Now that Ellwood City Medical is closed indefinitely, a new hospital is looking to step in to fill the void. The Butler Health System, which owns Butler Memorial Hospital and recently acquired Clarion Hospital in Clarion County, posted a message on its Facebook social media page last week that it is opening a facility in Franklin Township. No announcements have been made about services offered, but it was announced that more information would be made available soon.

A Ledger review of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture records found that three local restaurants had violations that landed them out of compliance. The restaurants that failed inspections are the Loyal Order of Moose along Factory Avenue in Ellwood City, Subway along Route 288 in Franklin Township and Shakespeare’s Restaurant along Mercer Road in North Sewickley Township. After a follow-up visit, Subway and Shakespeare’s were found to be in compliance. An additional 10 establishments were cited for noncritical violations.

Weather Report 1/6/20

Today- Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 41.

Tonight- Some clouds. Low 26

Tomorrow- Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 41.

Last week, 3 of the longest tenured Row Officers in Beaver County retired. They were Recorder of Deeds Janice Beall, Treasurer Connie Javens and Prothonotary Nancy Werme. Between the 3 of them, they had 72 years of service to Beaver County. All 3 women stated that a desire for more family time is what prompted their retirement.

On short notice, US fast-response force flies to Mideast
By SARAH BLAKE MORGAN and JONATHAN DREW Associated Press
Hundreds of U.S. soldiers have deployed from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Kuwait to serve as reinforcements in the Middle East amid rising tensions following the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general. Lt. Col. Mike Burns is a spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division. He told The Associated Press that 3,500 members of the division’s quick-deployment brigade will have deployed within a few days. The wife of one soldier who recently deployed said that his departure was so abrupt she didn’t have the chance to say goodbye in person or by phone.

Iraq’s Parliament calls for expulsion of U.S. troops
Iraq’s Parliament is calling for the expulsion of U.S. troops from the country in reaction to the American drone attack that killed a top Iranian general. Lawmakers approved a resolution Sunday asking the Iraqi government to end the agreement under which Washington sent forces more than four years ago to help fight the Islamic State group. A pullout of the estimated 5,200 U.S. troops could cripple the battle against ISIS and allow its resurgence.

5 dead, dozens hospitalized in Pennsylvania Turnpike crash
Officials in Pennsylvania say five people have been killed and dozens more hospitalized in a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. A turnpike spokesman tells The Associated Press that the Westmoreland County coroner confirmed the deaths in the early Sunday crash and said 60 people were hospitalized with injuries. A tweet from the spokesman says the crash involved a passenger bus, two tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. The crash has closed the turnpike for an 86-mile stretch.