Second juvenile charged as adult in attack
Latest News
December 27, 2019

Second juvenile charged as adult in attack

By Mon Valley Independent

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

A second teen boy will be tried as an adult in connection with the burglary and beating of a Monongahela man earlier this month.

Charges against Jamie Watkins, 14, of Walnut Street, Donora, include attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary.

Police said Watkins’ attempt to hide after the Dec. 7 incident led officers to surround a house on Finley Street in Monongahela for some time as the state police SWAT team was called.  

Christopher Urista, 16, of Maple Drive, Washington, has also been charged as an adult in the case and is wanted on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and conspiracy, among others, in connection with the incident that started on Thomas Street in Monongahela.

Police were called to the scene after receiving a report that 19-year-old Stephen Whatley was assaulted with a baseball bat in his home by two males.

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.

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...