- News
- Around The Valley
- Features
- Politics
- Food
- Business
- Everyday Living
- World News
- Entertainment Calendar
- special-section
- Sports
- High school
- Local/Youth
- Sports Columns
- Cal (Pa.)
- Pittsburgh
- NFL
- NCAA
- MLB
- NHL
- NBA
- Obituaries
- Photos
- Classifieds
- Classifieds/Public Notices
- GO Local 365
- Contact Us
- ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAM
- BIRTHDAY MEMORIAM
- ESTATE NOTICE
- NAME CHANGE NOTICE
- FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE
- INCORPORATION NOTICE
- News
- Around The Valley
- Features
- Politics
- Food
- Business
- Everyday Living
- World News
- Entertainment Calendar
- special-section
- Sports
- High school
- Local/Youth
- Sports Columns
- Cal (Pa.)
- Pittsburgh
- NFL
- NCAA
- MLB
- NHL
- NBA
- Obituaries
- Photos
- Classifieds
- Classifieds/Public Notices
- GO Local 365
- Contact Us
- ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAM
- BIRTHDAY MEMORIAM
- ESTATE NOTICE
- NAME CHANGE NOTICE
- FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE
- INCORPORATION NOTICE
- News
Obituaries
December 15, 2023
By obits
John Stefan Trach, 69, of Atlanta and Big Canoe, Ga., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Jasper, Ga. John was the cherished father of Juliana Elizabeth Trach of New Haven, Conn.; and beloved husband of Lizanne DeStefano. He is survived by his sister, Luba (Bogdan) Vujcic; brother, Stefan (Kathie) Trach; and sister-in-law, Cathleen Trach. He was the fun-loving uncle to Michele (Jamie) Glood, Suzanne Trach, Walter Jr. (Melissa) Trach, Nicole Trach (Sonny Mouneu), Nikola Vujcic, Natasha Vujcic (Anshul Sud), Larisa Trach, Sara Trach (Tyler Fick), Douglas Trach, Monique Bogacki, Marlese Bogacki-Schaefer (Spencer Wilkes); and 12 grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Walter Trach (Cathleen Trach). John was born on June 1, 1954, in Charleroi, son of Stefan and Helen Ciak Trach. He grew up in Monessen, where he was a member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church and attended Belle Vernon schools. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Penn State University in 1976. He then moved to Williamsport, Pa., where he worked at Hope Enterprises promoting independent living for people with disabilities. It was there he met his future wife, Lizanne DeStefano. They married in Williamsport in 1988. John earned a master’s degree in special education at the University of Georgia in 1981 and taught in Clarke County schools, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 1984. John loved Athens, especially its running, hiking and outstanding music culture. He also spent many summers in the Pocono Mountains working at Camp Akiba. In 1986, he relocated to Champaign, Ill., to study at the University of Illinois, earning a Ph.D. in special education in 1990 and joining the faculty in 1992. John’s career was devoted to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. He was very proud of the many students he mentored who went on to take leadership positions in government, higher education, and community service throughout the world. In 1996, John’s daughter Juliana was born. He was very proud of her accomplishments and loved bike riding, traveling and attending concerts and sporting events with her. In 2018, he and Juliana traveled together to meet their extended family in Ukraine and visit his family homestead. John retired from the University of Illinois in 2012. In his retirement, he was an active master gardener and enjoyed traveling, entertaining and researching his family history. John and Lizanne returned to Georgia in 2015 and appreciated the city life of Atlanta and the beautiful mountains of Big Canoe. John’s knowledge of music was vast and varied. He loved attending live concerts and music festivals, amassing a collection of thousands of recordings. He was a devotee of Ukrainian history and arts and took pride in reconnecting with his family there after many decades. He was an authority on beers and actively supported local breweries. Every event was made better with his curation of music, beverages and carefully laid fires. He was loved and respected by so many people and will be greatly missed. Arrangements are being handled by SCOTT HUSKINS FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES. A memorial service is planned for June 1, 2024, in Monessen. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rails to Trails Conservancy or the charity of your choice.
