BVA Leopards family

Jill McConnell sits in the bleachers with her sons Leo, 8, and Harry, 10, during a Belle Vernon Area girls basketball game Monday evening at the Leopards’ gym. The brothers were on hand to cheer for their sister, Lyla McConnell, who plays for the Leopards. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent

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ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

January 8, 2026

Millions of people around the world celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday. Certain Eastern Orthodox churches, including those in Russian and other traditions, follow the ancient Julian calendar a...

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High-stakes 2026 elections will determine control of Pa. legislature

By By STEPHEN CARUSO Spotlight PA

January 8, 2026

Battleground districts range from south-central Pennsylvania farm country to western rust belt towns to burgeoning suburbs outside major cities. HARRISBURG — Control of the Pennsylvania General Assemb...

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New council members take office in Donora

By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter

January 8, 2026

Four new council members took office and were sworn in this week by Mayor Don Pavelko. Voters ushered in a new era for Donora Borough Council, and on Monday night that change formally took shape durin...

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Longtime Belle Vernon volunteers join council

By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com

January 8, 2026

Edward “Ed” Stasko Sr. and his wife, Denise Stasko, were sworn into office in the town they’ve called home for 53 years. A Belle Vernon couple known for their volunteerism in the community will now st...

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announces closure

January 8, 2026

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s owners announced Wednesday the paper will be shutting down in a few months, citing financial losses. Block Communications Inc. announced it will cease p...

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Health insurance costs drive benefit cut in Westmoreland County

January 8, 2026

THE RISING COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE — and how to pay for it — is a question many families are debating around kitchen tables, strained checkbooks close at hand. Westmoreland County leaders are confron...