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December 12, 2017

House Approves Bernstine Bill to Help Seniors Stay in Their Homes

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives Monday unanimously approved legislation, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), which would make it easier for seniors to maintain their independence and receive care in their homes. “A disparity in Pennsylvania law is limiting access to in-home care and actually forcing some seniors into nursing homes when home care would have been more appropriate, preferred and less expensive,” Bernstine said. Currently, when an individual applies for Medicaid, he or she can be “presumed eligible” for nursing home services and receive those services immediately while their Medicaid application is being fully reviewed. However, if the…

December 11, 2017

Slippery Rock University Receives Grant to Train Veterans to be Teachers, Bernstine Says

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced that Slippery Rock University, along with West Chester University in southeastern part of the state, will receive more than $272,000 in funding under the federal Troops to Teachers grant program. “I believe the extensive training, vast experience and patriotism of our nation’s veterans make them excellent candidates to lead our classrooms,” Bernstine said. “Programs like Troops to Teachers help us give back in a small way to our veterans while putting some of our most upstanding citizens before our future generations.” The Troops to Teachers grant program, managed by the Defense Activity for Nontraditional…

November 21, 2017

November Regular Meeting Recap

Yesterday night was Ellwood City’s November 2017 council meeting. All of the following items on the agenda sheet were approved: Approval of Minutes: A motion in order to approve the Special Meeting 10/10/17 and and Regular Meeting 10/16/17. Approval of Vouchers: A motion to approve the pre-paid voucher list dated 11/13/17 in the amount of $1,217,194.59 and the open invoiced (list of vouchers to be paid) dated 11/16/17 in the amount of $793,848.67 Departmental Reports: A motion to approve the departmental reports as submitted. Bid Openings NONE Ordinances A motion would be in order to adopt an ordinance, as submitted,…

November 20, 2017

Bernstine Announces Safe Schools Grants for Laurel School District, Lawrence County Vo-Tech

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced nearly $150,000 in Safe Schools Grants have been awarded to Laurel School District and Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. “Our students deserve to learn in an environment free from violence and crime,” Bernstine said. “The investments we make in academic programs mean nothing if our kids and teachers aren’t safe. These grants will help protect students and ensure taxpayer dollars used to support our schools can be prioritized in the classroom.” Laurel School District received a $20,000 Safe Schools Equipment Grant and a $57,390 School Police/Resource Officer Grant. Lawrence County Career and Technical…

November 9, 2017

Public Invited to Union Employee Press Conference Tonight

The following press release was submitted: Ellwood City, PA – Ellwood City School’s blue-collar union employees, members of 32BJ SEIU, will set the record straight on stalled negotiations with the School Board on Thursday, November 9 at 6:45 p.m. outside of Lincoln High School. The District’s longtime custodians and food service workers have been in talks for a new contract with the Board since March. The Board announced this spring it would consider outsourcing the 80 workers’ jobs and began to take contractor proposals. In an effort to help the Board find a solution, the Union submitted its own cost-saving…

November 8, 2017

Request for Proposals for Lawrence Avenue Lots

Notice is hereby given that Ellwood City Revitalization (ECR) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of 509 / 511 Lawrence Avenue (Parcel lD #12-016800) and 513 / 515 Lawrence Avenue (Parcel lD #12-005300). These are two contiguous lots in Ellwood City’s downtown. Through the RFP, ECR is seeking to select a qualified developer that will redevelop the property in a manner consistent with the Borough’s current zoning ordinance and specifically C-3 Downtown Commercial District Regulations – Pedestrian Dominant uses. In addition, the proposed design must follow the Central Business District Guidelines by Town Center Associates. The…

November 8, 2017

Local Election Results

The following are Ellwood City’s running candidates final vote tally after last night’s election. Winners are italicized:       Ellwood City Council: Michele C. Lamenza (D), 775 James L. Barry (D), 765 Caleb Cragle (D), 652 John Pansera (D), 519 Lisa Guerrera (R), 840 Rob Brough (R), 841 John Cress (R), 725 Brandon Fisher (R), 712   Ellwood City School Board: Kathy Galbreath McCommons (D/R), 1,994 Renee L. Pitrelli (D/R), 1,812 Anthony J. Buzzelli (D), 1,306 Kathleen A. Pansera (D), 1,185 Norm Boots (R), 1,308 Barbara R. Wilson (R), 1,394   Tax collector Max A. Rossi (D), 541 Mary…

November 7, 2017

Ellwood City Polling Places

FIRST WARD 1st Dist Community Action 926 Crescent Ave. MAP SECOND WARD 1st Dist First Methodist Church 416 Crescent Ave. & Fifth Street MAP THIRD WARD 1st Dist Christ Presbyterian Church 325 Spring Street MAP FOURTH WARD 1st Dist Ellwood Area Family Center 522 Line Avenue MAP 2nd Dist Holy Redeemer Religious Center 603 Bridge Street MAP FIFTH WARD 1st Dist Tree Of Life Wellness Center 404 Beatty Street MAP 2nd Dist Walnut Ridge Community Center 801 Pershing Street MAP Other Lawrence County polling places can be found here.

November 6, 2017

November 7 Election Information

It’s almost time to vote! Tomorrow, November 7, 2017, the public will vote for their chosen candidates to fill the four Ellwood City Borough Council and four Ellwood City School Board seats. The candidate list for both School Board and Council is here. Remember why voting is important – these officials make decisions about how YOUR taxpayer money will be spent for the betterment of the community! If you’re unsure about where your polling place is it will be printed on your voter registration card or you can call your county election office, or you can use this online tool…

November 3, 2017

Meet the Candidates Recap

Yesterday evening held the final Meet the Candidate session for this local election. Four council seats and four school board seats are up for election. All school board candidates were present except for Norm Boots. Less than half of the council candidates were present for the meeting. Incumbent Michele Lamenza, former Councilman James Barry and newcomer Caleb Cragle were the council candidates present. School Board Recap: Each candidate gave their opening statements and why they believe they would be the best candidate for the position. Barb Wilson, newcomer running for school board, believes she would be a good candidate because…