Monessen Council eyes new year — with or without the mayor
Latest News
January 4, 2020

Monessen Council eyes new year — with or without the mayor

By Mon Valley Independent

By EMILY BENNETT DILULLO

ebennett@yourmvi.com

No matter what 2020 may bring, Monessen council members say they are prepared to face the challenges head on. 

Whether they’ll face them with Mayor Matt Shorraw and Councilman Gil Coles is another matter.

Holdover council member Lois Thomas, newcomer Donald Gregor and acting Mayor Anthony Orzechowski said improving the city will continue to be their focus in the new year.

“My goal is that whoever is here in January, that we can come together as a council to do what’s best for Monessen,” Thomas said. “…Whatever your job, focus on your work and not the person. That’s what it has to be. We have to focus on what our job is and we can’t focus on the people, because if that’s the case then we’ve already lost.”

“You have to be civil at this,” Gregor said. “There’s no point in any fighting or carrying on. For that, we should be ashamed of ourselves. When I moved into Monessen 30 years ago, I never thought we would have devolved into this. This is such a nice town; we have some of the greatest people in the Valley. We just can’t get along and that’s a shame.”

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.

No tax hike in Washington County’s 2026 budget
Latest News, Main
December 8, 2025
It will be the 16th straight year that taxes have held steady in the county. By the MVI Washington County property owners will not see a county tax hike next year. On Thursday, the Washington County B...
Squires reelected president of West Mifflin Area school board
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
December 8, 2025
Nicholas Alexandroff and three reelected board members were sworn in at the reorganization meeting. West Mifflin Area school board held its reorganization meeting Thursday. Nicholas Alexandroff is the...
Valley man charged after 24 shots fired during fight outside restaurant
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
December 8, 2025
Springdale police have charged a Monessen man after two dozen shots were fired outside a borough business late Saturday night. By BRIAN C. RITTMEYER TribLive Police charged Armando Antonio Diaz, 22, w...
Rostraver welcomes holidays with Christmas celebration
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
December 8, 2025
Hundreds of area residents attended the event at the John DiVirgilio Sports Complex. The smell of hot chocolate and the sounds of carolers filled the air Sunday during the annual Rostraver Christmas c...