Brackenridge News

New works by Alle-Kiski Valley authors offer up a range of local history, self-help and fiction.

Tom Yerace can be reached via e-mail or at 724-226-4675. Each Fourth of July, passers-by are surprised and amused when Charles "Dean" Lawton's front yard literally sprouts patriotism.

A Pittsburgh man is accused of almost hitting six police officers while evading a sobriety checkpoint early Sunday, police allege.

Doug Gulasey can be reached via e-mail. Captains David and Pamela Rhodes have helped a number of area families in their five years as leaders of the Allegheny Valley Salvation Army.

Michael Aubele can be reached via e-mail or at 724-226-4673. When the upper echelon of smart people hold their annual convention in Pittsburgh this week, one of the members who will speak is Brackenridge resident Thomas Nehrer.

A man was sentenced to two to four years in a state prison Tuesday followed by five years probation for burglarizing businesses in Armstrong and Butler counties last year.

Doug Gulasey can be reached via e-mail. Brackenridge resident Regis Brucker Sr. remembers the clock tower at Grandview Elementary School in Tarentum from his days at now-gone Har-Brack High School in the 1950s.

Jun 10, 2009 9:44 pm US/Eastern Reporting Ralph Iannotti TARENTUM Loved ones of a woman found dead nearly two years ago are searching for answers.

Joe Napsha can be reached via e-mail or at 724-836-5252. Chinese trade authorities are investigating two companies with plants in Western Pennsylvania on charges they violated trade laws by selling steel at less than it costs to produce - the first such case against U.S. steel companies, experts say.

The Highlands Emergency Services Alliance still is pursuing the construction of a fire training center on the Highlands High School campus in Harrison to be used in conjunction with the school's firefighting course.

George Guido can be reached via e-mail or at 724-226-4689. There is a plan, in its early stages, to construct low-rise senior citizen housing in the center of Natrona.

The Allegheny County Health Department will issue daily river water advisories for the 2009 recreational boating season beginning today and continuing through September 30.

A grand jury has indicted a Downtown lawyer on child pornography charges, according to court records unsealed Friday.

Area police fanned out in Harrison Township early this morning in a round-up of suspected drug dealers.

The National Vacant Properties Campaign is sponsoring a conference, "Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Building Leadership to Restore Communities," June 1-3 in Louisville, Ky.

Rex Rutkoski can be reached via e-mail or at 724-226-4664. When the going gets tough, the tough embrace the power of prayer.

Add Allegheny Technologies Chairman, President and CEO L. Patrick Hassey to the list of business leaders who, like Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, see some green shoots emerging in the economy.

These local neighborhoods have the 10 highest residential vacancy rates in the Alle-Kiski Valley: * New Kensington Hill, 20.8% * Lower Arnold, 20.6% * Arnold hill, 20.2% * Downtown New Kensington and Parnassus, 18.9% * Vandergrift , 16.2% * Tarentum, 12% * Vandergrift , 11.3% * Brackenridge, 10.6% * Leechburg, 9.5% State high : Monessen, 26% ...

Brian C. Rittmeyer can be reached via e-mail or at 724-226-4701. For 50 years, Jay Jordan answered the call to serve.

When: 4-9 p.m. Monday . Author interviews, 5-8 p.m. Admission: $7 in advance; $8 at the door Details: 412-828-4877; www.mysterylovers.com Worth noting: The first 100 into the hall receive a bag of mystery books donated by publishers.