Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 58
Valley High students among volunteers planting trees in New Kensington
Volunteers turned out to plant trees in New Kensington on Tuesday, and they’ll be needed to plant more on Saturday. Students from Valley High School; members of the Pucketos Garden Club; and volunteers from Sunnyside, a medical marijuana dispensary, were among those who joined staff from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy...
Northeast bucks trend of falling gas prices on tight supply, analyst says
While the national average price of gasoline has come down for a third straight week, the Northeast, including the Pittsburgh region, is bucking the trend because of tight supply, an industry analyst said. The national average fell about 5 cents per gallon in the past week and was averaging $3.72...
Family’s food pantry grows into a nonprofit, moving to Arnold
More help for people in need is coming to Arnold. The Speed Family Blessing Box & Pantry is moving into the Arnold No. 2 Fire Company’s training and social center — its former bingo hall — on Fifth Avenue. In addition to food, they’ll have clothing, pet food, toiletries and...
Foundation planning private school in Arnold now pursuing charter status
A nonprofit foundation planning to open a middle school in Arnold in 2025 says it will apply for charter school status in the New Kensington-Arnold School District. The Teach from DeHart Foundation, which bought the former elementary school and most recently a halfway house on Fourth Avenue in March, previously...
Texas woman comes to New Kensington to take home dog she rescued, gave up
A Texas woman came to New Kensington on Friday to take home a stray dog that gave birth to 11 puppies two weeks after she took it into her home in June. While Sandy Hightower was OK with giving up the puppies, she realized she made a terrible mistake in...
Students learn of manufacturing opportunities at New Kensington’s Digital Foundry
Alexis Beard has an interest in engineering. A senior at Franklin Regional High School, she wants to create and design something that helps people. “My passion is bridges,” she said. Noah Kleckner, a senior at Burrell High School, wants to pursue mechanical engineering, unless someone can change his mind. “I...
Crash rips wheel from Audi parked on Fifth Avenue in Arnold
An Arnold resident is shopping for a new car at probably the worst possible time given the market after his Audi A7 was destroyed in a bizarre crash. Edward Jarnagin said he bought the large luxury car new in 2016. It was almost paid off, but now it is headed...
New Kensington family gets porch rebuilt through Habitat’s ‘Brush With Kindness’ campaign
Through Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity and with the help of volunteers from Lowe’s Home Improvement, a New Kensington family has a new porch on their home. The project to rebuild the front porch of Devon Schulz’s home started Friday and was expected to wrap up Wednesday, said John Tamiggi,...
Father ordered to stand trial on charges of strangling, murdering son in New Kensington
A man accused of killing his 9-year-old son earlier this year in New Kensington will stand trial. During a preliminary hearing Wednesday, District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. held Jean J. Charles, 40, of Brackenridge for trial on criminal homicide, first-degree murder, unlawful restraint, strangulation, concealing the death of a...
Lazarus Tomb founder Rosetta Lecocq hurt in crash heading home from reunion gathering
A founder of a Christian coffeehouse in Arnold was hurt in a crash on her way home from a gathering for its 50th anniversary Friday. Rosetta Lecocq, 85, remained at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh on Monday, where she was taken by ambulance after being in a one-vehicle crash on...
Longwood residents participate in planning, planting meadow at Plum retirement community
Nearly 30 residents of Longwood at Oakmont participated in creating a meadow on the grounds of the independent living community in Plum on Friday. The residents tilled soil, spread hay and planted wildflower seeds. The 5,000-square-foot meadow will provide wildlife habitat, improve water filtration, increase visual beauty and attract pollinators....
Arnold Oktoberfest continuing in memory of late fire Chief Keith Dziobak
Keith Dziobak was always interested in craft beer and had started brewing in the basement of his Arnold home. “It was a hobby he got into,” said his daughter, Tara Dziobak. “He liked going to different beer festivals, so he thought, ‘Why not bring the festival to us?’ ” His...
