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July 7, 2023

Bernstine Announces State Funding for Workforce Development in Lawrence County

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced the West Central Workforce Development Board will receive a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The funding will support a West Central Workforce Development Board program to provide job training to young adults who were formerly incarcerated. The Community Connections program links these young adults to youth re-entry project partners, who will determine skill sets and training gaps, the need for supportive services, and training options. Each participant will be assigned a joint adult mentoring team for advice throughout program participation. “People who commit crimes must be held accountable,…

July 6, 2023

Vogel: Senate Acts to Protect Sexually Exploited Children, Human Trafficking Victims

HARRISBURG – Continuing to stand up for the safety and protection of children in the commonwealth, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr (R-47) and his fellow Senate colleagues approved legislation yesterday to ensure sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support. Under current Pennsylvania law, any minor that is exploited for commercial sex must identify their third-party perpetrator to be considered a victim of human trafficking, unless their purchaser is charged as a trafficker. Senate Bill 44 would ensure that third-party control is never a consideration for access to victim services. Senate Bill…

June 27, 2023

Borough Receives Pennsylvania Day Grant In Support of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful

To support community improvement and engage volunteers, the Borough of Ellwood City announced today it is the recipient of a $2,000.00 2023 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grant from America250PA and EQT Corporation, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and in support of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. The grant funds will be utilized to assist with costs to replace planter boxes along Lawrence Avenue, the town’s main street. “We are thrilled to be the recipient of the America250PA grant funding. It is our hope that this project will help beautify our main street and give Ellwood City a fresh look….

June 22, 2023

Upcoming Butterfly Release At Moraine State Park Regatta

Come to the Moraine State Park Regatta and release a monarch butterfly in honor of a special someone, in memory of a loved one, or just for fun! Monarch butterflies are now available for pre-purchase. This release fills the sky with the color and movement of one of nature’s most beautiful creatures, the Western Pennsylvania Monarch. Individuals who pre-purchased Monarchs can release their butterflies in private, and the names (in honor of/in memory of) that were included at the time of purchase will be listed on the Regatta website. At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6th, we will present a…

June 16, 2023

Ellwood City Man Pleads Guilty To Attempted Production Of Material Depicting Sexual Exploitation Of Minor

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Ellwood City, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of attempted production and production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced Thursday. David Bates, age 63, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan on June 12, 2023. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in or between July 2020 and October 2020, Bates and another individual attempted to and did use, persuade, induce entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct…

June 16, 2023

Bernstine Announces PHARE Funding for Butler, Lawrence Counties

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced the awarding of $800,000 to Butler and Lawrence counties through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Program (PHARE) to help with homelessness, household modifications and safety challenges. “Rehabilitating existing properties to meet current market demands is an excellent way to invest our resources,” said Bernstine. “Renovating existing properties has some important benefits. You don’t need as many materials, can make good use of existing structures and usually spend less money. In addition, one of the most efficient ways to make money in real estate is to rehabilitate existing properties.” The funding…

June 9, 2023

Ellwood City Historical Society Remembers Memorial Day 2023 In Ellwood City

as submitted by Mob Morabito, Ellwood City Area Historical Society At Ellwood City’s Legion Park on Memorial Day, the early morning twilight was just being breached by the first rays of the rising sun as the American flag was ceremoniously raised and lowered three times before being placed at the half-staff position. This was done to honor the 159 Ellwood City Area men listed on the monuments there who gave their lives in defense of freedom. Five local veterans, Joe Fisher, Rich Griffith, Bill Hrabosky, Pete Maietta, and Bob Morabito, members of the J. Wilbur Randolph American Legion Post 157…

June 1, 2023

Vogel Office to Host Veteran’s Assistance Specialist, Announces Virtual Grant Education

Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) has announced that Robert Lee from the Pennsylvania American Legion Veterans Assistance Program will be available on Thursday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at his Cranberry Township District Office, 8001 Rowan Rd, Suite 205, Cranberry Township. No appointment is necessary. Lee can help veterans and their families with understanding the benefits they have earned, enroll in the VA health care system, assist with the appeals process, and more. Participants are asked to bring any documentation and paperwork they may need. For more information, contact Vogel’s Cranberry Township District Office at 878-978-2575. Vogel…

May 22, 2023

Butler Health System & Excela Health… Now Independence Health System

Butler Health System and Excela Health today announced that their newly combined organization is Independence Health System. “Last June, two like-minded, independent health systems announced their intent to come together with the goal of creating a new and distinct healthcare choice for patients in western Pennsylvania,” said Ken DeFurio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Independence Health System. “On January 1 of this year we successfully formed the new organization. Independence Health System has a breadth and depth of services that make it indispensable to our patients and physicians.” Independence Health System includes Butler, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals…

May 16, 2023

NOTICE: Ellwood City Area School District Proposed Final Budget

In a notice made available by the district, the Ellwood City Area School District has proposed its final budget. The notice reads as follows: NOTICE is given that the Proposed Final Budget for the General Fund of the Ellwood City Area School District for the 2023-24 fiscal year in its most recent form is available for public inspection at the school district offices, 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, 16117. The budget will be presented for adoption as a Final Budget at a school boar meeting to be held in the Board Room of the Lincoln High School Building, 501…