Latest News
June 10, 2019

Civil War writer, editor to speak at Cal U roundtable

By Mon Valley Independent

By Matt Petras

For the MV Independent

About 20 years ago, Chris Mackowski, vacationing with his family in Washington, D.C., needed to find something to do with his daughter. Figuring she would enjoy running around the Civil War battlefield in Manassas, Va., he took her there. 

There she became enamored with a statue of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. 

“That got her hooked. She became a Stonewall Jackson groupie,” he said. “So on subsequent vacations, we went to other places where Stonewall Jackson had been, and began to learn more about him. … I sort of got drawn in just as a writer myself and someone interested in good stories.”

Mackowski, a Virginia- based writer and editor of works about the Civil War, will talk about the legacy of the Battle of Chancellorsville at a civil war roundtable at 7 p.m. Thursday at California University of Pennsylvania’s Kara Alumni House. 

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.

Local tailgaters show support at Acrisure Stadium
Latest News, Main
January 13, 2026
Enjoying some food in the parking lot before the Steelers’ playoff game Monday night are Marty Antonelli of Irwin, Dave Morrow of North Versailles, Risa Candelore of Irwin and Terry Kotuch of McKeespo...
Loyal Steelers fans at Center in the Woods
Latest News, Main
January 13, 2026
A group at the Center in the Woods senior center in California, Pa., displays team spirit Monday afternoon as they pose with oversized Pittsburgh Steelers foam fingers ahead of the playoff game agains...
PUC reminds residents of water rate hike hearings
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 13, 2026
The nearest location for Mon Valley residents is in Washington, Pa. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reminded customers about upcoming hearings to gather public input on the proposed rate ch...
White Oak may reopen budget
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
January 13, 2026
Council unanimously supported the idea at Monday’s workshop. White Oak will vote on reopening its 2026 budget during next Monday’s meeting. During Monday’s workshop meeting, Borough Manager John Palyo...
Raises make Pa. lawmakers’ salaries among highest in U.S.
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
January 13, 2026
They received an automatic 3.3% pay hike under a law that was passed in 1995. Automatic pay raises that took effect last month placed Pennsylvania lawmakers among the highest paid in the nation — incl...
Local man pleads guilty to injuring public official
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
January 13, 2026
An Elizabeth man pleaded guilty in federal court to injuring a local public official and making false statements to government agents. According to a release, Edward Arthur Owens Jr., 30, entered the ...