Latest News
May 10, 2019

Walsh targets AWOL public officials

By Mon Valley Independent

By Kaylie Moore

kmoore@yourmvi.com

State Rep. Justin Walsh, R-Rostraver Township, has proposed a constitutional amendment making it easier to remove elected officials from office for missing public meetings. 

Walsh said the action was prompted by Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw’s continued absence from council meetings.

“In addition, a member of council also has had attendance problems,” Walsh said. “Local government cannot operate efficiently and properly if those entrusted with representing the people are no-shows at regularly scheduled public meetings.” 

Walsh’s announcement Friday coincides with the one-year anniversary of Shorraw’s last meeting, May 10, 2018, in which city council issued a vote of no confidence proclamation against him, sparking a year laden with controversy. Additionally, Councilman Gil Coles has only attended one meeting since February 2018.

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

Clairton cuts ribbon on new library
Latest News, Main
By By THOMAS LETURGEY For the MVI 
September 28, 2026
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis was among the speakers at Friday’s ceremony. After a several-year project to help improve downtown, local, county and state officials as well as about 100 residents turned out Fr...
Worker dies in accident at Cleveland-Cliffs coke plant in Monessen
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
September 28, 2026
The victim was identified as 53-year-old Jeffrey Smith of Newell. A Newell man was killed Sunday after becoming pinned between two door machines while working at the Cleveland-Cliffs coke plant in Mon...
Two Expressway sections set to open in November
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
September 28, 2026
Work on other portions of the project is continuing. Sections 53A1 and 53A2 of the Mon/Fayette Expressway are now scheduled to open in late November. According to construction engineers in the Pennsyl...
Monessen Public Library welcomes new director
Latest News, Main
By MICHAEL VINSICK mvinsick@yourmvi.com 
September 28, 2026
Carrie Gessner takes over for Dave Zilka, who retired in August. Monessen Public Library welcomed new director Carrie Gessner on Saturday with a small reception at the library featuring desserts and p...
City man charged with sexual assault of juvenile
Around The Valley, Latest News
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
September 28, 2026
Fifty-three charges were filed against Joshua Rioux of Monessen for the alleged attacks over two years. A Monessen man is being held without bail on 53 charges after police said he sexually assaulted ...