Valley Independent

Mary Jo Smith and Nancy Ellis made history in their communities when they became the first women elected mayor. Full Story »

One of Las Vegas' top attorneys - and a native of Charleroi - died Friday in a one-vehicle accident near his home. Full Story »

When a 75-year-old gentleman sings "Danny Boy" with the vocal quality and enthusiasm of a teenager; when a row of 60-plus-year-old women perform a YMCA line dance as though they were a group of sexy, young babes; when one of your high school classmates from 50 some years ago croons "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" Full Story »

GREENSBURG - It's been 20 years in the making, but Westmoreland County Republicans finally had their day in Tuesday's general election. Full Story »

A Webster man serving life in prison for killing a Carroll Township couple wants an additional 20-to-40 year prison term to be eliminated. Full Story »

Supporters of a proposed maglev train from Pittsburgh International Airport to Greensburg wooed state representatives Friday with promises the project could create thousands of jobs in high-tech manufacturing, if the government pays the $5.3 billion price tag. Full Story »

Campbell Peterson was 5 and his brother, Peyton, was only 1 when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Somerset County, killing everyone aboard, including their grandfather and step-grandmother, on Sept. 11, 2001. Full Story »

Army 2nd Lt. Brandy Mason was inside the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood, Texas, on Thursday when she saw Major Nidal Malik Hasan walk in. Full Story »

Transportation planners laid out a wish list for state lawmakers Thursday, saying it would take billions of dollars to get all of Southwest Pennsylvania's roads and bridges back in good shape. Full Story »

MONONGAHELA - Police Chief Brian Tempest has gone on record as saying that whenever the Washington County Drug Task Force comes to town, it doesn't leave empty-handed. Full Story »

For seven years, Anne Lail has presented tobacco prevention educational programs to school students through the Westmoreland County Cooperative Extension. Full Story »

"With the end of every day there is felt a more pressing need in this valley for a Monongahela Valley Chamber of Commerce." Full Story »

With the election Tuesday of Fayette County District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon to judge in Common Pleas Court, a deputy prosecutor will take over her duties Full Story »

ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP - A resident asked three commissioners if they planned to repay health insurance premiums he claims cost township taxpayers about $210,000 a year. Full Story »

Westmoreland County voters on Tuesday elected Democrat Chris Scherer and Republican Michele Bononi to 10-year terms on the Court of Common Pleas. Full Story »

Call it a hat trick. Full Story »

Low turnout meant a slow day for poll workers throughout Western Pennsylvania. Full Story »

Bryan Kline was elected Tuesday as clerk of courts, becoming the first Republican to win a row office in Westmoreland County in 50 years. Full Story »

The following candidates were unopposed in Tuesday's general election: Full Story »

Pennsylvania voters promoted Joan Orie Melvin to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, ending a bitter battle for political control of the high court and providing a sounding board on the mood of the electorate as next year's midterm congressional elections approach. Full Story »

It's not often a candidate loses a primary race for his party's nomination and then comes back to win the general election on another party's ticket. Full Story »

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will ask Gov. Ed Rendell to approve $483 million for California University of Pennsylvania and the other 13 state-owned universities for 2010-11, a spokesman said Tuesday. Full Story »

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium scientists are attempting to raise a litter of African painted dogs born last month - only the second time this has been tried with painted dogs in captivity, zoo officials said. Full Story »

Donn Henderson apparently was popular on the Washington County ballot, just not enough in his home - Fallowfield Township - to win re-election. Full Story »

When the phone rings in Barb Benedetti's house in the middle of the night, she knows it's disaster calling. Full Story »