Human Interest

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…


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…


After 69 Years of Dedication to Local Art, the Ellwood City Art Club Fears Closure

The Ellwood City Art Club was founded in 1949 with one simple vision – to provide a place dedicated to enhancing art in Ellwood City. 2017 marks the clubs 69th year anniversary, but manager of Dayspring Gifts, member of the art club, and advocate for the importance of art in the community, Jan Keenan, fears the future of the club may not be so bright. For many years the art club has been using studio space in the Ellwood City High School free of charge for classes and events, however due to changes at the high school they are no…


Lincoln High Student Receives $1,000 McDonald’s Scholarship

ELLWOOD CITY, PA (June 7, 2017) – McDonald’s of Ellwood City and the Beaver County Foundation are pleased to announce that Dominic Nocera of Lincoln High School is the recipient of the 2017 Dom Viccari-McDonald’s of Ellwood City Scholarship. Nocera will receive $1,000 towards his college tuition in recognition of his academic achievement, leadership ability and community service. A check presentation is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 at McDonald’s of Ellwood City.  Established in 2014, the annual scholarship is named to honor the man who worked tirelessly to improve Ellwood City for all residents, first as a five-term…


Youth Development Center in Shenango Sold to Islamic Consulting Firm

After laying abandoned for several years, the 145-acre state-owned property housing the former Youth Development Center in Shenango Township has been sold to a Newark, New Jersey based Islamic consulting firm called HIRA. Out of three total bids on the property, HIRA was the highest and now the public is curious to know what the potential business plans on doing with the space. HIRA’s official website – which contains many grammatical errors throughout – does not provide much information about the firm other than their main goal is to “offer services to the Islamic Schools who are not getting the…


PPA Factors, Energy Costs and Consumption Comparison for Billings March 2017-June 2017 and Corresponding Previous Year

The attached information is being provided in order to inform Ellwood City Electric customers of the effect the reduction in the Transmission and Capacity charges set by PJM has had upon the Rate Adjustment (PPA Factor) and customer billings during the months of March 2017 through the upcoming billing in June 2017. Comparisons of PPA components (Energy Purchased, American Municipal Power-Power Charges, as well as Transmission and Capacity Charges) were used. The Rate Adjustment is added to the electric bill of each user, Residential, Commercial and Industrial. The March 2017 Rate Adjustment was 2.40 cents per kWh while in 2016…


Teddy Bear Run to Benefit Akron Children’s Hospital

The God Chasers Motorcycle Club is taking donations for their Teddy Bear Run event to benefit children at the Akron Children’s Hospital. Although the motorcycle club organizes fund raisers for different causes throughout the year, this is the first year the club has organized the Teddy Bear Run for the children’s hospital, and club member Reverend Mike Wimer says they have already received great support. “Along with the generous donations made by the club members, fellow motorcyclists, and the public, we have had donations from many local businesses including the Burgh Bar and the New Castle Lowes – even Build-A-Bear…