Let’s forget about the fact, if we can, that the Pirates are in Year 6 of a five-year rebuilding plan that GM Ben Cherington has led from the start. Let’s also forget that it looks like Year 6 could v...

Finally, the savior has arrived in Pittsburgh! Aaron Rodgers has made his long-awaited decision and has signed a 1-year deal with the Steelers. No competition necessary, he’s the guy that will start a...

Monessen has had a long tradition of producing excellent athletes over the years. But 2025 may go down as one of the most special years in terms of having that excellence honored. Three Monessen nativ...

With the start of June upon us and summer just around the corner, here are some food for thought “hot takes” to help turn the heat up a notch in our conversation, if not outside: • The Steelers may ha...

Former Valley Independent sports editor Brian Herman once called Bob Johnson “one of the best football and basketball players to come out of Monongahela High.” After all, not too many athletes become ...

I’m going to show my age here a little bit, but bear with me. I remember growing up in the 80s, wearing a shirt with “Mean” Joe Greene on it. The legendary Steelers player’s characture was throwing a ...

Ayear ago, Bentworth’s softball team was denied a WPIAL title when the Bearcats lost in the 2A championship game to powerhouse Neshannock, 4-1. This season, the Lancers, who have won 47 straight games...

This story originally ran in Monday’s electronic edition. We’re running it again for those that don’t have access. Donora lost a local legend recently with the passing of Art “Skins” Coleman. Coleman,...

It’s not like the Belle Vernon Area School Board hasn’t made good hires in the past. But I will say that I commend it on making the right choice whne it comes to the boys basketball job. I know who th...

He was the first player in school history to reach 1,000 career points. Donora lost a local legend recently with the passing of Art “Skins” Coleman. Coleman, 72, made a name for himself early in Ringg...

There were so many Steelers fans who were unhappy that the team didn’t call Shedeur Sanders’ name in on the third day of the NFL Draft. I think when all the dust clears, most of those fans will find i...

Well, the brackets have been released and the WPIAL baseball and softball playoffs are ready to get underway. Not to be used for any shady or non-official betting purposes, here are the ways I think t...

When I was a kid, my grandmother used to tell me, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” Now, my gram was the most saintly, kindest person I ever knew and I tended...

Maybe I’m just getting old. I dunno. But I can’t remember a time when I was so wrong all the way around on a Steelers draft. No matter what it was, over the three-day event I missed it. There were pla...

Iwas a little young to have followed Dane Tartt’s athletic career during his days at Donora High School, where he graduated in 1967. However, I really got to know him well during our careers in softba...

Here’s a little food for thought after an Opening Day and Final Four weekend: • Seriously, how many of you expected the Pirate fans to roundly boo manager Derek Shelton like they did when he was annou...

The greatest basketball season in South Allegheny history ended on a sour note in a 60-51 loss to West Catholic in the PIAA 3A championship game Saturday. However, losing a championship game in which ...

Some time ago, a column in the Mon Valley Independent featured letters Stan Musial wrote back home, mainly from 1939-1946, to Joe Barbao. During that span, Musial was making sure to keep in touch with...

It’s finally one of my favorite days of the year. A day that SHOULD be a national holiday, where kids are off school, businesses are closed and we just all get to enjoy America’s pastime. It’s finally...

Iremember vividly when Scott “Scooter” DeUnger wore the various uniforms of Charleroi’s baseball, football and basketball teams. He stood out to me from the rest of the players for various reasons. Th...