Articles by Press Releases

Applications Now Accepted for Beginning Farmer Tax Credits

Applications are now being accepted for a tax credit program intended to support Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry by helping new farmers get established, according to Senator Elder Vogel, who authored the legislation that created the initiative. The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program created by Senator Vogel’s measure, Senate Bill 478 (Act 65 of 2019), provides an incentive to landowners who lease or sell their land, buildings and equipment to beginning farmers. Landowners will receive a one-time personal income tax credit for the sale or a multi-year lease of property. The legislation requires all leases be enforced through written agreements and that…


Senate Committee Approves Bernstine’s Legislation to Provide More Transparency to Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) commended Senate State Government Committee Chairman John DiSanto (R-Dauphin/Perry) and members of the committee for passing his legislation that would amend the Sunshine Act to require a public agency to post public meeting agendas no later than 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting. “This bill is a commonsense and critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to increasing transparency and ensuring government officials think twice about letting important business fly under the taxpayers’ radar,” said Bernstine. “In today’s fast-paced world, it is important that we give our constituents the tools…


PHOTO: Victory Family Church Participates in “Serve Day”

Victory Family Church from Cranberry Township, PA came to Ellwood City, PA to serve the community on Saturday, July 11, 2020. Mayor Anthony Court and Reverend Rick Pelloni through months of planning provided meals and services to the Ellwood City Community. The group titled “Fishers of Men”, their main goal is serving people with acts of kindness. Serve Day participates with over 1,000 churches across the country in acts of kindness, usually in mid-July. These acts of kindness were put together by Mayor Court and Reverend Pelloni for the main purpose of sharing spiritual needs throughout the Ellwood City community….


BC3 Announces Drive-Thru Commencement for Class of 2020

(Butler, PA) Graduates in Butler County Community College’s Class of 2020 can celebrate their achievement during a 1.2-mile-long drive-thru commencement that begins at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township.Graduates who attended BC3’s main campus or its additional locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson, Lawrence or Mercer counties and who have registered for commencement should bring their mortarboard, gown, tassel and degree cover to the ceremony, which is expected to last daylong. Graduates who have registered for the drive-thru commencement will be informed of their designated arrival time by email. Only one vehicle is requested per graduate….


Wolf Administration: CARES Act Funding for Small Businesses Made Available June 30

Governor Tom Wolf announced that beginning tomorrow small businesses across Pennsylvania can apply for grants to offset lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown order. “In unprecedented times, like those we are currently facing, collaboration is imperative to getting help to those who need it most, as quickly and effectively as possible,” said Gov. Wolf. “This joint effort between my administration, the legislature, and The Pennsylvania CDFI Network will provide critical assistance to Pennsylvania’s small businesses, putting them on better financial footing as they begin to reopen.” The COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program, announced…


Butler Health System To Offer Antibody Testing

Butler Health System Laboratory now offers SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) IgG antibody test using Beckman Coulter’s SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay on Beckman’s DxI 800 analyzer. This test received FDA Emergency Use Authorization. This is the only IgG assay from top four in vitro diagnostic manufacturers that detects antibodies targeting the receptor binding domain on the spike protein of the novel coronavirus that is driving the ongoing global pandemic. It is believed that these antibodies have the potential to be neutralizing antibodies and may play a role in lasting immunity. The test has a confirmed 100% Positive Percent Agreement (sensitivity) and 99.6% Negative Percent…


Ready To Vote PA: Toolkit for Businesses Can Increase Election Participation, Keep Pennsylvanias Safe

PHILADELPHIA (June 25, 2020) — This year was already destined to bring forth significant changes in how elections in Pennsylvania were conducted. With the introduction of no-excuse vote-by-mail and new, modern voting equipment, voters across the commonwealth faced a learning curve. The coronavirus pandemic has complicated election plans and put a premium on protecting the health of voters and poll workers. While the postponed Pennsylvania primary election was mostly smooth, there are still several reforms that lawmakers should consider that will ensure no Pennsylvania worker has to sacrifice their ability to earn a paycheck or their health to exercise their…


Cranberry Twp Agent Recognized as “America’s Best”

Local Realtors from the Christina Hoffmeier Team, were recently recognized in the 2020 “America’s Best Real Estate Professionals” rankings by REAL Trends + Tom Ferry. The prestigious survey is divided into 12 categories used to classify both transaction sides and sales volume for participating agents and teams in the U.S. based on 2019 numbers. The Christina Hoffmeier Team placed in the small teams rankings for most transactional sides in 2019. “This honor is the result of each client who trusted us to help them buy or sell a home in the Pittsburgh area,” said Christina Hoffmeier, Realtor & Team Leader…


Bernstine Applauds Senate Committee Approval of Markie’s Law Bill

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) applauded Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) and members of the committee for unanimously passing his legislation that would preclude the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole from paroling an inmate at the expiration of his or her minimum sentence if the inmate was convicted of a violent offense or an obstruction of justice while incarcerated. Bernstine’s legislation, House Bill 1855 or Markie’s Law, was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old from Lawrence County, who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of his minimum sentence…


Ellwood City Little League Season Begins

The Ellwood City Little League, one of Pennsylavania’s oldest Little League programs, begins its’ season on Tuesday night. The league, which was of one of just over 300 leagues in North America in 1950, begins its’ 71st season with four teams-The Moose, Lions, Wolves and WesBanco. The Moose Club and Lions Club have been team sponsors since the leagues inception. The league managers are Tim Kennedy for the Lions, Keith Keller for the Moose, Jim Bleakney for WesBanco and Doug Hogue for the Wolves. WesBanco will meet the Moose at 6:00 on Tuesday night. Daily schedules are available on ellwoodcitybaseball.com.