Recent Stories

Politics

February 18, 2016

Property Tax/Rent Rebates Now Available in Senator Vogel’s District Offices

Applications are now available for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program and qualified individuals should file as soon as possible, according to Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The program is open to state residents age 65 or older; widows and widowers age 50 or older; and, 100 percent disabled people 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, with half of Social Security income excluded. The deadline for filing an application is July 1…

February 18, 2016

Ellwood City Borough Council February Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough Council meeting held on Feb. 15, 2016. Announcements Picnic shelter reservations will begin on the fourth Monday in February (Feb. 22) for Borough residents and beginning on the fourth Monday in March (Mar. 28) for non-Borough residents. Commendations Loccisano’s Golden Dawn grocery store was presented with a commendation for its 100 year anniversary. Appointments/Resignations A motion was passed appointing Joseph Trocci to the Recreation Board for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2018. The motion passed 6-1 with Vice President David DeCaria dissenting. DeCaria supported the other candidate, Caleb Cragle….

February 15, 2016

Mayor’s Crime Watch February Meeting

Mayor Anthony J. Court will hold his February 2016 Crime Watch Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. All Ellwood City residents and business owners are encouraged to attend.

February 12, 2016

Ellwood City School Board February Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Area school board meeting held on Feb. 11: Revenue/Finance A tax refund request was denied. The request was based on an erroneous millage calculation, as the property owner insisted a mil is 1/100,000, not 1/1,000. A motion to approve the audit report performed by the Philip Weiner Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 was tabled until a special meeting on Feb. 23. Vice President Matt Morella asked if the budget committee could meet with a representative to fully explain the audit report, as Morella didn’t want to…

February 12, 2016

Correction: Consultant Company Proposal Stated Incorrectly

The article “Marketing Consulting Company Presents Proposition to Skeptical EC School Board,” incorrectly presented Image Consultant’s preliminary proposal. Image Consultants’ initial quote was for $50 per hour for 32 hours, totaling $1,600. Specified services included consultation with school representatives, development of sponsorship funding levels, creation of handout materials and solicitation of potential sponsors. These rates didn’t include gas mileage, which would be charged at 57.5 cents per miles. The proposal recommended an initial 90 or 120-day contract. The quote was preliminary and open to revision. Specifically, Marshall mentioned that the rate could be dropped to $40. The previous description of…

February 12, 2016

Gibbons Hears Testimony on Plumber Licensing Board Bill

Harrisburg, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, heard testimony today to establish a plumber licensing board within the Department of Labor and Industry in Pennsylvania. Gibbons, a member of the House Professional Licensure Committee, said the legislation (H.B. 1357) would protect consumers from unscrupulous plumbers. “I am concerned for the welfare of my constituents, especially senior citizens in Pennsylvania who could be swindled out of their hard-earned money for a household service that wasn’t performed properly because the state doesn’t have a board to hold accountable licensed plumbers in the state,” Gibbons said In Pennsylvania, the plumber must…

February 12, 2016

Senator Vogel to Collect Food for Local Salvation Armies

State Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. announced that he will be collecting non-perishable food for area Salvation Armies at his Rochester and New Castle District Offices. The deadline to donate the non-perishable food items is March 21. “It’s important that we all do our part to remember those less fortunate. I hope many people join in helping to alleviate hunger in our area,” Vogel said. Everyone making a donation will be entered into a drawing to win a gift donated by Senator Vogel. If you would like to participate, please drop off any non-perishable foods at the Senator’s offices at 488…

February 12, 2016

Horse Racing Industry Measure Headed to Governor

The Senate today (Feb. 10) gave final approval to a bill that makes substantial regulatory changes necessary to protect and bolster Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry, according to Senator Elder Vogel. House Bill 941 which includes an amendment by Senator Vogel that will shift essential funds into the State Racing Fund and protect the horse racing industry in Pennsylvania, now goes to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law. Once enacted, the bill would provide a surplus of more than $27 million for the State Racing Fund by 2019-20, Senator Vogel said. “There has been a tremendous amount of…

February 12, 2016

Ag Committee Holds Hearing on Fireworks Bill

The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee today (Feb. 10) held a public hearing on a bill that would legalize the sale of fireworks in Pennsylvania, according to Committee Chairman Senator Elder Vogel (R-47). Senate Bill 1055, legislation introduced by Senator Vogel and his colleagues Senators Don White (R-41) and Gene Yaw (R-23) would lift the ban on the sale of “consumer” fireworks, known as “Class C” fireworks, and allow businesses legally operating in the state to sell consumer fireworks — such as bottle rockets, roman candles and mortars — to Pennsylvania residents without the need for a permit. “It’s…

February 11, 2016

Fifth Grade Scheduling Causes Extended School Board Debate

On Monday’s agenda meeting, most members of the Ellwood City Area School Board accepted a fifth grade schedule proposal as the best possible option. However, board president Renee Pitrelli didn’t accept the change, resulting in an extended circular conversation. Currently, the fifth-graders are divided into two classroom “pods” each rotating between three teachers. Frank Keally, the principal at Hartman Intermediate, felt this was a fine model and several school board members agreed, including Pitrelli, Jeniffer Tomon, Danielle Woodhead and Erica Gray. Unfortunately, this year’s fourth grade class is smaller than normal and as a result, Keally will have to move…