New students get to know Penn West California

By Stacy Wolford

PennWest-California student leader Jayden King (center), a secondary education major from Elizabeth, Pa., leads a group of incoming first-year students to the Natali Student Center during Thursday’s new student orientation. (on left) Joe Cotton, a first-year student from Baton Rouge, Louisiana; King; and Hannah Young, a first year student from Uniontown. (Second row, from left) Kayla Gomez of Uniontown, and Kiara Steele of Pittsburgh.

Photos by Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent

Latest News, Main

Cooling off in Mingo Creek

June 9, 2026

Wearing swim goggles and taking refuge from the heat, Kole Carter, 9, of California floats in the cool waters Monday afternoon at Mingo Creek County Park. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent

Latest News, Main

6 tornadoes confirmed in area

By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter

June 9, 2026

Peak winds of 110 mph were recorded Saturday near Cokeburg and Ellsworth. Two days after severe thunderstorms battered Southwestern Pennsylvania, thousands of residents remained without electricity Mo...

Latest News, Main

Dispute arises over attempted sale of Forward Township property

By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter

June 9, 2026

No bids have been received, so the parcel must be advertised again. Questions about township- owned property recently advertised for sale through sealed bids led to a contentious exchange Monday, as r...

Latest News, Main

Charleroi couple has charges dismissed in child welfare case

June 9, 2026

The father remains in custody on ICE detainer. By TIM MADDOCKS For the MVI A Washington County judge dismissed all felony charges last week against a Charleroi couple arrested in February in a child w...

Around The Valley, Latest News, Main

McKeesport Area ready to vote on design phase for high school renovation

By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com

June 9, 2026

Draw Collective has separated the project into tiers based on urgency. The McKeesport Area school board is expected to vote Wednesday to begin the design phase for a potential renovation project at Mc...

Around The Valley, Latest News, Main

Summer on Main Block Party returns Thursday to downtown Monongahela

June 9, 2026

The event is being organized by the Women in Business of Monongahela. For the MVI Main Street in Monongahela will once again come alive with music, shopping, food and family-friendly entertainment dur...