PART 2: Top Stories of 2021

In following previous years’ tradition, EllwoodCity.org brings the 2021 calendar year to a close with the Top 10 most popular stories of the year.

Today is part two of our two-part series featuring the top news stories of the year based on analytics and social media reach. [VIEW PART 1 OF SERIES] This year has been unforgettable to say the least, we as a community have faced the good, the bad, and the ugly this year but managed to come out on top of it all.

We would like to thank our valued readership that helped generated nearly 2 MILLION page views this calendar year and our local businesses who support our website and help it stay free of charge.

The EllwoodCity.org staff wishes everyone a safe and healthy 2022!

#5 – ELLWOOD CITY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Ellwood City sports got a lot of attention this year as both the boys basketball team and girls softball team both made impressive runs in the WPIAL playoffs. The boys basketball team had a very impressive run in the playoffs knocking off top seeded teams that resulted in a WPIAL Championship, this past season was the first playoff berth the Wolverines have had since 1986. The girls softball team also had a very impressive run in the WPIAL playoffs as they continued to upset top seeded teams and finally got to the grandest stage, the WPIAL playoff game. While the Lady Wolverines fell to Avonworth in that game, the season the team had was an impressive one and made them a contender for next season.

#4 – NEW BUSINESSES

2021 was the year of small businesses, with the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting businesses, the community banded together and continues to support the small businesses across town. As well, there have been plans for a new business in town and many were spotlighted by our writing staff at EllwoodCity.org. The Shelby Bar was reopened by Bob and Tina Kennedy and has opened their doors to families all over town. The Tee Box opened its doors to give people the golf experience without actually having to get on the green. The Northeast Candle Company lit things up as one of the newest and more popular businesses. The Elder Owl opened in September and has quickly become a healthy community favorite that always has something for everyone. O’Connor’s Day Care opened in early July and gave working parents a great option for their children. October Studios opened up in July and gave artists from around town an opportunity to have their music professionally recorded. Happy Tails opened up to the public in July as well and has made pets and pet owners very happy. Fotia Physical Therapy opened in late March and has become a place where people don’t need to be intimidated by physical therapy. And lastly, plans for The Time Brew Pub were announced by a local business man in September.

#3 – ROUTE 228 CONSTRUCTION SAGA

The construction on Route 288 was something that commuters are happy is over. First, the construction plans were announced in July that only gave residents a few days to figure out the planned detour that was put in place. Next, an update on the realignment and construction was announced and drivers of that route had hope this would be all be over soon as it was said the construction would be completed on time. And then finally, the completion date was announced and drivers rejoiced.

#2 – COVID-19 VS. THE SCHOOLS

As things began to slowly get back to normal after grueling months of quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the question arose for school boards all over, “How will the school year go during a pandemic?”. For Ellwood City School District, the school would be doing virtual learning until January 11th and then it was decided that a hybrid model would be put in place on January 25th, meaning students only went to school inperson for two days and stayed online for three. Everything came to a screeching halt in February when an outbreak of COVID cases caused the high school to go on lock down. Online schooling continued until February 23rd. In March, students returned to school  five days a week but tensions rose among parents who did not want their child to return to school and be forced to wear a mask. In June, the Board of Directors made the choice to go mask free for the 2021-2022 school year, but the hopes of seeing students unmasked faces was quickly squandered by Governor Tom Wolf who created the mask mandate that would force students to wear a mask while in school. The day after Wolf announced this mandate, the schools Board of Directors met and parents who all but begged the Board to not enforce the mandate. Students would have to wear masks unless an exemption form was provided. Finally, on December 10th, the district was able to make masks optional following the move by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturning the mask mandate.

#1 – ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHEETZ

The possibility of Sheetz coming to Ellwood City is slowly becoming more of a reality. The new development first made its way to Ellwood City Borough Council in October  with plans later disclosed by Sheetz officials in November.  Earlier this month, Borough Council held a meeting where three motions were passed to help pave the way for development.  The store is planned to be located between Glen Avenue, Fountain Avenue, 5th Street, and Locust Way, across the street from McDonald’s. This recent development comes months after rumors swirled about another franchise taking hold of a vacant lot one block south at the intersection of Spring Avenue and 5th Street, but in January Dunkin Donuts opted out of the location.