New Kensington News

1510, or via e-mail. Butter-cream-filled lady locks, "leaf defier" gutters and a 1,600-square-foot, fully furnished, modular home are among the attractions at the 10th annual StrongLand Chamber of Commerce HomeXpo at the Pittsburgh Mills.

On the "Watch List": New Kensington city government. So far, Mayor Tom Guzzo and members of city council are saying the right things regarding the possible sale of the water authority to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.

The board members who were most vocal about the issue on Wednesday said they favor offering students a choice between the full-day program at Lenape Technical School in Manor Township and the half-day program at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington.

Liz Hayes is a Valley News Dispatch staff writer and can be reached at 724-226-4680 or via e-mail. New Kensington officials hope careful consideration of a purchase offer for the city's water authority and involvement of the authority's board members will prevent the extended drama that surrounded sale deliberations seven years ago.

The Municipal Authority of New Kensington has about 15,000 customers in Allegheny Township, Arnold, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, Plum, Upper Burrell and Washington Township.

Liz Hayes is a Valley News Dispatch staff writer and can be reached at 724-226-4680 or via e-mail. City council on Tuesday agreed to condemn a fire-damaged Victoria Avenue house and indicated their support of the city's redevelopment authority taking over a former nuisance bar on Locust Street.

In just three days, audiences can head to theaters to see the re-release of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 3-D. Regardless of how you feel about the much-maligned prequel, there's no denying the Star Wars franchise made more than an impression on millions of moviegoers who experienced the magic of the first three films in theaters or on ... (more)

The carjacking happened in the 600 block of Fifth Avenue about 4:20 p.m., Detective Sgt.

Westbound Route 30 on the Wrights Ferry Bridge over the Susquehanna River between York and Lancaster Counties will be reduced to one lane on Thursday, February 9, so that the contractor can repair potholes in the right "travel" lane to improve safety for motorists driving over the bridge.

Train questions: There are lots of rosy projections about how a proposed $380 million commuter train line between the Alle-Kiski Valley and downtown Pittsburgh would cover its costs.

Motorists should prepare themselves for starts and stops while driving Interstate 79 over the next week.

Activities: "Lunch with Us," 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays; fellowship, Bible study and prayer, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays; "Love Bear Kids' Night," 7 p.m. Fridays; concerts, 7:30 p.m. three Saturdays a month, alternated with friends and family game night or an open stage on one Saturday; movie night, 7 p.m. one Thursday monthly; "specific needs" prayer ... (more)

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Valley News Dispatch staff writer and can be reached at 724-226-4701 or via e-mail. A near capacity crowd in New Kensington's Valley High School gymnasium provided a roaring, flag-waving reception, along with warm hugs, passionate kisses and the gentle nuzzles of babies.

More than 100 members of the New Kensington-based 307th Military Police Company were welcomed home with an event at Valley High School this afternoon.

Family and friends gathered at Valley High School in New Kensington Saturday afternoon to welcome home members of the 307th Army Reserve Unit.

The city water authority has started seeking construction bids for this summer's Donnell Road waterline replacement project in Lower Burrell.

On-pack label manufacturer Yerecic Label Co. is one of only 15 employers nationwide to receive the U.S. Department of Defense's highest honor for demonstrating exceptional support for National Guard and Reserve employees in 2010.

A big welcome is planned on Saturday when members of the 307th MP Company, based in New Kensington, return home from a yearlong tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Too many cooks can help make a great cookbook as proven by the recently published recipe collection by Adat Shalom called "What Can I Bring?" Members of the Sisterhood of the Indiana Township synagogue heated up their efforts to get the book out for Hanukkah.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 724-850-2860 or via e-mail. Upstart state Rep.