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June 13, 2017

PHOTOS: Chalk The Town Event

Along with Relay For Life moving to downtown Ellwood City, an idea formed about doing a sidewalk chalk art contest.  Team North Sewickley Walkers took the challenge on putting together this first time event.  As Saturday June 10, 2017 dawned relayers awoke to thunder and rain, upon arriving downtown Lawrence avenue our sidewalk area was wet.  We hope it will dry by noon or the chalk may not write on the squares, thank goodness it dried.  The young artist started to register at noon and went right away to work creating their works of art each with a bag of…

June 13, 2017

Missing Woman’s Body Found in Neshannock Township

According to several sources, a body found in Neshannock Township has been identified as a missing Butler County woman. After being reported missing since Thursday of last week, the body of 26-year-old Melissa “Missy” Barto was found along Old Pulaski Road by a farmer, around 7 p.m. Monday night. The body of the young mother had been burnt, and state police officer Lt. Eric Hermick described the scene as “horrific.” Prior to discovering the body, state police arrested Barto’s 21-year-old boyfriend, Ishemer D. Ramsey, on Sunday with charges of committing homicide after pulling him over in Connoquenessing Township. When police pulled…

June 13, 2017

School Board Approves Tax Increase

During yesterday’s school board meeting the Ellwood City Area School Board unanimously voted to adopt the proposed 2017-18 budget at 16.74 millage, which includes a 0.18 mill tax increase. This is the first tax increase imposed by the district since 2013 and the extra funds will be used to finance renovations at Lincoln including the third-floor walkway and science wing. A $1.2 million transfer from the district’s reserve fund is also included in the budget. An owner of a $64,000 property, Ellwood’s median property value, can expect to see an increase on their school property tax bill from $1,059.84 to…

June 13, 2017

CCBC President to Speak on Panel at Northeast U.S. Petrochemical Construction Conference

Pittsburgh, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) President, Dr. Chris Reber, will serve as a panelist at the 2017 Northeast U.S. Petrochemical Construction Conference June 19-20 at the Sheraton-Station Square in Pittsburgh. The topic of the panel discussion is “Readying the Next-Generation for Careers in Advanced Manufacturing & Petrochemicals.” Other panel members will include Dr. Jim Denova, Vice President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation; Mary Murrin, Social Investment Team Lead for Chevron USA; and Joseph Minnitte, External Relations Advisor for Shell Chemicals. The panelists will explore the role of community colleges, business and government in providing the…

June 12, 2017

PHOTO: Mayor Presents Second Beautification Award

Mayor Court presented to Michael and Mio Morris of Wampum Avenue the 2nd 2017 Mayor’s Beautification Award yard sign and Gift Certificate to one of Ellwood City’s fine restaurants.  The Morris’s were nominated by their neighbor Lisa Guerrera. Photo submitted.

June 12, 2017

VIDEO: Hartman 5th & 6th Graders Create Story-Telling Robots

During the past school year, Mr. Marsh and Mr. Skoczylas, teachers at Hartman, have hosted 2 after-school robotics club for 5th and 6th grade students at Hartman Intermediate School. Students have created robotic animals, birds, and dinosaurs out of cardboard and other craft materials – they then “program” their creations to move and light up using a circuit board called a Hummingbird Kit. After dedicating four three-hour days to their last project of the school season, the students showcased their creations at the Ellwood City Area Library Friday morning. The students created animals that go along with the book, Brown…

June 12, 2017

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline Extended to End of Year

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program deadline for older adults and residents with disabilities to apply for rebates of rent and property taxes paid in 2016 has been extended to December 31, 2017, according to Senator Elder Vogel Jr. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Forms and other information are available online at www.revenue.pa.gov or by calling, toll-free, (888) 222-9190….

June 9, 2017

Criminal Mischief Leaves Several Cars Damaged on Park Ave.

The Ellwood City Police Department warns of criminal mischief complaints they have been receiving lately. Over a half dozen residents on Park Avenue have reported damage to their cars during the night of 6/6 into the early morning hours of 6/7. Cars parked along the avenue, including a 2017 Chevy Traverse, 2015 Ford Escape, 2014 Dodge Journey, 2014 Chevy Cruze, and several others parked along the avenue, were scratched/keyed with a sharp object causing a variation of damages on each car. While some cars only had scratches on the passenger side doors, others were scratched from the front, side, and…

June 9, 2017

Bernstine Backs Pension Reform to Better Protect Taxpayers

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives’ bipartisan vote to reform Pennsylvania’s two public pension systems, which have a combined unfunded liability of more than $62.7 billion: “While this legislation won’t make all our pension problems disappear, it represents a meaningful step that will reduce our massive unfunded liability by more than $5 billion. Most importantly, it shifts financial risk away from our hard-working taxpayers.  Every dollar we add to our pension debt threatens the quality of our schools and the paychecks of our taxpayers, and we need to stop adding to…

June 9, 2017

The New Castle Playhouse Presents Fool for Love

The New Castle Playhouse presents Sam Shepard’s adult play, Fool for Love. Opening night is tonight at 7:30 and complimentary wine and cheese will be served to opening night ticket holders. More information on the official flyer below: