Jan 13, 2016 5 min read

A traditional itinerary leads the way to another look at Today In History from the archives of area newspapers.

Monday, Jan. 14, 1946

City engineer Mark Borland of Monongahela received a letter from Wahaysama, Japan, containing a $20 donation to the city’s proposed permanent war memorial. The message came from a Monongahela serviceman who requested anonymity and emphasized the monetary contribution should “be used to help perpetuate the memory of all those who have sacrificed their lives.” Borman turned the letter and the money over to Herman Kohn, chairman of the Federation of Clubs Honor Roll Committee.

Damage of more than $15,000 was caused to the Pittsburgh Mercantile Company and the building which houses the property of People’s Bank at 8:40 o’clock yesterday morning in downtown California. John R. Gregg, cashier at the bank, discovered the blaze and alerted firemen, who were on the scene for three hours.

Saturday, Jan. 14, 1956

Charleroi moved into a tie for first place with Monessen by defeating Bellmar 69-48 last night in WPIAL Section 5-A basketball action at the CHS gym. The Cougars and Monessen show 3-0 records atop the section scramble.

In other games, Monongahela held off Brownsville 48-43 and Donora throttled California 58-39. Monessen fell to New Kensington 59-55 in an exhibition game.

Ollie Payne paced Charleroi with 15 points, while George Schoener and Bob Boda had 14 points each and Myron Pottios added 10. Sam Sergii of Bellmar took game honors with 22.

Gene Massari led Donora with 18 markers and drew double-digit support from Cecil Palmer (11) and Jim Jericho (11). Ewing Bell had 11 for California.

Joe Timko’s 14 points were best for Monongahela, which also showed Joe Sacane with 12 and Wayne Porter with 11. Brownsville’s top scorers were Ralph Eisenhuth (12) and Bob Chuey (10).

Friday, Jan. 14, 1966

Floyd M. France of Monongahela has been elected president of the Ringgold Interim Operating Committee. France also is president of the Ringgold School Board.

Thomas Kustron of Monongahela was elected president of the Monongahela Valley Catholic High School Alumni Association at the annual banquet at the St. Sebastian Social Center in Belle Vernon. Other officers for the coming year are Stephen Hlavacik, vice president; Marguerite Caruso, secretary, and corresponding secretaries Karen D. Sanza and Kathleen Grazzinni.

Pittsburgh National Bank announced it has purchased the Irondale Hotel building at Sixth Street and McKean Avenue in Donora and will raze the landmark structure to build a new bank on the site.

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1976

Judy Ann Wawerchak, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wawerchak, is the winner of the annual Bosch and Lomb Science Award at Monessen High School. Principal Sherman Brizzi said the award is significant because it recognizes the senior with the highest scholastic standing in science subjects.

Monessen defeated defending Section 4-AAA champion Ringgold 78-68 at the RHS gym. Leading the Greyhounds were Bob Yakovac, 20; Joe Heath, 16; Wally Malinchak, 12, and Delvin Miller and Paul Kunsa, 10 each. Chuck Gardner looked best for the Rams with 18 points while Gil Nedrow and Carlton Stallsworth each had16.

In another key game, California Area moved into a tie with Washington for first place with an easy 79-59 win over Monongahela Valley Catholic. Jay Papini paced the Trojans (3-0 in Section 14-AA) with 21 markers and was backed by Sam Mitchell and Nate Green with 16 apiece. Mitchell also grabbed 15 rebounds. Barry Bronson (16), Jim DeBerardinis (14) and Tom Russell (12) topped the Spartans.

Bernard Venaleck was given double duties for the coming year as a part-time administrative employee of Roscoe Borough. Meeting for the first time this year, borough council rehired Venaleck as borough secretary and gave him additional duties as borough treasurer, a new position.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1986

Belle Vernon Borough Council retained Kristopher Kircher as police chief in a formal gesture council President Verne Horan termed “unnecessary.” Horan said a police chief “need not be reappointed … he remains chief until such time as council demotes him or fires him.”

Charleroi Area School Board appointed Michael Rebich to fill a vacancy on the board created last month when Lorraine Caruso resigned to become Fallowfield Township tax collector.

Charleroi defeated Brownsville 61-44, Monessen nipped Mon Valley Catholic 51-50, and Elizabeth Forward throttled Ringgold 73-41 in girls scholastic basketball action last night. High scorers were: Charleroi – Diane Todd, 22, Julie Claybaugh, 12, Dawn Haywood, 11; Brownsville – Chris Dominsky, 19; Monessen – Dawn Stepoli, 18, Peachie Turner, 10, Erica Woods, 10; Mon Valley Catholic – Dawn Ghilani, 15, Tammie Ambrose, 12; Elizabeth Forward – Dawn Dobich,27; Ringgold – Lisa Lorenzi, 15.

Saturday, Jan.13, 1996

(Jan. 14 was a Sunday.)

Police officers in the region have formed a new organization, Mon Valley Police Association. Larry Hopkins of the Charleroi Police Department is president of the new group, which includes most of the members of the former Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Gary Seykoski is membership chairman and Officer Bill Hopkins of Monessen is vice president. Lt. James Desanti designed a logo for the new group.

Belle Vernon Area snapped its Ringgold jinx by defeating the Rams 56-56 in overtime in a Quad-A Section 2 game at the BVA gym. Ringgold had won the past 11 games against the Leopards, and the victory was the first for BVA coach Bill Wiltz against his former boss, Phil Pergola. Leading the win were Brian Zaph, 16; Chris Danko, 15, and Matt Karabin, 11. Tony Thomas (19 points, 14 rebounds) and Scott Booher looked best for Ringgold.

Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006

Mayor Bill Lee of Speers Borough has been named toastmaster for the annual dinner of Mon Valley WAVE Feb. 18 at the King of the Hill restaurant in Bentleyville. The banquet pays tribute to American military troops involved in the war on terrorism.

Monessen took over sole possession of third place in the Class A Section 3 basketball race with a 51-39 win over Frazier last night in Perryopolis. Josh Arnold led the Greyhounds (7-8, 3-2) with 19 points, while Greg Johnson (16) and Jim Traynor (10) looked best for the Commodores (4-10, 2-3),

If you have memories of the Mon Valley to share or story ideas, contact Ron Paglia at ronpaglia@verizon.net or c/o the Observer-Reporter, 122 S. Main St., Washington, Pa. 15301.