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July 16, 2020

Hitched and Unhitched – A 2020 Like No Other

As Christmas joy faded from our homes and the calendar turned to the year 2020, the fear of an unknown coronavirus set in not soon after. Winter thawed bringing not only spring months and warmer weather, but the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing measures have continued to grow as springtime stretched into June. Despite these odd times, many couples found a way to seal the deal and say “I Do”. From “self-uniting” to drive-thru marriages or virtual weddings, couples did what they had to do. Outdoor venues, creative seating arrangements, thoughtful food presentation, and fewer guests are what weddings may…

July 16, 2020

EC 12u Softball Team Defeats Union, Record Improves To 7-0

The Lady Wolverines put together another solid team effort and defeated Union on Tuesday evening in a battle of unbeaten teams. Ellwood City came away with a 5-3 victory in the hard fought win. Ellwood City got the scoring started in the top of the 3rd inning. Ava Dausman reached second base on a throwing error by the shortstop on a hard hit ground ball. She moved to third on a groundout by Kennedy Brown and scored on a two out single by Amber Mcquistion. The fifth would see Ellwood City increase their lead to 2-0. Once again, Dausman started…

July 15, 2020

Grant Announced To Turn Stonecrest Golf Course Into Business Park

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced this week the Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded a $2 million Business in Our Sites grant and a $3 million Business in Our Sites loan for the development of what will become the former Stonecrest Golf Course into the Stonecrest Business Park located in New Beaver Borough. The Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC), in cooperation with Stonecrest Business Park (SBP), plans to develop the former golf course into the Stonecrest Business Park. The site consisting of 213 acres, 110 acres of which is developable, is accessible to Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike and…

July 15, 2020

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…

July 15, 2020

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…

July 15, 2020

Toxic Trash Disposal Day For Franklin Township

Franklin Township will be having a “Too Toxic To Trash” Recycling Event on Saturday, August 1. This is a way for residents to get rid of household hazardous and electronic waste in a safe and proper way. Registration is required however, so you will need to call 866-815-0016 or visit the ECSR website to be able to schedule your appointment. The event will be from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday August 1 at 897 State Route 288, Fombell, Pa. 15009. Items that can be brought and disposed of consist of household chemicals. These chemicals include; paint, paint thinner,…

July 14, 2020

ECASD Planning Multiple Options for Back to School

Back to School this year could look quite different for the Ellwood City Area School District. Due to Covid-19, going back isn’t just as simple as going back. With state mandates and guidelines changing weekly, if not daily, administrators and educators in the district are working to develop multiple plans for multiple scenarios. The district’s pandemic task force and its subcommittees have been meeting regularly to make sure that students can return safely. “In late June, we were hoping for a full reopening,” said ECASD’s Superintendent Joseph Mancini at a recent board of directors meeting. Mancini said that hope changed…

July 14, 2020

ECASD Board Passes SEIU Contract

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ workers in the Ellwood City Area School Disrict now have a contract. The School Board unanimously approved a 6-year contract, which will secure all the jobs of the district cafeteria, custodial, maintenance, secretary/clerks and instructional and personal aides. According to Thomas Breth, legal counsel for the district, terms under the new contract, which is retroactive to 2017, all employees will remain employees. Workers agreed to a wage freeze. In addition, new hires will be subject to the elimination of one paid holiday, a reduction in starting wage, employee-only healthcare coverage, and a longer…

July 14, 2020

VIRTUAL FUN: Local Athletes Complete In Special Olympics of PA Virtual Summer Games

This summer, over 1,000 athletes participated in the Virtual Summer Games (VSG) weekend Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14, 2020. The VSG was hosted by the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania in lue of the normal Summer Games that had to be canceled because of COVID-19. The Special Olympics of Pennsylvania connected athletes and with athletes through Facebook as well as using YouTube videos as reference within emails. However, athletes without the internet could call their times to their coach, who would then upload the scores for them, but only athletes with the internet could post videos. Everyone was welcome…

July 14, 2020

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….