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January 24, 2020

Ellwood City School District Board Collides Over Ethics

Ellwood City School Board Directors passed a Board Resolution: “Principles for Governance and Leadership” during their recent meeting but not without a discussion regarding ethics. Part of those principles, set by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), encourage board directors to “Act Ethically.” Director Jennifer Tomon challenged whether fellow board members appointed to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Negotiation Committee have a conflict of interest when it comes to their duties. The PSBA Resolution, in its section regarding ethics, states that board members should “act to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest.” According to Tomon, the three directors…

January 24, 2020

BC3 Announces President’s List, Dean’s List and Graduates for Fall 2019

Several area residents were recognized by Butler County Community College for making the President’s List and Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 semester, as well as five local students who have graduated recently. Students who have achieved a cumulative GPA (grade-point average) of 3.75 or higher are named to the President’s List following completion of at least 12 semester hours or upon completion of degree requirements.  Students who have achieved a cumulative GPA (grade-point average) of 3.5 to 3.74 are named to the Dean’s List following completion of at least 12 semester hours or upon completion of degree requirements. Area…

January 24, 2020

CFA Awards $33,963 Grant to Help Lawrence County Dairy Farm

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) awarded a $33,963 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to help a Lawrence County dairy farm, according to Senator Elder Vogel. Leslie Farm in Little Beaver Township was awarded the grant to assist with the purchase and installation of new equipment to produce yogurt from grass-fed cows. Leslie Farm plans to construct a value-added dairy facility that will require renovations to its existing barn and milk house. Leslie Farm anticipates this project will allow it to process 90,000 pounds of milk annually into 32- and 6-ounce yogurt containers. The initial plan calls for plain yogurt in…

January 23, 2020

Ellwood City Area School District Directors Recognized

In honor of school board’s commitment to students, schools and communities, January is once again designated School Director Recognition Month. As part of this recognition, Ellwood City Area School District Directors Renee Pitrelli, Gary Rozanski, Jean Biehls, Leroy Cortez, Jennifer Tomon, Kathleen McCommons, Erica Gray, Barbara Wilson, and Norman Boots were praised during Tuesday night’s school board meeting. Each board member was given a certificate of appreciation by Superintendent Joseph Mancini. “We appreciate everything you do for this district,” Mancini said. According to a press release from the Ellwood City Area School District, Pennsylvania public schools educate nearly 2 million…

January 22, 2020

Council Hires Law Firm for Representation in Medical Center Bankruptcy Filing

In a unanimous vote Monday night, council hired the law firm Hamm, Milby & Ridings, PLLC out of London, KY, as representation in the Ellwood City Medical Center bankruptcy filing. A retainer of $1,500 and an hourly rate of $175 were approved. Ellwood City is seeking $300,000 in unpaid electric and sewage charges as well as $100,000 in property taxes that the Medical Center racked up before closing its doors on December 10. The closure of the facility came after the state Department of Health shut down its emergency room and inpatient services on November 27 for serious violations. Since…

January 22, 2020

School Directors Table Policy Regarding Kindergarten Admission

The Ellwood City Area School District Board tabled a vote regarding Policy 201 during its Tuesday, January 21st meeting. At the December 5th meeting the board voted to have administration review the policy, which pertains to kindergarten admission at Ellwood City Area Schools after a parent spoke out at the board’s November 14th meeting. New parent to the district Megan Jones said she was disappointed to learn that her child who has already invested two years into preschool would not make the August 15 cutoff for kindergarten registration. She said her daughter will turn 5 on August 23, just days…

January 21, 2020

Ellwood City Historical Society January Meeting Recap

The January meeting of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society was called to order by Everett Bleakney, who welcomed the 27 people attending, after which WWII veteran Guy Prestia led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Everett then introduced the Society officers and board of directors for the year 2020. Minutes of the previous November meeting were read by Secretary Lois Liebendorfer and the Treasurer’s report was given by Charles Brown. Ways & Means Chairman, Andy Kindle advised the new tee shirts can be purchased at the low cost of $12.00.  He will have meetings…

January 20, 2020

Ellwood City Area Public Library Activities For Week of January 20

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 MONDAY, JANUARY 20 The Library will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Normal hours will resume Tuesday, January 21. TUESDAY, JANUARY 21  1:30 p.m. – “Afternoon Book Group for Adults,” they will be discussing the book “Our Souls at Night” by Kent Haruf. 5:00 p.m. – “Food For Thought II Book Group,” they will be discussing the book “House Arrest” by K.A. Holt. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 10:00 a.m. –…

January 17, 2020

One Person Dead After Two-Vehicle Crash In Wampum

According to a multiple news report, one person has died following a two-vehicle accident in Wampum this morning. According to WFMJ.com website, the crash happened Friday morning at approximately 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Route 18 and Route 288. One of the vehicles involved was a tri-axial dump truck that collided with a passenger car. One person was trapped in a vehicle while the other was covered at the scene. The roadway was closed for a couple of hours in that area while crews are on the scene.  Traffic was routed from Koppel through Ellwood City and back. Coroner…

January 17, 2020

There’s A New Choice in Primary Healthcare in Ellwood City

Primary Health Network’s Ellwood City Health Center at 304 Evans Drive is now open for business and accepting patients. According to Drew Pierce Primary Health Network’s chief executive officer, PHN is a community health center that aims to serve the underserved population who have limited access to care including Medicaid patients and those in rural areas—although all are welcome. After over 30 years of service, PHN has grown to become the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Pennsylvania. The Ellwood City Health Center provides pediatric, internal medicine, and behavioral health services. Although their office on Evans Drive is in…