Charleroi Regional cops save boy’s birthday party after only 2 kids show up
Latest News
January 24, 2019

Charleroi Regional cops save boy’s birthday party after only 2 kids show up

By Stacy Wolford

By Taylor Brown
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Even though only two of his classmates showed up to his dinosaur-themed birthday party over the weekend, 4-year-old Dominic Sidick was not left disappointed on his special day after two unexpected party guests made a surprise appearance.
Dominic’s mother, Selina Robertson of Charleroi, said she spent months preparing for an over the top birthday party for her son.
“He started school this year at Head Start, so I wanted to throw him a bigger birthday party instead of just a small get together with family and friends,” Robertson explained. “So for the last two months we have been getting ready. We really went all out for it.”
Dominic, who turned 4 on Dec. 28, typically celebrates his birthday in January because of chaos surrounding the holidays.
This year his mother spent weeks making handmade invitations that Dominic delivered to his friends and classmates during a school Christmas party.
He also went to the post office himself, with help from his mother of course, to put the rest of the invitations in the mail.
In total, Robertson said she was expecting at least 30 people, but was prepared for up to 60 in case his classmates brought their siblings.
She did not realize when planning the party that a major storm was predicted to hit the Mon Valley the same day. Even though the Valley got virtually nothing that was predicted, it was likely enough to keep guests away.
The party was set to start around 1 p.m. on Saturday and when no one had shown up at 1:30, Robertson said she was not too worried.
“I knew what the weather was supposed to do, and even though it was not snowing, I know sometimes people don’t always show up right when a party first starts,” she said. “But by 2:30 p.m. there was only one kid who showed up. Next thing we know, it is almost 4 o’clock and the woman showed up with the keys ready to lock up the hall.”

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

Stuff the Bus expands efforts to assist area students
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
October 17, 2026
It’s now an independent nonprofit organization with a reach far beyond Charleroi. Stuff the Bus is spreading its wings. After nine years of supporting students in the Charleroi Area School District, t...
Ringgold High School crowns homecoming king and queen
Latest News, Main
October 17, 2026
Eli Pierce and Bella Schnupp were crowned as homecoming king and queen at Ringgold High School. Photo by Heather Hart / For the Mon Valley Independent
McKeesport Area High School crowns homecoming queen and king
Latest News, Main
October 17, 2026
McKeesport Area High School chose Michelle Ferguson and Barrett Greenlee as its homecoming queen and king. Photo by  Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent
Donora arrest, video sparks investigation
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
October 17, 2026
Shawn Bowman contends excessive force was used when he was taken into custody in August. Donora borough officials say they are investigating the actions of a police officer captured on video punching ...
Crash deaths ruled accidental
Latest News, Main
October 17, 2026
Four Yough High School students were killed in a March 21 crash. By RENATTA SIGNORINI TribLive The deaths of four Yough High School students in a fiery March crash have been ruled accidental. On Frida...
Washington County’s annual Road to Recovery Symposium held
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
October 17, 2026
The event brings together people involved in the fight against opioid addiction. For the MVI More than 150 community stakeholders working to address the opioid epidemic gathered Wednesday at the Penns...