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December 22, 2020

Borough Manager: Website, Trash Collection Plan Early Priorities in 2021

During Monday’s Ellwood City Borough Council meeting, two projects were highlighted as priorities in the new year. Borough Manager David Allen said the projects of focus in the next two months include modernization of the borough’s website and trash. “We are working to modernize website and improve its functionality,” he said. A plan for the website will include more forms and document availability, more community announcements, and ways to make payments due to the borough. “We want to enhance user experience on our website,” he said. As far as trash goes, Allen said he has had several meetings with other…

December 21, 2020

Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight: Agenda

Ellwood City Council will meet tonight at 6 p.m. via Zoom (dial in: 1 (301) 715-8592, :meeting ID 99653235342 #, Passcode 070664). Motions on the agenda include: A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 12/15/20, in the amount of $493,154.63, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 12/15/20, in the amount of $495,003.93. A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted. A motion to adopt an Ordinance, as submitted, establishing the real property tax rate at 8.75 mills for the year 2021. A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, approving the editing and inclusion…

December 21, 2020

Ellwood City Public Library Activites For Week of December 21

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. PLEASE NOTE: The Library will continue doing curbside pick-up. Please call us with the book(s), authors, genre or recommended material you would like to check out and our staff will see that it is in alphabetical order in the lobby for you. Limitations for patrons are 10 items to include books and limited to a total of three DVD’s or books on CD per person. All patrons must wear a mask when entering the lobby and wait until there…

December 18, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Officially Hires Superintendent

During a “Special Board Meeting” conducted at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to hire Interim Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley. The special meeting was announced on Monday. His five-year contract adds up to more than $1 million. Directors Jennifer Tomon and Erica Gray were the lone “No” votes. Tomon said her vote was because of budgetary reasons. “This compensation package, that averages over $212,000 year, sets a dangerous precedent,” Tomon said. “This board is saddling the public with this expense. The same people who were left unemployed when the Medical…

December 18, 2020

Social Distancing Santa to Appear in Ellport

A ‘socially distancing’ Santa Claus will be making a special appearance in Ellport this weekend. Longtime Santa for the Ellwood City area Mac McAnallen will be hosting an event at 509 Golf Avenue in Ellport.  Santa will be hosting children on his deck, talking gifts and wishes for this Christmas. “I enjoy the children’s expressions and in the feeling I get doing so,” said McAnallen. McAnallen was the host Santa at Christmas in the Park last year and also at a party at Bodyshop Fitness.  He has worked several other functions over the years including Christmas parties at hospitals and…

December 17, 2020

Christ Presbyterian Hosting Third Thursday Community Meal

Christ Presbyterian Church will be hosting its Third Thursday Community Meal tonight at 4 p.m. and will serve the community until the food runs out. The church welcomes anyone who feels like they need a home-cooked meal. There is no requirement or proof of need. The church has been hosting this monthly meal since the first one in September. According to Michelle Sutton, deacon at the church, the community gathering has been a success serving on average 120 people per month. She said although the meals have to be distributed as take out only in the church’s parking lot, because…

December 16, 2020

Santa Claus Is Coming To Ellport

Do you still need to give Santa your wishlist? Are you worried that you won’t get to see Santa this Christmas season? There’s no need to shout, cry, or pout because Santa Claus is coming to Ellport. Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory is hosting a drive-through visit with Santa at its 97 Grim Avenue facility. “We knew our portico would make a great outdoor spot for a Santa visit, and The Big Guy agreed,” said Jennifer Tomon. “We are so excited he’s making a stop in Ellport this year. Santa is looking forward to seeing everyone.” Rain…

December 15, 2020

New Dollar General Now Open In Wampum

This week Dollar General announced in a press release that its latest store at 3137 Route 18 in Wampum is now open. Normal hours of operation may be found online or through the Dollar General app. Dollar General stores are proud to provide area residents with a convenient store to purchase household essentials including food, cleaning supplies, paper products, over-the-counter medicines, hygiene products, baby items and more through its mission of Serving Others. With approximately 75 percent of the American population within five miles of a Dollar General, the Company is committed to remaining open and in-stock to provide customers…

December 15, 2020

‘Operation Naughty List’ Nets Drug/Weapon Seizure in Lawrence County

According to a social media post by the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, ‘Operation Naughty List’ has netted a large drug/weapon seizure in Lawrence County. According to the post, and in the early morning hours of Monday, December 14, 2020, members of the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit, New Castle City Narcotics, Union Township Police Department and New Castle City CIRT executed a sealed search warrant at 131 Park Avenue in the city of New Castle leading to the seizure of large sums of money and drugs hidden throughout the house in vacuum sealed packages. Detectives seized…

December 15, 2020

2021 Detour Planned For Route-288 Near Zelienople Airport

No worries for those last minute shoppers heading to Cranberry Township via Route-288 thru Zelienople. The realignment project of State Route 288 near the Zelienople Municipal Airport will not be causing a detour to impact traffic until beginning May 2021 according to PennDOT spokesperson Steve Cowan. “The detour is anticipated to begin in mid-May and last most of the construction season,” said Cowan. “The end date has not been determined because the schedule has not be finalized yet.  The design consultant thinks they will have additional info on the schedule at some point next week.” The construction is part of…