Valley News Dispatch category, Page 15
Enrollment drops at Penn State’s closing branch campuses in Western Pennsylvania
While overall enrollment at Penn State’s main campus remains steady, universitywide enrollment this fall decreased by 1.6% over last year, and dropped 5.7% overall at branch campuses. According to Penn State data released this week, 386 students are enrolled at Penn State New Kensington this fall. That’s a 10.6% decrease...
Firefighters respond to reports of smoke at Verona Municipal Building
Emergency responders from Verona and Oakmont reported to the Verona municipal building early Thursday morning after receiving reports of smoke in the building. According to interim Verona Manager Jason Dailey, a smoke alarm in the building went off a little before 7 a.m. Responders discovered one of the building’s four...
Harrison man arrested in FBI raid accused of threatening judge, others through voicemails
A man arrested Tuesday in a raid on a Harrison home by federal authorities is charged with two counts of making interstate threats and accused of leaving multiple menacing voicemails. Federal prosecutors say Thomas Dorn called an unidentified victim earlier this month, threatening to kill them and others — including...
Townhouse plans changed, approved for former Aspinwall church site
Plans have changed for proposed townhouses at the former Community United Methodist Church in Aspinwall. Planning commissioners unanimously voted on Oct. 22 to approve a new proposal from Amena Properties founder Tony Pompeo Jr. to create four single-family homes at the corner of Center Avenue and Fourth Street. The Aspinwall...
The Stroller, Oct. 30, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. AK Strong Chamber to...
Plum teen uses artistic skills, special effects makeup to create unique looks
Myiah Pastorius was 11 when she began watching horror movies. Knowing the gore in the likes of “Friday the 13th” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” wasn’t real left Myiah, of Plum, more curious than scared. She began looking into how to recreate the injuries, facial deformities and conditions characters in...
Off-duty miracle: Arnold police chief, wife save life of Lower Burrell crossing guard
Sometimes it’s just not your time. Such was the case for Dennis “Denny” Soroka on Sept. 20. The 80-year-old from Lower Burrell is alive through a miracle of happenstance: He suffered cardiac arrest at just the right place and time, in a store that had an automated external defibrillator and...
The Stroller gets a sick day
No Stroller today Due to illness, The Stroller column does not appear today. The column will return as soon as The Stroller feels better....
State Attorney General’s Office agents investigate at New Kensington property
Investigators with the state Attorney General’s Office conducted an investigation at a New Kensington home Wednesday evening. Attorney general’s agents were on scene at 918 Baldrick St., which is near the intersection of Stevenson Boulevard and Seventh Street. The agents on scene were unable to comment. New Kensington police Chief...
Faces of the Valley: Oakmont author celebrates faith, unique genre in breakout book
Glenn Armocida has lived many lives in his 66 years. The Oakmont author started his journey as a writer at a young age while growing up in Plum. Even then, he enjoyed reading and creating his own stories. With support from his parents and teachers, he attended the University of...
WPIAL football playoffs compel communities to adjust Halloween parade, trick-or-treat plans
Costumes and candy are about to collide with high school football playoffs Friday, and some communities either playing host or traveling to games have tweaked traditional holiday schedules in response. Halloween last fell on a Friday in 2014, and it won’t do so again until 2031. In Harrison, township officials...
The Stroller, Oct. 29, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Drug take-back box located...
Man taken into custody as part of FBI investigation in Harrison
A Harrison man was taken away in handcuffs by township police during an FBI operation Tuesday. Authorities reached that evening did not release the name of the suspect or possible charges. Bradford Arick, spokesman for the FBI Pittsburgh office, would only confirm agents were “conducting authorized law enforcement activity” along...
Starved to death, Oakmont girl, 3, finally gets a funeral
The brief service had already ended when a small group of Allegheny County detectives and prosecutors gathered in a close circle on the grassy hillside. Standing near Bella Seachrist’s small grave, mounded with fresh dirt and a thick stack of pink and white roses placed by mourners, they listened closely...
Charges held for court against Armstrong County woman accused of concealing 4 dead infants
Jessica Mauthe, the Armstrong County woman accused of concealing four dead infants in a Cadogan home she rented, is headed to court. District Judge J. Gary DeComo held her bevy of charges for trial after Mauthe appeared for her preliminary hearing in Ford City on Tuesday. Mauthe faces single counts...
Sheetz to host Halloween concert at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.
Sheetz is once again hosting a concert in Western Pennsylvania, and this time it’s a Halloween-themed party at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. Located at 150 Ferry St. in East Deer, the Friday concert features the following bands:Boys Like Girls, a rock band formed in MassachusettsFeeble Little Horse, an indie rock band...
Candidates say infrastructure, new families key issues in Cheswick Council election
There are six open seats on Cheswick Council, but only four of them will be contested Tuesday. But there’s a twist that could lead to the next council’s roster still up in the air after election night. Incumbents Frank Stanish and Nicholas Pollino are running for two, two-year terms, leaving...
State budget impasse has Springdale Township considering loans for infrastructure projects
Springdale Township officials might have to borrow money to finance projects in the next two years. “We are looking at borrowing money in a big way for major projects that we were hoping to get grants for,” said Commissioner Tim Basilone, accounts and finance director. “It looks like most of...
Rose’s Discount Store in Lower Burrell to close
An anchor store leaving Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell is another blow to the city’s business district, but officials are hopeful something else will be coming to the plaza soon. Rose’s Discount Store is scheduled to close Jan. 10, although the date is tentative, according to a Rose’s customer...
Police identify man who died after jumping off turnpike bridge into Allegheny River in Harmar
A Zelienople man died after jumping off a Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge into the Allegheny River on Tuesday morning in Harmar, police said. State police identified the man as Timothy Hilster, 57. Police and rescue workers pulled Hilster’s body from the river around 9:30 a.m. following reports of someone jumping from...
The Stroller, Oct. 28, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Volunteers needed to prepare...
Springdale planners cite noise study as commission delays vote on data center
A decision from Springdale’s Planning Commission about a proposed data center in the borough is still weeks away. Initially set to reconvene Monday night, the commission opted for a last-minute delay. The three-member body will now meet on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. This is the third delay from the...
Temporary maintenance closure announced for portion of the Butler Freeport Community Trail
Trail users will experience a temporary interruption in trail accessibility between the Monroe Road and Bear Creek Road trailheads in Buffalo Township. The nearly 1-mile section of trail will undergo stream bank remediation beginning Monday, Nov. 17, according to the Butler Freeport Community Trail Council. In post on the trail...
Protesters rally against proposed data center in Springdale; 2nd event planned
Brown water, power outages and noise pollution. “The list goes on and on,” said Springdale resident Sharon Spirk, citing reasons she’s against a proposed data center to be built on 47 acres off Porter Street. Spirk was one of about 10 people who rallied Monday in opposition to a plan...
3 candidates seek 2 seats on New Kensington Council
Three men — Chase Balla, Nicholas DiCarolis and Phil Toney — are seeking two seats on the New Kensington Council. Councilmen Todd Mentecki and Corey Pistininzi did not seek reelection. Mayor Tom Guzzo, a Democrat, is running for his seat unopposed. “At 26 years old, I want to give back...
