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October 14, 2019

Cortez, Neupauer Recognized For Years of School Director Service

The Ellwood City Area School District recognized Leroy Cortez and Mike Neupauer for their dedication and years of service on the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors. Cortez has served for 16 years, Neupauer has served for 12. School Superintendent Joseph Mancini said during the board’s Oct 10 meeting that they were honored by the Pennsylvania Boards Association (PSBA), which recognizes for years of service from 8 to 36 years. “The legacy of school board service is firmly embedded in the history of our nation and its commitment to public education,” Mancini said. “The PSBA, has a rich…

October 14, 2019

Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week of October 14th

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, OCTOBER 14 6:30 p.m. – “Classic Book Group for Adults,” the group will be discussing the book “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – “Family Laptime,” designed for babies as young as 6 months of age, toddlers, and preschoolers. This is an interactive, family event and features stories, songs, games, finger plays and more. Registration is requested. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 10:00 a.m. – “Coloring for…

October 11, 2019

School Board Recommends Policy Revision to Support Outside Agency Lunch Debt Collection

Ellwood City Area School Board voted during its October 10 meeting to recommend a revision to the Food Services Policy 808. The move was prompted by a continued rise in school lunch debt. The new policy would give the district the allowance to use an outside agency to collect unpaid debt. The board could vote to adopt this policy during its November 14 meeting. Richard Zarone, district business manager spoke at the October 7 board committee meeting. He said the debt has reached $3,600 already for the year. He said there would be no cost to hire an agency as…

October 11, 2019

EC School Directors Table Conflict of Interest Policy

During the October 10 voting meeting the Ellwood City Area School Directors voted to table the policy and refer it to the policy committee. The proposed policy was introduced during the Board’s Monday Night agenda meeting, at which time District Solicitor John DeCaro, said the change could force board members to choose between maintaining their board position or maintaining their participation in leadership roles in other organizations such as boosters, clubs, and PTO. It was met with strong opposition from Board Directors Barabara Wilson, Kathleen McCommons, and Renee Pitrelli, who viewed the proposal as a target aimed at certain board…

October 11, 2019

Bernstine Responds to News Article on Burley Parole

ELLWOOD CITY – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has issued the following statement in response to a recent article published by the New Castle News: “Clearly there are inconsistencies in the way the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole communicates with district attorney offices when reviewing the cases of violent inmates. I am thankful to Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa for his partnership on addressing these failures by the Parole Board that have harmed communities across Pennsylvania. I was hopeful Board Chairman Theodore Johnson would take responsibility for these failures instead of fighting to maintain the Harrisburg status quo. I…

October 11, 2019

LHS Students Compete At Slippery Rock University World Language Competition

SLIPPERY ROCK PA  – This past week, 11 students from French and Spanish classes attended Slippery Rock University’s annual World Language Competition. Students competed against students from a dozen area schools. The tests covered several aspects of language learning including vocabulary, grammar, cultural and geography. Adriana Gonzalez was awarded 3rd place in the Spanish 3 group. In addition to the competition, the students also participated in activities organized by the University’s Spanish, French, and Japanese clubs Pictured Below (Left To Right): Chase Wilson, Ashton Wilson, Madison Myers, Mark VanHorn, Daniele McCowin Bottom: Alyssa Simpson, Maddie McCommons, Adriana Gonzalez. Elysia Morris,…

October 10, 2019

Ellwood Animal Hospital Announces Raffle Winner

We have a winner! Jody Early, a Chippewa resident, won a prize basket recently donated by the Ellwood Animal Hospital. The prize basket was raffled off at the Ellwood City Fall Fest which was held on Saturday, September 28th. Jody is pictured with Dr. Amanda Brown, DVM who presented him the prize basket consisting of pet care items and a free veterinary service certificate for his pet at our Chippewa Animal Hospital location. A special thank you to everyone who attended the event and stopped by our booth. Can’t wait to see everyone at next year’s event and congratulations to…

October 10, 2019

POLICE REPORTS: 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 complaint, on Thursday, October 3 at approximately 7:00am, PA State Police responded to a one-vehicle crash on State Route 168 near the intersection of Patterson Road that led to the DUI arrest of Kevin Walker, 49, of New Galilee. A silver Jeep Laredo was over an embankment and the operator had left the scene on foot. The fire department on scene related to a male in his 40’s, with short hair and a Steelers t-shirt had walked…

October 9, 2019

School Lunch Debt Continues Rise Into Thousands Prompting Consideration Of Collection Agency

Because the school lunch debt is continuing to rise, the Ellwood City Area School Board will vote on Thursday whether to hire an outside agency to collect that debt. Richard Zarone, district business manager, said the debt has reached $3,600 already for the year. He said there would be no cost to hire an agency as it would paid by the fees incurred by the debtor. He said the four-tier process would include two warning letters, one certified warning letter, and then the matter would be turned over to the collection agency. This proposed solution follows a good gesture in…

October 8, 2019

Policy Change Proposal Causes Pushback At EC School Board Meeting

A suggested change to the Ellwood City Area School Board’s conflict of interest policy has some board members crying foul. The board is set to vote Thursday on whether to accept the proposed changes introduced during the Board’s Monday Night agenda meeting, at which time District Solicitor John DeCaro, said the policy change could force board members to choose between maintaining their board position or maintaining their participation in leadership roles in other organizations such as boosters, clubs, and PTO. This proposed change in policy came upon the heels of a suggestion by Board Member Erica Gray and was written…