covid-19 at Leechburg Area
Another student in the Leechburg Area School district in grades 7-12 has tested positive for covid-19, Leechburg Superintendent Tiffany Nix said Friday in an email to district parents. The student was last on campus Nov. 19. The district did not identify the infected student. Current total cases in the district...
Brackenridge, Harrison, Tarentum to hold public hearings on development plan
Three Alle-Kiski Valley communities that have drafted a plan to guide their collective future have scheduled public hearings for residents to comment on it. Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison, in that order, will hold hearings on their proposed joint comprehensive plan in December. The plan, in development for more than a...
The show must go on for mask-wearing Burrell drama students
Exemplifying that the show must go on, the Burrell High School Drama Club is taking it a step higher, donning theatrical, hand-painted masks for the upcoming play, “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” While the actors will be performing live on stage, the district will present the play virtually for three shows on...
Toy drive benefiting New Kensington Salvation Army becomes drive-thru eventVideo
A long-running toy drive benefiting the New Kensington Salvation Army will be done a bit differently this year. Choosing to postpone it because of the covid-19 pandemic wasn’t even considered, said Dr. Lawrence York, a New Kensington chiropractor who has hosted the toy drive since 1999. “We knew — one...
3 black bears bagged in Allegheny County during archery season
Three black bears were taken by archers in Allegheny County so far, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The black bears bagged in Allegheny County were in West Deer, Elizabeth and in the state game lands in Marshall and Franklin townships, said Zeb Campbell, game warden for Allegheny County. While...
Thanksgiving is a day like any other for officer on the beat
Like most other places, Market Street in Leechburg was calm early Thanksgiving Day morning. People appeared to be staying in amid covid-19 travel advisories. And newly hired, part-time borough police Officer Kyle Lewis was hoping it would stay calm. “I don’t want to jinx it by saying it will be...
The Stroller, Nov. 27, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
HOPE Center seeks support for program The HOPE Center is seeking support for its annual Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program to benefit HOPE Center families. This program is recommended for individuals, families, community groups, businesses, churches, schools, or anyone looking to do something for those in need and give back to their...
Vandergrift adjusts Christmas parades for covid concerns
Christmas festivities in Vandergrift will be altered to account for covid-19, but the festivities will continue. The Vandergrift Improvement Program’s (VIP) “Light-up Night” takes place every year the weekend after Thanksgiving, normally including a Christmas parade attended by every fire department in the area, incorporating floats, food vendors and entertainment....
Allegheny Township proposed budget has no tax increase
Allegheny Township residents won’t have a property tax increase next year, marking the 11th consecutive year without an increase. Township supervisors presented the preliminary 2021 budget Monday. The budget includes a general fund of just under $4 million, along with about $335,000 allocated for debt service, $235,000 for the fire...
Alle-Kiski Valley volunteers reach out to provide Thanksgiving mealsVideo
Free take-out turkey meals were abundant across the Alle-Kiski Valley region Thanksgiving Day. Traditional dine-in meals at area churches were off the table this year due to covid-19 restrictions, but individuals, businesses and churches stepped in, giving meaning to the “give” in Thanksgiving. Turkey With A Twist Spice Affair Indian...
Natrona Heights man ID’d as inmate who died at Allegheny County Jail
The Allegheny County Jail inmate who died Thursday is a 63-year-old man from the Natrona Heights neighborhood of Harrison, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office said. Daniel Pastorek, 63, was found unresponsive in his cell, Warden Orlando Harper said. A corrections officer and medical staff tended to Pastorek until paramedics...
The Stroller, Nov. 26, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
A heartfelt thank you to all our loyal readers. Happy Thanksgiving! – Carol Pinto-Smith Westmoreland County Marines to supply Christmas groceries Westmoreland County Marines will provide Christmas groceries to local veterans’ families in need. To apply, veterans must provide proper identification and proof of military service such as a VA...
Food for thought: Your Turkey Day menu, by the numbersVideo
A trip around the Thanksgiving menu is like a trip around the United States, as American farmers produce much of what we savor on this national holiday, according to USAFacts.org. Below are some facts and figures about some of the popular foods to be shared today, with figures from 2019....
Operation Santa Claus returns in year of extreme need
Operation Santa Claus has been helping Western Pennsylvania families with the gift of a holiday meal for 36 years, and this year may prove to be the most challenging in the long history of the nonprofit organization. “The need is greater than ever this year. We’re trying our best to...
American Legion in Lower Burrell closes after patron tests positive for covid
Lower Burrell’s American Legion, Post 868, along Wildlife Lodge Road is closed until at least Monday because of a verified covid-19 case. Legion officials found out that one of their patrons tested positive for covid-19 on Monday night, said Post 868 Commander Ed Zollinger. The Legion promptly closed its facilities,...
