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April 8, 2024

Ready to Vote in the Primary Election on April 23?

The primary election is Tuesday, April 23, 2024. You can either vote in person or vote by mail. Voting in person If you plan to vote in person on Election Day, you can find your assigned polling place by checking the location listed at the bottom of your registration status page. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are a first-time voter or are voting at a new polling place, here are helpful tips to learn how to get ready. And be sure to arrange for transportation to your polling place in advance. View the Lawrence County polling…

March 26, 2024

Bills Aim to Support, Promote Startup Initiatives Across Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG – A group of state House Republicans announced last week a package of bills designed to support and promote startup initiatives across the Commonwealth. The bills aim to capitalize on Pennsylvania’s many assets, including talented, hard-working people and valuable geographic location. The Commonwealth cannot afford to miss any more opportunities to Silicon Valley, New York or other start-up friendly areas. The eight bills are being sponsored by Reps. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield/Elk), Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny), Aaron Bernstine (R-Lawrence/Butler), Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) and Michael Stender (R-Northumberland/Montour). Armanini has three bills as part of the package. The first would designate March 18-24…

February 19, 2024

Council Approves YMCA Swimming Pool Management Agreement with No Cost Increase to Community

Ellwood City Borough Council approved the 2024 YMCA swimming pool management agreement for $13,800. Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said there will be no cost increase for community members to use the pool this year and the borough will be releasing more details regarding the pool’s 2024 season as well as activities planned including youth parties and featured DJs. Swogger said the borough is also working on securing the America250PA grant, which helps organizations conducting projects that improve the community and engages volunteers. Projects could include community cleanups, park improvements, revitalization efforts, river sweeps, graffiti abatement, murals, etc. The project must…

February 13, 2024

Local Fire, EMS Companies Receive Much-Needed State Grants

Grant funding will be coming to several first responder companies in the 9th Legislative District under a program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) within the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), according to Representatives Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) and Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence). Every emergency service organization that completes the application process receives funding. Projects eligible for funding include: construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt. “First responders are at the core of our communities,” said Brown. “Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel treat those…

February 8, 2024

ECASD Board of Directors Approve Changes to High School Curriculum; Face More Feedback from CEPP Group

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors approved requested changes to the High School Curriculum during the February 8, 2024 regular meeting. The changes were requested by Lincoln High School Principals, Mike Garvin and John Sovich. Garvin spoke previously at the committee meeting saying that the changes would benefit the students and have been a long time coming. One of the big changes is the addition of a Communications requirement, which will help students communicate in today’s ever changing, technology fueled world. Some of the changes requested included: A newly revised AP Course Policy Offering the required high school…

February 8, 2024

POLITICS: Many In Office React To Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Budget Proposal

Governor Josh Shapiro presented his 2024-25 budget proposal to the General Assembly and to the people of Pennsylvania on Tuesday – sharing his ‘get stuff done’ approach and vision to create more opportunity and continue delivering real solutions to the most pressing issues Pennsylvanians face according to his website. In a press release, he states by prioritizing economic opportunity and access to higher education, making historic investments in public education, supporting law enforcement and public safety, ensuring people receive the care they need, and funding critical initiatives to help Pennsylvanians from our cities to our farmlands – this budget will…

February 6, 2024

New Advocacy Group Formed to Preserve Ewing Park, Oppose Planned Softball Field

A new advocacy group has been formed to preserve Ewing Park. The Citizens for Ewing Park Preservation (CEPP) group was announced during Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors Committee Meeting Monday evening. Chairperson for the group, Karen Mancini, is a resident of Beatty Street, which faces the old Ewing Park School property where the district has proposed and plans to construct a girls softball field. She made a statement on behalf of the group during the meeting, “We are organized and represented by legal counsel and stand ready to oppose any attempt to convert the subject property to…

February 6, 2024

Bernstine to Host ‘Supporting Our Seniors’ February 10th

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) is inviting senior citizens, their families and caregivers to a “Supporting Our Seniors” event on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10-11:30 a.m., at the Unionville Volunteer Fire Company. The event is a one-stop shop to learn more about programs and help available for senior citizens in the 8th Legislative District. “Older adults are the fastest-growing market in the nation, and they deserve our total support,” said Bernstine. “Showing support for our senior citizens is essential. When these people feel valued, they benefit enormously. Their emotional well-being improves, and they can even have better health outcomes.”…

January 26, 2024

Bernstine Announces Campaign For Re-Election

[PRESS RELEASE] I am excited to announce that I am running for re-election to the State House of Representatives in the 8th District, which includes parts of Butler and Lawrence Counties. Unlike corrupt politicians in Harrisburg, I stand up for what I believe—not what special interests or the Harrisburg swamp tries to persuade me to believe. I got elected to serve my neighbors, and that has never changed. The liberals are fighting hard to destroy our way of life on the national level AND in Harrisburg, and I am committed to fighting back. We are in the heat of a…

January 16, 2024

Borough Manager Provides Update on Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project During Council Regular Meeting

During the regular meeting of Ellwood City Borough Coucil Tuesday night, Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project is about 40 percent completed. The Borough had announced the start of the project in October in an effort to improve the infrastructure in the area. The project is a sewer upgrade for multiple existing sewer transport lines in the wooded area East of Wampum Ave. A pump station will also be built to collect from these lines to be transported to the Ellwood City Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment. The tentative construction completion date of the…