press release

Public Invited to Union Employee Press Conference Tonight

The following press release was submitted: Ellwood City, PA – Ellwood City School’s blue-collar union employees, members of 32BJ SEIU, will set the record straight on stalled negotiations with the School Board on Thursday, November 9 at 6:45 p.m. outside of Lincoln High School. The District’s longtime custodians and food service workers have been in talks for a new contract with the Board since March. The Board announced this spring it would consider outsourcing the 80 workers’ jobs and began to take contractor proposals. In an effort to help the Board find a solution, the Union submitted its own cost-saving…


Ellwood City School District Negotiations Update: ‘I Don’t Want My Name Associated With These Jabs’

Tensions were high at the Ellwood City School Board meeting this morning between School Board Member, formerly School Board President, Renee Pitrelli and her fellow School Board peers. The Board voted to approve the negotiations update press release, written by the board attorney, in a roll call vote with Pitrelli voting against it and school board member Matthew Morella absent. The official release is below: “Ellwood City Area School District Negotiations Update, November 1, 2017 To provide the public with accurate information regarding the status and progress of the negotiations between the School District and the Service Employees International Union…


CCBC Faculty Member Selected as Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert for Third Consecutive Year

Monaca, PA – For the third year in a row, Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) Professor of Office Technology Mary Jo Slater has been chosen to join more than 6,000 educators worldwide as part of the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program. Each year, Microsoft selects innovative educators who are self-driven, passionate about their work, have true collaborative spirit and strive to inspire students with outside-the-box thinking on technology in education. MIE experts build their capacity for using technology in both the classroom and curriculum to improve student learning, advise other Microsoft and educational institutions on how to integrate…


Documentary “Project 22” Coming to BC3 at Lawrence Crossing

New Castle, PA – BC3 at Lawrence Crossing on Nov. 14 will offer a free public screening of “Project 22,” an April 2015 documentary created by two young combat veterans and one that heightens awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide among those who served in recent wars, the president of the college’s Student Veterans Association said. “Project 22” will be shown at 2849 W. State St., New Castle, from 12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. “The paramount thing that comes to mind is that you are not alone in thinking about suicide and you are certainly not alone in having…


BC3’s Best Shot Depends on Great Shots

Butler, PA – The 3-point shot will give the Butler County Community College men’s basketball team its best shot at its first winning season in three years, Jace Stutz said, and if its unique five-guard offense plays at the height of its game, the small Pioneers can compensate for their lack of size and post “triple digits” on the scoreboard. “With all five guards who can shoot, it is going to be nice,” Stutz said. “I know we can score,” Kaden Rock said. “If we are shooting well,” Brendon Record said, “we can be in any game with anybody.” “Every…


Senate Adopts Emissions Test Elimination Impact Study

The State Senate today approved a Resolution initiating a study on the environmental impact of eliminating the vehicle emissions program in Beaver County, among other counties, according to Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. Senate Resolution 168 instructs the Joint State Government Commission, a bipartisan research agency of the General Assembly, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the potential impact of removing all Third, Fourth, and Fifth Class counties from the vehicle emissions testing program, as well as provide recommendations for Pennsylvania’s continued compliance with federal air quality standards. “The time has come for a thorough, deliberate study of the potential impact…


BC3’s Fire Safety Trailer Reaches, Teaches 570 Kids Since June

Portersville, PA – Small hands sensed heat on the door, and as simulated smoke rolled above their heads, third-graders Della, Sara and Tabitha dropped to the floor, crawled to and through a window and met safely at a designated spot outside Butler County Community College’s fire safety training trailer, executing perfectly a lesson presented only 45 minutes earlier. Della, Sara and Tabitha are among more than 570 children who since June have learned how to prevent a fire in their homes or how to respond in the event of one through BC3, which received one of two 30-foot fire safety…


BC3 Volleyball Squad Crowned WPCC Champs Again

Butler, PA- Brittney Bianco had 35 assists and Emily Magusiak 11 kills as the Butler County Community College volleyball team on Saturday won its 14th Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference title since 1977, ninth under coach Rob Snyder and third in a row by sweeping the Community College of Beaver County. BC3, the tournament’s top seed, beat the Titans 25-16, 25-16 and 25-20 in the best-of-5 finals and moved to 17-5 entering this weekend’s National Junior College Athletic Association Region XX Division III championships. BC3 will defend its back-to-back NJCAA Region XX Division III crowns in a tournament it will host…


Vogel Emissions Testing Amendment Approved

The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee today approved an amendment that will initiate a legislative study by the Joint State Government Commission on the environmental impact of eliminating the vehicle emissions program in Beaver County, among other counties. Senate Resolution 168—a measure originally calling for a study of the environmental impact of eliminating the emissions program in Cambria County—was expanded to include Beaver County, among others, as a result of Senator Vogel’s amendment. “For years I have introduced legislation curtailing the ineffective and costly vehicle emissions program in Beaver County,” said Senator Vogel. “It is my hope that this…


BC3 at Lawrence Crossing Plans Oct. 25 Open House

Visitors to an Oct. 25 open house can learn about BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing’s innovative scheduling options that reflect students’ needs, about associate degree programs that instill the professional and technical skills necessary to start a career, and how 75 percent of BC3 students graduate debt-free. The open house will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing, 2849 W. State St., New Castle. BC3 will waive its $25 application fee for those who apply for admission during the Oct. 25 open house. Tuition at BC3, named the No. 1 community college in the state…