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Human Interest

June 10, 2020

The Re-Opening Of Ellwood City Public Library

The Ellwood City Public Library, as well as all public libraries in the state of Pennsylvania, was closed to the public on March 14th and all other services were placed on hiatus due to COVID-19. For the past 10-weeks, due to the closing order from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries part of the Department of Education), staff members joined the rest of the nation in the work from home order. Now with the state re-opening, the libraries will also be using their own re-opening system to help ensure further safety. Further, all due dates have been waived and no books…

June 1, 2020

Lincoln Class of 2020 Parade Set For Tuesday; Community Participation Encouraged

June 2 will be a big day for Lincoln’s class of 2020. Not only will the graduates be featured in a graduate parade, but they will in fact get to have one last moment together in their caps and gowns thanks to the county moving to the green phase. Lincoln Principal Kirk Lape said before the parade, seniors will gather in the auditorium for the traditional “tassle turn.” At that time the graduates will turn their tassles from right to left signifying their accomplishment. Lape said this activity will be filmed and edited into the commencement ceremony film. Senior Class…

May 28, 2020

Lincoln High School Top Four And Graduating Class Of 2020

The Lincoln High School graduating class of 2020 will receive their diplomas Thursday May 28th and Friday May 29th at the Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo Memorial Auditorium. Lincoln High School is graduating 78 students. William Bubb is an Honorary Lincoln Military Graduate.  The following students will serve in the military upon graduation: Alexander Sablan – United States Air Force and Jolene Smith – United States Air Force. High Honor Graduates Hannah Keally PARENTS/GUARDIAN: Katie and Frank Keally CAREER PLANS: Fashion Designer NAME OF COLLEGE/SCHOOL YOU PLAN TO ATTEND: Kent State University ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL/CHURCH/COMMUNITY: NHS (president) Peer Leadership Art Club…

May 27, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Passes Proposed Budget; Changes Likely

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a proposed general fund budget of $30,472,335 for the fiscal year 2020-2021 in a 5-4 vote. Voting “No,” Director Barbara Wilson said she has numerous questions regarding the budget. Her main concern is how the board can possibly pass a budget that forecasts a $3 million defecit. Wilson wasn’t alone in her dissent. Directors Jean Biehls, Leroy Cortez, and Kathy McCommons joined her in rejecting the budget. Board President Renee Pitrelli and Directors Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, Norman Boots, and Gary Rozanski voted to pass the budget. The proposed budget…

May 27, 2020

Word Alive Church to Host Food Distribution Today

Word Alive Church, 124 Scenic Hill Blvd., will be hosting a food distribution today (May 27) from 12 to 2 p.m. According to Word Alive’s Lead Pastor Matthew Reynolds there are no requirements to qualify for the event and he is happy to be able to help Ellwood City’s residents. “A church in new castle called us two weeks ago and wondered if we would want to help distribute free food every other Wednesday in Ellwood City,” he said “We of course, said yes.” Reynolds said each car will receive 6 -1/2 gallons of milk, a box of mixed dairy…

May 21, 2020

Stage Stores (Gordman’s) Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Although the Ellwood City Gordman’s location in the Franklin Plaza just celebrated its grand opening on February 18, 2020, after a successful conversion from the former Peebles, the retailer has filed for bankruptcy. (Read article about the opening). Gordman’s parent company Stage Stores offered the following press release to the public early this month: Stage Stores Commences Voluntary Chapter 11 Process Company Conducting Sale Process for All or Part of the Business While Commencing Orderly Wind-Down of Operations; Stores to Reopen Starting May 15, 2020 HOUSTON – May 10, 2020 – Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) (“Stage” or the “Company”)…

May 18, 2020

Ellwood City Native Opens Dentistry in Ewing Park

Although Nikki Jo Magnifico DDM was successfully practicing as an associate dentist in New Hampshire for the last decade, the Lincoln High School graduate felt a need to move back to her hometown of Ellwood City. So Magnifico did just that. She bought her new 620 Jefferson Ave practice from Dr. James Oberfeitinger on February 1, 2020. “I decided it was time to move home to be closer to my family,” she said. Her immediate family includes her husband, Eric, who she said is supportive of her business goals as well as two sons Tyler, 5, and Anthony, 2.5. A Gannon…

May 14, 2020

ECASD Educators Planning Parade As Summer Send Off For Students

The educators in the Ellwood City School District wanted one last chance to see the faces of their beloved students before the end of the school year … even if it is at a safe social distance. Their solution: A parade. Organizers and ECASD Elementary Counselors Debbie Wiech and Chrissy Mendillo said so far 120 staff, faculty, and administrators have “signed up” to participate. “We hope this shows the love and dedication we have for our students,” Wiech said. According to Wiech, the mandated closing of the ECASD was a devastating situation for the students, but it was also a…

May 13, 2020

Ellwood City Entrepreneur Opens One-Stop Business Hub

As he watched the doors open at his new facility at 632 Lawrence Avenue, Eric Venezie saw his entrepreneurial dream come true. “I hope our new facility brings some enthusiasm to the Ellwood City community and shows that there is growth opportunity in our town,” Eric said. “Most all our staff is local, with local roots and families that depend on those peers and other businesses to support one another and help Ellwood City continue any resurgence, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.” Eric, a long-time Ellwood City business owner has brought his line-up of local businesses full circle and under…

May 5, 2020

Katie’s Korner Opening ‘Right Around the Corner’

Although plans to open in May were halted by the Coronavirus, Katie’s Korner in North Sewickley Township is planning a safe and new grand opening. Franchise owner, Gary Hummel, said the holdup has been the final aspects of construction—the parking lot. In a recent interview, Hummel said that is the final piece to opening the doors. “As soon as contractors are permitted by Governor Wolf to begin operations, we will be having our parking lot paved and then be open for business,” Hummel said. According to Hummel when the doors do open, his staff will be following all CDC guidelines…