School district tax hikes beg the question: Is the system broken?
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
July 21, 2025
Most school districts in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties voted to increase taxes this year. By ANNA MARES, MEGAN TROTTER and JOE NAPSHA TribLive If you’re one of the Western Pennsylvania residents...
BVA approves new policy for cellphones
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
July 21, 2025
The guidelines include a three-offense rule for violators. To curb the use of phones in school, the Belle Vernon Area school board has approved a new cellphone policy for K-12 students. In a unanimous...
Firefighters frustrated in attempt to get hydrant info
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
July 21, 2025
Much of the data they got from Pennsylvania-American Water turned out to be outdated. Elizabeth Township Fire Department has been trying to acquire fire hydrant information, but with little success. C...
Bartolotta bill would accelerate permitting for Pa. data centers
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
July 21, 2025
Companion legislation will also be introduced in the state House. State Sen. Camera Bartolotta plans to introduce legislation aimed at accelerating permitting for data center projects. Bartolotta is j...
Opening day at Schwirian Sunflower Festival in Forward Township
Latest News, Main
July 19, 2025
PennWest University professor Brian Wood and his son, Lucas, 7, of Bethel Park pick sunflowers and take part in a scavenger hunt Friday during opening day of the Schwirian Farm Sunflower Festival in F...
Pa. lawmakers hope to reclaim steelmaking dominance
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
July 19, 2025
They’ve joined forces to introduce FORGES bills in the House and Senate. Five state lawmakers are introducing legislation that would aid the state’s steel industry. State Sens. Nick Pisciottano, D-Wes...
Washington County payroll services to be outsourced
Latest News, Main
July 19, 2025
The move is intended to improve efficiency, but Larry Maggi has concerns about the decision. By the MVI A decision to outsource payroll processing services for Washington County government employees w...
Bipartisan push — and backing from farmers — ended Sunday hunting ban
Latest News, Main
July 19, 2025
The law, which will allow the Game Commission to set Sunday hunting dates, takes effect in early September. By MARLEY PARISH Spotlight PA State College BELLEFONTE — After years of debate, Pennsylvania...
MAWC pauses refinancing plan amid concerns over economic downturn
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
July 19, 2025
Officials will consider reactivating the refinancing plan should economic conditions improve. By RICH CHOLODOFSKY TribLive Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County will pause a plan to refinance mor...
Rotary Club of Mon-Yough River Valley completes peace pole project
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
July 19, 2025
The peace pole honors past Rotary International President and Monessen native Stephanie Urchick. For the MVI Members of the Mon-Yough River Valley Rotary Club recently put the finishing touches on a p...
Latest News, Main
July 19, 2025
Police said several animals were discovered in a condemned house. By the MVI A Smithton woman is accused of animal neglect and cruelty after two injured dogs were found living in a filthy, condemned h...
Tuition hike OK’d for state-owned universities
Latest News, Main
July 18, 2025
The hike comes after seven consecutive years of frozen tuition. By KELLEN STEPLER TribLive Tuition for state universities is set to increase by 3.6% for students this fall, but that figure could decre...
MAWT awarded $5.1M grant for facility upgrades
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
July 18, 2025
The Municipal Authority of Washington Township was awarded the grant through PENNVEST. Wednesday was a good day for the Municipal Authority of Washington Township, which received a $5.1 million grant ...
Pa. lawmakers push to move federal energy office to Pittsburgh
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
July 18, 2025
U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler is one of the supporters of the proposal. JACK TROY TribLive A bipartisan group of congressmen say Western Pennsylvania’s status as a growing energy hub justifies moving a ...
Valley man dies after long SWAT situation
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
July 18, 2025
The standoff lasted about eight hours. A man died of a suspected suicide after an hours-long SWAT situation in Monongahela. Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said Zachry Hamilton, 36, barricaded him...
Dancing in the street in downtown Elizabeth
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
July 18, 2025
Siblings Baylee, 10, and Kolton Mathews, 8, of Elizabeth, dance to the song “1999” performed by the band Dancing Queen at the Plum Street Thursday Night Summer Concert Series in Elizabeth. Chairperson...
Flash flood warnings being issued in Western Pa. at their fastest rate in 20 years
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
July 18, 2025
There have been 112 in the area so far in 2025. By MEGAN SWIFT TribLive Western Pennsylvania has been awash in flash flood warnings this year. The National Weather Service has issued 112 such warnings...
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
July 18, 2025
Dylan Dodds is facing multiple charges for alleged abuse. A Forward Township man is accused of choking his 4-year-old daughter. Dylan Dodds, 28, is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, enda...
CAR CRASH IN ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
July 18, 2025
The Elizabeth Township Fire Department responded to a car crash on Hayden Boulevard in Elizabeth Township after 11 a.m. Thursday. The department was there assisting Blaine Hill VFC and Elizabeth Borou...