Latest News
Brando gets visitors at Round Hill Park
By Mon Valley Independent 
May 14, 2024
Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent Cheyanne Weathers and her 3-year-old daughter Avery of Monessen greet Brando, a retired Allegheny County Police horse, Monday afternoon at Round Hill Park. To purc...
Latest News
Field renovations tabled in White Oak
By Mon Valley Independent 
May 14, 2024
By Sarah Pellis spellis@yourmvi.com White Oak council heard a request Monday night to upgrade baseball and softball fields in the borough. Josh Lefkowitz of the White Oak Athletic Association cited st...
Latest News
Veteran launches effort to restore WWII memorial
By Mon Valley Independent 
May 14, 2024
By Michael Richter mrichter@yourmvi.com Monessen veterans are raising money to restore the World War II tank memorial in City Park, as the vehicle is showing signs of decades of deterioration. Ron C...
High school, Sports
Blackhawk gets upset win, ends Leps’ season
By Mon Valley Independent 
May 14, 2024
By LIAM BELAN lbelan@yourmvi.com In what was a tumultuous season for the Belle Vernon softball team, it still managed to put together a 13-6 record and grab a No. 6 seed in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs...
Latest News
Forward Township: DeRosa named roadmaster again
By Mon Valley Independent 
May 14, 2024
By TAYLOR BROWN Senior Reporter tbrown@yourmvi.com Tom DeRosa is once again the roadmaster in Forward Township. Last month, supervisors discussed a number of road issues, some of which have been ong...
Public Notices
Public Notices – May 14, 2024
By Stacy Wolford 
May 14, 2024
').appendTo('.footer:first'); $('
').appendTo('.footer .overlay'); $('.footer .overlay').css({ 'position': 'fixed', 'display': 'flex', 'inset': '0px', 'background': 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5)', 'z-index': '9999', 'align-items': 'center', 'justify-content': 'center', 'height': '100vh', 'width': '100vw' }); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper').css({ 'position': 'relative', 'overflow': 'hidden', }); if ($(window).width() <= 1000 && $(window).width() < $(window).height()) { $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper').css({ 'width': '80%', 'padding-top': '50%' }); } else { $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper').css({ 'width': '50%', 'padding-top': '30%' }); } var video_href = $(this).attr('ta_videolink'); $('
').appendTo('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper'); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper iframe').css({ 'background': 'rgb(255, 255, 255)', 'box-shadow': 'black 0px 0px 10px 0px', 'position': 'absolute', 'inset': '0px', 'width': '100%', 'height': '100%', 'padding': '20px' }); $('
×
').appendTo('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper'); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper .overlay_close').css({ 'position': 'absolute', 'top': '0', 'right': '0', 'z-index': '999', 'font-size': '24px', 'cursor': 'pointer', 'text-align': 'center', 'display': 'flex', 'align-items': 'center', 'justify-content': 'center', 'height': '24px', 'width': '24px', 'color': 'black', 'font-weight': '700', 'transition': '0.3s ease', 'opacity': '0.5', }); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper .overlay_close').hover(function() { $(this).css({ 'opacity': '1', }); }, function() { $(this).css({ 'opacity': '0.5', }); }); $('.footer .overlay').show(); $(document).mouseup("click", function(e){ var container = $(".overlay iframe"); if(!container.is(e.target) && container.has(e.target).length === 0){ $('.footer .overlay iframe').remove(); $('.footer .overlay .overlay_close').remove(); $('.footer .overlay style').remove(); $('.footer .overlay').remove(); } }); } });}function posts_slot_2_tablet_style(){ (function($) { if($("body")[0].className.match(/main_tmpl/)!=null){ post_slot = $("#posts_slot-2")[0]; tablet_style_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-pc]").innerHTML.match(/--tablet-style-js.+?\;/)[0]; tablet_style_value = tablet_style_value.replace(/\s/g,""); tablet_style_value = tablet_style_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); tablet_style_value = tablet_style_value.replace(/\;/g,""); if (tablet_style_value != null){ if (tablet_style_value == "pc"){ // To do nothing } else if (tablet_style_value == "mobile"){ variable_pc_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-pc]").innerHTML.match(/min-width.