Valley News Dispatch category, Page 7
For many, Thanksgiving is about more than the food
This Thanksgiving, siblings Garry Wiles and Jamie Long got together to share more than just a meal. They honored their father, a Vietnam veteran, by keeping alive a five-year long tradition of sharing Thanksgiving dinner at the American Legion in Lower Burrell. “Our dad is a member here. He’s in...
Highlands to open pool for adult swim programs
The public will be able to enjoy the new $2 million pool at Highlands High School through a free, open swim program for adults. District officials plan to open the program as soon as January for people 18 and older to swim laps, engage in self-paced water aerobics or just...
The Stroller, Nov. 27, 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. Count your blessings this...
Firefighters battle blaze, hoarding at New Kensington home
Fire crews spent about three hours Wednesday battling a blaze at a home in the 40 Acres neighborhood of New Kensington that had heavy hoarding conditions, according to city Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. Volunteer fire departments from numerous Alle-Kiski Valley towns — including New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell, Plum...
Former Arnold police chief Eric Doutt waives hearing regarding drug charges in Armstrong County
Eric Doutt, a former Arnold police chief, is awaiting another court date after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Armstrong County on several felony charges. Doutt, 56, of Arnold was arrested Nov. 13 in connection with a drug investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office. He was...
Leechburg Area among 4 districts suing state’s largest cyber school for tuition costs
Leechburg Area is among four school districts that have filed a lawsuit against the state’s largest cyber charter school asking that tuition be dropped for local students. The suit claims Commonwealth Charter Academy, as well as the state Department of Education through lack of sufficient oversight, fails to provide students...
Paving project bumps New Kensington budget to $12.4M; taxes hold steady
Property taxes will not change under New Kensington’s $12.4 million budget for next year. Council this week approved the city’s budget in a 4-0 vote, with Todd Mentecki absent, said City Clerk John Zavadak. The property tax remains at 32.02 mills. A property assessed at the city’s median value of...
The Stroller, Nov. 26, 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. Opportunities available to help...
Grassroots efforts grow to help families in need
Amy Bocceri is no stranger to helping others. During the covid-19 pandemic, she helped deliver meals to local students who couldn’t attend school in-person. Now, she’s part of a growing trend of grassroots efforts that emerged across the region this year — not only for help with the holidays, but...
Springdale data center developers hopeful ahead of vote, close on property with Charah
Brian Regli, a consultant for the company seeking to construct a large data center in Springdale, says he’s optimistic the project will be approved by borough council next month. Land developer Allegheny DC Property Co. wrapped up its testimony during a five-hour meeting Monday night. That came a week after...
Tax rate would hold steady in West Deer under proposed budget
There is no tax increase projected in West Deer’s 2026 proposed budget. With expected revenues and expenditures balanced at almost $9.8 million, millage is projected to stay at 2.90 mills. Homeowners with the median assessed property value of $122,000 would continue to pay about $354 on their property tax bill....
Leechburg Area School Board race flips after official votes are certified
After general election votes were certified Monday, Leechburg Area School District saw one race for a four-year board seat flip. Rather than losing a spot by 10 votes, which unofficial results showed on election night, Neill Brady received six more votes than newcomer Janie Borsh Symons to secure a four-year...
Pittsburgh Brewing Company to host 3rd annual Light Up Night
The Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is expecting 1,500 people to attend its sold-out third annual Light Up Night in East Deer. Despite the large number, the Pittsburgh Brewing team said it’s around the same amount of attendees as last year’s celebration and they’re prepared for the crowd. “We do much more...
Principal to leave Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary for another position elsewhere
Amy Lenart, a principal at Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary School, will be leaving the school in January for another leadership role outside the district. School directors this month accepted Lenart’s resignation, effective Jan. 15. Lenart has worked for Burrell for 23 years in both teaching and administrative roles, said Superintendent...
The Stroller, Nov. 25, 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. Vandergrift holiday events to...
Springdale Council mulls data center before vote; opposing counsel backs out of process
It’s now up to Springdale Council to make a decision on a massive proposed data center at the site of the former Cheswick Generating Station. After months of meetings and questions, developers wrapped up their formal testimony before council late Monday night. Springdale Solicitor Craig Alexander said he expects a...
Christmas in Guyasuta features twinkling hike, zipline under the lights
A twinkling luminary hike is among the newest features at Christmas in Guyasuta, a holiday kickoff for all ages. The longstanding event is a winter-themed festivity hosted at Camp Guyasuta, accessed off 23rd Street in Sharpsburg. The wooded campus owned by Scouting America is glowing with thousands of lights –...
Fawn nearing 3 decades with no tax increase
It’s been 27 years since Fawn property owners have seen a property tax increase, and that streak is likely to be extended. The township supervisors have proposed a $1.8 million preliminary budget that holds the tax rate steady at 3.04 mills. If approved, the owner of a home with the...
Charges held against former Arnold police chief Eric Doutt
Former Arnold police Chief Eric Doutt on Monday was ordered to stand trial on theft, receiving stolen property, obstruction and drug-related charges after a search of his home allegedly turned up cocaine and items reported missing from the city’s police department. Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak held for court...
Arnold man will stand trial for mother’s fatal stabbing
An Arnold man will find out next month when he will stand trial for the stabbing death of his mother outside her home in August 2024. Brian J. Rebold, 39, has been in jail since he was charged with criminal homicide and first-degree murder Aug. 4 in connection with the...
Tarentum lands $200,000 federal grant for water plant upgrades
An effort by Tarentum to upgrade its failing water system has gotten a boost. The borough was awarded $200,000 in federal grants for upgrades to the water treatment plant and pump house, much of which is nearly 100 years old and considered a maintenance nightmare. “This project is another major...
Springdale council to hear more testimony about data center
More expert testimony is expected tonight as Springdale council decides the fate of a proposed data center in the borough. Springdale’s three-person planning commission unanimously offered a recommendation for borough council to approve the project at it Nov. 17 meeting. Council will consider the proposal at its 5:30 p.m. hearing...
Preliminary budget shows flat tax rate in Plum for 2nd straight year
Plum residents can expect much of the same in 2026 if borough council passes a preliminary budget with no tax increases next month. The budget keeps the millage rate for residents at 6.63 mills for the second year in a row. That means the annual borough property tax bill on...
Downtown New Kensington business event slated Saturday: ‘We have to support local’
Downtown New Kensington business leaders are hoping they can get a boost Saturday when people begin their holiday shopping. The fifth annual Shop Small Crawl will take place in Downtown New Kensington from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Residents want a downtown they can visit,” said Michelle Thom, event organizer...
The Stroller, Nov. 24, 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. Toy drive to benefit...
