Articles by Press Releases

Route 288/New Castle Rd In Zelienople To Close 3 Days For Railroad Crossing Replacement

PennDOT has announced that Route 288/New Castle Road in Zelienople will be closed at the railroad crossing near Kwik Fill for railroad crossing replacement. Closure: Saturday, September 19 at 6:00 AM through Tuesday, September 22 at 8:00 AM The railroad crossing will be completely closed to traffic during this time. Posted Detour: Traveling toward Zelienople / from the west side of the crossing: Route 288 → Route 588 → Hartzell School Road → Route 68 → Route 19 → back to Route 288 Traveling away from Zelienople / from the east side of the crossing: Route 288 → Route 19…


Bernstine Announces State Grants for Butler, Lawrence County Projects

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced nearly $1.2 million in Local Share Account (LSA) grants have been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support water infrastructure, road maintenance, public safety and municipal services in Butler and Lawrence counties. Local Share Account grants are funded through gaming revenues under Act 71 of 2004 and support economic development, community improvements and projects that enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvania residents. “These grants will help our local communities address important needs and keep essential services moving forward,” said Bernstine. “Reliable water systems, safe and well-maintained roads, dependable municipal equipment…


Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program Set To Return To Ellwood City In 2027

The Borough of Ellwood City is proud to announce the return of the IRT (Innovative Readiness Training) program in 2027. The IRT program provided $1.2 million in no-cost medical, dental, optical, veterinary and behavioral health services to Ellwood City and the surrounding areas in 2025 during Operation Healthy Ellwood. “We are proud to welcome the IRT program back to Ellwood City in 2027. I was not present for their first visit in 2025, so I am definitely looking forward to witnessing and participating in the mission next year,” said Jeff Foley, Borough Manager. Foley stated that after reviewing statistics of…


Brown, Bernstine Announce State Funding for Local Historical Societies

Reps. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) and Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced state funding totaling $19,000 for historical organizations in Lawrence and Butler counties through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program. “The Lawrence County Historical Society plays an important role in preserving the stories, records and artifacts that tell the history of our communities,” said Brown. “This funding will help the society continue that work and ensure these valuable pieces of our past remain available for residents and future generations.” “Preserving our history takes the resources to properly care for them,” said Bernstine. “I’m pleased to…


Young Voices Again Filling The Halls Of Former St. Agatha Catholic School

This past Sunday, Father Jim Wehner, pastor of Divine Grace Parish, blessed Rosie’s Daycare Center in Ellwood City, located in the former St. Agatha Catholic School at 603 Bridge Street. Owner Mackenzie Annarumo had asked for the blessing and prayers that Jesus and the Blessed Mother will watch over the children and staff. Annarumo opened the daycare facility in late 2025. “Ellwood City is my home. My husband grew up here too,” Annarumo said in December 2025. “There’s a huge need for quality childcare everywhere, and Ellwood needed it—so I did everything I could to meet that need.” St. Agatha…


New Wilmington’s Got Talent Announces 2026 Winners

Talent was on full display at “New Wilmington’s Got Talent,” held Sunday, August 23, at the Admiral Robert Shumaker Borough Park Amphitheater. Inspired by the hit show America’s Got Talent, the event featured a fun mix of performances by youth from across the region. This year’s competition featured two age categories: Young Stars, for performers age 14 and under, and Rising Stars, for performers ages 15–21. Winners included: 1st place Young Stars: Regan Marshall, age 10, from Bessemer, PA, singing and dancing to “Naughty” from Matilda the Musical. 2nd place Young Stars: Frankie B. Jr., age 14, from Youngstown, OH,…


Route 288 Wampum Avenue Utility Work Begins September 8th

Pittsburgh – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing utility work on Wampum Avenue (Route 288) in Ellwood City Borough and Wayne Township, Lawrence County will begin Tuesday, September 8 weather permitting. Beginning Tuesday, single-lane alternating traffic restrictions controlled by flaggers will occur on Wampum Avenue between College Street and Rainbow Drive from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily through late November. Crews from Team Fishel will conduct gas line work for Columbia Gas. PennDOT is not involved in this work and is providing this information as a public service announcement only. For additional information contact Joe Garofalo at…


Record 15 Lawrence County students get $19K in BC3 scholarships

A New Castle resident inspired as a teen to serve in the military, as did her older sister and – and grandfathers during warfare – is among a record 15 Butler County Community College students from Lawrence County selected to receive BC3 Education Foundation scholarships for the upcoming academic year and totaling $19,475. Olivia Ehko, 37, a single mother raising a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, has a 3.79 grade-point average while pursuing an associate degree in BC3’s human resource management and administrative support career program. She was among a record 400 BC3 students who applied for 165 BC3…


The Red Cross And Hello Kitty & Friends Join Forces To Help Save Lives

The Red Cross and Hello Kitty® and Friends are partnering in September to remind donors that comfort and care are always better when shared. Just one blood or platelet donation can help more than one patient enjoy a happier future. As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 1-20, 2026, will get an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people who rolled up a sleeve this summer, the blood supply continues to recover from critically low levels. As we enter…


Rotary Club Hosts Youth Leadership Academy Students

On Thursday August 20th, the Rotary Club of Ellwood City hosted the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy Students (RYLA) to share their experience and this week long conference held at Westminster College in Mid June. RYLA is an international leadership program eveloped by Rotary Interanational in 1971. This program is designed to demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth; provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders, encourage leadership of youth by youth and to recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities. Students who are completed their junior year are selected by the school…