Deep freeze descends on Mon Valley
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
January 20, 2026
Warming shelters are open as dangerously cold temperatures remain in the forecast for today. A blast of Arctic air moved into Southwestern Pennsylvania on Monday, bringing bitter cold and dangerous wi...
Racist viral video is under investigation by state police
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
January 20, 2026
A local business owner said a man shouted racial slurs at her in the video. A viral video filled with racial slurs directed to a Charleroi business owner was recorded inside Walmart in Rostraver Towns...
PennWest says proposed cuts streamline education
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 20, 2026
A decision on whether to adopt the plan is expected to be announced in the next few weeks. By KELLEN STEPLER TribLive Pennsylvania Western University officials say their proposal that slashes dozens o...
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
January 20, 2026
Any changes to the spending plan have to be approved by Feb. 15. White Oak voted Monday to reopen its 2026 budget after some back-and-fourth discussion among council members. During last week’s worksh...
Thermal imaging aids in search
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 20, 2026
Fallowfield Township firefighters assisted the California Volunteer Fire Department in a search for the driver of a vehicle that crashed Sunday evening in Coal Center. Fallowfield firefighters used on...
Valley pastor speaks at celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
January 19, 2026
Pastor Dennis Stitch was the guest speaker at the event hosted by the NAACP in Washington, Pa. “The time is always right to do what is right.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached that powerful phrase,...
Stolen vehicle pursuit leads to large rescue operation on Monessen hillside
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 19, 2026
By the MVI First responders spent several hours Sunday night at a large scale rescue operation in Monessen after several people went over a hillside. Westmoreland County 911 said the operation started...
California Area awarded grants at Pa. Farm Show
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
January 19, 2026
A group of California Area students attended the annual farm show in Harrisburg. California Area School District in Washington County will receive more than $29,000 in state funding to support agricul...
Shapiro, Garrity set stage for Pa.’s high-stakes race for governor
Latest News, Main, Politics
By By TOM FONTAINE TribLive 
January 19, 2026
Gov. Josh Shapiro currently holds a sizable money advantage again. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro didn’t mention his likely Republican opponent by name once last week when he launched his reelection c...
Allegheny Co. lawmakers envision a geothermal future
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 19, 2026
Development in new technologies has allowed for states like Pennsylvania to access geothermal energy. State Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, announced last week that he introduced a bill that es...
Is remote learning effective? Regional researchers, education experts weigh in
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 19, 2026
401 of Pennsylvania’s 500 K-12 public school districts are approved for Flexible Instruction Days. By QUINCEY REESE TribLive For Kelly Marsh, the pandemic wasn’t just a global health concern — it was ...
Broadband expansion on hold as feds miss self-imposed deadline
Business, Latest News, Main, ...
January 19, 2026
The delay comes after the Trump administration changed the rules for the program, forcing states to adjust on the fly. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing inv...
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 19, 2026
PennDOT District 12 announced there will be single-lane restrictions on the existing Crawford Lane Bridge, Interstate 70, and Finley Road, along with rolling closures on Interstate 70 in Rostraver Tow...
Cheering for the Jaguars
Latest News, Main
January 17, 2026
Thomas Jefferson cheerleader Ella Innocenti holds up a “J” card during halftime of the Jaguars’ boys basketball game against Peters Township Friday night. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent
Charleroi Area student will finish high school in Belgium
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
January 17, 2026
Finlee Lenhart is a participant in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Next year, Finlee Lenhart won’t be driving to work or heading out with friends after school. Instead, the Charleroi Area High Scho...
McKeesport police land $25K grant
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 17, 2026
The money will go toward the purchase of a Utility Terrain Vehicle to help with the response to out-of-the-way calls. State Rep. Dan Goughnour, D-McKeesport, and state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mi...
Mon Valley Cloggers keep traditional dancing alive
Around The Valley, Entertainment, Latest News, ...
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
January 17, 2026
The group is preparing for its upcoming Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day performances. The Mon Valley Cloggers have been dancing and entertaining around the area since 1992. Clogging is a folk da...
Palace Theatre hosting presentation on history of the U.S.
Around The Valley, Entertainment, Latest News, ...
January 17, 2026
“The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony of America” will be presented for the first time this evening with live musicians on stage. By RENATTA SIGNORINI TribLive The story of the birth of the Uni...
BVA school board to vote on new solicitor
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 17, 2026
Some directors were upset about not receiving advance notice of the potential change. Some Belle Vernon Area school board members were taken by surprise this week after it was announced that several b...