Recent Stories

Politics

October 25, 2019

Part Two: Ellwood City Council Candidate Q&A

This is the second in a two-part series featuring a Q&A with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council. Today’s Q&A features Marilyn Mancini, Raymond Venezie, and Jude Dici. Yesterday’s Q&A featured George Celli, Brandon Fisher, and Caleb Cragle. Click here to read yesterday’s Q&A. Elections are just around the corner. Residents will be able to place their votes for numerous offices including Ellwood City Borough Council on November 5. 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 know the…

October 24, 2019

Part One: Ellwood City Council Candidate Q&A

This is the first in a two-part series featuring a Q&A with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council. Today’s Q&A features George Celli, Brandon Fisher, and Caleb Cragle. Tomorrow’s Q&A will feature Marilyn Mancini, Raymond Venezie, and Jude Dici. Elections are just around the corner. Residents will be able to place their votes for numerous offices including Ellwood City Borough Council on November 5. 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 know the candidates running for Ellwood City…

October 24, 2019

Senate Approves Bernstine Legislation to Repeal State’s Asset Tax Law

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine’s (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) legislation to repeal a provision in state law that could be used as a gateway to implement a state wealth tax on personal property passed the Senate unanimously today. House Bill 1085 would repeal a law originally enacted in 1935, which aims to eliminate outdated laws and upgrade to a more efficient government. “I want to thank Senators Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) and Scott Hutchinson (R-Butler, Clarion, Forest, Venango, Warren) for their partnership in getting this legislation passed by the state Senate,” said Bernstine. “This bill will help ensure that taxpayers are protected against additional…

October 23, 2019

Letter To The Editor: Dici A Must For Re-Election

When Ellwood City Manager Bob Villella was terminated in January 2018, the council began accepting applications for the position. Numerous applicants did not meet the advertised requirements, while others withdrew during the interview process. From the time of Villella’s dismissal until former borough manager Joe Cioffi came back on an interim basis in August 2018, council President Judith Dici performed the duties without pay. During this time, Dici garnered $500,000, administered by HOMES, for the rehabilitation of homes of low- and moderate-income property owners and met with DCED representatives to better evaluate needs of municipal offices. Dici has become involved…

October 11, 2019

Bernstine Responds to News Article on Burley Parole

ELLWOOD CITY – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has issued the following statement in response to a recent article published by the New Castle News: “Clearly there are inconsistencies in the way the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole communicates with district attorney offices when reviewing the cases of violent inmates. I am thankful to Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa for his partnership on addressing these failures by the Parole Board that have harmed communities across Pennsylvania. I was hopeful Board Chairman Theodore Johnson would take responsibility for these failures instead of fighting to maintain the Harrisburg status quo. I…

October 3, 2019

REMINDER: Political Signs On Boro Property Must Be Registered

According to a press release from the Ellwood City Borough, no candidate for political office, whether local, county, state or federal, shall post any political signs on Borough property without registering at the Municipal Building, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. This registration procedure involves a $50 deposit, which will be returned if the following regulations are complied with: no sign shall be place prior to four (4) weeks before the date of election and must be removed within five (5) days after the election. If the signs are left on Borough property after this time period, they will…

September 11, 2019

Council to Meet Tuesday

Borough council has moved its September monthly voting meeting to 6 p.m. Tuesday. On the agenda is a vote regarding the NextEra Energy contract extension and a vote to set a public hearing to discuss an amendment to the hospital zoning ordinance. It was announced that the October committee of the whole meeting will also be rescheduled for October 15 at 6 p.m. because of the Columbus Day holiday.

August 22, 2019

Ellwood to Join Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)

In a 5-2 vote, Council decided that Ellwood City would join Lawrence County’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). The two “no” votes came from Councilman George Celli and Councilman James Barry. This is the second time CIRT participation was up for a vote in council. On June 17 council had a 5-2 vote of no. At that time Councilwomen Marilyn Mancini and Michele Lamenza were the only members who voted to participate. This time around, council President, Judith Dici, and council members Lisa Guerrera and Rob Brough changed their votes. Guerrera had one question, “Does this cost anything?” Dici, who…

June 28, 2019

Senator Vogel Lauds Budget Commitment to Agriculture

The Senate today (June 27) approved a budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20 that reaffirms Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to farming families, according to Senator Elder Vogel (R-47), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. Video House Bill 790 also includes no tax increases, provides funding for essential services, promotes workforce development efforts, bolsters education spending at all levels and makes a substantial investment in the state Rainy Day Fund. Video HB 790 maintains Senate Republicans’ commitment to Pennsylvania’s farmers by restoring all of the Governor’s proposed cuts and increases the overall appropriation to the Department of Agriculture by 13…

June 28, 2019

Bernstine: House Advances Bipartisan School-to-Work Bill

HARRISBURG –The House of Representatives this week advanced legislation which would allow high school students to obtain real-world work experience while still in school. The bipartisan bill to prepare Pennsylvania’s youth for the 21st-century workforce was authored by state Reps. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), Kate Klunk (R-York) and Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia). House Bill 796 would establish a pilot grant program which would encourage schools and local businesses to collaborate to provide work-based learning opportunities for high school students. “This innovative pilot program would bring our business leaders and students together to transform our education system and prepare Pennsylvania students for jobs…