+?\;/)[0]; variable_pc_value = variable_pc_value.replace(/\s/g,""); variable_pc_value = variable_pc_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); variable_pc_value = variable_pc_value.replace(/\).*/,""); pc_value = post_slot.querySelector("[pc]").innerHTML.match(/min-width.+?\;/)[0]; pc_value = pc_value.replace(/\s/g,""); pc_value = pc_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); pc_value = pc_value.replace(/\).*/,""); style_default_pc_value = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[0].innerHTML.match(/min-width.+?\;/)[0]; style_default_pc_value = style_default_pc_value.replace(/\s/g,""); style_default_pc_value = style_default_pc_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); style_default_pc_value = style_default_pc_value.replace(/\).*/,""); variable_mobile_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-mobile]").innerHTML.match(/max-width.+?\;/)[0]; variable_mobile_value = variable_mobile_value.replace(/\s/g,""); variable_mobile_value = variable_mobile_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); variable_mobile_value = variable_mobile_value.replace(/\).*/,""); mobile_value = post_slot.querySelector("[mobile]").innerHTML.match(/max-width.+?\;/)[0]; mobile_value = mobile_value.replace(/\s/g,""); mobile_value = mobile_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); mobile_value = mobile_value.replace(/\).*/,""); style_default_mobile_value = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[1].innerHTML.match(/max-width.+?\;/)[0]; style_default_mobile_value = style_default_mobile_value.replace(/\s/g,""); style_default_mobile_value = style_default_mobile_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); style_default_mobile_value = style_default_mobile_value.replace(/\).*/,""); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-pc]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-pc]")[0].innerHTML.replace(variable_pc_value, "900px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[pc]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[pc]")[0].innerHTML.replace(pc_value, "900px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[0].innerHTML.replace(style_default_pc_value, "900px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-mobile]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-mobile]")[0].innerHTML.replace(variable_mobile_value, "899px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[mobile]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[mobile]")[0].innerHTML.replace(mobile_value, "899px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[1].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[1].innerHTML.replace(style_default_mobile_value, "899px"); } } } })(jQuery);}function posts_slot_2_category_position(){ //if the page is using body main_tmpl (and not fallback) if(jQuery("body")[0].className.match(/main_tmpl/)!=null){ post_slot = jQuery("#posts_slot-2")[0]; if(window.innerWidth<600){ category_position_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-mobile]").innerHTML.match(/--category-position-js.+?\;/)[0]; } else{ category_position_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-pc]").innerHTML.match(/--category-position-js.+?\;/)[0]; } category_position_value = category_position_value.replace(/\s/g,""); category_position_value = category_position_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); category_position_value = category_position_value.replace(/\;/g,""); if(category_position_value=="follow-order-content"){ } else if(category_position_value=="onimage-bottom-right"){ articles = post_slot.querySelectorAll('article'); for(i=0;i
').appendTo('.footer:first'); $('
').appendTo('.footer .overlay'); $('.footer .overlay').css({ 'position': 'fixed', 'display': 'flex', 'inset': '0px', 'background': 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5)', 'z-index': '9999', 'align-items': 'center', 'justify-content': 'center', 'height': '100vh', 'width': '100vw' }); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper').css({ 'position': 'relative', 'overflow': 'hidden', }); if ($(window).width() <= 1000 && $(window).width() < $(window).height()) { $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper').css({ 'width': '80%', 'padding-top': '50%' }); } else { $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper').css({ 'width': '50%', 'padding-top': '30%' }); } var video_href = $(this).attr('ta_videolink'); $('
