Part 2: Top 10 Stories Of 2019

2019 was a year full of new businesses, positive changes in the Ellwood City area, and plenty more twists and turns.

EllwoodCity.org has been right there, keeping members of our community updated with the best information possible. Following previous years, we’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 stories from 2019.

Below is part two of our series, and we’d like to thank everyone who keeps hitting the refresh button and viewing our site, with your help we’ve reached over one million page views. If you missed part one, click here.

EllwoodCity.org staff wishes everyone a safe and happy 2020!

Taylor Petrak
In August, Petrak, a 2017 Lincoln High School Graduate, qualified for the Olympic Swimming Trials. Petrak, who is now in her junior year at Ohio State University, had been swimming for the Ohio State Swim Club at the Speedo Sectionals in Cleveland when she qualified for the trials on July 23 posting a 25.86 mark in the 50 freestyle.

She will have a little under a year to “get up to speed” in preparation for the Olympic Trials, which will take place from June 21-28, 2020 in Omaha Nebraska.

Goodbye Peebles, Hello Gordmans
In August, Peebles announced its closing with a store closing sign on its front and will become a Gordmans.

While Peebles will still be open until the conversion, it will be closed on the days leading up to the Gordman’s grand opening in early 2020. While this is an end of an era, it’s fitting to start the new decade with a new store in the Franklin Plaza.

Riverside’s Possible New Drug Testing Policy
Back in March, Riverside held a community night in the high school cafeteria for parents to discuss the topic of possibly starting to drug test students in the 2019-2020 school year. There were mixed reactions from the community when it was announced that only students in grades 7 through 12 with a parking pass and or participate in sports, minus those in the band. According to the school board as well as the president of the company Riverside would have been getting the tests from, it wasn’t meant to be seen as a “gotcha” program but as another way to get students to say no to drugs. It ended up not getting passed for this school year, but it seems to still be on the table for future years.

Eric Rayner and the Firework Show
When the Ellwood City Festival Committee announced the cancellation of the firework show at the annual Arts and Crafts Festival this year, one man made it his job to save the show.

Eric Raymer took it upon his self to create a community-wide fundraiser to hopefully gain the funds to continue the show another year. With a final total of $11,230, the show was saved and the fundraiser earned over double its goal.

In honor of his efforts, the borough dubbed June 30th Eric Rayner day as well as making him apart of the Festival Hall of Fame. 

The Ellwood City Medical Center
This year, our local, private hospital turned medical center has been through a true ringer. From a GoFundMe being created to help pay workers after their checks bounced back in January, to the most recent announcement of its closure shortly after the resignation of CEO.

This ongoing matter has been covered by local news all the way up to the regional Pittsburgh media outlets. With now at least 152 employees now unemployed and the rest not receiving full or any pay, our medical center has had one hard year. Borough Council also has had its hands tied to the medical center, including looking to make an amendment to Hospital Zoning Ordinance, but nonetheless failing to receive electric payments from Americore.

Our community has made many attempts to help. Rep. Aaron Bernstine held a toy drive to assist families impacted by the inconsistent pay this December.

Hopefully, 2020 will bring in new hope for our community and the medical center.