EF teacher painted portraits of 13 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan
Latest News
November 5, 2021

EF teacher painted portraits of 13 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan

By Stacy Wolford

By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
Two weeks before an international art show, Elizabeth Forward High School art teacher Kristy Dubinsky was working on her entry when she felt compelled to change direction.
“On Sept. 2, I woke with a voice in my head saying paint 13,” Dubinsky said. “I had an idea, this has to be the 13 I just heard about.”
Two suicide bombers in Kabul, Afghanistan, had killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 60 Afghans just a week before.

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

McKeesport firefighters rescue cat stuck in tree
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
December 17, 2025
It’s not known if the animal has an owner. Rescuing cats out of trees is something usually seen on TV shows, but it became a real-life scenario Tuesday when McKeesport firefighters had to do just that...
Elizabeth Borough wastewater system sale official
Latest News, Main
December 17, 2025
Pennsylvania American Water has finalized the purchase, completing the process that began nearly three years ago. For the MVI Pennsylvania American Water announced Tuesday it has completed the acquisi...
Monessen firefighters collect toys for kids
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
December 17, 2025
A fire truck was filled with donations that will be distributed by the Monessen Family Center. Monessen’s volunteer fire departments held their annual toy drive Tuesday night to provide Christmas gift...
North Belle Vernon approves budget with no tax increase
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 17, 2025
There’s a slight surplus in the 2026 spending plan. North Belle Vernon council adopted its 2026 budget Tuesday, holding the borough’s tax rate steady at 29 mills and continuing a 3-mill fire tax for N...
Commissioners plan to strip hotel tax revenue from county tourism to build convention center
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
WASHINGTON COUNTY
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 17, 2025
Jeff Kotula of the county’s Tourism Promotion Agency warns that the move would be a violation of state law. Washington County commissioners are weighing changes to the county’s hotel tax ordinance tha...
Rep. Davanzo honors lifesavers
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
December 17, 2025
State Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-Smithton, recently presented citations to Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Jamie Pergola and Smithton Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Marty Pon...