Valley News Dispatch category, Page 640
Lower Burrell long-time detective retiring; two new full-time officers hired
Lower Burrell has hired two new police officers to increase the size of the force to 17 full-time officers, according to Chief Tim Weitzel. Daniel Rote of Lower Burrell started in September, while Steven Guelich of Manor started this month. The starting salary for both patrolmen is $58,039. The city...
Asbestos testing delays prompt New Kensington to adjust demolition plans
New Kensington is focusing on tearing down residential buildings this year because asbestos testing on a couple of commercial properties is taking longer than expected, according to city officials. The commercial properties removed from this year’s demolition list include the former Funzi’s Cafe at 1301 Taylor Ave. and the former...
Burrell High School students taught how to stop life-threatening bleedingVideo
Burrell High School students were likely among the first students in Westmoreland County to get training on how to stop life-threatening bleeding, said Dr. William Jenkins, director of emergency services at Excela Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. Burrell’s high school juniors and seniors were trained Monday as part of the...
Harmar figure skating coach trains students from across the countryVideo
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. Barbara Gahagen isn’t just a figure skating coach. She’s...
‘Faith & Gratitude’ offers cancer patients empowerment, guidanceVideo
When Lori Ball was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before Christmas 2015, it rocked her and her family’s world. The North Huntingdon resident recalls preparing herself to do battle with her illness, and anticipating a hospital team providing a “holistic approach.” Following surgery, and throughout 18 weeks of chemotherapy, Ball,...
Apollo couple sentenced to probation, restitution for stealing government funds
An Apollo couple was sentenced in federal court to three years’ probation for stealing government funds. Tara Jo Frain, 34, and Danny Ray Alexander, 46, also were ordered to pay about $25,160 in restitution for their theft conviction. The two were married in May 2012, and had been receiving supplemental...
Arnold man to serve up to 6 years on drug, gun charges
An Arnold man pleaded guilty Monday in Westmoreland County Court to drug and gun charges resulting from an arrest two years ago. Police said that on Sept. 8, 2017, while attempting to arrest Travis James Lasko Jr. on a parole revocation warrant, they found drugs, cash and an unlicensed firearm...
2 dogs rescued from Vandergrift home are being nursed to healthVideo
A 2-year-old female pit bull likely jumped out of a second-story window of a vacant Vandergrift house Sunday night because she was hungry and thirsty, borough police said. Tipped by a phone call about a dog running loose in the Emerson Street area, officers on Sunday called a rescue shelter...
4 candidates look to fill empty supervisor seat in Kiski Township
A woman has never served on Kiski Township’s Board of Supervisors since the township incorporated 188 years ago. That could change Wednesday if the board appoints one of two women seeking to finish out the term of Jack Wilmot, who stepped down last month. Two men also are seeking appointment...
Billboard company, Tarentum at odds over sign sought near Tarentum Bridge
A company that wants to put a billboard at Tarentum’s end of the Tarentum Bridge is arguing in court that the borough’s zoning ordinance does not allow them anywhere in the borough. The borough says this isn’t true, claiming where billboards are permitted is clearly identified despite errors in its...
Freeport Area nixes idea of student activity fees
Freeport Area School Board shelved discussion of imposing fees of up to $75 for students participating in extracurricular activities. The administration examined charging students $50 for each extracurricular activity, including sports, or $75 for participation in unlimited activities. The fees would apply primarily to the district’s more than 1,000 secondary...
Volunteers sought to plant 54 trees in Harrison
Volunteers are being sought to help plant trees in Harrison on Saturday, Nov. 9. About 75 volunteers will be needed that morning to plant 54 trees, obtained with an award from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and TreeVitalize, township Commissioner Chuck Dizard said. “Not many communities outside of the city of...
Leechburg’s CoCo Coffeehouse celebrates 8 years of businessVideo
Leechburg’s sole coffeehouse celebrates its eighth anniversary this month. CoCo Coffeehouse, located at 163 Market St., offers more than beans and brews — a goal of homemaker-turned-barista/owner Nikki Saxion. The bright and cozy cafe occupies an historic building and offers a casual hangout complete with exposed brick, antique tin ceiling,...
