Local News

Bernstine Announces Scholarship Awards to Local Teachers for Innovative Learning Projects

ELLWOOD CITY – State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced four local educators who work at schools in the 10th Legislative District were awarded scholarships to help implement innovative, career-oriented classroom projects. The scholarships were personally funded by Bernstine as a result of his annual mandated cost-of-living adjustment from the state House of Representatives, which he received Jan. 1. “I have always believed in being a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” Bernstine said. “We hear all the time that there’s not enough money going to our classrooms, so I thought our local classrooms would be a great place to reinvest…


Girls Can Learn STEM, Robot-Building and Programming in Free BC3 Events

Butler, PA – Girls in grades 7 to 9 can hone their understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by building and programming the latest LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots in two free programs debuting at Butler County Community College. BC3 will offer for the first time a “Girls One-Day STEM Challenge” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 27, and a 12-session “Girls Rule the World with STEM” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 through April 25. Seating is limited for both opportunities, which are free to participants as a result of the Arconic Foundation’s $20,000 donation to…


Beaver Falls Man Facing Rape Charges Walks Free After Posting Bond

Richard Holewski Jr., 48, of 3913 College Ave., Beaver Falls, who appears to be a family man on social media, is facing charges of rape, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault and corruption of minors, after police said he sexually assaulted a child over the course of about 13 years. According to reports, Holewski’s assault streak started when the girl was only 7 years old, lasting into the victim’s adult years and escalating when she was in her teens. Holewski was able to rape the victim in her North Sewickley home while her…


RARE EVENT: Super Blue Blood Moon

A rare lunar event will be happening on January 31, something that hasn’t occurred since the 1800’s – a super blue blood moon. The event will combine 3 phenomena at the same time, a blue moon, a supermoon, and a total lunar eclipse, which will be most visible in the Eastern hemisphere. The term “Blue Moon” has nothing to do with the color of the moon, it just means it’s the second full moon of the month, however, due to the blood moon (the lunar eclipse) the moon will appear a red color. The moon will appear 14% larger and…


FREE Community Pasta Dinner

Calvin Presbyterian Church (615 Crescent Ave., Ellwood City PA) is hosting a free Community Pasta Dinner on Sunday, February 18 from 4-6 p.m. Please enjoy a pasta and meatball dinner, along with salad, bread and beverages, and neighborly fellowship!  


BREAKING: Fire Alarm Issue, Lincoln Students Sent Home Early

Lincoln High students are being sent home early today due to a fire alarm issue, the official statement is below: School Superintendent Joe Mancini stated: “During a routine monthly fire drill at Lincoln, it was discovered that half of the alarms, pulls and detectors were not functioning properly.  The alarm company was notified and sent a supervisor.  During his research, a short was discovered in the system for a certain area of the building.  Locating the short in the system could take some time without technicians.  It was decided at this time to close Lincoln for safety reasons.  At 11:30,…


Ellwood City Back Yard Bird Watchers, Nature Lovers

Ellwood City back yard bird watchers and nature lovers – there is a Facebook group you’re invited to, called Bird Watchers of Western PA and Eastern Ohio that would love to hear your stories and see your pictures! The group was created several months ago and although it has had a slow start, Admin Susan Ansell Provan says they’re already looking to expand. “[We] would even love to start a neighborhood club if anyone is interested,” she said. Anyone who would like to be part of a neighborhood club may contact her through the Facebook group. Ellwood City boasts a…


2017-2018 United Fund Campaign

The Ellwood City United Fund wants to thank everyone on the following list that has very generously provided funds to their annual fund drive. Goal – $50,000.00 Raised – $42,231.00 “HELP KEEP US COVERED” The Ellwood City area United Fund is closing its 2017-2018 campaign coming up $ 7769.00 short of its goal of $ 50,000.00. The United Fund released its final disbursement for the year 2017 to all agencies. It is hoped that the disbursement will carry the Agencies through the winter months. We are an independent local United Fund with absolutely no paid staff or administration. You can…


Community Development Grant Survey Form

The Borough of Ellwood City is trying to utilize grant funds for street improvements on Franklin Avenue from Second Street to the dead end (heading west). A “Community Development Block Grant Survey Form” was hand-delivered to the residents living within this targeted area. It is imperative that the surveys are completed and returned to the Borough as soon as possible. As a condition of the grant the residents living in this area have to meet a certain income guidelines. Hence, the reason for the survey. Failure for the Borough to obtain this necessary information will prevent the project from being…


Criminal Complaints: Domestic Disputes

Several Ellwood residents are facing charges after separate domestic dispute cases were reported this month: Steven Glen Ramsey, 32, of Ellwood City, is facing charges of prohibited acts, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment after he had gotten into a physical argument with his girlfriend. The argument escalated when Ramsey pulled out a knife and held it to her throat, telling her that she needed to tell the truth or one of them was going to die. The victim had a visible mark from the altercation on her face. Christopher David Bell-Kline, 22, of Ellwood City, is facing charges of…