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Human Interest

June 26, 2017

VIDEO: Live Stream from Hira Educational Meeting

The controversial sale of the former Youth Development Center in New Castle has led local government officials and many community members to publicly express their concerns. Shenango Township residents Shirley Sallmen and Barbara Thompson called for a public meeting regarding the sale. The meeting was hosted Friday evening by Jubilee Ministries International at the Kingdom Broadcasting Ministries with nearly 250 locals in attendance. Several elected officials were present at the meeting, including State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, who publicly presented the known and unknown facts regarding the company. “I want to be clear that this region is accepting of people from…

June 22, 2017

New Castle Approved for Medical Marijuana Growing Facility

Since Pennsylvania approved legislation permitting the sale of medical marijuana, a former factory located in New Castle has been chosen as one of the first 12 medical marijuana grower/processors in Pennsylvania. The 30,000 square-foot former factory located at 911 Industrial Street in New Castle is expected to be operational within six months, and is anticipated to relieve some of the financial distress in the local community and create 100-150 “good-paying” jobs once the operation reaches full potential, the New Castle News site reports. Keith Morgan and Richard Genderson of Holistic Farms located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, are the visionaries behind the…

June 21, 2017

June 21: Longest Day of the Year

Did anyone else notice how light it remained yesterday into the later hours of the evening? If you didn’t you’ll have the chance to witness it again this evening thanks to the annually reoccurring summer solstice! The summer solstice occurs yearly between the dates of June 20-22 and although the day itself is not actually any longer than 24-hours, due to the Earth’s-tilt the amount of daylight for the northern hemisphere is longer. While northern demographics witnessed the most daylight, with some regions of Alaska witnessing upwards of a full 24-hour period of full daylight, Pennsylvania received around 15.5-16 hours…

June 21, 2017

PHOTO: Mayor Presents Third Beautification Award

On Tuesday, Mayor Court presented the 3rd 2017 Beautification Award and Gift Certificate to Ellwood City resident Marsha Fusetti of Johnston Drive.  The Mayor congratulated Marsha for her beautiful and well maintained gardens around her home. There are still 3 more Award Winners that can be nominated to receive this 2017 Beautification Award Winner sign and gift certificate, so the Mayor is encouraging everyone if you feel someone is well deserving to this presentation, be sure to nominate them.

June 20, 2017

Summer Paving Contract Approved

Ellwood City council members unanimously voted yesterday to approve the 2017 summer paving contract with Wampum-based Youngblood Paving. Over a hundred-thousand less than last years paving project, the $239,778.86 contract is expected to cover the expenses to pave 17 blocks of streets, including the entire length of Pittsburgh Circle. 11 Blocks of Pittsburgh Circle, Glen Avenue for one block from Keystone Way to Pittsburgh Circle, three blocks of First Avenue from North Street to Gregg Street, and two blocks of Gregg Street from Wampum Avenue to First Avenue are to be repaved. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act the…

June 14, 2017

Residents Cautioned about Non-Official Third-Party Bill Pay Site

While many Borough of Ellwood City residents should soon be receiving their May utility bills, they are urged to be aware that a third-party website is appearing in search results for “Ellwood City online bill pay”. When any variation of “Ellwood City online bill pay” is typed into a search engine, a clickable link comes up just a few links below the actual Ellwood City Borough online bill pay website, which is currently still suspended for updates. The third party bill pay site URL is www.doxo.com/info/borough-ellwood-city-pa.  While doxo.com is a legitimate third-party bill payment service, similar to online bill payment…

June 13, 2017

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…

June 13, 2017

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…

June 12, 2017

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.

June 12, 2017

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…