Articles by Cassandra Douglas

Carpenter’s Project: “A Very Successful Year”

Last Friday marked the completion of the 16th successful year of the Carpenter’s Project. Over 230 adults and youth volunteered to assist in the renovation of 75 projects on a total of 46 homes, working from morning until evening all week with a “much needed” half day on Wednesday, Executive Director and volunteer of the project since its fifth year, Steven Miller said. The groups were broken up into 21 work crews; 10 paint crews, 6 carpentry crews, one cement crew, one brush (trimming) crew, one demolition crew, one power wash crew, and one window crew, with each crew consisting…


PHOTOS: Touch a Truck Event

The Riverside nonprofit organization, ROAR, hosted a “Touch a Truck” event yesterday as part of their annual fundraising activities. Laura Zelch, a mother of three who attend Riverside, is one of the founders of the organization and thought a “Touch a Truck” event would be a unique and fun way to get the community, especially those with children, interested in the event. “We reached out to our contacts and put together an event we thought would appeal to the children in the community. The turn out was a direct reflection of how great and supportive the community is – everyone…


VIDEO: Bernstine Presents Next Steps in Hereford Manor Project

Yesterday, State Rep. Aaron Bernstine discussed the Hereford Manor project with representatives of the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Before Bernstine took office, the project was introduced to reopen the two lakes at Hereford Manor – previously Pennsylvania’s largest fishing property – after they were closed due to the dams questionable stability. He presented financial and public interest information to the representatives, including a petition with over three thousand signatures in favor of reopening the fishing hot-spot. The project is expected to cost upwards of 20 million dollars to complete, but with nearly $65,000 already saved up in private funds…


Real Estate Transactions for June 2017

Courtesy of the Register & Recorder section of the Lawrence County Government Center in New Castle, the following are real estate transfers from the Ellwood City Area for June, 2017: Ellport Borough 1141 Church Street; Ellport Society of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ to Jeffrey Kinney for $10,000 117 Duncan Ave; James and Carol Delisio to Judith Ketterer for $130,001 105 State Ave; Valerie Venezie to Kyle Harn and Elisha Weber for $95,000 223 State Ave; Lawrence County Tax Claim to Pett and Anderson Properties and Investments LLC for $28,635 Ellwood City 542 Haig St; John Jr….


Gov. Wolf, Boston Terrier Sign Bill for Stricter Animal Cruelty Laws

HARRISBURG – Yesterday Gov. Tom Wolf and a Boston Terrier named Libre, signed the Libre’s Law Bill – strengthening Pennsylvania’s laws and punishments against animal abuse and neglect. Next to Wolf’s signature lies a tiny paw print belonging to a once neglected Boston Terrier, Libre, named by his rescuer meaning “freedom” in Spanish. In July 2016, Libre was found as a three-month-old puppy clinging to life in the summer heat, dehydrated, emaciated and suffering from severe mange with maggots eating his rotting flesh, he was disposed of and neglected by an Amish puppy mill farmer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His rescuer,…


Ellwood City Native on Fox Channel Game Show

Born and raised in Ellwood City, Joey Mazzant, 34, moved to Florida nearly 14 years ago to pursue his music and performing career, even appearing as a guest on the American Idol Experience – but he never realized it would lead him across the United States, all the way to LA, for the opportunity to be a contestant on Fox’s newest game show, aired to millions across the nation, Beat Shazam. (View the episode free here) Beat Shazam, hosted by Jamie Foxx, is a game show where the contestants are paired against a computer software known as Shazam, which recognizes…


VIDEO: Live Stream from Hira Educational Meeting

The controversial sale of the former Youth Development Center in New Castle has led local government officials and many community members to publicly express their concerns. Shenango Township residents Shirley Sallmen and Barbara Thompson called for a public meeting regarding the sale. The meeting was hosted Friday evening by Jubilee Ministries International at the Kingdom Broadcasting Ministries with nearly 250 locals in attendance. Several elected officials were present at the meeting, including State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, who publicly presented the known and unknown facts regarding the company. “I want to be clear that this region is accepting of people from…


June 21: Longest Day of the Year

Did anyone else notice how light it remained yesterday into the later hours of the evening? If you didn’t you’ll have the chance to witness it again this evening thanks to the annually reoccurring summer solstice! The summer solstice occurs yearly between the dates of June 20-22 and although the day itself is not actually any longer than 24-hours, due to the Earth’s-tilt the amount of daylight for the northern hemisphere is longer. While northern demographics witnessed the most daylight, with some regions of Alaska witnessing upwards of a full 24-hour period of full daylight, Pennsylvania received around 15.5-16 hours…


VIDEO: Hartman 5th & 6th Graders Create Story-Telling Robots

During the past school year, Mr. Marsh and Mr. Skoczylas, teachers at Hartman, have hosted 2 after-school robotics club for 5th and 6th grade students at Hartman Intermediate School. Students have created robotic animals, birds, and dinosaurs out of cardboard and other craft materials – they then “program” their creations to move and light up using a circuit board called a Hummingbird Kit. After dedicating four three-hour days to their last project of the school season, the students showcased their creations at the Ellwood City Area Library Friday morning. The students created animals that go along with the book, Brown…


After 69 Years of Dedication to Local Art, the Ellwood City Art Club Fears Closure

The Ellwood City Art Club was founded in 1949 with one simple vision – to provide a place dedicated to enhancing art in Ellwood City. 2017 marks the clubs 69th year anniversary, but manager of Dayspring Gifts, member of the art club, and advocate for the importance of art in the community, Jan Keenan, fears the future of the club may not be so bright. For many years the art club has been using studio space in the Ellwood City High School free of charge for classes and events, however due to changes at the high school they are no…