').appendTo('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper'); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper iframe').css({ 'background': 'rgb(255, 255, 255)', 'box-shadow': 'black 0px 0px 10px 0px', 'position': 'absolute', 'inset': '0px', 'width': '100%', 'height': '100%', 'padding': '20px' }); $('
×
').appendTo('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper'); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper .overlay_close').css({ 'position': 'absolute', 'top': '0', 'right': '0', 'z-index': '999', 'font-size': '24px', 'cursor': 'pointer', 'text-align': 'center', 'display': 'flex', 'align-items': 'center', 'justify-content': 'center', 'height': '24px', 'width': '24px', 'color': 'black', 'font-weight': '700', 'transition': '0.3s ease', 'opacity': '0.5', }); $('.footer .overlay .iframe-wrapper .overlay_close').hover(function() { $(this).css({ 'opacity': '1', }); }, function() { $(this).css({ 'opacity': '0.5', }); }); $('.footer .overlay').show(); $(document).mouseup("click", function(e){ var container = $(".overlay iframe"); if(!container.is(e.target) && container.has(e.target).length === 0){ $('.footer .overlay iframe').remove(); $('.footer .overlay .overlay_close').remove(); $('.footer .overlay style').remove(); $('.footer .overlay').remove(); } }); } });}function posts_slot_2_tablet_style(){ (function($) { if($("body")[0].className.match(/main_tmpl/)!=null){ post_slot = $("#posts_slot-2")[0]; tablet_style_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-pc]").innerHTML.match(/--tablet-style-js.+?\;/)[0]; tablet_style_value = tablet_style_value.replace(/\s/g,""); tablet_style_value = tablet_style_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); tablet_style_value = tablet_style_value.replace(/\;/g,""); if (tablet_style_value != null){ if (tablet_style_value == "pc"){ // To do nothing } else if (tablet_style_value == "mobile"){ variable_pc_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-pc]").innerHTML.match(/min-width.+?\;/)[0]; variable_pc_value = variable_pc_value.replace(/\s/g,""); variable_pc_value = variable_pc_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); variable_pc_value = variable_pc_value.replace(/\).*/,""); pc_value = post_slot.querySelector("[pc]").innerHTML.match(/min-width.+?\;/)[0]; pc_value = pc_value.replace(/\s/g,""); pc_value = pc_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); pc_value = pc_value.replace(/\).*/,""); style_default_pc_value = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[0].innerHTML.match(/min-width.+?\;/)[0]; style_default_pc_value = style_default_pc_value.replace(/\s/g,""); style_default_pc_value = style_default_pc_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); style_default_pc_value = style_default_pc_value.replace(/\).*/,""); variable_mobile_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-mobile]").innerHTML.match(/max-width.+?\;/)[0]; variable_mobile_value = variable_mobile_value.replace(/\s/g,""); variable_mobile_value = variable_mobile_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); variable_mobile_value = variable_mobile_value.replace(/\).*/,""); mobile_value = post_slot.querySelector("[mobile]").innerHTML.match(/max-width.+?\;/)[0]; mobile_value = mobile_value.replace(/\s/g,""); mobile_value = mobile_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); mobile_value = mobile_value.replace(/\).*/,""); style_default_mobile_value = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[1].innerHTML.match(/max-width.+?\;/)[0]; style_default_mobile_value = style_default_mobile_value.replace(/\s/g,""); style_default_mobile_value = style_default_mobile_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); style_default_mobile_value = style_default_mobile_value.replace(/\).*/,""); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-pc]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-pc]")[0].innerHTML.replace(variable_pc_value, "900px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[pc]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[pc]")[0].innerHTML.replace(pc_value, "900px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[0].innerHTML.replace(style_default_pc_value, "900px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-mobile]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[variable-mobile]")[0].innerHTML.replace(variable_mobile_value, "899px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[mobile]")[0].