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June 12, 2017

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline Extended to End of Year

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program deadline for older adults and residents with disabilities to apply for rebates of rent and property taxes paid in 2016 has been extended to December 31, 2017, according to Senator Elder Vogel Jr. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Forms and other information are available online at www.revenue.pa.gov or by calling, toll-free, (888) 222-9190….

June 9, 2017

Bernstine Backs Pension Reform to Better Protect Taxpayers

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives’ bipartisan vote to reform Pennsylvania’s two public pension systems, which have a combined unfunded liability of more than $62.7 billion: “While this legislation won’t make all our pension problems disappear, it represents a meaningful step that will reduce our massive unfunded liability by more than $5 billion. Most importantly, it shifts financial risk away from our hard-working taxpayers.  Every dollar we add to our pension debt threatens the quality of our schools and the paychecks of our taxpayers, and we need to stop adding to…

June 8, 2017

Join Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. for his Annual Kids Extravaganza

Event set for Saturday June 24th at Community College of Beaver County Athletics & Events Center, Monaca, PA 15061 Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. would like to invite all area children and their families to attend his free Kids Extravaganza on Saturday June 24th at Community College of Beaver County- Athletics & Events Center from 11 AM-2 PM. Senator Vogel’s Kids Extravaganza is a fun and free way to gain valuable information on programs and benefits available to help families and children. The Kids Extravaganza will feature more than 80 different representatives from state, county, and local organizations. The Carnegie Museum…

June 7, 2017

Youth Development Center in Shenango Sold to Islamic Consulting Firm

After laying abandoned for several years, the 145-acre state-owned property housing the former Youth Development Center in Shenango Township has been sold to a Newark, New Jersey based Islamic consulting firm called HIRA. Out of three total bids on the property, HIRA was the highest and now the public is curious to know what the potential business plans on doing with the space. HIRA’s official website – which contains many grammatical errors throughout – does not provide much information about the firm other than their main goal is to “offer services to the Islamic Schools who are not getting the…

June 6, 2017

Vogel Applauds Bipartisan Passage of Historic Pension Reform

Today (June 5) the Senate approved legislation reforming Pennsylvania’s two largest public pension systems, the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS)  and the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS). Senator Elder Vogel Jr. (R-47) praised the bipartisan passage of this historic reform which both limits future taxpayer liabilities while also still providing a competitive retirement benefit for school and state employees. “For years, school boards and fiscal watchdogs throughout Pennsylvania have been sounding the alarm about the unchecked growth of the state pension systems. In fact, the exponential growth of pension obligations is the #1 reason cited by school boards for…

June 2, 2017

Mayor’s Advisory Meeting Recap

On Thursday, May 25, 2017 the Mayor’s Advisory Committee met in Mayor Courts Office. Discussion included the parking ticket issue on Wampum Avenue, complaints voiced concerning a large black dog around Crestview and Skyline Drive. Mayor Court is urging people to trim their hedges when they get too high so that they do not obstruct traffic. The fight against drugs continues with 393 arrests since Mayor Court took office. The Mayor’s Beautification Award program has begun with one Award being presented already. The Mayor wants everyone to know that they can nominate anyone if they wish to do so. On…

May 31, 2017

PHOTO: Mayor Presents Beautification Award

For the past six years, Mayor Court has presented to area residents a special “Beautification Award” sign along with a local restaurant gift certificate. This year the first Award went to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Loraine Buzzelli of Meadowridge Drive. The Buzzelli’s were nominated by an undisclosed resident who felt that the Buzzelli’s had spend considerable time and effort into making their home surroundings extra special. The second of six award winners will be presented soon and there are so many Ellwood City residents who are worthy to received this award and gift certificate.  If you feel that there…

May 24, 2017

Lawrence County Commissioners to Vote on Allocation Among 9 Local Municipalities

With nearly $600,000 in funding requests but with only slightly above $100,000 in available funds for 2017, the Lawrence County Commissioners will be voting on where $84,500 will be allocated among nine municipalities in Lawrence County. Due to the counties responsibility to maintain only 27 bridges and no roads, the county commonly has an excess of revenue funded by Pennsylvania’s gasoline tax. They often use the excess for distribution among the local municipalities for liquid fuel-eligible projects. Although commissioners agreed to give money to each community that made a request, none of the municipalities received the full amount requested. Ellwood…

May 17, 2017

Ellwood City Primary Election Results

The primary election results for Ellwood City and surrounding Lawrence County areas have been posted on Lawrence County’s official website. Republican incumbents, Connie MacDonald and David DeCaria lost to their challengers, running mates Rob Brough, John Cress, Brandon Fisher, and Lisa Guerrera, by over 100 votes. According to the site, Guerrera led the Republican party with 323 votes, Brough followed closely behind with 320, Cress with 305, and Fisher with 285. DeCaria finished with 173 votes – one more than MacDonald’s 172 votes. Democratic incumbent Michelle Lamenza lead the Democratic party with 335 votes – only five votes more than…

May 16, 2017

Bernstine, Court Agree to Send Information to District Attorney Office

ELLWOOD CITY – In response to parking tickets that were issued at a legislative press conference on Thursday, May 11, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-New Beaver) and Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court have jointly agreed to send documentation of the event to the Lawrence County District Attorney office, Bernstine announced today. Bernstine held a press conference in front of a private residence on Wampum Avenue to announce his legislation to better regulate municipal electric costs. Many attendees of the event, including Bernstine himself, received parking tickets from the Ellwood City Police Department. “Because I firmly believe that the tickets were…