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June 29, 2017

Gov. Wolf, Boston Terrier Sign Bill for Stricter Animal Cruelty Laws

HARRISBURG – Yesterday Gov. Tom Wolf and a Boston Terrier named Libre, signed the Libre’s Law Bill – strengthening Pennsylvania’s laws and punishments against animal abuse and neglect. Next to Wolf’s signature lies a tiny paw print belonging to a once neglected Boston Terrier, Libre, named by his rescuer meaning “freedom” in Spanish. In July 2016, Libre was found as a three-month-old puppy clinging to life in the summer heat, dehydrated, emaciated and suffering from severe mange with maggots eating his rotting flesh, he was disposed of and neglected by an Amish puppy mill farmer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His rescuer,…

June 28, 2017

Electric Billings Comparison for April 2017-July 2017 and Corresponding Previous Year

The attached information is being provided by the Borough in order to inform Ellwood City Electric customers of the effect the reduction in the Transmission and Capacity charges set by PlM has had upon the Rate Adjustment (pP A Factor) and customer billings during the months of April 2017 through the upcoming billing in July 2017. Comparisons ofPPA components (Energy Purchased, American Municipal Power-Power Charges, as well as Transmission and Capacity Charges) were used. The Rate Adjustment is added to the electric bill of each user, Residential, Commercial and Industrial. The April 2017 Rate Adjustment was 2.86 cents per kWh…

June 28, 2017

House Passes Bernstine Bill to Protect Mental Health Patients from Abuse

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), which would ensure Pennsylvanians receiving mental health care have legal protection from those seeking to do them harm. “Mental health issues can impact anyone, at any time, and without this safeguard on our books, we would be failing to protect a lot of our citizens from potential abuse and neglect. That’s unacceptable.” House Bill 835 would update the Mental Health Procedures Act to state that persons in treatment for mental health issues have a right to be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Currently,…

June 26, 2017

VIDEO: Live Stream from Hira Educational Meeting

The controversial sale of the former Youth Development Center in New Castle has led local government officials and many community members to publicly express their concerns. Shenango Township residents Shirley Sallmen and Barbara Thompson called for a public meeting regarding the sale. The meeting was hosted Friday evening by Jubilee Ministries International at the Kingdom Broadcasting Ministries with nearly 250 locals in attendance. Several elected officials were present at the meeting, including State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, who publicly presented the known and unknown facts regarding the company. “I want to be clear that this region is accepting of people from…

June 26, 2017

Senator Vogel Continues Push for Telemedicine Initiatives in Pennsylvania

Technology can help overcome the barriers to quality patient care created by distance and reduce the costs of those services, according to Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver), the author of legislation aimed at promoting telemedicine in Pennsylvania. 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 is transforming healthcare and it is something our state should embrace and encourage,” Senator…

June 23, 2017

Public Community Event Tonight Regarding HIRA

The Christian Chamber Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will be holding an open forum tonight to discuss the purchase of the old Youth Development Center in New Castle. The purchase of the former Youth Development Center has many community members, including government officials State Representative Bernstine, State Representative Sainato and Senator Vogel, concerned about the potential owners. Hira Educational Services is a Muslim-based company who claims to aid in Muslim schooling but after reviewing the companies tax records and finance history, local government officials question the companies financial reliability and have asked Governor Tom Wolf to reconsider the sale. The event…

June 22, 2017

New Castle Approved for Medical Marijuana Growing Facility

Since Pennsylvania approved legislation permitting the sale of medical marijuana, a former factory located in New Castle has been chosen as one of the first 12 medical marijuana grower/processors in Pennsylvania. The 30,000 square-foot former factory located at 911 Industrial Street in New Castle is expected to be operational within six months, and is anticipated to relieve some of the financial distress in the local community and create 100-150 “good-paying” jobs once the operation reaches full potential, the New Castle News site reports. Keith Morgan and Richard Genderson of Holistic Farms located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, are the visionaries behind the…

June 20, 2017

Summer Paving Contract Approved

Ellwood City council members unanimously voted yesterday to approve the 2017 summer paving contract with Wampum-based Youngblood Paving. Over a hundred-thousand less than last years paving project, the $239,778.86 contract is expected to cover the expenses to pave 17 blocks of streets, including the entire length of Pittsburgh Circle. 11 Blocks of Pittsburgh Circle, Glen Avenue for one block from Keystone Way to Pittsburgh Circle, three blocks of First Avenue from North Street to Gregg Street, and two blocks of Gregg Street from Wampum Avenue to First Avenue are to be repaved. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act the…

June 16, 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. Stephanie Bengoa of the American Legion Veterans Assistance Program will be available on Wednesday, June 21 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. Ms. Bengoa 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…

June 14, 2017

Residents Cautioned about Non-Official Third-Party Bill Pay Site

While many Borough of Ellwood City residents should soon be receiving their May utility bills, they are urged to be aware that a third-party website is appearing in search results for “Ellwood City online bill pay”. When any variation of “Ellwood City online bill pay” is typed into a search engine, a clickable link comes up just a few links below the actual Ellwood City Borough online bill pay website, which is currently still suspended for updates. The third party bill pay site URL is www.doxo.com/info/borough-ellwood-city-pa.  While doxo.com is a legitimate third-party bill payment service, similar to online bill payment…