Valley News Dispatch category, Page 642
Buffalo Township to consider final plans for $1M Audubon nature center, park
Buffalo Township Supervisors are scheduled to vote Wednesday on the final site plan for a $1 million nature center and park along the Butler-Freeport Community Trail. The nature center site is owned by the township and operated by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. The proposed nature center and park...
Cops: Infant, toddler removed from squalid conditions in Avonmore home
An infant boy and his 18-month-old sister were removed from an Avonmore mobile home Monday after troopers said they found squalid living conditions and arrested the children’s mother and her boyfriend. Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak denied bond for Kaitlyn D. Thorpe, 20, of Avonmore, and Timothy L. McMunn,...
Jury finds Rahmael Holt guilty of killing New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw
A Westmoreland County jury found Rahmael Holt guilty on all counts of killing New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw following an attempted traffic stop two years ago. The jury reached its verdict in less than 90 minutes after closing arguments Tuesday. “A verdict like this doesn’t bring Brian back, but...
The Stroller, Nov. 12, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Freeport High School to present, `Mamma Mia` The drama department of Freeport Area High School will present the musical, “Mamma Mia,” at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Freeport Area Middle School, 325 Fourth St., Freeport. Tickets are $11; senior citizens over 65, $7. For tickets,...
Father-son animal feed business in Fawn still thriving after 97 years
J.P. Stark & Son Inc. has stood the test of time. The animal feed store on Thompson Road in Fawn has been around for nearly a century, having survived a fire and the loss of small family farms that used to make up a majority of its business. Without adapting...
Paws Across Pittsburgh leads effort to raise money for sick dog
Spice, a small dog found in North Braddock, was close to death. Emaciated and dehydrated, Spice’s temperature was so low, he was suffering hypothermia. The skin-and-bones terrier mix was in no condition to go to a shelter. Instead, Springdale-based Paws Across Pittsburgh was called. Spice was less than 3 pounds....
Prosecution expected to rest in trial of accused cop killer Rahmael Holt
Prosecutors are expected to rest their case Tuesday against alleged New Kensington cop killer Rahmael Holt, but it remained unknown Monday whether Holt would take the stand in his defense. Holt is accused of killing New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw after a traffic stop on the city’s Leishman Avenue...
New memorial to Valley High School veterans dedicatedVideo
It’s not yet mission accomplished, but significant progress was made on a new memorial honoring veterans who have attended — and will attend — Valley High School in New Kensington. Enough of the new “Veterans of Valley High Memorial” was completed in time for a dedication ceremony on Monday, Veterans...
Burrell School Board to receive new estimates for proposed stadium project
The architects for Burrell High School’s proposed Buccaneer Stadium renovation project are scheduled to present new estimates at Tuesday’s school board meeting on the cost to install artificial turf versus natural grass. “We’ll wait to see what the architects say Tuesday night, mull it over and make a decision during...
Donation to Marine Corps League honors 3 generations of veterans
The Allegheny Valley Marine Corps League Detachment 827 received a donation of three uniforms from three generations of a Frazer family, just in time for Veterans Day and the 244th anniversary of the Marine Corps. Gail Callender, 68, gave his grandfather’s uniform from World War I, his father’s from World...
Police investigating 3rd threat at Fox Chapel schools
Heightened security continues at Fox Chapel Area School District after officials were alerted to a threat Monday, the third in the past month. Classes were not canceled as the report was vague and deemed not credible, Bonnie Berzonski, district coordinator of communications, said. High school classes were canceled previously on...
Deer Lakes Middle School to showcase ‘The Lion King Jr.’
You don’t need to go to Broadway to see “The Lion King.” Just head on over to Deer Lakes High School. A cast and stage crew of 90 students in grades 3 through 8 will perform “The Lion King Jr.” Nov. 22-24 in the Deer Lakes High School auditorium. Tickets...
