Latest News
December 22, 2020

North Charleroi to host Santa on Christmas Eve

By Mon Valley Independent

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Before heading down Mon Valley chimneys, Santa will make a special trip through North Charleroi on Christmas Eve.

Lock No. 4 Volunteer Fire Company organizes the event each year using funds from a breakfast with Santa fundraiser.
While breakfast had to be canceled this year because of the pandemic, Chief Fred Schwalb wanted to make sure St. Nick was still able to pass out toys to children in the borough.

Council members and other officials made gift baskets to raffle, and when residents learned the department was in need, stepped up in big ways to help. 

“Even though we were not able to have our breakfast with Santa this year, we wanted to do everything we could to make sure we could still bring him around on the truck to pass out toys,” Schwalb said. “We didn’t know if we could make it happen, but the whole town came together and we were able to pull it off.”

Schwalb said each basket brought in about $150, and other residents, businesses and organizations contributed monetary donations or boxes of toys to help.

“We had tremendous help,” he said. “One family donated $240, another family donated $100, someone else did $150, numerous boxes of toys. It was really awesome to see that kind of support.” 

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

Wintry walk at Cedar Creek Park
Latest News, Main
January 31, 2026
Sheila Gordon of Rostraver Township enjoys a winter walk Friday afternoon with her miniature schnauzer, Rocky, along the Great Allegheny Passage at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver Township. Jeff Helsel ...
House committee approves pet cremation oversight bill
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 31, 2026
The proposal was inspired by the Patrick Vereb case. A bill that would create more oversight on the cremation of pets advanced out of the state House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, moving it a step cl...
Ice slows traffic on Monongahela River
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 31, 2026
Items such as coal, salt and fuel may be prioritized so they can keep moving. As freezing temperatures continue throughout the region, ice on the Monongahela River has started to slow down commercial ...
Stockdale VFD celebrates century of service
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
January 31, 2026
The method of fighting fires has changed greatly since the department was formed in 1926. For 100 years, someone has always shown up. Firefighting in Stockdale used to mean relying on bucket brigades ...
Mon Valley reunion set for Feb. 28 in sunny Florida
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 31, 2026
Organizer Mona Lisa Spirko said the event will be held in Tampa again this year. By the MVI The date has been set for the 45th annual Mon Valley Florida reunion, just in time for snowbirds to enjoy th...
Ex-youth football director charged with taking more than $227K in league funds
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 31, 2026
Attorney general: Money was used for personal bills, shopping, car payments and bathroom remodel. By PATRICK VARINE TribLive The former director for the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League who ...