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Missing Woman’s Body Found in Neshannock Township

According to several sources, a body found in Neshannock Township has been identified as a missing Butler County woman. After being reported missing since Thursday of last week, the body of 26-year-old Melissa “Missy” Barto was found along Old Pulaski Road by a farmer, around 7 p.m. Monday night. The body of the young mother had been burnt, and state police officer Lt. Eric Hermick described the scene as “horrific.” Prior to discovering the body, state police arrested Barto’s 21-year-old boyfriend, Ishemer D. Ramsey, on Sunday with charges of committing homicide after pulling him over in Connoquenessing Township. When police pulled…


School Board Approves Tax Increase

During yesterday’s school board meeting the Ellwood City Area School Board unanimously voted to adopt the proposed 2017-18 budget at 16.74 millage, which includes a 0.18 mill tax increase. This is the first tax increase imposed by the district since 2013 and the extra funds will be used to finance renovations at Lincoln including the third-floor walkway and science wing. A $1.2 million transfer from the district’s reserve fund is also included in the budget. An owner of a $64,000 property, Ellwood’s median property value, can expect to see an increase on their school property tax bill from $1,059.84 to…


CCBC President to Speak on Panel at Northeast U.S. Petrochemical Construction Conference

Pittsburgh, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) President, Dr. Chris Reber, will serve as a panelist at the 2017 Northeast U.S. Petrochemical Construction Conference June 19-20 at the Sheraton-Station Square in Pittsburgh. The topic of the panel discussion is “Readying the Next-Generation for Careers in Advanced Manufacturing & Petrochemicals.” Other panel members will include Dr. Jim Denova, Vice President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation; Mary Murrin, Social Investment Team Lead for Chevron USA; and Joseph Minnitte, External Relations Advisor for Shell Chemicals. The panelists will explore the role of community colleges, business and government in providing the…


PHOTO: Mayor Presents Second Beautification Award

Mayor Court presented to Michael and Mio Morris of Wampum Avenue the 2nd 2017 Mayor’s Beautification Award yard sign and Gift Certificate to one of Ellwood City’s fine restaurants.  The Morris’s were nominated by their neighbor Lisa Guerrera. Photo submitted.


VIDEO: Hartman 5th & 6th Graders Create Story-Telling Robots

During the past school year, Mr. Marsh and Mr. Skoczylas, teachers at Hartman, have hosted 2 after-school robotics club for 5th and 6th grade students at Hartman Intermediate School. Students have created robotic animals, birds, and dinosaurs out of cardboard and other craft materials – they then “program” their creations to move and light up using a circuit board called a Hummingbird Kit. After dedicating four three-hour days to their last project of the school season, the students showcased their creations at the Ellwood City Area Library Friday morning. The students created animals that go along with the book, Brown…


Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline Extended to End of Year

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program deadline for older adults and residents with disabilities to apply for rebates of rent and property taxes paid in 2016 has been extended to December 31, 2017, according to Senator Elder Vogel Jr. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Forms and other information are available online at www.revenue.pa.gov or by calling, toll-free, (888) 222-9190….


Electric Utility Bill Printed With Wrong Due Date

According to information made available to EllwoodCity.org on Friday, the utility bill that Ellwood City Borough Electric customers are now receiving is due June 20th (not June 14th). Automatic Bank Draft customers will have their payment deducted from their bank account on June 20th. The on-line bill pay option is still under construction and not yet available. Further questions or concerns are asked to be directed to the Borough


Criminal Mischief Leaves Several Cars Damaged on Park Ave.

The Ellwood City Police Department warns of criminal mischief complaints they have been receiving lately. Over a half dozen residents on Park Avenue have reported damage to their cars during the night of 6/6 into the early morning hours of 6/7. Cars parked along the avenue, including a 2017 Chevy Traverse, 2015 Ford Escape, 2014 Dodge Journey, 2014 Chevy Cruze, and several others parked along the avenue, were scratched/keyed with a sharp object causing a variation of damages on each car. While some cars only had scratches on the passenger side doors, others were scratched from the front, side, and…


Bernstine Backs Pension Reform to Better Protect Taxpayers

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives’ bipartisan vote to reform Pennsylvania’s two public pension systems, which have a combined unfunded liability of more than $62.7 billion: “While this legislation won’t make all our pension problems disappear, it represents a meaningful step that will reduce our massive unfunded liability by more than $5 billion. Most importantly, it shifts financial risk away from our hard-working taxpayers.  Every dollar we add to our pension debt threatens the quality of our schools and the paychecks of our taxpayers, and we need to stop adding to…


Abrupt Endings For PIAA Championship Quests: Riverside, Ellwood Both Shutout In Quarterfinals

The South Park Eagles stunned the consecutive WPIAL Championship Ellwood City Wolverines by pounding out eleven hits en route to a 11-0 mercy-rule victory in the PIAA 3-A Softball Playoffs at North Allegheny High School Thursday afternoon. The Eagles bats were on fire right from the start as they pushed across a pair of runs in the home half of the first inning courtesy of two hits and a key error.  Jess Dean led off the game for the Eagles by doubling to right-center field.  With two outs, the Wolverines Brooklyn Magill misplayed the drive off of the bat of…