The Stroller, Nov. 11, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
East Deer church collecting donations for Thanksgiving baskets East Union Presbyterian Church will distribute 45 Thanksgiving baskets filled with all of the traditional fixings to families in need in West Deer. The cost of each basket is expected to be $56. Monetary donations are being accepted. To contribute, visit EastUnionChurch.org...
Allegheny Township fire department’s annual craft show draws 200 people
Paintings, handmade wrought iron candle stands and homemade jewelry couldn’t be more different. But they do have one thing in common: The sales of those items will help keep gear on the backs of the firefighters who serve the Markle Volunteer Fire Department. “Every little bit helps out,” fire Chief...
Police: Springdale Township diner broken into, nothing taken
David’s Diner in Springdale Township was broken into early Sunday, but the suspect didn’t make off with anything, Allegheny Valley Regional Police said. The break-in was reported shortly after 4:30 a.m. The Facebook page for the diner said the restaurant would be closed for the day. It is normally open...
More than 120 volunteers come to Harrison to plant treesVideo
Kathleen Rankin didn’t let the frosty weather keep her from doing some good for her community on Saturday morning. She was among more than 120 volunteers who turned out for a tree-planting event in Harrison, despite temperatures that hovered in the 30s. “I especially wanted to help plant trees at...
The Stroller, Nov. 10, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Holy Martyrs Parish to host Vilija dinner Dec. 7 Holy Martyrs Parish, Tarentum, will host a traditional meatless Vilija Dinner at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the church, 353 W. Ninth Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $16. The menu will include baked fish, pierogies, farina, bobalky, sauerkraut...
Owls, beer on tap for Audubon outing in Buffalo Township
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is offering a double header event, combining nature with the partaking of microbrews, later this month. The event, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 30, starts with an owl prowl at Audubon’s Buffalo Creek Nature Center in Buffalo Township led by an...
Sweet competition benefits the Leechburg Public Library
You don’t have to cross an ocean to see who is crowned the next best baker. Just come to Leechburg. An upcoming spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Leechburg Public Library will include a baking contest for a chance to be the named “Star Baker of Leechburg.” The idea came from...
The Stroller, Nov. 9, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Food drive to benefit Rosedale Food Pantry Lori Hummel of Howard Hanna Real Estate, Oakmont, will host a Thanksgiving food drive from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at REV22 Juice and Wellness Bar, 527 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont. Most need items include flour, sugar, canned pumpkin, vegetables, fruit and sweet potatoes,...
Verona wildlife rehab center receives donation after outrage from shot bald eagleVideo
While rescuing a bald eagle with a fatal shotgun wound was an act of human kindness, so is raising the money to pay for its medical bills at a nonprofit wildlife rehab center. Dorothy Pierini-Rodgers, 61, and her husband, Bill Rodgers, of Blairsville donated about $1,660 of $2,660 raised through...
Lower Burrell’s Ron Hereda elected president of Pa. Firemen’s Association for second time
Ron Hereda, who is synonymous with Lower Burrell’s Kinloch Volunteer Fire Department, has been elected president of the Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association for a second time. Lower Burrell Council honored Hereda, 68, with a certificate of recognition for his longtime service to the city during a council meeting Monday. In addition...
Freeport’s cyber charter school is helping district save money, officials say
Freeport Area School District’s new cyber academy has reduced the flow of district money to outside cyber charter schools, according to Superintendent Ian Magness. Public school districts throughout Pennsylvania are required by state law to pay tuition costs for students who live within their boundaries but choose to attend a...
Heroin falls from driver’s shorts in Tarentum traffic stop
Two men face drug and other charges after police said they pulled over a car in which the men were riding Monday along Route 28 in Tarentum and found heroin and crack cocaine. The northbound car driven by Brad E. Waldbaum, 41, of McKeesport, had been tailgating the vehicle in...
Day 5: DNA, bullets take spotlight in Rahmael Holt murder trialVideo
No DNA or fingerprints place Rahmael Holt at the scene of New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw’s murder, according to testimony Friday in Holt’s ongoing capital murder case in Westmoreland County Court. Testimony from another expert witness called into question the ability of a witness to identify the type of...
