Lighted tree dedicated to longtime caretaker
Latest News
November 1, 2023

Lighted tree dedicated to longtime caretaker

By Mon Valley Independent

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

When the sun begins to set a little earlier each fall, a glistening tree in Lower Speers shines each night. The 200-year-old sycamore that nestles The Back Porch Restaurant has become a landmark for those stopping by for dinner at the restaurant and those driving along Interstate 70 across the Belle Vernon Bridge from Monessen. It’s impossible to miss the tree and there isn’t anything else like it in the area, which makes it fitting that it was recently dedicated in honor of the late Ron Monack, who had been its caretaker for decades. 

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.

Avenue of Flags goes up in West Newton
Latest News, Main
May 11, 2026
Volunteers worked Saturday morning to assemble the Avenue of Flags at West Newton Cemetery. The annual tradition features roughly 400 American flags and will remain in place past Memorial Day. Each fl...
Pisciottano’s AI bill advances in state Senate
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
May 11, 2026
There’s bipartisan support for the measure, which requires disclosure when artificial intelligence is used to sell goods and services. A bill introduced by state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin,...
Small business grants awarded
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
May 11, 2026
Several enterprises in the region received a share of $15M in state money. State funding aimed at helping small businesses start and grow is being distributed across Western Pennsylvania, creating new...
Clean-up day targets section of Elizabeth Township
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
May 11, 2026
More than 24 bags of trash were collected last weekend during the four-hour cleaning campaign. Several residents participated in a clean-up day last weekend in Elizabeth Township. Volunteers worked fo...
New seasonal allergy treatments on the horizon
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
May 11, 2026
Increased vegetation has brought negative effects for allergy sufferers, but new forms of relief are on the way. By JOSH EWERS TribLive Trying pollen seasons are becoming the norm in Western Pennsylva...
New state policies stopped haunted attraction from using minor volunteers
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By By ANN REJRAT For Spotlight PA 
May 11, 2026
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign u...