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January 9, 2023

Wolf Outlines Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking, Offers Survivor Resources, Encourages Public to Learn & Act

Harrisburg, PA – Executives from the Pennsylvania departments of Transportation (PennDOT) Health (DOH), Labor and Industry (L&I), and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Office of Victim Advocate were joined by other advocates today to discuss human trafficking, outline efforts to combat it, explain how to report potential cases, and offer resources for survivors. Human trafficking is the exploitation of people using force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of commercial sex, forced labor, or domestic servitude. According to the International Labor Organization, there are approximately 28 million victims of human trafficking globally with 17.3 million people experiencing forced labor…

January 2, 2023

New Ellwood City Borough Manager Believes in Building the Community

For the newly hired Ellwood City Borough Manager Kevin Swogger, community development and management have been a long-time staple in his career. The 1985 Ellwood City graduate is rounding out his wide range of experience with a hometown position that will allow him to invest in the future of his community. Swogger, who lives in the Ewing Park neighborhood, has the background necessary to keep the borough moving forward. He was in the Airforce for 23 years, traveled all over the world, and enjoyed a prestigious 10-year special duty assignment interior for Air Force One. “I worked under three presidents…

December 30, 2022

Brown Announces District Office Opening in New Castle

HARRISBURG – Rep.-elect Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) announced that she will be opening a district office in New Castle to ensure continuity of constituent services. The office, which will open for business beginning on Monday, Jan. 9, is located in the Washington Centre Plaza at 28 N. Mill St., New Castle. Office hours will be Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the telephone numbers are 724-498-4397 and 833-431-0502. “One of the most important aspects of my job as your state representative is helping you deal with state government,” said Brown. “Stopping by my office is one way…

December 20, 2022

David Allen Attends Last Meeting As Ellwood City Borough Manager; Council Welcomes Kevin Swogger

David Allen attended his last Ellwood City Borough Council Meeting as Borough Manager Monday night. During his four years serving the community, he fought for the sale of the Ellwood City Medical Center following years of controversy following its closing. He also had to manage the city during the pandemic. Council members expressed thanks to Allen and wished him well in his next chapter. Allen hinted that he will still be “around” in a consulting capacity and still involved in community projects. The borough welcomed Kevin Swogger who will replace Allen in the New Year. Swogger, a Lincoln High School…

December 9, 2022

Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors Names New President, Vice President

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held it’s combined voting and reorganization meeting Thursday night. During the reorganization meeting, Kathy McCommons was named board president, with support from Directors Norman Boots, Renee Pitrelli, Jennifer Tomon, and Kathy Tillia. Jean Biehls was also nominated with support of Directors Erica Gray, Claire Fauzey, and Gary Rozanski. Biehls had served as board president previously. McCommons said she is excited to take on the role as board president and thanked Biehls for her service. She said a main goal of hers will be transparent, clear communication. “I will make sure everyone…

November 22, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Enacts Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program, hires Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to adopt an ordinance, creating an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program and to advertise an ordinance creating a 1 mill tax for those services. The move comes following a voter referendum on November 8 during the election in which a majority of voters were in favor of the program. During the October Council meeting, The Ellwood City Community Health Foundation presented the Ellwood City Fire Department a check for $175,000. Council voted at that October meeting to advertise an ordinance creating the ALS program, as well as an agreement that the program will be partially funded…

October 27, 2022

Brooks, Vogel Announce $3.5 Million Grant to Create Local Jobs at Steelite

LAWRENCE – Sens. Michele Brooks (R-50) and Elder Vogel (R-47) announced a $3.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to facilitate the expansion of the Steelite International facility, which will contribute to the economic strengths of Neshannock Township, the City of New Castle and surrounding areas. The project entails the formation of a 55,000-square-foot, pre-engineered steel building in Neshannock Township. Funds will be used to develop the site; purchase and construct the pre-engineered steel building; and for related building operation systems, such as electrical, HVAC and plumbing. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Sen. Vogel and Steelite on…

October 26, 2022

Bernstine Says House Fails to Override Governor’s Markie’s Law Veto

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives failed today to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s September veto of House Bill 146, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders in the wake of the 2019 murder of a child in Lawrence County. The measure needed a two-thirds majority (134 votes) to override the veto; 132 “yes” votes were cast. Every Republican House member voted “yes” to override the veto; however, some Democrats who originally voted in the affirmative, flipped their vote to support releasing violent criminals back onto our streets. Markie’s Law was named…

October 5, 2022

NOTICE: Political Signs NOT Allowed Without Registration

According to a press release made available by the Borough of Ellwood City, no candidate for political office, whether local, county, state or federal, shall post any political signs on Borough property without registering at the Ellwood City Municipal Building, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. This registration procedure involves a $50 deposit, which will be returned if the following regulations are complied with: no sign shall be placed prior to four (4) weeks before the date of election and must be removed within five (5) days after the election. If the signs are left on Borough property after…

October 4, 2022

Bernstine’s Markie’s Law Legislation Vetoed by Governor

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) that would focus on the parole process for violent offenders was vetoed today by Gov. Tom Wolf. “I am upset, disappointed and disgusted with the governor’s decision to veto this important, commonsense legislation,” said Bernstine. “This bill would have kept the most dangerous inmates from a premature release in order to protect our Commonwealth residents and would have saved Markie’s life.” House Bill 146, or Markie’s Law, was named after Markie Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of…