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February 12, 2016

Ellwood City School Board February Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Area school board meeting held on Feb. 11: Revenue/Finance A tax refund request was denied. The request was based on an erroneous millage calculation, as the property owner insisted a mil is 1/100,000, not 1/1,000. A motion to approve the audit report performed by the Philip Weiner Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 was tabled until a special meeting on Feb. 23. Vice President Matt Morella asked if the budget committee could meet with a representative to fully explain the audit report, as Morella didn’t want to…

February 12, 2016

Correction: Consultant Company Proposal Stated Incorrectly

The article “Marketing Consulting Company Presents Proposition to Skeptical EC School Board,” incorrectly presented Image Consultant’s preliminary proposal. Image Consultants’ initial quote was for $50 per hour for 32 hours, totaling $1,600. Specified services included consultation with school representatives, development of sponsorship funding levels, creation of handout materials and solicitation of potential sponsors. These rates didn’t include gas mileage, which would be charged at 57.5 cents per miles. The proposal recommended an initial 90 or 120-day contract. The quote was preliminary and open to revision. Specifically, Marshall mentioned that the rate could be dropped to $40. The previous description of…

February 12, 2016

Beaver County Annual Snow Shovel Riding Championship Postponed

The Beaver County Commissioners, with their Departments of Recreation & Tourism and Public Works, have determined that the 53rd Annual Snow Shovel Riding Championship, previously scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13 at Old Economy Park, must be postponed due to weather. The Championship is postponed until Saturday, Feb. 20 or until the conditions on a subsequent Saturday have sufficient snow cover to conduct the event. The event will not be postponed beyond February. Scheduling inquiries can be made my calling 724-770-2060 or by checking the Beaver County Ice Arena’s Facebook Page.

February 12, 2016

Gibbons Hears Testimony on Plumber Licensing Board Bill

Harrisburg, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, heard testimony today to establish a plumber licensing board within the Department of Labor and Industry in Pennsylvania. Gibbons, a member of the House Professional Licensure Committee, said the legislation (H.B. 1357) would protect consumers from unscrupulous plumbers. “I am concerned for the welfare of my constituents, especially senior citizens in Pennsylvania who could be swindled out of their hard-earned money for a household service that wasn’t performed properly because the state doesn’t have a board to hold accountable licensed plumbers in the state,” Gibbons said In Pennsylvania, the plumber must…

February 12, 2016

Senator Vogel to Collect Food for Local Salvation Armies

State Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. announced that he will be collecting non-perishable food for area Salvation Armies at his Rochester and New Castle District Offices. The deadline to donate the non-perishable food items is March 21. “It’s important that we all do our part to remember those less fortunate. I hope many people join in helping to alleviate hunger in our area,” Vogel said. Everyone making a donation will be entered into a drawing to win a gift donated by Senator Vogel. If you would like to participate, please drop off any non-perishable foods at the Senator’s offices at 488…

February 12, 2016

Horse Racing Industry Measure Headed to Governor

The Senate today (Feb. 10) gave final approval to a bill that makes substantial regulatory changes necessary to protect and bolster Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry, according to Senator Elder Vogel. House Bill 941 which includes an amendment by Senator Vogel that will shift essential funds into the State Racing Fund and protect the horse racing industry in Pennsylvania, now goes to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law. Once enacted, the bill would provide a surplus of more than $27 million for the State Racing Fund by 2019-20, Senator Vogel said. “There has been a tremendous amount of…

February 12, 2016

Rotary Club January Meeting

The Rotary Club of Ellwood City meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Connequenessing Country Club. In January, the club’s programs included Vocation Service presentation by Gerald Crowley. He discussed his life as a lawyer and his years in law practice. He’s a graduate of Temple Law School in Philadelphia. Jeff Magnifico, Deputy EMA Coordinator, coordinates emergency services including paramedics for a 13 county area including Lawrence and Beaver Counties. He also spoke on the recent emergency that happened at INMETCO. Suzanne Bleakney, Ellwood City Community Partnership founder, explained how this organization will provide a full range of social…

February 12, 2016

Ag Committee Holds Hearing on Fireworks Bill

The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee today (Feb. 10) held a public hearing on a bill that would legalize the sale of fireworks in Pennsylvania, according to Committee Chairman Senator Elder Vogel (R-47). Senate Bill 1055, legislation introduced by Senator Vogel and his colleagues Senators Don White (R-41) and Gene Yaw (R-23) would lift the ban on the sale of “consumer” fireworks, known as “Class C” fireworks, and allow businesses legally operating in the state to sell consumer fireworks — such as bottle rockets, roman candles and mortars — to Pennsylvania residents without the need for a permit. “It’s…

February 12, 2016

Beaver Falls Library Receives “Curiosity Creates” Grant

Beaver Falls, Pa. – The Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls (CFLBF) recently received a $6000.00 Curiosity Creates Grant from the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. The Beaver Falls Library is one of 79 public libraries in the United States to have been awarded the grant which is underwritten by a generous donation from The Walt Disney Company. The purpose of a Curiosity Creates Grant is to fund the development and implementation of creativity projects for children ages 6-14. CFLBF’s Children’s Librarian, Christine Kroger, has developed and is currently implementing a yearlong…

February 11, 2016

Fifth Grade Scheduling Causes Extended School Board Debate

On Monday’s agenda meeting, most members of the Ellwood City Area School Board accepted a fifth grade schedule proposal as the best possible option. However, board president Renee Pitrelli didn’t accept the change, resulting in an extended circular conversation. Currently, the fifth-graders are divided into two classroom “pods” each rotating between three teachers. Frank Keally, the principal at Hartman Intermediate, felt this was a fine model and several school board members agreed, including Pitrelli, Jeniffer Tomon, Danielle Woodhead and Erica Gray. Unfortunately, this year’s fourth grade class is smaller than normal and as a result, Keally will have to move…