Ex-Speers councilman settles lawsuit with apology

By Mon Valley Independent

By TAYLOR BROWN

Senior Reporter

tbrown@yourmvi.com

A former Speers councilman has made a public apology to a local businessman, his family and his employees for derogatory and defamatory comments he made against them.

Dave Barbe Sr., owner of Fourth Street BBQ, sued former Speers Councilman Mike Todora nearly a year ago over comments he made at meetings as an elected official and on his personal social media pages concerning Barbe, his employees and his business practices.

The suit was amended in D...

Latest News, Main

Youngsters all ears for corn class

September 30, 2026

California Area Elementary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) teacher Bri Klima works with first graders Dempsey Connors and Tyler Koontz as they learn about the anatomy of...

Latest News, Main

Lack of quorum ends BVA meeting with no vote on AD

By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com

September 30, 2026

Belle Vernon football hall of famer was expected to be school’s next athletic director. A special meeting to hire a new Belle Vernon Area School District athletic director and an interim assistant ath...

Latest News, Main

Elizabeth Township sets town hall for proposed data center

By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com

September 30, 2026

A town hall is set for Oct. 13 at the Elizabeth Forward Middle School. Elizabeth Township’s Board of Commissioners announced Tuesday a meeting date for the public to hear about a proposed data center....

Latest News, Main

Monongahela Rotary presents original 1921 charter to library

By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter

September 30, 2026

Rotarians presented the club’s charter to the Monongahela Area Library for display. A document marking the beginning of more than a century of service in Monongahela is now on display for a new genera...

Around The Valley, Latest News, Main

Serra Catholic homecoming royalty

September 30, 2026

Serra Catholic High School announced its 2026 Homecoming Court. Front row, from left, are seniors Madonna Koval, Alonna Morton, Cameryn Skaggs, Milena Poziviak, Emily Ruperto, and Bailee Dayton. Back ...

Around The Valley, Latest News, Main

Two Valley chambers of commerce announce cross partnership

By MICHAEL VINSICK mvinsick@yourmvi.com

September 30, 2026

A new Cross Chamber Partnership between the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce was recently announced. Two of the Mon Valley’s chambers of commerce wi...