Recent Stories

Politics

October 30, 2015

PA Senate Sends Housing Trust Fund Expansion to Governor

HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania’s state Senate on Tuesday sent legislation to expand the state housing trust fund to the governor for signature. “The Senate’s 47-1 vote coupled with the unanimous vote in the House reflects the broad bi-partisan commitment to a home within reach of all Pennsylvanians,” said Liz Hersh, executive director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania. The trust fund, officially known as PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE), supports development and rehabilitation of quality homes affordable to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, low-wage working families and helps homelessness. “This bill is about growth and opportunity. It creates…

October 28, 2015

November 3 Election: EC Borough Candidate Profiles

The Ellwood City Borough Council may travel back a few years pending Tuesday’s election results. Five candidates are running for three positions. As two candidates are incumbents and two are former council members, it is likely the council will reorganize in December with an old composition. Incumbent Ralph Chiappetta sought reelection but lost in the primaries. A full list of candidates running for Lawrence County and local positions can be found here. Candidate bios are primarily from Kitchen Cabinet’s Meet the Candidates held before the primary elections in May. Suzanne Bleakney Republican Suzanne Bleakney is the only newcomer on the…

October 28, 2015

November 3 Election: EC School Board Summary

Five candidates are running for five positions. Barring the unlikely chance of a successful write in campaign, the five candidates will be sworn in this December. However, the school board will see a substantial reorganization as three newcomers will replace three members who chose not to run for reelection. In Pennsylvania, school board candidates do not run on party platforms, so all five will be listed on both the Democrat and Republican tickets. The new candidates, Erica Sutkowski-Gray, Jennifer Tomon, and Danielle Woodhead, are all Parent-Teach Organization members. At the Kitchen Cabinet’s Meet the Candidates prior to the primary election,…

October 28, 2015

November 3 Election: Candidate List

Ellwood City Borough Council Three 4-year terms Candidate profiles can be found here. Democrat Judi Dici- former council member (2009-13) Marilyn Mancini- incumbent seeking third term John Todorich- incumbent and current vice president seeking third term Republican Suzanne Bleakney George Celli- former council member (2009-13) Judi Dici Lawrence County Commissioner Three 4-year terms Democrat Steve Craig- incumbent seeking fourth term Tim Fulkerson Republican Dan Volger- incumbent seeking fourth term Robert DelSignore- incumbent seeking second term Lawrence County Judge Melissa A. Amodie- current district judge David Acker- current defense attorney District Judge 53-3-2 One 6-year term Jennifer Nicholson- incumbent Ellwood City…

October 27, 2015

Senate Ag Committee to Consider Industrial Hemp Bill

The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Elder Vogel, will consider legislation to allow the growth of industrial hemp during a meeting set for 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, in Room 8E-B of the State Capitol East Wing. Senate Bill 50, introduced by Senator Judy Schwank, provides for an industrial hemp industry in the Commonwealth through the establishment of a permitting process within the Department of Agriculture to license and regulate the cultivation, growth and sale of industrial hemp. The 2014 Federal Farm Bill permits industrial hemp research if it is authorized by a state. While a…

October 23, 2015

Senator Sends Bill to Increase Support for Housing Program to Governor

The Senate today gave final approval to a House Bill that would increase state support for a program that promotes housing affordability and rehabilitation in communities across the Commonwealth, according to Senator Elder Vogel, prime sponsor of the Senate version of the measure. House Bill 792 would dedicate a portion of funds raised from the state’s Realty Transfer Tax (RTT) for use by the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) for projects across the state. The legislation does not increase the RTT rate, but solely changes how the revenues under the existing rate are used. Senator Vogel introduced…

October 21, 2015

Former Police Chief Sues Borough

Former police chief Mark Romutis is suing the Borough of Ellwood City. Romutis filed a wrongful termination lawsuit on Monday, October 19 at the Lawrence County Courthouse. According to court documents, the lawsuit is four-pronged: breech of contract, breech of policy violation, breech of implied covenant, and interference with prospective economic advantage. Romutis is seeking $35,000 for each of the claims for a total of $140,000. The lawsuit rests on the grounds that the reason for the police chief’s abrupt removal violated the terms of his contract and has limited his employment prospects. Romutis served as police chief from January…

October 21, 2015

Police Cruiser Purchase Causes Dissension in Council

Council voted to purchase a new police cruiser at Monday’s council meeting on October 19. However, the vote was not unanimous. Council members Ralph Chiapetta and David DeCaria voted no. Chiappetta said that due to low patrol hours in the police department (about 2.4/man hour), he couldn’t justify purchasing a new cruiser. “The police department has been focusing on drug activity while other crimes, such as vandalism, are on the rise,” Chiappetta said. David DeCaria joined Chiappetta in the dissenting vote, adding that the decision “won’t affect the safety of officers or the public.” However, the other five members of…

October 15, 2015

Council Members Disagree on Revision to Civil Service Regulations

The Ellwood City Borough Council was poised to adopt revised civil service regulations at its voting meeting on Monday, Oct. 19. However, after council member Connie MacDonald raised several questions during the agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, council agreed to table the motion for further discussion. MacDonald felt the regulations should include a credit check in the civil service commission’s background check. He also felt the borough should require police officer’s to have a college education, either a bachelors or associates. “In this day and age, we should hire the most qualified people and encourage people to have…

October 15, 2015

Riverside Parents Inquire about Co-Op Wrestling with Ellwood City

Several parents attended the Riverside School Board agenda setting meeting on Monday, Oct. 12 to inquire about a potential Riverside wrestling program. Visitor Rani Schweiger asked the Board if there was interest in either establishing a Riverside wrestling team or forming a Co-Op with Ellwood City. Superintendent Dr. David Arney said that because of how imminent winter sports season is, it is more practical to look into having Riverside athletes wrestle as independents for the 2015-16 school year. Schweiger countered that wrestling as an independent is an entirely different experience for athletes than having the support of a team. “My…