Recent Stories

Politics

January 17, 2020

Bernstine Bill to Access Information Prior to a Public Meeting Passes House

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) that would amend the Sunshine Act to require a public agency to post public meeting agendas no later than 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting passed the House today. House Bill 1069 would also prohibit an agency from taking official action on items not on the meeting agenda unless added by a majority vote. “I believe that we understand the intent and importance of the Sunshine Act in maintaining and enhancing the transparency of government decision-making and to allow Pennsylvanians to participate in their government,” said Bernstine. “Unfortunately,…

January 7, 2020

Celli Named Ellwood City Council President

George Celli will serve as Ellwood City Council president for 2020-2021. During its reorganization meeting Monday, council voted 4-3 to elect Celli. Councilman James Barry will serve as vice president following a 4-3 vote. Councilman Rob Brough and Councilwomen Lisa Guerrera and Judith Dici voted “No” to both nominations. Newly elected council members Celli, Caleb Cragle, and Dici were sworn into office. Council also set the meeting schedule for 2020. Committee of the whole meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Regular Council meetings will be held the third Monday of the month…

December 19, 2019

House Approves Bernstine Legislation to Prevent Violent Offenders from Early Release

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today overwhelming passed legislation that would preclude the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole from paroling an inmate at the expiration of his or minimum sentence if the inmate was convicted of a violent offense or an obstruction of justice while incarcerated. House Bill 1855 or Markie’s Law, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old from Lawrence County, 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…

December 17, 2019

Council Passes 2020 Budget: Will Not Include First Responder Command Vehicle

In a three to four vote, Ellwood City Borough Council passed the $15.47 million 2020 budget. Before casting the votes, Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera urged council to consider adding in the purchase of a new first responder command vehicle. Fellow council representatives Rob Brough and Judith Dici agreed with Guerrera, which led to their vote of “No” on the 2020 budget. Guerrera said with the recent closing of the Ellwood City Medical Center, the time to upgrade is now. “This is our only line of defense to keep someone alive,” she said. “We are on our own here.” According to Guerrera,…

November 21, 2019

Bernstine Announces Committee Passage of Bill to Prevent Violent Offenders from Early Release

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today commended the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), for passing House Bill 1855 or Markie’s Law, which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders. This is in the wake of the recent murder of an 8-year-old child in Lawrence County. Today, Bernstine and the family of Mark Edward Mason (Markie) also met with Gov. Tom Wolf, House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) about his legislation that would postpone consideration of a violent inmate’s parole until an addition 24 months following the inmate’s minimum…

November 20, 2019

Borough Of Ellwood City Advertising Board Vacancies, Tax Collector

The Ellwood City Borough Council is advertising several board vacancies as well as a tax collector position. The following Boards and Commissions are being advertised by the Ellwood City Borough: Zoning Hearing Board, Zoning Hearing Board Alternate, Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, Civil Service Commission, Library Board, Board of Health, and Recreation Board. Any Borough resident interested in serving on any of the above positions is asked to submit a letter of interest to the Borough Secretary, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. All letters must be due/postmarked on or before 4:00 p.m. on November 29, 2019 The Borough…

November 6, 2019

General Election 2019 Results

All the votes are cast and tallied in the 2019 General Election. Ellwood City had two pivotal races on the ballot, Ellwood City Council and Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors. Joining incumbants George Celli and Judith Dici on Ellwood City Council will be newcomer Caleb Crable.     Ellwood City School Board will welcome two newcomers: Jean Biehls and Gary Rozanski. Biehls and Rozanski will be joined by incumbants Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, and Leroy Cortez.     For a list of all unofficial results from the Lawrence County general election, click here.

November 4, 2019

Get Out And Vote!

Elections are just around the corner. Area residents will be able to place their votes for numerous offices including Ellwood City Borough Council on Tuesday, November 5. Remember why voting is important – these officials make decisions about how YOUR taxpayer money will be spent for the betterment of the community! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the state Pennsylvania, including the following location polling locations in and around Ellwood City. Below are some nearby voting locations. To view all Lawrence County Polling locations, CLICK HERE. All Precincts are handicapped accessible on Election Day. To learn…

November 1, 2019

Senate Approves Vogel Bill Promoting Telemedicine in Pennsylvania

On October 30, the Senate approved legislation introduced by Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) aimed at promoting telemedicine in Pennsylvania as a way to overcome barriers to quality patient care created by distance and reduce the costs of those services. Senate Bill 857 specifically defines telemedicine as “the delivery of health care services provided through telecommunications technology to a patient by a healthcare practitioner who is at a different location.” It also establishes guidelines regarding who can provide telemedicine services, and provides clarity regarding insurance company reimbursement for those services. “Telemedicine can help patients get the care they need. It allows for…

October 31, 2019

Bernstine Invites Veterans in 10th District to Breakfast

HARRISBURG – To show appreciation to veterans in the 10th District for their service to the country, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) is hosting a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 1. The breakfast will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Koppel Fire Hall, 5525 Fifth Ave. in Koppel. Veterans, active military and their spouses are invited to attend. “These men and women deserve to be thanked and appreciated every day,” said Bernstine. “This is our way to say thank you for all that they have done and to remind them that we serve as a local resource.”…