Valley News Dispatch category, Page 37
‘A celebration of who they are’: Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games readies for 4th year
Brian Novak says forming meaningful relationships and getting excited about things can be difficult for his 16-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is moderately autistic. But the Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games in Lower Burrell is something Sydney gets excited about days before and after the event. “Those are memories I have I never...
Though questions remain, local officials back proposed Springdale data center
After a planning commission meeting earlier this month offered the first glimpse of a massive proposed data center in Springdale, many local officials say they like what they see. Preliminary plans presented by Brian Regli, a consultant for developer Allegheny DC Property Co., include two large structures — a 565,000-square-foot...
Spartaco Club ex-president released on bond, hearing on theft charges scheduled in New Kensington
The former president of the Spartaco Sporting Club in New Kensington turned himself in to a New Kensington district court Thursday to face charges of theft and illegally taking ownership of the club. Phil DiLucente, an attorney representing Glenn Hofer, 82 of O’Hara, said Hofer turned himself in at District...
The Village at Pittsburgh Mills sues mall owners over road conditions
Owners of The Village at Pittsburgh Mills are suing the owners of the beleaguered Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer, alleging they have failed to maintain the roads there despite being contractually obligated to do so. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, asks the court to...
Pittsburgh Mills owners ordered to pay millions more for poor road, sidewalk, building conditions
Legal woes continue to mount for the owners of the Pittsburgh Mills mall after they were found guilty of another 364 code violations Thursday. District Judge Michael Girardi handed down fines of differing amounts depending on the individual violations during a hearing for the four limited liability companies that, together,...
266 acres added to State Game Lands in Indiana Township
A new 266-acre plot in Indiana Township is set to join State Game Lands 203. The property, located directly adjacent to Emmerling Community Park, hosts about 1 mile of the Rachel Carson Trail near Deer Creek. Initially acquired by the Allegheny Land Trust in March, the plot expands Game Lands...
Road restrictions to be in effect during Tarentum paving program
Motorists who drive through Tarentum can expect temporary restrictions on some streets in September, when the borough kicks off its paving program. Milling and paving is scheduled for the following roads: • Summit Street from 10th Avenue to 8th Avenue • Fentzell Alley from Roup Street to 8th Avenue •...
Verona’s Battle in the Borough wrestling event held before record crowd for final installmentVideo
Cribbs Field in Verona will never be the same. The recreation site at the corner of Second and South avenues was packed with close to 400 people, including local first responders and nonprofit officials, for the last Keystone State Wrestling Alliance show. Battle in the Borough 7 set records on...
Allegheny Valley School Board divided over students’ cellphone use in schools
Allegheny Valley School Board members haven’t come to a consensus on students’ cellphone access and use in district schools. A debate came Tuesday night after Superintendent Patrick Graczyk recommended the district continue its current policy this school year, which allows cellphones to be used in areas like the hallway or...
Oakmont officials ratify agreement with local union
Oakmont Council ratified a collective bargaining agreement between the borough and the union representing the Oakmont Street Department and Wastewater Treatment Plant employees Tuesday night. The four-year agreement with Teamsters Union 249 includes a 3% increase in pay each year until the fourth year which stipulates a 3.5% increase. Some...
2-week timeline given for new Braeview Park playground in Lower Burrell
Residents in Lower Burrell’s Braeburn Heights neighborhood will welcome a new playground soon, as new equipment was delivered Wednesday at Braeview Park. “They said, once it was dropped off, it would be two weeks for installation,” said City Manager Greg Primm. “Once the installation is complete, there will be some...
New ambulance, e-bikes acquired by Foxwall EMS
Foxwall EMS recently obtained a new ambulance and e-bikes designed to better serve patients and reduce EMT and paramedic fatigue. EMS Chief Ben Shopland said the ambulance, identified as Medic 142, was licensed as an Advanced Life Support ambulance on July 15 and is fully equipped for 911 responses. However,...
The Stroller, Aug. 21, 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. Community fair to feature...
Springdale enacts new public comment policy ahead of 2nd data center meeting
Springdale Council has passed a public comment policy that sets new rules for potential speakers at borough meetings. The policy allows only residents and taxpayers of Springdale to take the podium. Each speaker also now has a three-minute time limit during comment periods at the beginning and end of meetings....
Harrison to select new commissioner from among 5 applicants
Five residents have applied to fill the vacant Harrison Commissioners position, officials said. The board is expected to narrow the field and nominate a new member during a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday. The open seat was created earlier this summer when longtime member Chuck Dizard resigned. There are about...
Verona officials name interim borough manager
Verona leaders have selected a familiar face to serve as interim borough manager until they can find a full-time replacement for Stefanie Woolford, who announced her resignation in July. Jason Dailey took over the position after Woolford’s departure Aug. 8. He said he’ll be in the borough office two to...
Plum students head back to the classroom
Students in Plum School District returned to the classroom on Wednesday for the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. Several pupils at Pivik Elementary School, which hosts kindergarteners through fourth graders, sprinted off the bus in anticipation. Over the summer, the district began planned improvements at Plum Middle School and...
New name, new vibe on tap for Harrison’s Anchor Inn
A pair of well-known restaurateurs are setting their sights on Harrison, seeking to revive the popular Anchor Inn that closed in May. Corey Pistininzi and Sean Watson, owners of BotL in New Kensington and National Public House in Leechburg, purchased the building and are wading through details for a new...
Teachers, substitutes, coaches appointed in Burrell
Burrell School Board made a bevy of personnel moves this week as it gears up for the first day of school Sept. 2. Hirings include Vanessa Bauer, a middle school math teacher who will be paid $63,979; and Kayla Farrah, a high school nurse to be paid $48,447. Nicholas Klukaszewski...
Lower Burrell Council OK’s vehicle sales, purchase
Lower Burrell Council has approved the sale of three used vehicles and the purchase of a new one. Two of the vehicles are police vehicles that brought in a total of $15,100. Both are Ford Explorer Police Interceptor models, 2017 and 2020. The winning bid of the 2020 Interceptor, submitted...
Former head of New Kensington’s Spartaco club charged with stealing cash, property deed
The former president of the Spartaco Sporting Club is facing charges after, New Kensington police say, he stole assets from the organization to settle a debt he believes he’s owed. Glenn Hofer, 82, of New Kensington was charged Tuesday with theft, burglary, forgery and tampering with a public record. Hofer...
Pittsburgh Mills citations appealed, headed to court in September
Frazer will be waiting a bit longer to see if it gets any of the $1.8 million in fines levied against the owners of the Pittsburgh Mills mall. The Mills’ owner, Namdar Realty Group, is appealing the citations. District Judge Michael Girardi handed down the penalties during a July 17...
The Stroller, Aug. 20, 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. Monthly Fridays on Fifth...
Fox Chapel Area School District’s Hartwood Elementary students’ 1st day of school delayed
Fox Chapel Area School District students were expected to report to their first day of school Thursday. However, district officials said an HVAC project has delayed opening day at Hartwood Elementary School. Its first day of classes is now Aug. 26. No remote learning will occur at Hartwood this week....
$8M Burrell High School heating and cooling project awarded; Bon Air work on hold
Burrell School District officials are moving forward with a roughly $8 million heating and cooling project for Burrell High School but will go back to the drawing board for a similar project at Bon Air Elementary. The contract for the HVAC improvements at Burrell High School, awarded Tuesday by the...