Pittsburgh, national gas prices continue seasonal decline
Average gas prices have come down for a second straight week, and many regions could see declines again this week, as a drop in demand is normally seen in the fall, an industry analyst said Monday. In the Pittsburgh area, average prices fell 3.5 cents per gallon in the past...
Community festivals, events increase exposure for local merchants
Mary Wilmes usually closes up her Greensburg gift shop, Penelope’s, at 5 p.m. But when there’s a Greensburg Night Market event, she is open until 9. It makes for a long day, but she says it’s worth it. “It’s been very, very good. It brings a lot of people to town,”...
Lost Dreams Awakening celebrates growth of space, expansion of services in New Kensington
A New Kensington-based recovery community center is celebrating the expansion and growth of its space and services. Lost Dreams Awakening more than doubled its space in the building the nonprofit has rented at 408 Eighth St. since its founding in 2014. It also has taken on its first paid employees...
50th anniversary of The Tomb celebrated with gathering in Arnold
Daniel Crenner was among the first to walk through the doors of The Tomb in Arnold on Friday evening for a gathering celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Christian coffeehouse. Crenner, 69, who had lived in Arnold and Washington Township, made the trip back from his home in Sugarcreek in...
Volunteers sought to plant trees in New Kensington
Volunteers are being sought to help plant trees in New Kensington on two dates in November. Trees are scheduled to be planted Nov. 1 at the new JFK playground on Fourth Avenue and in the median on Campbell Avenue, and Nov. 5 in Fairmont Park off Fairmont Drive. The plantings...
Trailer released for Pittsburgh-area filmed Tom Hanks movie ‘A Man Called Otto’Video
A trailer for the filmed-in-Pittsburgh Tom Hanks movie “A Man Called Otto” was released Thursday. The movie, filmed at numerous locations across the Pittsburgh region, will be released in New York and Los Angeles on Christmas and will go into wide release, including Pittsburgh, on Jan. 13, said Joe Fucci...
Arnold couple looks to Elevate their family, city with T-shirt printing business
An Arnold couple hopes to build their new business along with, and within, a rising city. Mark and Crystal Saxon founded their T-shirt printing business, Elevate Arnold, on a design by their 6-year-old daughter, Audrey, around Valentine’s Day this year. Audrey’s shirt, featuring a heart with the word “Love” within...
Plum school, police focusing on safety for National School Bus Safety Week
The Plum School District and borough police will be putting an extra focus on safety at bus stops this week as part of their observation of National School Bus Safety Week and Operation Safe Stop. Schools Superintendent Brendan Hyland and police Chief Lanny Conley visited a bus stop in the...
Gasoline prices turn lower as diesel, heating oil rise on low inventories
After rising sharply over the past few weeks, the national average price of gasoline has taken an abrupt, but expected, downturn while diesel prices have soared, an industry analyst said. The national average fell 5.4 cents per gallon in the past week and stands at $3.86, according to price-tracking service...
Events for kids, adults bringing Halloween early to New Kensington
Halloween is coming early to New Kensington, with events and activities for kids and grownups planned this weekend in the city. It starts with “Tricky Trek N Treat,” a new event, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. About 40 downtown businesses on Fourth and Fifth avenues will participate in a...
‘Start Up’ episode featuring New Kensington set for next monthVideo
A premiere has been set for the episode of a PBS series focusing on the revitalization of downtown New Kensington. The episode of “Start Up” will be shown at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Voodoo Brewery, 956 Fifth Ave. The show’s host, Gary Bredow, and his crew filmed the...
New Kensington-Arnold will evacuate students as part of drills at high school, kindergarten building
Evacuations will be included in safety drills at Valley High School and Martin Elementary School in New Kensington this week. District officials did not provide dates and times for when the drills will take place. The district is practicing lockdown and evacuation procedures as part of the state’s safe schools...
New Kensington police say Arnold woman dropped infant on head
New Kensington police arrested an Arnold woman after, they say, she admitted to dropping an infant on his head. Police charged Kendrianna Floree Neville, 27, with endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault and public drunkenness. According to a police affidavit, officers responded to the area of 11th...
