Sports Columns
June 12, 2024

VALLEY SPORTS HISTORY

2014

• The latest in a series of features about the 2014 inductees into the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame described

Tony Segzda as having “baseball in his blood.” The 1947 California High School graduate played in the outfield and pitched for the Trojans. He went on to spend seven decades in baseball. After pitching a no-hitter for the Brownsville American Legion team, Segzda was offered a contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates and went on to play minor league ball in Uniontown for the Coal Barons and later for teams in York, Waco and New Orleans. Later in his career he served as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles.

• Four Mon Valley weightlifters brought home first-place titles from the Kumite Classic held at the Monroeville Convention Center. John Jackson of Monessen had the highest raw bench press at 452 pounds. Along with Jackson, three other weightlifters from the Thunderbird Powerlifting Gym took firsts in their weight classes: Gino Frezzell, Uriah Jones and David Lhota.

2004

• Sunday – no paper

1994

• Dunlevy stayed on the winning track in the Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League with a 5-2 win over Monongahela. Luke Paglia scored two goals early in the second half to take the Redbirds to a 3-0 lead. Dunlevy’s Alex Amezquita tallied the game’s lone goal in the first half with Ron Lupori and Vince Russell scoring the Redbird’s other goals. Russell, Amezquita, Jeff McJunkin, Darren Lupori and

Jason Miller all had assists for Dunlevy.

Mike Milandra and Mike Ryan scored for winless Monongahela with Bob Byers and Dann Appolonia getting assists. Goalie Gene Robbins, sweeper John Stivoric, midfielder Mike Ruddy and defender Brian Lusk stood out for the Redbirds.

• Cal U graduate Ryan Erdely of Charleroi had to settle for third place in the Mon River 3-Miler at California after leading for all but the last 400 yards. Uniontown’s Mike Tanner outkicked Cal’s Peter Leo to win with a new course record of 15:58. Leo finished with 16:01.3 with Erdely being clocked at 16:07. The top three women finishers were Erin Frye of Ohio (19:45), Janet Gates of Smithfield (20:00.3) and Linda Hartman of Carnegie (21:14).

West Mifflin Area celebrates opening of performing arts center
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
March 12, 2026
A grand opening celebration was held Wednesday for the high school’s new auditorium. After more than a year of being closed, West Mifflin Area High School’s auditorium is finally open. A grand opening...
BVA to bring the magic of ‘Wizard of Oz’ to life
Features, Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
March 12, 2026
The curtain goes up at 7 tonight at Belle Vernon Area High School for the annual spring musical. The Yellow Brick Road is leading straight to Belle Vernon Area High School as more than 100 students wi...
Will independents ever get to vote in Pa. primaries?
Latest News, Main
Advocates hope a lawsuit moves the needle
March 12, 2026
The suit argues Pennsylvania’s closed primaries violate the state constitution by giving Democrats and Republicans more voting power than independents. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and...
Potential buyer emerges for City Mission building
Latest News, Main
CITY OF MONONGAHELA
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
March 12, 2026
Monongahela Heritage Church is eyeing the downtown location for a thrift store for the community. The City Mission Thrift Store plans to close its Monongahela location on Saturday, but a potential buy...
2nd man charged in 2022 fatal shooting
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
March 12, 2026
The alleged murder took place in a Rostraver Township shopping plaza parking lot on Nov. 5, 2022. By RENATTA SIGNORINI TribLive A second person has been charged in connection with a Nov. 5, 2022, fata...