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November 22, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Enacts Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program, hires Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to adopt an ordinance, creating an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program and to advertise an ordinance creating a 1 mill tax for those services. The move comes following a voter referendum on November 8 during the election in which a majority of voters were in favor of the program. During the October Council meeting, The Ellwood City Community Health Foundation presented the Ellwood City Fire Department a check for $175,000. Council voted at that October meeting to advertise an ordinance creating the ALS program, as well as an agreement that the program will be partially funded…

October 27, 2022

Brooks, Vogel Announce $3.5 Million Grant to Create Local Jobs at Steelite

LAWRENCE – Sens. Michele Brooks (R-50) and Elder Vogel (R-47) announced a $3.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to facilitate the expansion of the Steelite International facility, which will contribute to the economic strengths of Neshannock Township, the City of New Castle and surrounding areas. The project entails the formation of a 55,000-square-foot, pre-engineered steel building in Neshannock Township. Funds will be used to develop the site; purchase and construct the pre-engineered steel building; and for related building operation systems, such as electrical, HVAC and plumbing. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Sen. Vogel and Steelite on…

October 26, 2022

Bernstine Says House Fails to Override Governor’s Markie’s Law Veto

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives failed today to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s September veto of House Bill 146, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders in the wake of the 2019 murder of a child in Lawrence County. The measure needed a two-thirds majority (134 votes) to override the veto; 132 “yes” votes were cast. Every Republican House member voted “yes” to override the veto; however, some Democrats who originally voted in the affirmative, flipped their vote to support releasing violent criminals back onto our streets. Markie’s Law was named…

October 5, 2022

NOTICE: Political Signs NOT Allowed Without Registration

According to a press release made available by the Borough of Ellwood City, no candidate for political office, whether local, county, state or federal, shall post any political signs on Borough property without registering at the Ellwood City Municipal Building, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. This registration procedure involves a $50 deposit, which will be returned if the following regulations are complied with: no sign shall be placed prior to four (4) weeks before the date of election and must be removed within five (5) days after the election. If the signs are left on Borough property after…

October 4, 2022

Bernstine’s Markie’s Law Legislation Vetoed by Governor

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) that would focus on the parole process for violent offenders was vetoed today by Gov. Tom Wolf. “I am upset, disappointed and disgusted with the governor’s decision to veto this important, commonsense legislation,” said Bernstine. “This bill would have kept the most dangerous inmates from a premature release in order to protect our Commonwealth residents and would have saved Markie’s life.” House Bill 146, or Markie’s Law, was named after Markie Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of…

September 21, 2022

Bernstine’s Markie’s Law Legislation Awaiting Governor’s Signature

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that his legislation, which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders, is on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk. House Bill 146, or Markie’s Law, was named after Markie 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 in prison. “Markie’s Law must get over the finish line and signed into law by the governor,” said Bernstine. “This bill would keep the most dangerous…

September 20, 2022

Borough Council Welcomes Jr. Councilperson; to hire Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council welcomed Jr. Councilperson Kaden Schlichtkrull during the regular meeting Monday night. Schlichtkrull, a senior at Lincoln High School, was administered the oathe of office by Mayor Anthony Court before joining council at the table. He’s also involved in cross country, track, tennis, student council, and plays the trumpet in the band. Schlichtkrull said he thought becoming a Jr. Councilperson would be a great addition to his advanced government studies. “I thought it would be a great way to learn,” he said. Council also voted to advertise for the position of Borough Manager as David Allen will…

August 16, 2022

Bernstine Introduces Legislation to Enhance Classroom Safety

HARRISBURG – After the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, where children and educators were killed at an elementary school, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler, Lawrence) has introduced legislation to enhance the safety of children and staff while on school property. “Mass murderers are often attracted to “soft targets” where they know victims are not armed,” said Bernstine. “According to the Crime Prevention Resource Center, there has not been a single mass shooting in a school where staff were clearly allowed to carry a firearm.” House Bill 2771 would allow school employees who possess a valid Pennsylvania concealed carry permit to be…

July 29, 2022

Gov. Wolf Files Lawsuit to Protect Reproductive Rights

As part of Governor Tom Wolf’s ongoing commitment to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, today he filed a lawsuit against the Republican-led General Assembly for their unconstitutional attempt to ban abortion in Pennsylvania. “The Republican-led General Assembly continues to take extraordinary steps to dismantle access to abortion and implement a radical agenda. Frustrated that their legislation may face my veto pen again, they instead loaded multiple unrelated constitutional amendments into ​a joint resolution and rammed the bill through during the budget process,” Gov. Wolf said. “As long as I remain governor, I will take every step to ensure that abortion remains legal, safe and accessible in Pennsylvania.” In the court filing to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Governor Wolf…

July 19, 2022

Borough to Seek Residents for Comprehensive Plan Committee

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to accept letters of interest from Borough residents willing to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Committee. The Comprehensive Plan Committee shall consist of three Council members, Borough Manager David Allen, and five Borough residents. Community planning, according to the American Planning Association, is “a process that seeks to engage all members of the community to create a more prosperous, convenient, equitable, healthy, and attractive place for present and future generations.” One of the fundamental responsibilities of local government is to plan for future growth and development of the community. The guidance document that results from…