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Politics

May 6, 2021

Part Two: 2021 Primary Election Candidate Q&A

This is the second in a three-part series featuring a Q&A with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council and Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. Today’s Q&A features Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors candidates Kathleen McCommons, Renee Pitrelli, and Kathy Tillia. Tomorrow’s Q&A will  feature school director candidates: Barbara Wilson and Claire Fauzey (Candidates Norman Boots, JoEllen Eichler, and Kathy Pansera did not participate). Primary Elections are just around the corner. Residents will be able to place their votes on May 18. To find your polling location, click here. To learn more about the voting…

May 5, 2021

Part One: 2021 Primary Election Candidate Q&A

This is the first in a three-part series featuring a Q&A with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council and Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. Today’s Q&A features Ellwood City Borough Council candidates Jan Williams, Brad Ovial, and Jim Barry (Michele Lamenza did not participate). Tomorrow’s Q&A will feature school director candidates. Primary Elections are just around the corner. Residents will be able to place their votes on May 18. To find your polling location, click here. To learn more about the voting process and how to cast your vote, click here. Take a moment to get to…

April 28, 2021

Vogel Bill Would Improve Work Zone Safety for Workers, Motorists

Even as Pennsylvania recognizes National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 26-30, Senator Elder Vogel (R-47) is introducing legislation intended to provide workers with a safe environment and prevent accidents. “Pennsylvania’s road work is often a topic of discussion. Between tolls, bridges and future projects, we spend a lot of time talking about our infrastructure, but not enough time focusing on the safety of the workers,” said Senator Vogel. “In connection with National Work Zone Awareness Week, I am introducing Senate Bill 614 to enhance penalties for offenses in active work zones that do not result in an accident. By…

April 22, 2021

Bernstine Appointed to the Subcommittee on Small Business

HARRRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has added to his responsibilities for the 2021-22 session by being appointed to the Subcommittee on Small Business under House Commerce Committee Chairman Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie). The subcommittee will be looking at ways to better enhance opportunities for employers and small businesses. “When I first took office in early 2017, the economy was growing stronger, and we were looking forward to a more prosperous future in Western Pennsylvania,” said Bernstine. “Then came COVID-19 and many of our gains in recent years were wiped out with a shutdown that has lasted far too long. To…

April 20, 2021

Borough Awards Waste Removal Bid

Ellwood City Borough Council awarded the bid for collection of refuse, recycling, and yard waste to Valley Waste during Monday’s meeting. Borough Manager David Allen said garbage has been on the top of his priority list since he arrived in his position at the borough a little more than two years ago. He said the new program provides the most options possible for smooth, efficient, and cost friendly removal of waste. “We negotiated fantastic pricing to hit all needs and concerns of the citizens,” he said. The new program will offer residents the choice of containers as well as a…

April 19, 2021

Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight

Ellwood City Borough Council will meet in person tonight, April 19, at 5:30 for a special meeting where council will consider the Intermunicipal transfer of liquor license (Barry Quick Mart, LLC). Another special meeting will be held at 5:45 for the consideration of a Conditional Use Request (EFN Ellwood Property, LLC). The regular council meeting will follow at 6 p.m. On the agenda: A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 4/13/21, in the amount of $416,469.38, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 4/15/21, in the amount of $485,212.42. A motion to approve the Departmental Reports,…

April 12, 2021

Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight

Ellwood City Borough Council will meet in person tonight, April 12, at 5:45 for a special meeting where council will consider a motion order to award the bid for the 2021 Paving Program to Youngblood Paving (Wampum, PA) in the amount of $372,111.24. The special meeting will be followed by the committee of the whole meeting at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the auditorium of the Borough Building. For the meeting agenda, click here.

April 9, 2021

FEMA To Offer COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Beginning Monday

In one of the largest programs of its type ever offered by the federal government, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through a dedicated call center. The program is open to families regardless of their income, as long as they show documentation and have not already received similar benefits through another program. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. To be eligible for…

April 5, 2021

Letter To The Editor: Register and Recorder

For twelve years the people of Lawrence County gave me the opportunity to serve as one of the County Commissioners. I am very grateful for that opportunity. During my terms I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of good people. A special group of people that I particularly enjoyed meeting and working with are staff of the departments and offices in the courthouse. Every one of them was committed to addressing the needs of the residents of Lawrence County. One of those offices is that of the Register and Recorder. That office, managed by Register and Recorder Jan Kalajainen…

March 17, 2021

Bernstine’s Markie’s Law Bill Passes House

HARRISBURG – In the wake of the 2019 murder of a child in Lawrence County, the House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed legislation authored by Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders. House Bill 146, or Markie’s Law, was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of his minimum sentence for homicide, even after committing two separate assaults of other inmates while behind bars. “I applaud my House colleagues for approving this legislation,” said Bernstine. “My legislation will postpone consideration…