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Politics

June 18, 2018

Ellwood School Board Amends Academic Competition Policy

Controversy ensued at Thursday’s Ellwood City Area School Board meeting when the board voted to approve amendments to its academic competition policy. The amendments were requested by board member Renee Pitrelli to better promote students involved in competitions. According to Pitrelli, the new policy will enable the district to support academics as much as athletics and leadership. Board members Jennifer Tomon and Danielle Woodhead believed the amendments were too vague and requested tabling the motion in order to polish the language. The amendment requires the district to pay all the travel expenses for students in statewide and national competitions, while…

June 15, 2018

Senate Approves Vogel Bill Promoting Telemedicine in Pennsylvania

The Senate today (June 13) 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 780 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…

June 14, 2018

Bernstine Appointed to Bipartisan Budget Watchdog Committee

HARRISBURG – Furthering his opportunities to be involved in shaping some of the most critical fiscal issues facing the Commonwealth, State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) Tuesday was appointed by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to replace outgoing state Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington) on one of the General Assembly’s most influential watchdog committees. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency tasked with making research-supported recommendations for the elimination of wasteful expenditures and promotion of economic growth, as well as ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars. “I’m looking forward to the…

June 14, 2018

Council President Responds to PUC Letter From Council Members

Earlier in the month, council members Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera sent a letter to council president Judith Dici requesting a reduction in electric rates based on a Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) announcement that customers across the state would be receiving a discount. Dici, although absent from Monday’s agenda meeting, left a written response to the council members as follows: I am aware of the May 18, 2018 decision of the Public Utility Commission (PUC). This decision was as a result of the substantial decrease in Federal tax rates and other changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of…

June 13, 2018

Lawrence Avenue Event Pulled from Council Agenda

At Monday’s Ellwood City borough council agenda meeting, Scott and Caroline Golmic addressed council regarding an event request that was pulled from the agenda. The Golmics, owners of Sweet Caroline’s at 507 Lawrence Ave., leased an empty lot at 509 Lawrence with the intention of hosting events to promote the downtown. The Golmics paired together with other local businesses to host an event on May 23 for the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation, which attracted hundreds of people downtown. The couple plans on hosting future events on the lot featuring food, music and games to attract people downtown and draw…

June 4, 2018

Pennsylvania Utility Commission Announcement

In a letter to sent to Council President, Judi Dici, a decision on May 18 from the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC), it was announced that utility customers across Pennsylvania would receive a discount of $320,000,000 per year.  This will mean more money will be in the pockets of the hard-working people who pay utility bills. Residents who surround Ellwood City will receive a discount of either 8.07% (Penn Power customers) on or 7.34% (West Penn Power) on their distribution charges.  Should consumers of Ellwood City Electric Company not receive this discount, it will only increase the 27% premium that residents…

May 31, 2018

Bernstine Certified Winner of Both Republican and Democratic Nominations for November 6 election

NEW BEAVER, PA. – State Rep. Aaron Bernstine was certified today as the winner of both Republican and Democratic nominations to represent State House District 10 in Harrisburg. The district includes portions of Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence counties. Bernstine, elected as a Republican in 2016, was nominated for a second term by his party during the May 15th primary, earning 97% of the vote. He secured the Democratic nomination as well by winning a write-in campaign, earning 55% of the vote against Beaver Falls resident Joseph McGurk. “It is an honor to receive the nomination of both the Republican and…

May 23, 2018

Ellwood City Borough Council May Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City borough council meeting held on Monday, May 21: Ordinances A motion was passed amending the parks ordinance to make shelter reservations effective beginning April 1 through Sept. 30. This increases the reservation window by a month on either end. Finance A motion was passed approving a $250 donation to the Memorial Day Parade Committee to be paid from the General Fund. The motion passed 5-1 with Lisa Guerrero dissenting. Rob Brough was absent and council vice president Jim Barry wasn’t physically present but attended via voice chat. Public Works/Utilities: A…

May 16, 2018

Ellwood City Council Agenda Brief

The following is a brief summary of items discussed at the Ellwood City borough council agenda meeting on Monday, May 14: Beechwood Blvd Address Added to Agenda Council member Michelle Lamenza requested a motion be added to the agenda to repeal a motion changing several Beechwood Boulevard addresses to Constitution Boulevard addresses. Earlier in the year, council approved these changes to make it easier for emergency responders to find specific addresses. However, some of the affected constituents hired a lawyer, Al Torrence, of Beaver County, to ask council to repeal the motion. In the March meeting, Torrence argued that the…

May 14, 2018

Ellwood City Native Takes on Independent Electric Utilization Study

Liz Prence, a native of Ellwood City is doing an independent study to help people find the reason for their high electric utilization. Prence has over 35 years experience in data analysis and quality control, she has a Bachelors in biochemistry and is currently chief quality officer for Healthmap Solutions. The study will help provide information and effective solutions to people who have excessively high electric bills by determining the cause of the discrepancies seen among electric customers. “We are all charged the same rate per KWH, yet many residents don’t have high electric bills (me, for example),” Prence said….