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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…

March 15, 2021

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…

March 15, 2021

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…

March 1, 2021

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…

February 26, 2021

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…

February 15, 2021

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…

February 15, 2021

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…

February 8, 2021

$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…