Politics

August 17, 2026

Ellwood City Among Eight School Districts Receiving $1.9M In School Safety Grants

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced eight school districts in the 8th Legislative District will be receiving nearly $1.9 million combined in School Safety and Mental Health Grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee. The funding will help local school districts strengthen physical security, address safety concerns, and provide behavioral health support for students and staff. “Our schools need the resources to address safety and security challenges while also supporting the mental health and well-being of their students and staff,” said Bernstine. “These grants give our local schools the resources they need to…

August 11, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Denies Proposal for Charter Student Recruitment

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted against a proposal from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to assist the district with implementation of charter student recruitment. The proposal included a basic $2,995 package to assist with implementation of charter student recruitment; opposition research for production of marketing documents, phone scripts, and talking points; graphics support for design of digital and physical marketing documents (Documents included brochures, postcards, and website content, with materials not included in cost of agreement); and coordinate and assist district administration with one day of door-to-door visits. Four board directors voted “Yes,” including Jean Biehls, Jennifer…

August 5, 2026

Mayor Court Leads PA State Mayor’s Association Roundtable

The Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association recently hosted a four-member Borough Mayors Roundtable in Harrisburg. This collaborative forum brought together selected borough leaders to discuss issues affecting their communities, share ideas, and coordinate efforts on matters of mutual concern. The roundtable was led by Ellwood City Mayor Anthony J. Court, who served as Chairman. Mayor Court has served as Chairman for the past two years, providing leadership and guidance on issues impacting borough governments throughout Pennsylvania. In his role as Chairman, Mayor Court selected the participating mayors, assembling a group of municipal leaders dedicated to improving services, strengthening intergovernmental relationships, and…

August 4, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Appoints Joyce Cirelli to Fill Vacant Board Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Joyce Cirelli to fill the vacant seat on the board during Monday night’s agenda meeting. Cirelli’s appointment follows the July 31, 2026, resignation from the board of former Board Director Kevin Boariu. Cirelli was one of four potential replacements that were publicly interviewed during Monday night’s meeting. Joyce Cirelli Cirelli said she has more than 30 years of experience in Education in healthcare and played an integral part in moving schools at Heritage Valley Health System to the Community College of Beaver County. “I created five academies…

July 17, 2026

Bernstine Announces State Grant to Support Redevelopment of the Former INMETCO Facility

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant has been awarded to support the redevelopment of the former International Metals facility in Ellwood City. The funding will help American Metal Recycling (AMR) and Irongate Industrial LLC complete critical improvements needed to restore the facility to operation. Planned renovations include repairing and modernizing existing infrastructure, rebuilding the blast furnace, installing semi-robotic refining systems, upgrading equipment and improving site utilities to enhance safety, efficiency and long-term competitiveness. Once operational, the facility will reclaim nickel, chrome and iron while positioning the plant to expand…

July 13, 2026

Bernstine, Brown Vote Against General Appropriations Bill

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) and Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) each voted against the General Appropriations bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Bernstine: Budget Relies on Accounting Tricks Instead of Fiscal Responsibility HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) voted against the General Appropriations bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The measure passed the House and now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature. Bernstine issued the following statement: “This budget relies on the same type of accounting tricks Bernie Madoff used to make the numbers look better than reality. Delaying payments and shifting costs into the future does not reduce…

June 23, 2026

Bernstine Bill to Protect Pennsylvanians from Mugshot Extortion Passes House

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) to crack down on the commercial exploitation of booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, unanimously passed the House today. House Bill 1585 would amend Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code to create a new criminal offense prohibiting the publication or dissemination of booking photographs for commercial gain. Under the legislation, anyone who publishes a mugshot and then solicits or accepts payment to remove, alter or conceal it would be guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Each payment or solicitation would…

May 8, 2026

Bernstine Announces Upcoming Town Hall Meetings, Veterans Event

BUTLER – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced three upcoming community events, including two town hall meetings and a veterans event. Bernstine will host an Ellwood City Town Hall Meeting on Monday, May 11, from 6-7 p.m., at the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department. “This town hall is about listening,” said Bernstine. “I want to hear residents’ questions, concerns and ideas so the voices of local families are reflected in the decisions being made in Harrisburg. These conversations are critical to helping address the challenges facing our communities and Pennsylvania as a whole.” Bernstine will also host a veterans event…

May 1, 2026

Bernstine Announces Ellwood City Town Hall Meeting

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) is inviting residents to join him in Ellwood City for an upcoming town hall meeting on Monday, May 11, from 6-7 p.m., at the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department, 5153 Ellwood Road. The event will provide an opportunity for constituents to engage directly with Bernstine in an open discussion about state and local issues. He will offer an update on legislative developments in Harrisburg and outline how recent proposed policies could affect communities across the 8th Legislative District. “Hearing directly from the people I represent is critical to making informed decisions,” said Bernstine. “This town hall…

April 23, 2026

Plant Relief: An Earth Day Tax Break for Families

as submitted by Rep. Marla Brown, 9th District Today is Earth Day, but for many Pennsylvania families, the biggest concern is not lofty rhetoric about the planet. It is whether they can afford the basics. When every trip to the store costs more, every utility bill stings, and every household purchase has to be weighed carefully, even a small break can make a real difference. That is why my Republican colleagues and I are working on a package of bills which cut sales taxes for families in areas which would collectively save the ordinary, everyday family $1,100 this year. We…

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