Broom wins Battle of the Bands
Latest News
October 27, 2022

Broom wins Battle of the Bands

By Stacy Wolford

By Matt Petras
For the MVI
Broom, a Belle Vernon-based metal and classic rock band, won this year’s SPARK Battle of the Bands competition at The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, which nets it a recorded 10-song album and help promoting and distributing it.
Broom comprises members Ben Filak on guitar, Race Michener on vocals, Bodie DuBreucq on guitar and back-up vocals, Caleb Beichner on bass and Carter Stasicha on drums. All are recent Belle Vernon Area High School graduates except Stasicha, who is in his senior year. The band will play from 2 to 4 p.m. on the main stage of the Monongahela Aquatorium this Saturday at the 2022 Witchfest.

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

Wintry walk at Mingo Creek Park
Latest News, Main
March 18, 2026
Lena Coltogirone of Monessen smiles as she walks her dogs, Gus and Cherry, across a snow-covered bridge at Mingo Creek County Park on a chilly Tuesday afternoon. Cherry, at right, wears a jacket to ke...
Protesters demand answers from West Mifflin council
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
March 18, 2026
They claim they were peacefully marching when a confrontation with police led to criminal charges. Frustrations and grievances were aired during Tuesday’s West Mifflin council meeting regarding a demo...
Police chief reports 17 ICE arrests in Glassport; new police officers hired
Latest News, Main
March 18, 2026
Shawn DeVerse told council that agents will be returning to the borough. By THOMAS LETURGEY For the MVI Glassport Police Chief Shawn DeVerse told council and residents that Immigration and Customs Enf...
Washington County election districts may be consolidated before primary
Elections, Latest News, Main, ...
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
March 18, 2026
California, Charleroi, Donora, Fallowfield Township and Monongahela would be affected by the proposed changes. Fewer polling places — but officials say more efficiency — could be coming to parts of th...
BVA school board appoints new solicitor; recognizes students
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
March 18, 2026
Dodaro, Dalfonso, Matta and Cambest was selected for the position in a 5-4 vote. The Belle Vernon Area school board appointed a new solicitor Tuesday after discussing the issue for several weeks. Boar...
Student found with steak knife
Latest News, Main
March 18, 2026
The Ringgold School District announced Tuesday that a steak knife was discovered in the backpack of a student at Ringgold Middle School. The incident occurred Tuesday morning during student arrival se...