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July 19, 2016

Borough Council July Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the July council meeting brief: Visitors Over 100 visitors attended the meeting seeking a dialogue with borough officials regarding the electric bill. Visitor Rob Brough requested a town hall meeting so the borough can fully explain the Ellwood Electric Department as well as take steps toward solutions regarding customer service and high electric bills. Council President Connie MacDonald set a date of Monday, Aug. 1. This was a continuation of last Monday’s meeting where over 50 residents attended. Awards/Recognitions Council commended the Ellwood City girls softball team for winning their Class AA section,…

July 18, 2016

Council, Residents Divided Over Electric Department

Last Monday’s council meeting highlighted a number of potential issues in the Ellwood City Borough Electric Department, namely customer service concerns and the advantages of private utilities over a municipal-owned utility service. As explained in a previous article, Ellwood City Borough has its own Electric Department, which belongs to a consortium of municipalities called American Municipal Power (AMP). The borough uses a consulting group, Utility Engineers, for its purchasing agreements, and in 2015 entered a five-year contract with an electric provider. The borough purchases electricity at a yearly rate of $.08529 per kilowatt (kWh). In turn, it sells electricity to…

July 18, 2016

Ellwood City Area Public Library Activities for Week of 7-18-2016

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: Monday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. — “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. “Coloring for Adults” is a new concept in helping to reduce the stresses of everyday life. During the months of June and July, these sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Mondays instead of Wednesdays because of the library’s Summer Reading Program activities. Call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Monday, July 18, at 1:30 p.m. – Afternoon Book Discussion Group for Adults. The…

July 15, 2016

Ellwood City Rotary Club Annual Scholarships

Ellwood City Rotary Club’s annual Scholarship Dinner was, as always, a special night for Rotarians, guests, scholarship recipients and their families. The yearly event, which took place May 19 at the Connoquenessing Country Club, was conducted by master of ceremonies and Scholarship Committee chair Mark Smith. Each year, our Club presents academic scholarships to worthy Lincoln and Riverside high school students. A 2016 Genevieve Blank Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 was awarded to Riverside High School senior Shanna Ridgley. The daughter of Don and Sheri Ridgley, Shanna will be attending the University of Pittsburgh, pursuing studies in Pre-Dental. Also receiving a…

July 15, 2016

Ellwood City Area Public Library Annual Book Sale

The Ellwood City Area Public Library will hold its annual book sale from October 3 through 8 this year, and is now accepting donations for the event. Books of all types will be accepted, both paperback and hardback. The sale generally features a large variety of fiction, non-fiction, history, sports, self-help, books on religion and spirituality, children’s books and much more. Also accepted are DVDs, audio books on CDs and music CDs. All books and donated items must be in good condition and may be taken to the library during regular business hours. The library will NOT accept any donations…

July 14, 2016

Senator Vogel’s Statement on Passage of the 2016-17 Budget

Yesterday, the Legislature approved the final portion of the balanced budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year. I am thankful that both sides were able to come together and avoid a repeat of last year’s prolonged budget impasse that negatively impacted both schools and nonprofit service providers that rely on stable state funding. Two weeks ago, I voted for the bipartisan spending compromise bill that boosted Pre-K-to-12 state funding for education to unprecedented levels, fully funded core functions of state government, and devoted vital resources to addressing the ever-increasing opioid addiction epidemic in Pennsylvania. We were able to negotiate with the…

July 14, 2016

Gibbons Votes ‘No’ to Tax Increases

HARRISBURG, July 13 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D- Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, said he voted against more than a half-dozen new and increased taxes proposed to fund the 2016-17 state budget. Gibbons previously voted against the unbalanced budget plan that increased total state spending by $1.6 billion, or 5.3 percent, and boosted the legislature’s funding by $18.6 million while failing to invest in economic development or adequately fund public education. “We need to get spending under control and deal with the cost drivers that are increasing our state budget before we continue to ask residents and businesses to pay more taxes,” Gibbons…

July 13, 2016

Heat Doesn’t Deter Good Works: Carpenter’s Project 2016

Despite an exceptionally hot, humid week, volunteers weren’t deterred from the Carpenter’s Project. Throughout the week, over 100 volunteers divided into 18 crews will work on an estimated 100 projects at 58 houses. The Carpenter’s Project is a volunteer, community organization that provides external repairs to the houses of the elderly, disabled and others who are unable to perform the work themselves. Projects range from painting (the most predominant), to porch railings, demolition, concrete pouring and yard work. The Carpenter’s Project is formed by a collaboration of local churches. Equipment and food are all purchased from local businesses. This year,…

July 13, 2016

Franklin Township’s Fourth Annual Community Days

Franklin Township’s Fourth Annual Community Days will be on Tue, Aug. 2 from 6 p.m., to 9 p.m. The event will be located at Franklin Plaza on State Route 288 and will feature music, food, and fun for the whole family. Booths and Vendors will be set up to fundraiser for various organizations and causes. There are still spots available to set up a booth, if you are part of a local organization or a business that wants to show your support please contact Franklin Township Secretary, Shannon Schlosser at twpsecretary@zoominternet.net. Local businesses have made donations to make the night…