Articles by Press Releases

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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


VIDEO: Route 18 Reopens After Train Derailment In New Castle

Pittsburgh – PennDOT District 11 has announced a portion of Route 18 has reopened after a closure to traffic due to an overnight train derailment in the City of New Castle on Thursday, May 11th. Nine Norfolk Southern train cars derailed near its intersection with Route 18 between Mt. Jackson Road (Route 108) and Blanchard Street.  PennDOT personnel were on scene to assess the condition of the roadway once the rail cars are removed. The New Castle Fire Chief said no hazardous materials were in the cars — one was carrying soybeans and another had paraffin wax. Some of the…


2023 Riverside Prom Courts Announced

Riverside Junior/Senior promenade will take place Friday, May 12, at the Riverside High School auditorium. Students will participate in the Grand March at 6 pm, starting in the gymnasium and proceeding to the auditorium, where the stage has been decorated in this year’s theme, A Night in Vegas. Promenade will conclude with the crowning of Prom Queen by Liz Frazer, this year’s Riverside Homecoming Queen. The Queen’s crown is provided by Blocher’s Jewelers in Franklin Township and her flowers by Posies by Patty of Ellwood City – thank you for your annual support! The King of Prom will be crowned…


Bernstine to Host Concealed Carry Seminar On May 10

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) is inviting area residents to a Concealed Carry Seminar as a way to further understand their rights with respect to the state’s firearms laws and protections. The seminar will take place on Wednesday, May 10, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Penn Township Municipal Building located at 157 East Airport Road in Butler. “Attending this Concealed Carry Seminar will provide important information for anyone who does or wants to carry a concealed firearm,” said Bernstine. “This event will ensure that you understand the laws and regulations surrounding concealed carry.” Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger…