Valley News Dispatch category, Page 55
Burrell School District mulls 3.8% tax hike to offset shrinking tax base, decreasing assessments
Burrell School District officials say a shrinking tax base and appeals that could lower property assessments are reasons they’re considering a 3.8% property tax hike. The increased taxes would support a budget the school board will consider Tuesday. The proposed budget totals about $37.7 million, said district Business Manager Jennifer...
Allegheny Valley Hospital opens Healing Garden, public wellness space
Rosemary Musolino said she couldn’t think of a more fitting project for Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison than the new outdoor respite garden. “It’s a beautiful design because it’s so welcoming,” said Musolino, an Allegheny Township resident and vice president of the hospital auxiliary. “It’s not only connected to our...
Man dies after jumping from Tarentum Bridge
A man who jumped from the Tarentum Bridge into the Allegheny River on Tuesday morning died before he could be taken to a hospital, according to paramedics at the scene. River rescue units were launched after the man apparently jumped from the bridge shortly after 11:30 a.m. Motorists had reported...
Federal money to benefit Arnold’s firefighters, parks, sewage system
Two of Arnold’s recreation sites are in line to get some improvements though the city’s latest Community Development Block Grant allocations. They are among seven projects likely to get funded from about $300,000 in federal cash. Katie Robson, a part-time financial clerk for the city, outlined the possible uses of...
Knead Cafe outreach model catches on in other states; pay-as-you-can network being created
Michael Phillips came upon Knead Community Cafe in New Kensington by accident. An Arnold native, he was visiting his hometown in the fall of 2023 and stumbled across Knead. The pay-what-you-can restaurant was closed, but owner Kevin Bode saw Phillips scoping out the place via his security cameras. Bode came...
The Stroller, June 17, 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. Plum Summerfest to feature...
A long goodbye: For U.S. Open crew, the show starts when the golf endsVideo
For Leighton Schwob, operations director for the U.S. Open, last week’s golf tournament technically could be considered a lull in his work schedule. Sure, there was overnight maintenance on the course and pedestrian pathways, and the rainy weather exacerbated things somewhat. But Schwob’s small army of staff, contractors and vendors...
Organizers hope Freeport’s 6th annual Pride celebration can be a low-key safe space for LGBTQ+ people
Pittsburgh’s boisterous Pride parade may soak up a lot of attention, but Freeport Pride Stroll and Festival is a chance for LGBTQ+ people in the Alle-Kiski Valley to feel supported in their own community, organizers say. “You don’t have to go to a big city to feel safe,” said Sidney...
Familiar face seeks return to Tarentum Council; unclear whether incumbent wants GOP nod
A familiar face could be returning to Tarentum Council. Two years after stepping down from local government, Carrie Fox has found herself in the political mix again. She secured the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Ward by write-in votes during the May primary election. “I do miss having a voice,”...
The Stroller, June 16, 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. Annual night race scheduled...
Better than a tie: Dads celebrate Father’s Day at U.S. OpenVideo
Every Father’s Day, Larry Piko plays a round of golf. Each year Piko’s wife, Valerie, and his sons, Larry Jr., 8, and William, 4, meet him at the 18th hole with signs and take him to lunch. “At this point, I don’t think it’s a surprise anymore, but we make...
From bruises to cardiac arrest, U.S. Open medical personnel care for fans
When a fan collapsed and entered cardiac arrest at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, Director of Operations for Plum EMS Brian Maloney said medical personnel at the tournament were prepared. A nearby police officer began chest compressions within seconds, and a physician arrived soon after. By the time medics loaded...
Despite mud and rain, U.S. Open fans say tournament ‘a dream come true’
Luca Fussaro, 14, came out of the U.S. Open with something to show for it. The Philadelphia native earned a new Apple Watch after sinking a 100-foot putt on his first try as part of a contest at Oakmont’s fan area. With his binoculars-clad father, Luca said, he had spent...
Harmar police use cameras to identify, find suspect in Freeport Road hit-and-run
Police used a variety of cameras to identify and find the driver of a car that did not stop after hitting and seriously injuring a pedestrian Thursday night on Freeport Road in Harmar. Harmar police charged Richard Yost Jr., 59, of McCandless on Friday with accidents involving death or personal...
Leechburg man seriously hurt in Route 28 crash in Tarentum
A Leechburg-area man suffered life-threatening injuries in a single-vehicle crash on Route 28 in Tarentum last week, according to state police in Kittanning. The crash happened just before 10 p.m. Wednesday at Exit 14, state police said in a release issued Saturday. According to state police, Barry G. Bernard, 41,...
Rev. Jennifer Gordon named pastor at Bethel United Methodist in Lower Burrell
The Rev. Jennifer Gordon has been appointed senior pastor at Bethel United Methodist Church in Lower Burrell. The Western Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church announced Thursday the commissioning of Gordon, 53, of Rural Valley. Her first official day at Bethel will be July 1. “It is an amazing...
The other side to farmers markets: A boost to local economies
Late spring and earlier summer are some of Jennifer Jackson’s favorite times of the year — the farmers markets are open. “I wait all year long for this to open,” said Jackson of Brackenridge as she relaxed recently at Lower Burrell’s market. “I go to all of them.” In addition...
Here’s where to find farmers markets in the region
Hampton Farmers Market When: Wednesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., June 4- Oct. 8 (no July 2) Where: 3101 McCully Road, Allison Park Monroeville Lions Farmers Market When: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, May 10- Nov. 22 Where: 501 Mall Circle Drive, Monroeville Ross Township Farmers Market When: Wednesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., May-October Where:...
The Stroller, June 15, 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. Children’s programs planned by...
U.S. Open’s economic impact in Oakmont, Verona is minimal, businesses report
The borough of Oakmont has been running like a broken clock twice a day this week. Before and after U.S. Open competition started each day, traffic was at a standstill on Hulton Road as players and fans made their way to Oakmont Country Club. Aside from those times, however, Oakmont...
Ride-share drivers getting plenty of work on the streets of Oakmont
Heather Copenhaver’s first 24 hours as an Uber driver went pretty darn well. “I’m averaging about $32 per hour,” said the Fox Chapel resident. She was among hundreds — if not thousands — of ride-share drivers shuttling U.S. Open fans in and out of Oakmont throughout the week. “I started...
The Stroller, June 14, 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. Raffle to benefit Veterans...
West Leechburg siblings navigate twists and turns of the balloon art business
Harper and Cameron Grantz are the “Twist Tastic” siblings. Harper, 10, and Cameron, 11, use their affinity for art and design to create everything from dogs and monkeys to swords and hats using colorful balloons. They began their own business, Twist Tastic Duo, and completed their first event in May....
Fashion on the green: Spectators show their golf-inspired style at Oakmont
Golfers weren’t the only ones dressed for success on the links at Oakmont Country Club on Friday. Spectators displayed their fashion sense while walking outside the ropes among the thousands of fans during the second round of the U.S. Open championship. Allison Apke of Chicago was wearing a sweater with...
Jeannette couple doesn’t let U.S. Open put a divot in their wedding plans
Helena and Dylan Jesse will certainly have a story to tell about their wedding day. The couple from Jeannette didn’t allow the craziness of the hundreds of cars and thousands of people traveling along Hulton Road in Oakmont to stall their plans. They went ahead with getting married at 2...
