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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….

July 14, 2020

POLICE: Hitchhicker Wanted After Stabbing Driver

On June 27, at around 2:26 AM, Ellwood City Police Department officers reported to an area hospital after a call came in to report a man was in the lobby bleeding from the neck. When they made contact with victim John Lucchesi and while waiting for emergency services to arrive, police questioned the man as to what happened. Luccesi reported that after he had offered a hitchhiker a ride, he had stabbed him after an argument. Lucchesi said he had picked up the hitchhiker near the BnB Express on Fourth Street. The pair began driving when an argument began and…

July 13, 2020

Happy Tails Pet Hotel and Daycare Open to the ‘Pup-lic’

Five star accommodations aren’t just for humans! Happy Tails Pet Hotel and Daycare will offer resort-ish style services that will leave your dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, birds, and exotic pets feeling posh and pampered. Madelyn Duncan, the facilities owner, has fur fabulous plans for the hotel. Paws have been her passion for as long as she can remember. “I grew up with many pets and around various types of farms,” she said. “I always wanted to work with animals, but I didn’t know in what capacity that would be. I am glad I have figured this dream out and…

July 13, 2020

Ellwood City Library Activities For The Week Of July 13th

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. NOTE The Library will continue doing curbside pickup. Please call us with the book(s), authors, genre or recommended material you would like to check out and our staff will see that it is in alphabetical order in the lobby for you. Limitations for patrons are 10 books and three, either books on CD or DVD’s, per person. All patrons must wear a mask when entering the lobby and wait until there are less than three people in the lobby….

July 10, 2020

ECASD Board Announces Elimination of Principal

*Note: This story was updated at 3 p.m. on July 10 to reflect the announcement of a resolution to suspend employment of a principal at Ellwood City Area School District. Citing a substantial decline in student enrollment of 15 percent during the 2015-2016 through 2019-2020 school years in the Lincoln High School, grades 7-12 building, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a resolution to suspend the employment of Nadia Engel, assistant principal at Lincoln High School. The resolution, received via email today, also states that the Board reserves the right to authorize and direct such other…