PART 1: Top Stories of 2020

In following previous years’ tradition, EllwoodCity.org brings the 2020 calendar year to a close with the top 10 most popular stories of the year.

Today is first part of our 2-part series featuring the top stories of 2020.  The year was certainly one not soon to be forgotten with the raging COVID-19 pandemic gripping the world, and trickling down to the local level with many obstacles faced by Ellwoodians.

We would like to thank all of our readers for contributing to our 1.5 MILLION plus page views this year. Be sure to check back on Tuesday for Part 2 of our series and view the most viewed stories and topics of the year.

The EllwoodCity.org staff wishes everyone a safe and healthy 2021!

#10 GORDMANS FILES BANKRUPTCY
Gordman’s spent a very short time in Ellwood City before its parent company filed for bankruptcy. The store replaced Peebles, which was a chain under the same parent company as Gordman’s. In a statement from Michael Glazer, President and Chief Executive Officer, “the increasingly challenging market environment was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which required us to temporarily close all of our stores and furlough the vast majority of our associates. Given these conditions, we have been unable to obtain necessary financing and have no choice but to take these actions.”

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#9 FORMER ELLWOODIAN FINDS ‘BLAZIN’ SUCCESS IN LAWRENCEVILLE
38-year-old enterpreneur, Neil Blazin, grew up in Ellwood City and attended Lincoln High School. He then went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh as Political Science and History Major, but politics just weren’t as appealing as pizza and his dreams of owning a restaurant.

The pizza adventure began for Blazin and his partner in August 2015 with the launch of Driftwood Oven.

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#8 STONECREST GOLF COURSE TO CLOSE
Nothing cut into the summer golf season for some loyal golfers more than the announcement in July of the forthcoming closure of Stonecrest Golf Course, located in Wampum.  Grants were awarded to turn the 58-year-old golf course into a business park with promises of bringing 1,000 jobs, according to officials who worked to attract the enterprise to the area.  Earlier this month it was reported the project has the ‘green light’ to continue with the proposed $7-million business park.

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#7 ZELIENOPLE AIRPORT CONTINUED CONSTRUCTION
The Zelienople Airport and surrounding roadways are undergoing some changes, peaking the interest of many readers this year. The realignment of 1,740-feet of landscape will eliminate a reverse curve posted with an advisory speed limit and improve stopping sight distance to meet minimum requirements. A detour to impact traffic will not begin until May 2021 according to PennDOT.

Theories and rumors had drivers believing that the runway is being expanded for FedEx and UPS type planes for their nearby fulfillment centers, but Airport Manager, David Holman put that rumor to rest and said the project has been implemented to address safety issues.

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#6 NOTABLE POLICE REPORTS
Whether from the blotter, or detail reports, a mainstay in the annual top ten lists are police reports.  A convenience store robbery surfaced early in the year in March.  Two separate stabbing reports were posted, first report was in April and a second stabbing took place in July while police were busy year long with drug related incidents, including a notable drug seizure that took place in early December.