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Valley News Dispatch category, Page 97

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Burrell eyes closure of Stewart Elementary School
Fewer students and an aging building could spell the end for Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell. Burrell School District directors scheduled a public hearing for next month on permanently closing the school that sits on prime real estate along Leechburg Road in the heart of the city. A public...
Longtime Alle-Kiski Valley pediatrician remembered as devoted ‘country doctor’
Dr. Charles Ashe is a familiar name for many Alle-Kiski Valley natives — he may even have been one of the first people they ever met. For about 40 years, Ashe worked as a private practice doctor and, later, as an Allegheny Valley Hospital pediatrician. He was willing to drop...
New Kensington-Arnold includes 1.5% property tax increase in proposed budget
A small property tax increase will help to keep the New Kensington-Arnold School District moving in the right direction, according to board President Tim Beckes. The school board voted 8-0 Tuesday night to approve the district’s $46.2 million proposed final budget for 2024-25. Board member Terry Schrock was absent. It...
Free Staycation event promotes history and exploration in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Travel can be expensive and, with the Alle-Kiski Valley’s rich history, area residents have plenty of options this summer to enjoy “staycations.” The Allegheny-Kiski Historical Society and Heritage Museum in Tarentum aims to make that easier by laying out the options this weekend at a free event. “Our history can’t...
Lower Burrell to participate in blight study
After passing on the opportunity a few months ago, Lower Burrell officials will participate in a blight inventory study. Council on Monday entered into an agreement with Westmoreland County to participate in the study on behalf of the Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council Cooperation Group. The cost for the program is $14,180,...
Jodi Klebick takes reins at Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization
The new executive director of the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization is hoping to continue more than a decade of work in the nonprofit sector, this time helping to improve the quality of life in the quaint river town. Jodi Klebick will take the reins of the group, founded in 2014 with...
Drones give Harmar elementary students glimpse at future job skills
Rikki Haas and Elizabeth Pribanic were at school Tuesday but had their eyes in the skies. The duo — as calm and as focused as could be — were operating drones outside the gymnasium of Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar after school. The 11-year-olds were able to maneuver their drones...
PennDOT set to start roundabout-related work in Mt. Pleasant, Allegheny townships
PennDOT officials announced the following road work and related closures: • A portion of Hecla Road between Aster Road and Mt. Pleasant Road will closed beginning May 13, as work crews complete the new Route 981 and Hecla Road approach to the roundabout. The work is part of the $55.2...
The Stroller, May 8, 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. Free fishing derby scheduled by Concordia Lutheran Ministries Concordia Lutheran Ministries...
New Kensington man charged in high-speed turnpike chase in Somerset County
A New Kensington man was among three people arrested by state police Monday after leading them on a high-speed chase in Somerset County that at one point reached up to and over 120 mph. Pharoah Sewell, 20, of New Ken­sington was charged along with Davontae Trevon Clayton, 19, of Belle...
Questions about crime, remodeling plans delay New Kensington vote on Valero liquor license
Pepsi Gamble fears alcohol sales at the Valero gas station in New Kensington could lead to trouble. Speaking during a public hearing Monday on a liquor license transfer for the store at Seventh Street and Constitution Boulevard, Gamble cited “the amount of not civil society” she sees in the area...
Blawnox War Memorial upgraded with new bricks to honor veterans
New military veteran bricks have been added to the War Memorial in Blawnox in time for the borough’s Memorial Day parade and service. The bricks have the name of a soldier, military branch, service years and, if space allowed, commendations such as a Purple Heart and other medals. About 30...
Burrell High School senior prepares her 2nd 5K for mental health awareness
A Burrell High School senior is hoping to capitalize on the success of an event last fall that boosted not only people’s mental health, but their physical well-being as well. Grace Nesko, 18, will be hosting a 5K wellness run and walk June 1 at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial...
New Kensington gift shop, Ethical Hope, seeks to make a difference around the world
Each of the items for sale in Meredith Hedeen’s New Kensington gift shop has a story behind it. They come from all over the world: hand-painted ceramics made in home studios in San Juan de Oriente, a town in Nicaragua; hand-sewn goods made by a seamstress at a cooperative workshop...
The Stroller, May 7, 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. Open house Wednesday at Apollo library First-timers and regular patrons alike...
National Geographic author inspires Acmetonia students to explore nature in their own backyards
Science writer Jason Bittel knows that talking about exotic animals or adventure-seeking experiences to a group of fourth grade students can elicit amazement. But Bittel’s message to students at Acmetonia Elementary School on Monday was that taking in your own surroundings — even if just in the Alle-Kiski Valley —...
New Kensington cook wins Democratic primary to run for state House seat
Nearly 9,200 write-in votes were cast by Westmoreland County voters in last month’s Democratic and Republican primaries. Election Bureau Director Greg McCloskey said the county elections board is expected to issue a preliminary certification of results on Tuesday. Those results will include a victory for one candidate who did not...
Explosion rocks Tarentum; no injuries reported
An explosion at a scrap recycling business rocked Tarentum early Monday afternoon, shaking homes across the borough and sending people scrambling for answers. Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said police responded at about 1 p.m. to P.J. Greco and Sons in borough’s West Tarentum section, where they were told a gas...
Plans for Harrison Aldi, twice-delayed, appear uncertain
Plans for an Aldi grocery store in Harrison appear to be up in the air, following a two-year construction delay. J.R. Perry, Aldi divisional vice president, said previously that work would start this year for the proposed store at 4024 Freeport Road, on the property formerly occupied by Harbison Nursery....
The Stroller, May 6, 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. AVH Auxiliary plans Mother’s Day plant sale Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from April 25-May 1, 2024
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, the Tribune-Review’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate,...
Building the Valley: Simply Sisters Bakery making Vandergrift a little sweeter
When they were growing up, sisters Karen Johnston and Paula Cunningham would bake cookies in their Easy Bake Oven. In November, after getting family members hooked on their cookie trays, they bought a shoebox space in Vandergrift and went after their dream. Simply Sisters Bakery opened on April 3. Each...
Faces of the Valley: Harrison’s Diane Umile connects children with music through Pete’s Heartstrings charity
A passion for music runs in Diane Umile’s family. The Harrison resident has orchestrated a way to stoke that passion for others through a new nonprofit, Pete’s Heartstrings. Run from her home along McWilliams Drive in the Birdville section of the township, Umile’s efforts provide musical instruments to people in...
The Stroller, May 5, 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. Hard-to-recycle event scheduled at Pittsburgh Mills The Pennsylvania Resources Council will...
Helping hands: Donations exceed $875,000 for those affected by Plum house explosion
Rafal Kolankowski and his family have felt the full embrace of the Plum community since August — some of it in the form of bracelets, lemonade and yard signs. The Kolankowskis are among about a dozen families whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged when a nearby house exploded in...


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