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[mobile]")[0].innerHTML.replace(mobile_value, "899px"); post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[1].innerHTML = post_slot.querySelectorAll("[style_default]")[1].innerHTML.replace(style_default_mobile_value, "899px"); } } } })(jQuery);}function posts_slot_2_category_position(){ //if the page is using body main_tmpl (and not fallback) if(jQuery("body")[0].className.match(/main_tmpl/)!=null){ post_slot = jQuery("#posts_slot-2")[0]; if(window.innerWidth<600){ category_position_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-mobile]").innerHTML.match(/--category-position-js.+?\;/)[0]; } else{ category_position_value = post_slot.querySelector("[variable-pc]").innerHTML.match(/--category-position-js.+?\;/)[0]; } category_position_value = category_position_value.replace(/\s/g,""); category_position_value = category_position_value.replace(/^.+?\:/g,""); category_position_value = category_position_value.replace(/\;/g,""); if(category_position_value=="follow-order-content"){ } else if(category_position_value=="onimage-bottom-right"){ articles = post_slot.querySelectorAll('article'); for(i=0;i
Contact Information
The Mon Valley Independent
monvalleyindependent.com
1719 Grand Bouleveard
Monessen, PA 15062
Phone: 724-314-0030
Staff Directory
Stacy Wolford Managing Editor
724-314-0019 swolford@yourmvi.com
Jeremy Sellew Sport Editor
724-314-0040 jsellew@yourmvi.com
').appendTo('#pages_slot-18'); jQuery('#pages_slot-18 article .news_img a').on('click', function() { var youtube_video_href = jQuery(this).attr('ta_href'); jQuery('
').appendTo('#pages_slot-18 .click_youtube_video'); jQuery('html').css({"overflow":"hidden", "width":"auto"}); jQuery('body').css({"overflow":"hidden"}); jQuery('#pages_slot-18 .click_youtube_video').show(); }); jQuery('#pages_slot-18 article .news_intro a').on('click', function() { var youtube_video_href = $(this).attr('ta_href'); jQuery('
').appendTo('#pages_slot-18 .click_youtube_video'); jQuery('html').css({"overflow":"hidden", "width":"auto"}); jQuery('body').css({"overflow":"hidden"}); jQuery('#pages_slot-18 .click_youtube_video').show(); }); jQuery('.click_youtube_video').on("click", function(){ jQuery('#pages_slot-18 .click_youtube_video .youtube_video_iframe').remove(); jQuery('html').css({"overflow":"visible"}); jQuery('body').css({"overflow":"visible"}); jQuery('#pages_slot-18 .click_youtube_video').hide(); }); })(jQuery);}}function pages_slot_18_change_position_pc(){ youtube_images = jQuery('#pages_slot-18 article img'); //console.log("youtube A"); //console.log(youtube_images.length); for (i=0;i
Staff Directory
Lori Byron Advertising and Circulation
724-314-0019 lbyron@yourmvi.com
Pete Kordistos Accounting
724-314-0023 pkordistos@yourmvi.com
Contact Information
McKeesport Office
monvalleyindependent.com
409 Walnut Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
Phone: 412-896-8460
').appendTo('#pages_slot-19'); jQuery('#pages_slot-19 article .news_img a').on('click', function() { var youtube_video_href = jQuery(this).attr('ta_href'); jQuery('
').appendTo('#pages_slot-19 .click_youtube_video'); jQuery('html').css({"overflow":"hidden", "width":"auto"}); jQuery('body').css({"overflow":"hidden"}); jQuery('#pages_slot-19 .click_youtube_video').show(); }); jQuery('#pages_slot-19 article .news_intro a').on('click', function() { var youtube_video_href = $(this).attr('ta_href'); jQuery('
').appendTo('#pages_slot-19 .click_youtube_video'); jQuery('html').css({"overflow":"hidden", "width":"auto"}); jQuery('body').css({"overflow":"hidden"}); jQuery('#pages_slot-19 .click_youtube_video').show(); }); jQuery('.click_youtube_video').on("click", function(){ jQuery('#pages_slot-19 .click_youtube_video .youtube_video_iframe').remove(); jQuery('html').css({"overflow":"visible"}); jQuery('body').css({"overflow":"visible"}); jQuery('#pages_slot-19 .click_youtube_video').hide(); }); })(jQuery);}}function pages_slot_19_change_position_pc(){ youtube_images = jQuery('#pages_slot-19 article img'); //console.log("youtube A"); //console.log(youtube_images.length); for (i=0;i