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February 3, 2022

PennDOT Reduces Speed Limits in Lawrence County

Pittsburgh, PA – Due to the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several roadways in Lawrence County. PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways: Lawrence County Interstate 79 Interstate 376 On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane. Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to…

February 3, 2022

Lawrence County Woman Sentenced For Involvement In Capitol Riot

NOTE: The following article originally appeared on www.businessinsider.com A Pennsylvania woman who initially lied to investigators about her role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot was sentenced to one year of probation and a $2,000 fine at a Tuesday hearing. Julia Sizer pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building in November. The nail technician initially faced four charges stemming from her role in the insurrection, including knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. But as the government works to prosecute more than 760 people…

February 3, 2022

Valentines Day Carriage Rides Offered At Shakespeares Restaurant

Enjoy a unique opportunity to enjoy a special moment with a loved one. Misty Lane Farms is hosting scenic carriage rides through the beautiful Olde Stonewall Golf Course on February 12th and 14th as part of a Shakespeares Restaurant Valentines Day event. The rides are approximately 15 minutes long and are $25.00 per group (up to 4 people). “The carriage rides on the beautiful Olde Stonewall Golf Course offers gorgeous views of the course and of the castle,” says Mindy Stoops, of Misty Lane Performance Horses. The private carriages have a roof in the case of inclement weather. Shakespeare’s Restaurant…

February 2, 2022

Lawrence County Man Convicted In Newborn’s Death Dies At Rockview State Prison

NOTE: This article originally published on www.centredaily.com A Lawrence County man detained at Rockview state prison and convicted of conspiring to kill a newborn died Friday, the state Department of Corrections said Monday. Christopher Kennedy, 42, was serving an 18 to 36-year sentence after he was pleaded no contest in June to conspiracy to commit third-degree murder. The plea meant he accepted the conviction, but did not expressly admit he committed the crime. He pleaded guilty to one felony count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Kennedy was found unresponsive in his cell, where prison staff provided life-saving measures until facility…

February 1, 2022

Bernstine Announces Food Equipment Grants for Area Schools

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced state grants were awarded to schools in the 10th Legislative District that will help schools upgrade their facilities to continue to provide critical food services to students. The grants were made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The department awarded more than $946,000 in competitive grants to 44 elementary, middle and high schools in 23 counties to purchase new food service equipment for cafeterias. Schools receiving funding include: Big Beaver Elementary School – $22,174 to be used for a convection steamer and gas oven. Central Elementary School – $22,174 for…

January 29, 2022

Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week of January 31

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. PLEASE NOTE: The Library has partnered with Seneca Library District, Oil Creek Library District, Erie County Public Library and Crawford County Federated Library System for e-books. You can now use the Overdrive or Libby App. to borrow books from the above Libraries. Please call the library with any questions. WE’RE OPEN! The Library is open. Newspapers, magazines and toys will not be available for the time being. Masks are required to be worn, covering mouth and nose, while in…

January 28, 2022

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Michael Henry, 40, of Ellwood City is charged with Theft and Receiving Stolen Property after an incident on January 13th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 7:43 a.m., officers were contacted by the manager at Seven-Eleven who stated a male walked into the convenience store and stole a donation jar from the front counter and exited the store. Officers were able to obtain and review surveillance footage that showed the male enter the store, take the donation jar, exit the store and continue on foot into the 600 block of Wampum Avenue. A Seven-Eleven employee identified the…

January 28, 2022

Shades of Bronze: New Business Helping Ellwood City to Beat the Winter Blues

Does winter have you missing the sunshine and feeling a little pale? Head over to Shades of Bronze at 605 Lawrence Ave. Joellen Cirelli opened the doors to her tanning salon and boutique on October 10, 2021. She joins a long list of young entrepreneurs who are working to revitalize the town. Joellen was just 22 when she became a businesswoman. “Ellwood City is such a small and great town filled with such good people and I wanted to keep the town booming so decided to start my dream and open a tanning salon,” she said. Cirelli is a hometown…

January 26, 2022

Senate Passes New Funding for Hospitals, Health Care Workers

HARRISBURG (Jan. 26, 2022) – The state Senate this week approved critical funding for hospitals and frontline health care workers who continue to keep Pennsylvanians safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47, said. House Bill 253 would allocate a total of $225 million to hospitals and their employees. The additional dollars will be allocated as follows: $100 million for acute care general hospitals. $110 million for critical access hospitals, facilities with a high volume of Medicaid patients, and behavioral/psychiatric providers. $15 million for the PA Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program. Of that total, the major health care…

January 25, 2022

Bernstine Bill Takes Aim at Nurse Shortage, Provides Support for Health Care Professionals

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today introduced legislation that will expand the number of nursing education programs in Pennsylvania and help improve the quality of life for current nurses. “Our nurses do more than care for individuals,” said Bernstine. “They are at the forefront of change in health care and public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic our nurses have been providing the best care for patients. We must consider what we can do to ensure they have adequate support in the future. This will have a direct impact on our health care professionals and the quality of patient care.”…