News
August 20, 2026

ODDS AND ENDS

SALISBURY, Mass. (AP) — Kimie Smothermon runs the Guinea Pig Sanctuary in Salisbury, Massachusetts, caring for nearly 400 guinea pigs. Each day is a mix of chaos and joy as volunteers tend to the animals.

Mascot welcomes students to first day of school
Latest News, Main
August 21, 2026
Laylah Wheeler reaches up to high-five the Trojans mascot as she arrives at California Area Elementary School Thursday morning for the first day of the school year. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independen...
Teen, his mother charged in connection to PennWest California student’s homicide
Latest News, Main
Royce Moser, 18, claims demons told him to stab Karoline Heintz, authorities say.
August 21, 2026
By Paula Reed Ward and Haley Moreland TribLive An 18-year-old Washington County man accused of killing his girlfriend and stuffing her body in the hatch of her car allegedly told police on Thursday th...
Final night of International Village rained out
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
August 21, 2026
Heavy rainfall created safety concerns at Renziehausen Park. The last day of International Village in McKeesport was canceled Thursday afternoon after severe rain pummeled the region and resulted in f...
Donora considers alternatives to dek hockey project
Latest News, Main
By MICHAEL VINSICK mvinsick@yourmvi.com 
August 21, 2026
Any venture chosen to replace it at Palmer Park will have to be completed by the end of 2027. Donora residents offered suggestions Thursday for using a sports-related space in Palmer Park in lieu of a...
Charleroi girls looking to take step forward
High school, Sports
By ADAM BREWER MVI SPORTS 
August 21, 2026
Pitt-Johnstown commit Aryana Chiplaskey will lead a young Cougars’ team. It’s no secret that the Charleroi girls soccer team has been hit by some hard times lately. From dwindling depth to inexperienc...
Shared-ride fare hiked by nearly 25%
Latest News, Main
WESTMORELAND COUNTY TRANSIT AUTHORITY
By By JOE NAPSHA TribLive 
August 21, 2026
Riders using the Westmoreland County Transit Authority’s shared-ride program will be hit with a fare hike of almost 25% beginning Oct. 1, an increase that the authority board was told was necessary to...