Recent Stories

news

June 26, 2017

VIDEO: Live Stream from Hira Educational Meeting

The controversial sale of the former Youth Development Center in New Castle has led local government officials and many community members to publicly express their concerns. Shenango Township residents Shirley Sallmen and Barbara Thompson called for a public meeting regarding the sale. The meeting was hosted Friday evening by Jubilee Ministries International at the Kingdom Broadcasting Ministries with nearly 250 locals in attendance. Several elected officials were present at the meeting, including State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, who publicly presented the known and unknown facts regarding the company. “I want to be clear that this region is accepting of people from…

June 22, 2017

New Castle Approved for Medical Marijuana Growing Facility

Since Pennsylvania approved legislation permitting the sale of medical marijuana, a former factory located in New Castle has been chosen as one of the first 12 medical marijuana grower/processors in Pennsylvania. The 30,000 square-foot former factory located at 911 Industrial Street in New Castle is expected to be operational within six months, and is anticipated to relieve some of the financial distress in the local community and create 100-150 “good-paying” jobs once the operation reaches full potential, the New Castle News site reports. Keith Morgan and Richard Genderson of Holistic Farms located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, are the visionaries behind the…

June 20, 2017

Summer Paving Contract Approved

Ellwood City council members unanimously voted yesterday to approve the 2017 summer paving contract with Wampum-based Youngblood Paving. Over a hundred-thousand less than last years paving project, the $239,778.86 contract is expected to cover the expenses to pave 17 blocks of streets, including the entire length of Pittsburgh Circle. 11 Blocks of Pittsburgh Circle, Glen Avenue for one block from Keystone Way to Pittsburgh Circle, three blocks of First Avenue from North Street to Gregg Street, and two blocks of Gregg Street from Wampum Avenue to First Avenue are to be repaved. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act the…

June 20, 2017

Police Find Crack Cocaine and Sleep Apnea Machine in Vehicle

Police Find Crack Cocaine and Sleep Apnea Machine in Vehicle According to the criminal complaint, on June 14, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration. Operator of the vehicle, Christopher Patrick Bruno, 61, of Ellwood City, did not hold a valid drivers license and was under driving suspension in Florida and Pennsylvania. Bruno also had an active warrant for his arrest through the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Bruno was detained for the warrant, and he advised officers of his sleep apnea machine in his car that he would need for sleeping. Officers opened a bag…

June 16, 2017

Police Report: 60 Year-Old Man Breaks Ellwood Business’s Front Door with Cane

A local 60-year-old man is expected to pay for damages sustained to a Lawrence Avenue business after he broke the glass with his cane Wednesday afternoon. According to the criminal complaint, an employee at the Ellwood City Ledger contacted police to report damages caused by an older gentleman. The employee stated she was sitting inside the Ledger building when the man came to the door and started knocking after business hours. The man eventually got frustrated and started pounding on the bottom of the door with his cane, breaking the glass. The employee followed the man around the building and…

June 16, 2017

Senator Vogel to Host Veterans’ Specialist at New Castle District Office

Senator Vogel announced today that he will host a veterans’ specialist in his New Castle District Office to assist constituents with various issues related to their military service. Stephanie Bengoa of the American Legion Veterans Assistance Program will be available on Wednesday, June 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Senator Vogel’s New Castle Office (1905 W State St New Castle). No appointment is necessary. Ms. Bengoa can assist veterans and their families understand the benefits they have earned, enroll in the V.A. health care system, assist with the appeals process, and much more. Please bring any documentation and…

June 13, 2017

School Board Approves Tax Increase

During yesterday’s school board meeting the Ellwood City Area School Board unanimously voted to adopt the proposed 2017-18 budget at 16.74 millage, which includes a 0.18 mill tax increase. This is the first tax increase imposed by the district since 2013 and the extra funds will be used to finance renovations at Lincoln including the third-floor walkway and science wing. A $1.2 million transfer from the district’s reserve fund is also included in the budget. An owner of a $64,000 property, Ellwood’s median property value, can expect to see an increase on their school property tax bill from $1,059.84 to…

June 9, 2017

Criminal Mischief Leaves Several Cars Damaged on Park Ave.

The Ellwood City Police Department warns of criminal mischief complaints they have been receiving lately. Over a half dozen residents on Park Avenue have reported damage to their cars during the night of 6/6 into the early morning hours of 6/7. Cars parked along the avenue, including a 2017 Chevy Traverse, 2015 Ford Escape, 2014 Dodge Journey, 2014 Chevy Cruze, and several others parked along the avenue, were scratched/keyed with a sharp object causing a variation of damages on each car. While some cars only had scratches on the passenger side doors, others were scratched from the front, side, and…

June 9, 2017

Bernstine Backs Pension Reform to Better Protect Taxpayers

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives’ bipartisan vote to reform Pennsylvania’s two public pension systems, which have a combined unfunded liability of more than $62.7 billion: “While this legislation won’t make all our pension problems disappear, it represents a meaningful step that will reduce our massive unfunded liability by more than $5 billion. Most importantly, it shifts financial risk away from our hard-working taxpayers.  Every dollar we add to our pension debt threatens the quality of our schools and the paychecks of our taxpayers, and we need to stop adding to…

June 8, 2017

After 69 Years of Dedication to Local Art, the Ellwood City Art Club Fears Closure

The Ellwood City Art Club was founded in 1949 with one simple vision – to provide a place dedicated to enhancing art in Ellwood City. 2017 marks the clubs 69th year anniversary, but manager of Dayspring Gifts, member of the art club, and advocate for the importance of art in the community, Jan Keenan, fears the future of the club may not be so bright. For many years the art club has been using studio space in the Ellwood City High School free of charge for classes and events, however due to changes at the high school they are no…