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February 27, 2020

Bernstine Announces State Funding for School Safety Enhancements at Area School Districts

ELLWOOD CITY – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced the School Safety and Security Committee has awarded $53.7 million in School Safety and Security Grants to school districts, vocational schools, intermediate units and charter schools across the state. The 17-member committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency was created as part of Act 44 of 2018, a comprehensive school safety law passed in 2018. One of its duties is to help distribute both meritorious and competitive grants. “As parents and as a community, our first priority is the safety of our children,” said Bernstine. “I’m pleased we are…

February 26, 2020

Lawrence County 4-H Announces Annual Benefit Auction

Everyone is invited to help us make the best, better by attending the 20th Annual Lawrence County 4-H Benefit Auction on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at the New Englander, in New Castle, PA – where all proceeds go directly to the Lawrence County 4-H/Youth Development Program! Help us transform the lives of our youth members! Donations are now being accepted from local businesses. March 6, 2020 is the last day to guarantee entry into the catalog, however, items are accepted up to the day of the auction. All items are GENEROUSLY offered for sale through volunteer efforts. There is NO…

February 24, 2020

Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of February 24

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities.  Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. Activities taking place this week include WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 10:00 a.m. – “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. It is designed to help reduce the stresses of everyday life. All adults are welcome. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 6:00 p.m. – “Adult Knitting Group,” which meets weekly to work on individual projects. New members are welcome. SAVE THE DATE: Dr. Suess’ birthday program will kick off the start of story hour March 5,…

February 21, 2020

POLICE: Criminal Complaints

The following are police criminal complaints filed at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lawrence County office of Honorable Jerry G. Cartwright. According to a criminal complaint, a series of fraudulent activities resulted in charges of identity theft and receiving stolen property. State police were notified of the activities that took place on the victims debit card while the victim was hospitalized between the dates of December 7 and December 16, 2019. The charges totaled $2,324.54 from various locations. Video surveillance at these locations showed Richard Worrell, 29, of Ellwood City, and Amy Marie Crespo, 33, of New Castle, using the victim’s…

February 20, 2020

Community Rallies Around Councilwoman After Travel Expense Denial

Seems that despite a denial for a borough funded travel request, Councilwoman Jude Dici will be taking the trip to the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) conference in Hershey after all. Following a 4-3 vote at Monday’s meeting denying Dici’s travel request, the community has rallied to donate the funds in order to allow Dici to attend. According to Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera, she plans to pitch in $100 to send her fellow councilwoman to Hersey and another local resident and businessowner took to social media and pledged to raise money for Dici. Dici said she was aware of Guerrera’s…

February 20, 2020

VIDEO: KDKA Investigates Ellwood City Medical Center Closure

According to a KDKA report and two-month investigation — involving a deep dive into years of court and financial records — they found the issue of blame may be a complicated one. Officials in the town now without a hospital blame a man named Grant White — the CEO of Americore — a company that promised long-term quality care. Ellwood City and two other Americore hospitals are bankrupt. Read more, www.pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/02/19/ellwood-city-medical-center-closure-with-ties-to-joe-bidens-brother/

February 19, 2020

Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial Exhibit Needs Volunteers; Meeting Set for Tomorrow

The Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial will be coming to Ellwood City in August. In order for the exhibit to be a success, the committee is seeking volunteers to help with all aspects of the exhibit. A meeting will be held on February 20 at 6:30 at the Historical Society at 310 5th Street. The actual wall will be featured in Ellwood City August 20-24. For more information on the Moving Wall, please contact Dom Viccari at 724-657-4388.

February 18, 2020

Council Votes to Approve Travel Expenses for Mayor, Denies Councilwoman

Council voted unanimously to send Mayor Anthony Court to a four-day Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) conference in Hershey but denied a request by councilwoman Judith Dici to attend that same conference. Council approved funds totaling $942.67 plus food and mileage for Court. In a 4-3 vote Dici was denied the request for funding with Council President George Celli, Vice President James Barry, Councilman Caleb Cragle, and Councilwoman Michelle Lamenza voting “No.” Cragle said he researched four years of council minutes, mileage, and cost of meals and estimated the cost of the mayor and Dici’s attendance at the twice-a-year…

February 18, 2020

Ellwood City Council Hires Home Blood Services Company to Test DUI Suspects

Ellwood City Council voted to implement an agreement for services for blood toxicology testing following DUI arrests. Monday night council voted unanimously to hire Becky’s Home Blood Services at a rate of $50 per venipuncture. The move comes after the closing of the Ellwood City Medical Center. Since the closing of the hospital, local officers were forced to travel at least 30 minutes to area facilities for the DUI testing. Becky O’Neil, owner of Becky’s Home Blood Services, also provides home blood business services to residents. She has been providing service in the area since 2018 and has more than…

February 17, 2020

Ellwood City School Directors Approve Personnel, Spring Coaches

The Ellwood City School Board Directors voted during Thursday’s board meeting to approve personnel hires. Among the appointments were Michael Elmer who was hired as an instructional aide and David Poore and Megan Rosenberger were approved as mentors for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Heidi Feltrop, secondary librarian was granted tenure. Board directors also voted to update the ACT 93 Agreement to include Paul Pishioneri and his salary increase to $72,000 for the 2020-2021 school year. Spring coaches were also appointed (Director Gary Rozanski Sr. abstained from the…