McKeesport kicks off Community Cleanup Contest

Volunteers are shown during last August’s Community Cleanup Contest in McKeesport. City of McKeesport Mayor’s Office

The City of McKeesport kicked off its Community Cleanup Contest in time for yesterday’s 55th annual Earth Day.

Empowered by the “Our Power, Our Planet” theme, city officials will tally bags collected from yesterday through Sunday for the first competition of the season.

Local businesses interested in co-sponsoring prizes can email jen.vertullo@mckeesport-pa.gov.

To register a team (or to join an existing team) email km.adewole@buildnblockorg.net, amwebb307@ gmail.com, or jen.vertullo@mckeespo...

Latest News, Main

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

February 17, 2026

Members of the Gems youth program walk down the aisle at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Monessen during Sunday’s celebration of Black History Month. Heather Hart / For the Mon Valley Independent

Latest News, Main

River search for missing person comes up empty

By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter

February 17, 2026

Shelby Rhodes hasn’t been seen since Feb. 7. Fire departments from across the region have logged dozens of hours along the Monongahela River in an ongoing search for Shelby Rhodes, a 26-year-old man m...

Latest News, Main

Still one of the three R’s

Mon Valley school administrators react to Pennsylvania’s emphasis on cursive writing

By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter

February 17, 2026

For generations, learning cursive was a rite of passage in elementary school classrooms. Now, after years of fading from daily use, the looping letters are making a comeback as Pennsylvania schools pr...

Latest News, Main

Salt shortage leads to state of emergency in White Oak

By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com

February 17, 2026

Borough officials said the public shouldn’t be alarmed, as it just provides more options to replenish the supply. White Oak council declared a state of emergency during Monday’s meeting due to a deple...

Around The Valley, Latest News

West Newton Bridge project: Temporary span to keep town connected

By By JOE NAPSHA TribLive

February 17, 2026

The renovation of the permanent bridge — which includes replacing the deck and repairing the trusses and substructure — is expected to be completed in 2028. Don Lewandowski of West Newton is like many...

Commissioners honor student for reporting incident with gun

Latest News, Main

ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP

Commissioners honor student for reporting incident with gun

By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com

February 17, 2026

Tyler Miller’s actions resulted in the recovery of two stolen firearms. A Belle Vernon Area Middle School student was recognized Monday by Rostraver Township commissioners and the police department af...