Madasyn Lee stories, Page 20
St. Andrew’s Church in New Kensington holds final service for its faithfulVideo
St. Andrew’s Church in New Kensington has sat empty for seven years. On Thursday, roughly 30 parishioners filled the pews one last time. Together they prayed, received Communion, and listened as Episcopal Bishop Dorsey W.M. McConnell deconsecrated the 71-year-old building, which is in the process of being sold. “This is...
West Newton man pleads guilty to heroin, gun charges
A West Newton man accused of being part of a Western Pennsylvania drug trafficking operation pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing heroin. William Kalna, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a person addicted to...
Canonsburg man pleads guilty to possessing child pornography
A Canonsburg man pleaded guilty in federal court this week to possessing child pornography after authorities found electronic devices containing lewd images and videos of minor children in his home, federal prosecutors said. Kevin Francisco Torres-Gerena, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Scott W....
Brothers help raise $1K for charity by camping out inside Sprankle’s stores
Two brothers helped raise roughly $1,000 for charity by camping out inside their grocery stores in Leechburg and Kittanning last week. Doug and Ryan Sprankle, owners of Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market stores in Leechburg and Kittanning, hosted “Camp Out For Community” events for 24 hours at both locations to raise money...
Troopers: Arkansas man dies in Butler County crash
An Arkansas man died after he drove his pickup off the road and into a creek early Sunday morning in Butler County, according to state police. Troopers identified him as Michael C. Cain Jr., 25, of El Dorado. The crash occurred just after 4:30 a.m. on Route 68, also known...
No one hurt when roof catches fire in Oakland
No one was hurt when a roof caught on fire early Sunday morning in Oakland, a Pittsburgh public safety spokesman said. The residential fire was reported around 4 a.m. on the 200 block of Robinson Street. When firefighters arrived, they found the roof on fire and downed power lines on...
Clean up of Pittsburgh Glass Works site in East Deer could take years, new owner saysVideo
The company that purchased the former Pittsburgh Glass Works plant in East Deer says it has no definitive plans for the property but is working to clean up the site as an underground fire continues to burn out. “We saw an opportunity to purchase that property, and basically, because of...
Pittsburgh woman gets 4 years in federal prison for 2018 bank robbery spree
A Pittsburgh woman was sentenced to four years in federal prison for her involvement in a string of armed bank robberies in Pittsburgh and its suburbs two years ago. Nicole Wallace, 35, was also ordered to pay restitution for the money she stole. Prosecutors didn’t say how much money was...
Harrison mom proud, worried about son’s Army deployment to Afghanistan
Devin Myers was determined to serve his country, and nothing was going to stop him. The decision is one that brings a sense of worry — and extreme pride — to his mother, Kathy. Devin Myers, 20, is a member of the 420th Engineer Company (Clearance), U.S. Army Reserve, based...
Pittsburgh man pleads guilty to role in multi-state drug trafficking organization
A Pittsburgh manpleaded guilty this week to being part of a multi-state drug trafficking organization, federal prosecutors said. Kyleif Harley, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. He also admitted to distributing at least 15 grams of a...
Leechburg Area School District moves drop-off area to accommodate fire department
Leechburg Area School District parents and bus drivers will no longer be allowed to drop off students before school in front of the high school cafeteria on Siberian Avenue, district officials said Tuesday. Officials said that drop-off area causes traffic backups on First Street, and those backups could prevent firefighters...
Personal approach cements longtime Arnold Furniture store
Editor’s note: Building the Valley tells stories of businesses big and small and the employees who make them special. If you know of any standout employees, bosses or companies with a great story to tell, contact reporter Madasyn Lee at mlee@tribweb.com. Arnold Furniture may have a large selection of furniture...
$1 million New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket sold in Salem
Someone who shopped at a Salem convenience store wanted to be a millionaire, apparently. Now they are, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery. A winning $1 million New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket was sold at the GetGo store on State Route 22. The ticket matched one of four numbers picked in...
