Politics

Borough Manager Updates Progress on Trash Proposals, Spring Construction Projects

Ellwood City Borough Council met Monday night. Borough Manager, David Allen, accounced that trash proposals are up for bid and a Park Manager position is available. He said work continues on the 7L Playground, at the intersection of 7th Street and Lawrence Avenue, as well as Stiefel Park. In other council news: Motions Passed: A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 3/9/21, in the amount of $602,397.53, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 3/10/21, in the amount of $169,756.94. A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted. A motion to adopt a Resolution, as…


Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight

Ellwood City Borough Council will meet virtually tonight at 5:45 p.m., when a special meeting will be held for consideration of a liquor license. A link and instructions to join the meeting are listed following the agenda and announcements below. On the agenda: The Borough of Ellwood City will conduct a public hearing via ZOOM internet conferencing to consider the approval of a resolution permitting the intermunicipal transfer of a restaurant liquor license into Ellwood City by Tydagio, LLC for use at facilities located at 630 Beaver Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. The regularly scheduled council meeting will follow immediately…


Gov. Wolf Revises Mitigation Order on Gatherings and Lifts Out-of-State Travel Restrictions

As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and the state’s vaccination plan is amplified, the Wolf Administration announced revised and lifted mitigation restrictions that are effective statewide today. “Pennsylvania is taking a measured approach to revising or lifting mitigation orders,” Gov. Wolf said. “The reason we are seeing cases drop can be attributed, in part, to people following the mitigation efforts we have in place. Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene are making a difference and need to continue even as we see more and more people fully vaccinated. We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to…


Senator Vogel to Host March 9 Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccines

Senator Elder Vogel will discuss the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan and answer questions regarding the vaccine during a virtual town hall meeting set for 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam and Norm Mitry, President of Heritage Valley Health System, will be special guests during the conversation to answer questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Community residents can register to participate in the virtual town hall by visiting www.senatoreldervogel.com/access-live. The virtual town hall format allows community residents to participate in the discussion without the need to travel throughout the region. Participants can ask questions or…


Trash Collection Proposal, Code Enforcement Priorities for Borough Officials

During Ellwood City Borough Council’s February 15 meeting, Borough Manager David Allen said he is continuing to work on a proposal for trash collection. “I am confident we will be able to meet the needs of all of our citizens,” he said. Allen also said although there has not been any court cases related to code enforcement in the borough because of COVID, officials are still keeping their eyes open for violations. He anticipates legal action to commence in March. He also said the the county will be putting together a list of vaccination options and a method of calling…


Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight

Ellwood City Borough Council will meet virtually tonight at 6 p.m. A link and instructions to join the meeting are listed following the agenda and announcements below. On the agenda: A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 2/9/21, in the amount of $504,701.36, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 2/10/21, in the amount of $162,266.96. A motion to authorize the one-time donation in the amount of $1,983.97 to the Ellwood City Area Historical Society.  This amount will be paid from the L&N Property Fund and shall only be used for the acquisition, restoration, and maintenance…


$912 Million COVID-19 Relief Package Enacted

A comprehensive $912 million relief package to help restaurants, schools, employers, and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic received final legislative approval and was signed into law by the Governor on Friday (February 5), according to Senator Elder Vogel, who strongly supported the bill. Senate Bill 109 (Act 1 of 2021) amends the state Fiscal Code to allocate $569.8 million for Rental and Utility Assistance, $197 million for education programs, and $145 million to support Pennsylvania’s struggling hospitality industry as it copes with the devastation created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s mandated closings and restrictions. The new law…


Senator Vogel Raises Concerns About Governor Wolf’s Tax & Spend Budget

Senator Elder Vogel today raised serious concerns about the Governor’s proposal to raise income taxes, increase state spending and slash Pennsylvania’s support for agricultural programs. The Governor today (February 3) unveiled his proposed $40.2 billion General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22, which includes a $3.1 billion (8.2 percent) increase in state spending, a substantial Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate hike, imposition of Marcellus Shale extraction tax, and elimination of funding for vital agricultural programs and services. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees the budget review process in the Senate, and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture…


Bernstine Announces State Grant for Beaver County

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced that a $198,000 Strategic Management Planning (STMP) grant has been awarded for the City of Beaver Falls, Beaver County. “This is great news for our area,” said Bernstine. Beaver Falls’ renaissance will be driven by the need to increase community revitalization efforts. This grant is an investment in our community in many areas. It provides assistance and supports jobs that pay for our workers to remain a vital part of our community.” The STMP grant, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will include the following: Consultant service for…


Senate Approves $912 Million COVID-19 Relief Package

The Senate is poised to approve a comprehensive $912 million relief package to help restaurants, schools, employers, and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Senator Elder Vogel, who supported the bill in the Senate and on Tuesday when it came before the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. Senate Bill 109 amends the state Fiscal Code to allocate $569.8 million for Rental and Utility Assistance, $197 million for education programs, and $145 million to support Pennsylvania’s struggling hospitality industry as it copes with the devastation created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s mandated closings and restrictions. The bill…