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Valley News Dispatch category, Page 69

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
The Stroller, Aug. 18, 2024: 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. Food truck festival on tap in West Deer The West Deer...
PennDOT approves reduction to 45 mph on section of Greensburg Road in Upper Burrell
A remedy to combat speeding on Greensburg Road in Upper Burrell is on the way. PennDOT officials approved reducing the speed limit from 55 to 45 mph in the 2200 block of Greensburg Road, or Route 366. The township requested a traffic study after fielding complaints from neighbors who advocated...
Arnold’s new police chief suspended amid investigation, mayor says
About six months after being named Arnold’s new police chief, Josh Stanga has been placed on administrative leave while he is the subject of an investigation, Mayor Shannon Santucci said Saturday. Santucci said Stanga is the target of an investigation underway by state police and the state Attorney General’s Office...
Memorial motorcycle ride keeps memory of slain New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw alive, funds scholarship
Fran Aller still vividly remembers his dimples. She was among those who’d see Brian Shaw come into the Sheetz in New Kensington during his brief time as a police officer in the city, before he was shot and killed during a traffic stop in November 2017. “He was always smiling,”...
The Stroller, Aug. 17, 2024: 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. Apollo library to offer oral history workshops The Pennsylvania Rural Arts...
More communities join Leechburg, Parks Township officials in police regionalization discussions
Correction: The original posting of this story did not say that Kiski Township was among those municipalities joining police regionalization talks. This update also clarifies when public input will be sought. Leechburg and Parks Township are including more communities in their discussions about police regionalization. According to D.J. Zelczak, a...
Citizens, Eureka EMS consider merger to combat financial burden
Financial struggles could force the merger of two of the longest-serving EMS companies in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Citizens EMS in Harrison and Eureka Community Ambulance Service in Tarentum are considering joining forces to become one provider — though discussions are in the early phases and details are scant. Harrison’s commissioners...
O’Hara, Blawnox eye police consolidation
O’Hara and Blawnox residents likely will be protected by one police department beginning in the new year. Councils from both municipalities have reached a tentative agreement to consolidate departments, saying they are “looking forward to the combination.” An announcement was posted Thursday to the O’Hara website. Township Manager Julie Jakubec...
At least 1 injured in 2-vehicle crash in New Kensington
At least one person was taken by helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital Friday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash in New Kensington. The crash happened around noon. A Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said emergency crews responded to the area of Industrial Boulevard and Eighth Street. A road closure was in effect...
Highlands proposes dress code, class time changes for some students
Changes in dress code, grading and class times could be coming to Highlands School District when students head back to class Aug. 27. Building principals have presented proposed 2024-25 handbooks that the school board will vote on during its next meeting at 7 p.m. Monday. The most significant changes include...
Burrell School District considers new internal communication system for emergencies, drills
Burrell School District officials are eyeing improvements to the district’s internal communication system for emergencies. The school board is considering a service agreement with Emergent 3 for technology software to handle internal communications among district staff during emergencies or drills. The contract would be for a three-year term. The first...
Police say Plum woman was drunk in O’Hara crash that killed Pittsburgh man, endangered her 7-month-old
Allegheny County Police say a Plum woman drove drunk, with her 7-month-old in the back seat, when she was involved in a crash in January that killed a 74-year-old man in O’Hara. Alyssa J. Galiano, 29, turned herself in Friday morning after an arrest warrant was issued. She faces felony...
The Stroller, Aug. 16, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your nonprofit’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. Casino Theatre plans auditions for holiday show The Casino Theatre in...
Indiana Township supervisors deny request that could have led to new gas wells and fracking
Plans for Cranberry-based MPF Management to have a portion of Indiana Township rezoned for potential oil and gas development were put to a halt by township supervisors. The board voted 4-1 Aug. 14 to deny advertising a public hearing on a request to change a 59-acre parcel along Route 910...
Allegheny Township enacts information policy after alleged removal of newspaper article from bulletin board
Township Manager Daniel Miller is now the arbiter of information in Allegheny Township. Supervisors agreed to put Miller in charge of what goes on the township’s bulletin board, outdoor electronic sign, website and other means of communication as one official, Supervisor Mike Korns, awaits his day in court. Korns is...
Verona increases police pay rate in effort to attract new officers
As part of a continuing retention and recruitment effort, police officers in Verona soon will be making more money than ever before. Verona Council voted Tuesday, Aug. 13 to raise the pay rate by 15% for all of the department’s current and future police officers. The borough is looking to...
Plum School Board approves finance team for first step of $30M borrowing for building project
The Plum School District has flexibility as it begins a three-step process to borrow $30 million for a building project. The school board last week authorized district administration to work with financial advisers, bond counsel, an underwriter and the district’s solicitor to prepare for borrowing nearly $10 million for the...
Plum approves new contract with police chief, promotes 2 officers
Plum police Chief Lanny Conley has a new five-year contract and two newly promoted officers to go along with it. Council approved the contract and promotions at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 12. Conley’s current salary is $154,628. The contact includes 3.5% annual raises with the first effective in January....
Deer Lakes Park, Burrell Lake Park dealing with lake water issues; officials eye treatment plans
The lower lakes at Deer Lakes Park are “virtually unfishable,” said Tom Fitzgerald, a longtime fisherman and East Deer resident. Fitzgerald walks the park nearly every day and notes three glaring issues with the ponds: overgrowth, algae and lily pads out of control. “There are parts where it looks like...
Vance criticizes Biden, Walz during visit to Lower Burrell VFW
Vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance used his speech to an invitation-only crowd at Lower Burrell’s VFW post to criticize President Joe Biden’s administration for its withdrawal from Afghanistan. “We lost 13 brave service members we didn’t need to lose,” said Vance, flanked by Republican lawmakers, most of whom also are...
Highlands’ tennis team preps for all-away season while courts are renovated
The girls tennis team at Highlands School District will be serving up their skills away from their home court this season while the district completes a $1 million capital project. Court resurfacing and a revamped track at the nearby middle school are included in the work. “Crews will come Monday...
The Stroller, Aug. 15, 2024: 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. Professional wrestling event to benefit Citizens Hose/EMS/Rescue Citizens Hose Fire, EMS...
Fox Chapel Area School District to welcome students Aug. 22
Fox Chapel Area School District officials are preparing to welcome students for the start of the 2024-25 school year. First day of classes is scheduled for Aug. 22. Teachers reported to work and had staff meetings with administrators Aug. 14. Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac said there is a lot of...
Defense contends biased probe led to arrest in New Kensington boy’s death
Lawyers for Brackenridge man facing a potential death penalty if he is convicted of killing of his 9-year-old son contend the investigation that led to his arrest in 2022 was the product of biased prosecutors and based on insufficient evidence. Jean J. Charles, 44, is awaiting trial on charges of...
Highlands School District considering tax appeal settlement with the Highlands Mall
The Highlands School District could reap a tax windfall of $28,000 if the board accepts an assessment appeal settlement proposal from the owners of the Highlands Mall, the 15-store shopping plaza off of Freeport Road. The district also would earn more tax income each year going forward. The Highlands Mall...


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