Local News

Notification of Tax Office Hours in August

Mary Ann Portugallo, Ellwood City tax collector located in the municipal building, informs the public that school discount is usually due by August 31 but is now extended to September 15. Her office will remain regular – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  


Former Councilman Pleads Council to Oppose New Water Treatment Plant

With recent incidents involving contaminated water sources all across America, it’s not surprising that former councilman, Ralph Chiappetta, wanted to address his concerns at the Monday council meeting regarding the new water treatment plant that is supposed to be replacing the old one- affecting many Ellwood City residents. His concern with this is that the plant will be supplying water to homes from the Connoquenessing Creek and Beaver River instead of where the water is currently supplied from, the Slippery Rock Creek. His main concern is that the quality of the newly proposed water sources are less than that of the…


8/15/16 Council Brief: Motions and Concerns

Last night council had their monthly agenda voted upon. Before the motions were read, a few visitors had some concerns they addressed to council. Paul Dici brought to the councils attention that the Freedom Health Care company lot, in Ellwood, is not being properly kept up. He said there are “weeds four feet high”. Bob Villella responded to Dici’s concern saying that he had been in contact with the owner of the property already and it was supposed to be cleaned up last weekend, however if it wasn’t then he would get in contact with the owner again. Villella also…


Bernstine Statement on Conviction of Attorney General Kathleen Kane

State House candidate Aaron Bernstine issued the following statements on the criminal conviction of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane: “The past 24 months have seen a cascade of criminal charges against top officials, including two former state treasurers, a half-dozen members of the general assembly, and now the state’s top law enforcement official.” “The pattern of corruption, self-dealing, and the cynicism that it engenders has done incalculable damage to state government and deepened the chasm of mistrust between citizens and their elected officials. It is shameful that Attorney General Kathleen Kane now stands convicted of a nine counts stretching from…


Autograph Night: Pittsburgh Pirates

Beaver County Auto will be holding an autograph night on Thursday August 18th from 5-7 p.m. benefiting The Josh and Brittney Harrison For Hope Foundation at its Nissan location in Chippewa Township. Pittsburgh Baseball stars Jordy Mercer, Tony Watson, and David Freese will be available to sign autographs and take pictures. There will also be a silent auction and raffles throughout the night for other great memorabilia. All proceeds go to charity and tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 or at the door while supplies last.  Any questions feel free to call 724-847-4800 or visit beavercountyauto.com.


Police: Woman Leaves Child in 90 Degree Heat

Woman Caught Stealing Leaves Child in Stroller in Scorching Heat Rebecca Lynn Irwin, 31, of Ellwood, was caught stealing from the Ellwood City Dollar General on Friday morning. This was not her first offense stealing from here – before this specific incident she was already banned from the premises because of previous thefts. While she was being questioned by the police she kept looking toward the apartment building behind them and saying “I need to check on my baby.” But when police asked her where the baby was she said her friend was watching it. Shortly after, the police talked…


Relay for Life Upcoming Events

Dine and Dance                                                                          Saturday, August 20, 2016                                        The American Cancer Society 28th Annual Lawrence County Gala, Dine and Dance will be held at the New Castle Country Club on Saturday, August 20th.  This event benefits the programs and services of the American Cancer Society in Lawrence County.  Included in the event will be the second annual dance contest along with great food and raffles.  Tickets may be purchased and donations may be made to our dance contestants by visiting our website at lawrencecountygala.org.  For more information contact Margie Smith at Margie.smith@cancer.org or 724-222-6911.   Relay For Life Event Leadership…


Ellport “Burglary”

On Friday, details were given about police being called to a residential home in Ellport after a man pulled a gun on what he believed were burglars, in his house. Fortunately, the whole incident was a misunderstanding and no one got hurt. The man who thought his house was being robbed was apparently unaware that his house had been sold in a Sheriffs Auction and was now under new ownership. The new owner hired a group of teenagers to help clean up the property. Coincidentally at the same time the teens were there working, the previous owner arrived on the…


5th Annual Connoquenessing Creek Cleanup

Calling All Volunteers & Supporters! The 5th Annual Connoquenessing Creek Cleanup is approaching! Please help us restore this important waterway back to its beautiful, natural state by removing the physical garbage that consumes it. So far we have removed over 200,000 pounds of garbage, including over 2,000 tires from just 30 miles of the 50 mile waterway! This year we are focusing on a 12 mile stretch, starting in Harmony and ending in Fombell. This is the first year the cleanup is in Butler and Beaver Counties! Join us in doing a good thing for the environment and community while…


Ellwood City School Board August Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Area School Board meeting held on Aug. 11: Awards/Recognition The following teachers received EcoLab Visions of Learning Teacher Grants for the 2016-17 school year: Jill Folino- $1071 for 72 sets of headphones for classroom tablets Dana Stelitano- $500 online computer program for speech Seth Rosenberger- $2287 materials designated for learning through kinesthetics Chris Costa- $3000 designated for use of the Mark lab Facility at Perry Megan Berty- $2987 designated for PA Common Core Standards Materials Brittany Severn- $2586 for reading resource books Sheery Shearer- $2100 hands on learning for reading,…