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October 25, 2017

Senate Adopts Emissions Test Elimination Impact Study

The State Senate today approved a Resolution initiating a study on the environmental impact of eliminating the vehicle emissions program in Beaver County, among other counties, according to Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. Senate Resolution 168 instructs the Joint State Government Commission, a bipartisan research agency of the General Assembly, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the potential impact of removing all Third, Fourth, and Fifth Class counties from the vehicle emissions testing program, as well as provide recommendations for Pennsylvania’s continued compliance with federal air quality standards. “The time has come for a thorough, deliberate study of the potential impact…

October 23, 2017

Bernstine to Host Paper Shredding Event on Nov. 4

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) will host a free paper shredding event on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9-11 a.m. in the Franklin Township Building parking lot, located at 897 State Route 288, Fombell. Free on-site document shredding will be provided by Iron City Workplace Services. “We all know that identity theft is a growing problem both locally and across the country,” said Bernstine. “Now, more than ever, we need to protect our private information and make sure it is destroyed properly. We are pleased to provide residents with a secure way to shred large amounts of personal documents.” Residents who plan…

October 23, 2017

A Response to the Ellwood City School District on Outsourcing and Negotiations

Julie Blust, a representative of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, and on behalf of The Ellwood City School District Workers Bargaining Committee, released a response to the Ellwood City School District outsourcing negotiations over the weekend. “We found the School District’s account of our contract negotiations to be worryingly inaccurate so we feel that it is important to set the record straight,” Blust begins in her statement which reads as follows. For anyone who has not been following this issue closely, last year the School District made the alarming announcement that they would like to outsource school district jobs,…

October 19, 2017

PA Drivers Encouraged to Remove Expired Registration Stickers

State Representative Aaron Bernstine posted the following information on his Facebook page: Pennsylvania drivers are encouraged to remove expired registration stickers from their license plates as out-of-state police officers have pulled over drivers with outdated stickers. At the end of 2016, PennDOT stopped issuing the stickers, saving taxpayers more than $3 million. PennDOT has alerted police from other states and Canada of the lack of registration stickers. However, out-of-state police officers have been reported to pull over Pennsylvania drivers who still have the outdated stickers on their plates. Pennsylvania State Police encourage residents who are pulled over to politely explain…

October 18, 2017

Junior Councilman Appointed to Ellwood City Council

An exciting announcement was made Monday evening during the Council Meeting – Junior student at Lincoln High School, Colin Smith, was appointed Junior Councilman on the committee. Smith, who is a member of the National Honor Society, kicker on the football team, Blue Band member, and active volunteer in the community, took his Oath of Office Monday evening, signed his name on the X, and pulled up a chair around the table. He heard about the position via the school guidance counselor and although he doesn’t want to pursue a future in politics, he wants to use the opportunity to…

October 18, 2017

Vogel Emissions Testing Amendment Approved

The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee today approved an amendment that will initiate a legislative study by the Joint State Government Commission on the environmental impact of eliminating the vehicle emissions program in Beaver County, among other counties. Senate Resolution 168—a measure originally calling for a study of the environmental impact of eliminating the emissions program in Cambria County—was expanded to include Beaver County, among others, as a result of Senator Vogel’s amendment. “For years I have introduced legislation curtailing the ineffective and costly vehicle emissions program in Beaver County,” said Senator Vogel. “It is my hope that this…

October 16, 2017

Bernstine Announces Fall Town Hall Meeting Series

Continuing his efforts to stay in touch with the people who hired him to be their voice in Harrisburg, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced his second series of town hall meetings, which will take place around the 10th Legislative District this fall. The meeting locations and dates are: Koppel Borough (Beaver County) Town Hall – Monday, Oct. 30, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Koppel Volunteer Fire Department, located at 5525 5th Ave., Koppel. New Brighton Borough (Beaver County) Town Hall – Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the New Brighton Borough Building, located at 610 Third Ave.,…

October 11, 2017

Senator Vogel to Host Veterans’ Specialist at New Castle District Office

Senator Vogel announced today that he will host a veterans’ specialist in his New Castle District Office to assist constituents with various issues related to their military service. A representative of the American Legion Veterans Assistance Program will be available on Wednesday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Senator Vogel’s New Castle Office (1905 W State St. New Castle). No appointment is necessary. The representative can assist veterans and their families understand the benefits they have earned, enroll in the V.A. health care system, assist with the appeals process, and much more. Please bring any documentation and…

October 6, 2017

Sale of the YDC: “We Now Have Confirmation That YDC is Back Up On the Market.”

State Representative Aaron Bernstine posted a few moments ago on Facebook a live update on the future of the New Castle Youth Development Center (YDC) property. “We now have confirmation that YDC is back up on the market,” he states. “Hopefully we will be able to get this thing sold, get it back into the community, exactly doing what it should do, creating jobs right here for our area.” Previously, the 140-acre property with several standing buildings, was pending a purchase by HIRA, an Islamic-based educational company. The sale had fallen through due to several issues and the property has…

October 5, 2017

A Letter From the Borough: Political Signs on Borough Property

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. The registration procedure involves a $50 deposit, which will be returned if the following regulations are complied with: no sign shall be placed prior to four weeks before the date of election and must be removed within five days after the election. If the signs are left on Borough property after this time period, they will be removed by the Borough and the deposits will be retained. If…