Local News

Bernstine Announces State Grant for Beaver County

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced that a $198,000 Strategic Management Planning (STMP) grant has been awarded for the City of Beaver Falls, Beaver County. “This is great news for our area,” said Bernstine. Beaver Falls’ renaissance will be driven by the need to increase community revitalization efforts. This grant is an investment in our community in many areas. It provides assistance and supports jobs that pay for our workers to remain a vital part of our community.” The STMP grant, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will include the following: Consultant service for…


Carofino Elected As Pennsylvania Association of Realtors 2021 District Vice President

LEMOYNE, PA – The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors recently installed local real estate agent, Joe Carofino, as the district vice president for District 9 during a virtual ceremony last week. District 9 encompasses Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties. Carofino is the broker and owner of Advantage Homes Real Estate, New Castle. He is active on his local board, the Lawrence County Board of Realtors, where he served as president twice. At the state level, Carofino participates on the Association Services Coordinating, Executive and Strategic Oversight committees. Additionally, he is a federal political coordinator for…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week of February 1

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 will continue doing curbside pick-up. Please call us with the book(s), authors, genre or recommended material you would like to check out and our staff will see that it is in alphabetical order in the lobby for you. Limitations for patrons are 10 items to include books and limited to a total of three DVD’s or books on CD per person. All patrons must wear a mask when entering the lobby and wait until there…


Ellwood City Tax Office Announces Hour Changes

The Borough of Ellwood City Tax Office this week announced changes to its hours. According to Tax Collector Sue Gatto, the office is now open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on those respective days. The borough tax office is located within the municipal building, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117.


Ellwood City School District Announces Spring Musical Dates

According to a release from the district, the Ellwood City Area School District is proud to announce their spring musical is planned for Friday, March 26, Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, 2021. “The students are so excited to be performing the hysterical musical comedy about the eccentric Addams Family,” said Choral Director and Musical Producer Felecia Greco in a statement. “Audiences will remember these crazy characters from the popular TV show.” Greco hopes to have in person audiences for the performances and can only confirm as the date of the performances gets closer. “We are hoping to have…


BC3 Announces President’s List, Dean’s List and Graduates for Fall 2020

Butler, PA – Butler County Community College is proud to announce the names of students who have made the President’s List and Dean’s List for the Fall 2020 semester, as well as the names of those who have graduated recently. Three Ellwood City area students earned President List accolades, a fourth Ellwood City area student earned Dean’s List accolades, and overall twenty-one area students graduated. Students who have achieved a cumulative GPA (grade-point average) of 3.75 or higher are named to the President’s List following completion of at least 12 semester hours or upon completion of degree requirements. Students who…


Senate Approves $912 Million COVID-19 Relief Package

The Senate is poised to approve a comprehensive $912 million relief package to help restaurants, schools, employers, and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Senator Elder Vogel, who supported the bill in the Senate and on Tuesday when it came before the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. Senate Bill 109 amends the state Fiscal Code to allocate $569.8 million for Rental and Utility Assistance, $197 million for education programs, and $145 million to support Pennsylvania’s struggling hospitality industry as it copes with the devastation created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s mandated closings and restrictions. The bill…


Bernstine Bill on Parole Process for Violent Offenders Passes House Committee

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that his legislation which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders in the wake of the 2019 murder of a child in Lawrence County, passed the House Judiciary Committee. Markie’s Law was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of his minimum sentence for homicide, even after committing two separate assaults of other inmates while behind bars. “I applaud the House Judiciary Committee for approving this legislation,” said Bernstine. “Markie’s Law bill must get over the…


Dunkin Donuts Opts Out Of Ellwood City Location

The long anticipated plans and hopes for a Dunkin Donuts at the corner of 5th Street and Spring Avenue have now been canceled. “There were too many assemblage issues with the parcels,” said Mr. Ed Jaten, spokesman for Heartland Restaurant Group (HRG). HRG had initiated a sales agreement with some of the property owners and discussed plans to build on several of the lots but a number of issues arose forcing the cancellation of the agreement. “I had high hopes of bringing this very successful franchise into our city but there were just too many challenges to overcome,” said Keith…


Convicted Beaver County Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Federal Cocaine Trafficking Charge

PITTSBURGH – Harold Novick pled guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine between 2017 and 2019, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. Novick, age 40, formerly a resident of Beaver County, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing to occur on May 24, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Novick was on state parole for a prior cocaine-trafficking conviction when he committed the additional drug-trafficking crime to which he pled guilty. The law provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal…