Welcome to the inaugural edition of Kiski Valley Today. Within these pages, and via the Kiski Valley Today Online website, we hope to inspire you with content reflecting the dynamic character of life here in the Kiski Valley.

Truly this is a wonderful place to work, play, worship God and raise a family. Each community holds diverse treasures, many of which are unique just to a particular neighborhood. Our schools, served by dedicated educators, are filled with some of the most amazingly talented children in the country. Our churches, blessed with honorable ministers behind the pulpits, inspire us with fullness each week. Local small businesses offer a unique “hometown” selection of products and services along with a friendly smile and conversation nearly lost to the big cities around us. Dozens of youth and adult organizations run by sincere volunteers work tirelessly providing us a wealth of life opportunities. And, we rest under the vigilant courage of fire, police and public service officials who regularly give of themselves, often standing in harm’s way, to preserve the peace and quality of life we enjoy each day. The Kiski Valley is much more than a geographical region defined by hills and creek beds. The Kiski Valley is its people and the investments they make in caring for each other every day.

Through the past century three generations of my family forged their place in the fabric of our region, each of them in turn blessed by the rich Kiski Valley traditions of family, church, school and community. My father passed on to me his great love of this part of the world. Following his time in the Second World War, he worked two jobs, and with my faithful mother at his side, raised two girls and four boys here in the valley. We grew up as a part of the valley’s “baby boomer” generation tossing footballs in the park and riding bicycles on tree covered sidewalks. Through the years, and having traveled around the country, my appreciation for the simplicity and gentleness of our area has grown. And so it is my great honor to offer you this first newspaper edition of Kiski Valley Today, with a sincere hope that we can service our area in a manner which honors the excellence of our communities.

The Internet version of Kiski Valley Today has been up and running for quite awhile offering truly multi-media content highlighting life in our area. Over the past months we have attained to some exciting firsts, not only in our valley but also in all of Southwestern PA. We are the first to webcast streaming video of local WPIAL and PIAA high school sports events. The online version of Kiski Valley Today offers these technologically advanced local video e-vents as well as many interesting articles with titles highlighting; Our Kids, Kiski Valley People, Photo Shoots, Classifieds, Weather, Communities, Dining, Events, Local and National News and much more. If you have access to the Internet you can find your hometown web site at www.kiskivalley.com.

I hope you enjoy the content of Kiski Valley Today. It has been a true inspiration to work with the local school districts, businesses, organizations, churches and citizens of this region in the production of this first issue. There is truly no better place to work, play, worship God and raise a family.