New Kensington parishes celebrate Epiphany with live animals inside churchVideo
Parishioners and community members weren’t the only ones celebrating the Epiphany on Sunday at St. Joseph Parish in New Kensington. A donkey, miniature horse, two lambs and two goats were, too. Filomena Palumbo, 6, of New Kensington had some fun playing with the miniature horse. “I think it’s lovely. I...
Police investigate fight, shooting at Downtown Pittsburgh nightclub
Pittsburgh police are investigating a large fight at a Downtown Pittsburgh nightclub early Sunday morning during which a man fired a gun, a public safety spokesman said. No one was struck by gunfire, spokesman Chris Togneri said. Officers were called to the nightclub in the 100 block of 7th Street...
Pittsburgh police arrest warrant suspect wanted in connection with two assaults
Pittsburgh police on Saturday arrested a man wanted in connection with an alleged assault of a woman that began in November. Deric James Ivy, 27, no known address, turned himself into police on Saturday afternoon, police said. Ivy was wanted on an outstanding warrant in connection with the Nov. 22...
Gilpin adopts $752K budget with no tax increase
Gilpin supervisors adopted a $752,000 budget for 2020 that includes no increase in property taxes. The tax rate will remain at 7 mills. More money is budgeted for police coverage than last year, according to Chairman Charles Stull, who serves as co-police commissioner. The township now has two full-time officers,...
Owners of Fawn’s Blackberry Meadows preserve farmland from future development
Blackberry Meadows Farm in Fawn cannot be redeveloped for residential or other commercial uses under an easement that has been placed on more than 90% of the 85-acre property. The permanent agricultural conservation easement preserves Blackberry Meadows as farmland. To get the easement, owners Jen Montgomery and Greg Boulos sold...
East Deer looks to demolish 3 homes damaged by natural gas fire
East Deer officials said three homes along Freeport Road that were severely damaged Friday when a pickup crashed into a gas meter and sparked a fire will be demolished. Efforts are being made to get one company to demolish all three buildings, officials said. A family of six was left...
Benefit Deer Lakes hockey game exceeds fundraising goalVideo
A hockey game dedicated to raising money for mental health care programs in the Deer Lakes School District exceeded its fundraising goal. Organizers of the inaugural Maura C. Rupprecht Alumni Hockey Game, held Sunday at the Frozen Pond Arena in Middlesex, hoped to raise $5,000 for those initiatives. They raised...
Arnold auto technician’s passion for cars continues through the agesVideo
Editor’s note: Building the Valley tells stories of businesses big and small and the employees who make them special. If you know of any standout employees, bosses or companies with a great story to tell, contact reporter Madasyn Lee at mlee@tribweb.com. Steve Mike’s career as an automotive technician started at...
Sinking ground under Emporio in Pine forces closure
A gourmet meatball restaurant in Pine was closed Monday after officials discovered the ground beneath the building was sinking. Dennis Blackwell, the attorney for Emporio: A Meatball Joint, said the decision to close was made for the safety of customers and staff. “We just decided to close it immediately, temporarily,...
Deer Lakes Hockey Club holds event to raise awareness about suicide
Maura Rupprecht was never one for the spotlight. But she would be glad to know her death might just help save a life, her mother believes. Maura was a Deer Lakes High School sophomore who died by suicide in March. She was 16. “I really think that she would be...
Pittsburgh firefighter suffers minor injuries battling Homewood blaze
A Pittsburgh firefighter suffered minor injuries battling a two-alarm fire at an abandoned Homewood row house early Saturday morning, a public safety official said. The blaze was reported shortly before 2 a.m. in the 7300 block of Kelly Street. Public safety spokesman Maurice Matthews said firefighters responded to a 911...
Hockey game to raise awareness for suicide prevention at Deer Lakes School District
The Deer Lakes Hockey Club wants more people to be more aware of suicide and how it can be prevented. On Sunday, the club will host its inaugural Maura C. Rupprecht Alumni Hockey Game at the Frozen Pond Arena in Middlesex Township. All proceeds will be used to fund additional...
