Our Kids
Overcoming The Odds
The word "cancer" has the power to instill terror in almost anyone. The thought of developing cancer is so surreal that when the deadly disease is diagnosed it is often difficult to believe that it is happening to you. As awful as it is to develop cancer as an adult, it is even more tragic when it affects a young child or teenager.

The Dedicated
A Dream For The Future
A lifelong resident of Vandergrift, Mayor Jack Jewart remembers a time when the town was literally booming. Vandergrift held countless opportunities for business as well as for residents in the area.

The Dedicated
A Man Full of Zeal
When I met John Pastorek, he described himself as the person who turns around in the elevator and talks to everybody else. After only a few minutes conversation, I realized how accurate his characterization was.

The Dedicated
Frank Glomb
Once you meet Frank Glomb it is easy to understand why he is so well liked within the community. His warm and caring personality are evident upon speaking with him.

The Dedicated
Rod Schafer
Rod Schafer dreamed of becoming an astronaut since he was twelve years old and participated in the Shuttle Program. He planned to go into the Air Force but an accident at the age of fifteen caused him to lose part of his hand.

The Dedicated
A Full And Satisfying Life
Taking trips to the food bank to drop off toys for needy children and assisting residents who can't pay their utility bills are just a couple of ways that Robert Camerlo has been able to contribute to his community. Robert, Chairman of the board at the Salvation Army, has been involved with the organization in some capacity for many years.

The Dedicated
The Service Of One Citizen Making A Difference
As the previous President and recently named Chairman of the Board of the Tri City Jaycees Thomas Sabol has a history of dedicated, selfless community service.

AK Educators
Highlands Principal - Mr. Thomas Shirey
If you grow up in a family that dedicates themselves to education, your chances are higher that you might end up being an educator yourself. That is exactly what happened to Thomas Shirey, Principal of Highlands High School. His parents were both teachers and later his father became a Superintendent.

AK Educators
Freeport Area Superintendent-Dr. Joseph P Malak
With 32 years in Freeport Area School District, Superintendent Joseph Malak has come to consider the school a family rather than an institution. He boasts about the dedicated staff of teachers who are willing to go the extra mile.

AK Educators
Generations Of Teaching
When deciding on a career, teaching seemed to be the logical choice for Saltsburg Elementary Principal Don Davis. Both his parents were teachers as well as two of his aunts. He started out his career teaching third and fourth grades in the United School District for a total of twenty years.

AK Educators
NASA Assist In Physics Club Project
Mission Control to shuttle one, do you read? Check system function and prepare to launch in three…two…one…blastoff! This isn't something you'd likely hear in your hometown, much less in one of our local schools.

AK Educators
Showing Excellence at a Young Age
Although Sarah Smelter is only ten years old, she has already explored many interests and proven herself academically.

Our Local Heritage
Bug Iron
Many steel mills in the Alle-Kiski Valley for over a century have sent steel products all over the world. AK Valley resident historian Ken Blose relates one such instance from the 1930s:

Our Local Heritage
Local Heritage Tidbits
*Apollo* Recently online-published maps reveal that Apollo, PA has held its name since roughly 1832, rather than the traditional date of 1845, when its original name, Warren, was changed by an act of legislature to correct confusion with Warren, PA near the Alleghenies.

Alle-Kiski Online
What is SPAM
What is SPAM? The official name for SPAM is UCE, Unsolicited Commercial Email. But UCE or Spam, it is still a pain that has an easy remedy...

Healthy Eating
Healthy Eating Snackin Good
Many times we find ourselves snacking on things that we shouldn't out of convenience or lack of effort to find something better. Many people buy snack foods that are high in fat, sugar, and sodium. If these foods are used for snacks frequently, they can take a toll on your health. Here are some things to start with that will help in eating a healthier snack:

Alle-Kiski Home Life
Planning and planting in February for the Spring Garden
If you had the chance to get an early start on those winter gardening jobs outdoors before the snow came, February can be a time mainly for indoor jobs like ordering seeds and plants for early spring planting or starting early crops of seeds inside on a window sill or in a greenhouse flat.

Alle-Kiski Home Life
Winter Gardening is For the Birds
There is not much in the way of outdoor gardening that we can do at this time of the year.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Chinese Dining at its Best
If you like Chinese food and have not dined at East Lake Chinese Restaurant, it's time to have lunch or dinner there.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
From the Traditional to the Extreme
Excitement, hard work, and creativity, are all in a day's work at The Hairworks Salon in Leechburg.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Something For Everyone
As you're driving south on Route 66 in Apollo, heading toward the stop sign at Route 356, look to your left and take notice of the Blossom Shop.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Ronnie Lyn Nursery School of Apollo
Twenty-one years of quality Nursery School have been a blessing for the many children that have gone through Ronnie Lyn Nursery School.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Plum Glass Block
As owners and operators of a family owned business, the Scavos know a lot about making their customer relationships personal.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty Go Hand in Hand
"If you have a problem, it's not a problem." It's not his official store slogan, but that's how Jamie Morabito feels about all his customers.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Central Office Products: Ralph DeSimone
At age 70, owner, Ralph DeSimone is still actively involved in his business at Central Office Products.

Parting Shots
Parting Shots - Carpenter Log House
Visiting the Carpenter Log House, located on Pierson Run Road in Boyce Park, Plum Borough, is like taking a trip back in time. Standing by this rustic house with its wooded surroundings makes it easy to imagine yourself living in a simpler, slower paced period in American history.

Parting Shots
Todd Sanctuary
TODD'S MISSION The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania's primary mission at Todd Sanctuary is to manage a nature preserve in the fashion that has minimal impact on native flora, fauna, and other natural features, to increase public awareness of the importance of ecologically sound stewardship, and to foster an understanding and appreciation of the environment.

Alle-Kiski Families
The Morrisons
As I sat in the Morrison's living room with Jim, Teresa, and their four children, I was impressed by the calmness and warmth I felt.

Alle-Kiski Families
Blessing Upon Blessing: The Sterner Family
Brian and Karen Sterner describe themselves as a family of extreme blessings.

Alle-Kiski Families
The Morrisons
As I sat in the Morrison's living room with Jim, Teresa, and their four children, I was impressed by the calmness and warmth I felt. It was not a tranquility achieved by threatening glances from the parents.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Tarentum Church Ready to Move
When Pastor Philip A. Beck of First United Presbyterian Church in Tarentum met with the Call Committee to be interviewed, he found a people with unique gifts and talent, ready to move ahead

Alle-Kiski Churches
Knowing the Call
When Pastor Peter Goetschius walked into the Poke Run Presbyterian Church sanctuary last year, "there came a point of knowing the call," he said.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Dynamic Plum Church Continues Mission For 215 Years
Although The Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2002, it traces its history back to 1788.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Bringing Hope and Light to Those in Need
Thirty-one years ago, the Lazarus Tomb Coffee House was born of one couple's deep concern for teenagers.

A-K Valley Outdoors
Kiski Valley Outdoors - Maintenance
Now that the hunting seasons are finished, it is time to do some maintenance.