Local News

Again? Ames Department Stores Announces A Return – This Time June 2026

Again? Ames Department Stores, once the fourth largest discount retailer in the country that went out of business over two decades ago, has once again announced they are returning – this time in 2026 – according to information posted on its website. In similar fashion to a December 2022 announcement that went flat, Ames has provided some limited information on its website – www.amesstores.com – that June 2026 is the new scheduled opening date for brick & mortar Ames locations. There are currently 35 locations planned to open across the United States by late 2027, with plans to add more…


Reality ONE Group Ultimate Looking to Add Agents, Clients in Ellwood City and Beyond

Realty ONE Group Ultimate is ready to help you when it comes to all “things” real estate. Co-owners Christina Hoffmeier and Anthony Gennuso opened their first location in Ellwood City at 315 7th Street in September of 2023. “Ellwood City is the first of many coming locations,” Hoffmeier said. “The New Castle office is scheduled to be opening this spring once renovations of the historic Straitmasters building is complete, and expansion for an office in New Brighton is scheduled for late summer of this year.” Hoffmeier is an Ellwood City native who attended Riverside High School and her partner Gennuso…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of March 25th

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. NOTE The Library has partnered with Seneca Library District, Oil Creek Library District, Erie County Public Library and Crawford County Federated Library System for e-books. You can now use the Overdrive or Libby App. to borrow books from the above Libraries. Please call the library with any questions. OPEN Hours are Monday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m….


Lawrence County Humane Society Hosting Annual Homeless to Home Event; Seeking Support for NEW Shelter

Get ready for a “Paw”some event! The Lawrence County Humane Society will be hosting its annual Homeless to Home Event. Be sure to save the date of Sunday May 5. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at Cascade Park in the Dance Hall. Lois Winter, President of the Lawrence County Humane Society Board and volunteer says it is going to be one you don’t want to miss. “I’m really excited for Homeless to Home,” Winter said. “This is our big fundraiser of the year to benefit our medical fund.” Since 1953, the Lawrence County Humane Society…


Riverside Hall of Fame to Induct Three Sports Icons as First Class; Banquet Will Celebrate, Honor Inductees

There are simply people in your life that make a difference, they guide you, they care about you, and you just never forget them. For many those people are coaches. The Riverside Hall of Fame will pay honor to its first class, all coaches, at its First Annual Hall of Fame banquet at Shakespeare’s Restaurant on May 4th from 6 to 10 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the esteemed inagural class of: Dan Oliastro, Karl Florie, and Royann Winfield. “This banquet is not just an event; it’s an opportunity to come together as a community, to express our gratitude, and to honor these individuals…


BC3 Trustees Select Coval as College’s Interim President

Megan M. Coval, who in 30 months has assisted the Butler County Community College Education Foundation in raising at least $7.5 million and presides over government relations administrators from Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges, was unanimously approved today by BC3 trustees as interim president of the institution. Trustees voted 15-0 in support of a motion from the board’s personnel committee to appoint Coval to the position effective May 16. Dr. Nick Neupauer announced Jan. 9 his plan to retire as BC3’s chief executive officer. Trustees said Jan. 17 they would provide an update March 20 about replacing Neupauer, at 17 years…


PART THREE: Riverside High School’s The Addams Family Musical is a Ghoulish Good Time

The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, The Addams Family starting tomorrow on March 21-24 in the high school auditorium, 300 Country Club Drive, Ellwood City. (information about the show and how to get tickets can be found at the end of this article). Today’s review is part three in a three-part series about The Addams Family Musical. Previous stories featured cast Q&As. Get ready to laugh if you plan to attend The Addams Family Musical presented by Riverside High School Theater … and trust me, you should definitely make sure you are in the audience! A cast and…


Ellwood City Schools Plan To Dismiss Early For Solar Eclipse

The Ellwood City Area School District is planning an early dismissal on Monday, April 8, 2024 due to the solar eclipse that day. Lincoln Jr/Sr High School and Hartman Upper Intermediate will dismiss at 12:15 PM and Perry Lower Intermediate and North Side will dismiss at 1:15 PM. All district students will receive their lunch prior to dismissal on this day. “We are planning the timing of this dismissal for several reasons, but most importantly is safety,” said Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley in a statement. “Our normal dismissal time is right in the middle of the timeframe of the eclipse…


PART TWO: Riverside High School’s The Addams Family Musical Cast Q&A

The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, The Addams Family on March 21-24 in the high school auditorium, 300 Country Club Drive, Ellwood City. (information about the show and how to get tickets can be found at the end of the cast features). A cast and crew of over 100 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers. This is the 61st Anniversary of Theater at Riverside. We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is part two in a three-part series about The Addams…


Ellwood City Police Department Recognized for Involvement in Drug Related Indictment

Ellwood City Borough Council applauded the Ellwood City Police Department for its involvement in a recent federal drug investigation during their Monday night meeting. United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced on March 14 (see original story here) that seventeen individuals from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; and Youngstown, Ohio, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for violating federal narcotics, firearms, and racketeering laws. The defendants, four of which were from Ellwood City, were charged in the indictments and allege that, between September 2022 and March 2024, the defendants conspired to distribute cocaine throughout Western Pennsylvania, specifically…