Tarentum children’s author shares writing gift, family inspirations with the worldVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. Tarentum resident Cheryl Norris puts pen to paper immortalizing life experiences and family inspirations. “There are stories to be told,” said Norris, a 1974 Highlands High School graduate. “There are...
Now that this year’s to-do list is done, Brackenridge looks toward 2020 projects
Now that Brackenridge’s public works projects for this year are completed, borough officials are looking at next year’s wish list. The borough hopes to get $25,000 from the federal Community Development Block Grant Fund to install handicapped sidewalk ramps at various intersections. Brackenridge also is seeking $60,000 for demolishing abandoned...
Freeport Council says borough can’t force drilling company to pave road
Freeport Council members told a property owner last week it’s not in their purview to enforce a zoning board decision requiring a drilling company to pave a road. Property owner Mike Graff brought council a complaint about dirt and dust created by vehicles using Mill Street to get to a...
Why grow 1,000-pound pumpkins? Allegheny Township man says ‘it’s fun and nutty’Video
Moving an estimated 1,000-pound pumpkin from the Reiter pumpkin patch in Allegheny Township is a precise process. Justin Reiter, 39, has a custom pumpkin harness, iron-lifting ring and custom wooden tripod outfitted with chain winch to prove it. He needs the peculiar tools of the trade, along with plenty of...
Sprankle’s Octoberfest draws crowds to Leechburg areaVideo
Beer and cheers were on tap Saturday at Sprankle’s inaugural Octoberfest festival held at Lingrow Farm in Gilpin. Inspired by Munich’s famous Oktoberfest beer festival, Sprankle’s Markets put their own American twist on their celebration with a modified spelling, “Octoberfest.” The event continues until 10 p.m. “Everyone had a great...
Arnold man faces heroin charge after traffic stop in Armstrong County
An Arnold man has been jailed after allegedly being caught at a traffic stop with 38 bags of heroin, state police said. Andre Johnson, 37, was charged with drug possession and conspiracy, both felonies. State police arrested Johnson after pulling over his 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe on a traffic stop at...
Athletic directors work behind the scenes to make gamedays go smoothly
Drew Karpen can’t complain about how Friday night football games have gone so far this year. The first-year Highlands athletic director’s biggest problem has been dealing with the overlap of teams and officials arriving at the school at the same time. That’s a small problem out of all the issues...
Harrison firm awarded Army Corps contract to help prevent flooding in Johnstown
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District awarded a $1.2 million contract to Green World Contracting Co. of Harrison to remove accumulated sediments and vegetation along the Stonycreek River in Cambria County. The project will allow for unimpeded water flow, which will reduce the risk of flooding. The work...
‘Boo Fest’ returning to Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park
Tarentum’s recreation board revamped the borough’s annual “Boo Fest” last year, and it turned out to be a delight for the hundreds who turned out for the event at Riverview Memorial Park. Instead of kids trick-or-treating from station to station in the park, or in the borough building in years...
Poetry project celebrates Pittsburgh’s public stairways
To Paola Corso, Pittsburgh’s iconic steps are more than concrete blocks piled on top of one another. They can take people places, connecting the past to the present and into the future. Made by immigrants and used by them, their children and others who will come after them, Corso wanted...
2 hurt in Oklahoma Borough crash
Two people were injured as a result of a two-vehicle crash in Oklahoma Borough on Friday evening. State Trooper John Corna said the driver of a gold Subaru Outback was attempting to leave the Oklahoma Inn and make a left onto Hancock Avenue around 5:30 p.m. when it collided with...
Defense for suspect accused of killing Brian Shaw wants background info withheld
A Westmoreland County judge ruled Friday that lawyers for the man facing a potential death penalty in connection with the 2017 fatal shooting of New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw must turn over to prosecutors a report detailing why his life should be spared should he be found guilty. Defense...
