Latest News
January 7, 2019

Woman found inside suitcase to stand trial

By Mon Valley Independent

By Kaylie Moore

kmoore@yourmvi.com

A Smithton woman who attempted to evade police by hiding in a suitcase has been ordered to stand trial in Westmoreland County Court. 

Terri Lynn Downs-Hayes, 43, appeared Monday before Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner in Rostraver Township. She waived her rights to preliminary hearings in three separate cases. 

Westmoreland County Sherriff’s Department warrant team officers discovered Downs-Hayes around 11:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve, following a raid on a home in the 300 block of Darr Road in the village of Van Meter, Rostraver Township. 

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.

Cedar Creek Park companion
Latest News, Main
Cedar Creek Park companion
June 16, 2026
Melinda Bluemling of Rostraver Township sits with Compass, her 12-year-old golden retriever, at Cedar Creek Park on Monday afternoon while trimming his nails. Bluemling was accompanied by her son, Leo...
Rostraver contracts exterminator for rat-infested property
Latest News, Main
Rostraver contracts exterminator for rat-infested property
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
June 16, 2026
Animal rescue groups are now caring for the animals removed from the condemned Adams Drive property. Rostraver Township recently contracted with an exterminator to help with a rat-infested property. T...
Gas price surge triggers jump in impact fee cash
Latest News, Main
Gas price surge triggers jump in impact fee cash
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
June 16, 2026
There were 444 new wells drilled last year in Pennsylvania, an increase from 309 in 2024. Higher natural gas prices and an increase in new unconventional wells helped drive Pennsylvania’s 2025 impact ...
White Oak council reviewing workers’ compensation plan
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
White Oak council reviewing workers’ compensation plan
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
June 16, 2026
Due to its claim history over the last five years, the borough would be placed on the plan with provisional standing. White Oak council tabled a resolution Monday evening that would have approved the ...
700 cited, fined by state police for cellphone use while driving
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
700 cited, fined by state police for cellphone use while driving
June 16, 2026
Hands-free cellphone remains legal in Pennsylvania. By RENATTA SIGNORINI TribLive State troopers issued nearly 700 citations for violations of a new law that prohibits Pennsylvania drivers from holdin...