Son disappoints mom by failing to return calls
Features
December 20, 2025
DEAR ABBY: My sister recently became very ill and had to be hospitalized for four days. When I called and told our daughter, she was concerned and supportive. Then, I called our son, “Isaac,” and left...
Neighbor wants to help stressed-out mom
Features
SENSE AND SENSITIVITY
December 20, 2025
DEAR HARRIETTE: My next-door neighbor has two young children and often seems to be stressed out. She is married, and her husband helps out some, but most of the work falls to her. I see her looking ex...
Features
December 20, 2025
Think twice before you follow through. Fine-tuning your plans is easier than fixing mistakes. Think big, hone your skills and ideas, and carry out your intentions with dignity and grace. Express and e...
Features
December 20, 2025
Pace yourself, but don’t lose sight of your goals. Spend your time on activities and pastimes that will enhance your life. Learning something new this year that accentuates your level of expertise wil...
Features
December 20, 2025
• In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union on a vote of delegates at a secession convention, emboldening other Southern states to follow suit and helping to trigger the ...
Features
December 20, 2025
Rock drummer Peter Criss (Kiss) is 80. Producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) is 79. Musician Alan Parsons is 77. Author Sandra Cisneros is 71. Actor Michael Badalucco is 71. Rock singer Chris Robinson (T...
Features
Drive-thru Nativity at
December 20, 2025
The McKeesport Al-Anon group will meet noon Tuesday at the McKeesport Area Shared Ministry Beulah Park United Methodist Church campus on Grandview Avenue. Al-Anon is a support and educational group fo...
CHURCH NEWS
Features
December 20, 2025
Free Indeed Ministry, 401 Second St., Monongahela, will host a Sunday gift giving service Sunday and a New Year’s Eve service at 10 p.m. Dec. 31. The Sunday before Christmas worship service will begin...
Features
MONDAY
December 20, 2025
• “The Great Manger Mystery,” re-telling of Jesus’ birth as told by the animals in the stable, First United Methodist Church, 430 W. Main St., Monongahela, 11:15 a.m., during the morning worship servi...
Office holiday parties can be dreadful for introverts and people with social anxiety
Features
By By CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press 
December 20, 2025
NEW YORK (AP) — The year the radio station company where he worked held its holiday party at a dive bar, Ryan Arnold walked in and saw coworkers passing around a tall glass boot filled with beer. He h...
Triggianis gather for first time in 60 years
Around The Valley, Features
FAMILY REUNIONS
December 19, 2025
It took 60 years for the descendants of the Triggiani family of Monessen to finally get together for a reunion with the remaining family members. The Triggiani family’s roots began at a home at 344 Sc...
Monessen K Of C donates to ARCDD
Features, Latest News, Main
December 19, 2025
At a recent Association for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (ARCDD) event, Knights of Columbus, Monessen Council 954, Grand Knight Bob Kuzynski presented a $3,000 donation to th...
Features, Local/Youth
December 19, 2025
The following students were named to the 2025-26 first nine-weeks honor roll at Ringgold High School: Grade 12 Highest honors McKenna Adams, Korben Andrews, Gavin Bebout, Olivia Bianchi, Cienna Bizzel...
Features
December 19, 2025
By the Diocese of Pittsburgh During the season of Advent, Christians focus on prayer and the sacraments to prepare their hearts to receive Jesus at Christmas. This Advent season leads up to the end of...
Months after breakup, man sees ‘signs’ amid heartache
Features
December 19, 2025
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 55-year-old man who dated a very special lady, “Dawn,” for 12 years. We were both married when we met. I fell in love with her, and after we divorced our spouses, we continued being t...
Family member needs a break from caretaking
Features
SENSE AND SENSITIVITY
December 19, 2025
DEAR HARRIETTE: While most of my family members moved away when they went to college, I stayed in town. Fast-forward to 40-some years later: I’m still here, and I am the one everyone is relying on. Re...
Good news: Behind the scenes of some of the most uplifting stories of 2025
Features
By By MICHAEL MELIA Associated Press 
December 19, 2025
It was one of the year’s biggest stories — the selection of the first American pope — and an Associated Press journalist was interviewing the pope’s brother at his home in suburban Chicago. Suddenly, ...
Features
December 19, 2025
• Santa Claus visits Elizabeth Township (Blythedale, Boston, Central, Greenock, Industry, Smithdale and Victory areas) starting at 10 a.m. • Holiday open house, McKeesport Model Railroad Club, 2209 Wa...
Features
Hope Church to hold
December 19, 2025
The West Newton Community Band will present its canceled concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in the West Newton Gym, 113 South Fifth Street, West Newton. Bleacher seating will be available or bring a chair. Choc...
Features
Center in the
December 19, 2025
Here’s a look at lunch menus for local centers for next week: (All menus may be subject to change.)