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March 22, 2019

Bernstine, Klunk, Solomon CTE Bill Would Prepare PA Students to Enter Workforce

Apprenticeship pilot program would encourage local partnerships HARRISBURG – In a bipartisan effort to prepare Pennsylvania’s youth for the 21st-century workforce, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has teamed up with Reps. Kate Klunk (R-York) and Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) to introduce legislation which would allow high school students to obtain real-world work experience while still in school. House Bill 796 would establish a pilot grant program which would encourage schools and local businesses to collaborate to provide work-based learning opportunities for high school students. “This innovative pilot program would bring our business leaders and students together to transform our education system…

March 21, 2019

Borough to Apply for Grant: Funds Earmarked for Stiefel Park

Ellwood City Council members unanimously voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to DCNR in an amount of $250,000 for improvements to Stiefel Park. According to Borough Manager, David Allen, the grant will require matching funds by the borough. He said showing the matching funds to the DCNR will not be a problem with help from Marcellus Shale funds as well as the Park Improvement Fund. Allen said much of borough’s obligation to match the $250,000 will be able to be offset with use of borough labor and equipment. He estimates that 50 to 70%…

March 21, 2019

Riverside School District March Meeting Brief

On Monday, March 18, the Riverside Board of School Directors sat down for their March voting meeting. The following motions were passed. For Finance/Tax Advisory/Food Service, the Treasurer’s Report, the Payment of Bills, the Cafeteria Report and Bills, the Activity Fund Report, the Budget Transfers, the Tax Reminders, the BVIU Budget for 2019-2020, the Bids for Waste Disposal, and the Sale of Property from Repository of Unsold Property were all approved/passed. In Student Commendations, the following students were highlighted for their accomplishments: the February top five Accelerated Reader point earners, the Riverside Middle School Student of the Month Recipients, the…

March 21, 2019

Ellwood City Historical Society Monthly Meeting & Advance Info of April Program

Everett Bleakney welcomed guests attending the March general meeting, advising the purpose of the Historical Society is to collect, protect and promote the area history and make it accessible to all. Joe Fisher, Commander of American Legion Post 157, lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Minutes of the February meeting were read by the Secretary Lois Liebendorfer, and Treasurer, Charles Brown presented the financial report. Committee Reports were given. The Ways and Means stated that a number of plans for the calendar year are being finalized. It was noted that the birthday celebration for Donnie Iris in…

March 21, 2019

Chamber Executive Director of Media Accepting New Job Position

Jillian Court, Executive Director of Media, for the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce, has accepted a new position with the Lawrence County Conservation District as a Conservation Technician. Jillian has served as a crucial part of not only the Chamber, but as the head of Ellwood City Community Enrichment, Secretary for Ellwood City Revitalization, Treasurer for All Aboard Ellwood, and sits on multiple committees. Jillian has been an absolute blessing for Ellwood City and she will be greatly missed. She plans on continuing to volunteer for Ellwood City Community Enrichment and various Chamber sponsored events. Her last day will…

March 20, 2019

Council to Hold Hearing Regarding Hospital/Medical Zoning District

A public hearing regarding a possible hospital/medical zoning district will be held on April 8 at 5:45 p.m. at the municipal building, 525 Lawrence Ave. The hospital, which was bought by Americore Health LLC in 2017. Not long after that deal was inked, hospital employees complained that they were not being paid. Numerous news outlets have been reporting on the situation, which has been a topic of controversy in Ellwood City for more than a year. Officials and residents fear that if Americore decides to file bankruptcy and sell the property, Ellwood City might lose it’s hospital. Following the April…

March 20, 2019

Council Votes to Not Appeal Ruling on Facebook Page

Ellwood City Council voted Monday night to not appeal an Office of Open Records ruling regarding a Facebook page run by two council members. The page, “Ellwood City Council-Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera,” which is run by council members Lisa Guerrera and Rob Brough, recently came under scrutiny when resident Jan Williams filed a Right to Know Law request with the borough. Williams wanted access to deleted comments, as well as a list of blocked and banned users. The page mentions votes casted by council members regarding various topics from hiring of personnel to the recent and ongoing Ellwood City…

March 20, 2019

Two Hartman Elementary Students Received Commendations

Two students, Jacob Hembly age 12 and Rondele Irving age 11, received commendations from the Ellwood City Police Department and Mayor Anthony Court for the students “Doing The Right Thing”. In addition, the ECPD presented the students with gift certificates from Domino’s Pizza for “Doing The Right Thing”. On February 12, at 6:00 p.m., the two students were playing in the area of the 5th street bridge when they discovered a handgun lying in some weeds. The juveniles who attend Hartman Elementary School had been at assemblies at the school where Ellwood Police talked about the importance of gun safety…

March 20, 2019

POLICE REPORTS: Assaults, Stabbing, and Trespassing

Aliquippa Man Convicted Of Assault In A Stabbing Case An Aliquippa man that was accused of stabbing another man after a fight in Aliquippa, has been convicted of assault. A jury found Carl Zedak, 52, guilty of aggravated assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. However, he was found not guilty of attempted homicide and possession of an instrument of crime, according to court records. This verdict was announced on Thursday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, according to online court records. Zedak stabbed a man four times after the two got into an argument about…

March 19, 2019

10,000 Friends of PA Kicks off South Side Revitalization Program in New Castle

New Castle, PA (March 2019) – 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania kicks off its second year of a 6-year plan and $1.35 million investment to revitalize the South Side neighborhood of New Castle. The kickoff event was held at Gussie Walker Community Center, 1207 Moravia Street, New Castle, PA on Monday, March 18. Through its Healthy Communities Initiative, 10,000 Friends leads the collaborative revitalization effort to improve the South Side neighborhood of New Castle in partnership with the City of New Castle, Gussie Walker Community Center, Lawrence County Community Action Program, Lawrence County Land Bank, UPMC Jameson Hospital, and the emerging South…