PART 1: Top Stories of 2024

In following previous years’ tradition, EllwoodCity.org brings the 2024 calendar year to a close with the Top 10 most popular stories of the year.

Today is the first part of our two-part series featuring the top news stories of the year based on analytics and social media reach.  The year continued to see 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!

We would like to thank our valued readership that helped generated nearly 4 MILLION PAGE VIEWS this calendar year and our local businesses who support our website and help it stay free of charge – advertising opportunities are available! The EllwoodCity.org staff wishes everyone a safe and healthy 2025!

#10 – NOTABLE SPORTS

2024 saw the continued success of two Riverside sports programs.  The Riverside swimming team featured senior Joseph Roth who broke his own 100-Yard Backstroke state record at finals and the Panthers finished 9th Overall in the team ranking with 84 points.  The Panthers baseball team looked to repeat as WPIAL Class 3A champions in May but were dethroned by Avonworth in an epic extra innings affair at Wild Things Park in Washington, PA.

Joining the fray was the Ellwood City Wolverines football team who earned is first unbeaten regular season in 80 years, first conference title since 1997, and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals for the first time since 1987. The Wolverines historic season came to an end when they were defeated by South Park 28-7 in the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals in November.  Individually, senior Joseph Roth knocked down a free throw in a 73-45 rivalry victory over Riverside in February to become the all-time leading scorer in Ellwood City boys basketball history.

#9 – NEW BUSINESS START-UPS

As the world turns … even in Ellwood City … humanity is key. 2024 had a lot of stories of human interest including a lot of successful businesses and the stories of the humans behind them.

In November, we met Hampton Hamilton Pigglesworth, a four-year-old, 900-pound Yorkshire mix pig, lives a pampered life with his devoted Dads on Chapel Drive in North Sewickley Township. This massive yet gentle pet has captured the hearts of many through his social media presence.

We were also introduced to a new era at the old Stop n Sock now Blastzone, where Ryan Errett, co-owner, said although he realizes that people will always know the location and will probably always call it Stop n Sock, BlastZone Fun Park is merging ahead is nothing like the old Stop n Sock.

We learned that the “Turner Funeral Home” has new owners. Adam C. and Angela S. Hyde are celebrating 5 years of owning Turner-Hyde Funeral & Cremation Services. Adam says the once “Turner Funeral Home” has undergone many changes in those 5 years and he is proud to say that seeking services with Turner-Hyde is an entirely new experience.

Another reputable local business, T&M Hardware celebrated its milestone in October in opening a new location.

In March, we were introduced to a new business owner who had a goal to help those with lymphedema. Chelsea Brown, a Lincoln High School graduate who grew up in Ellport, is an occupational therapist and a certified lymphedema therapist and owner of Beyond Compression LLC. We also met Christina Hoffmeier and Anthony Gennuso co-owners of Realty ONE Group Ultimate. The partners opened their first location in Ellwood City at 315 7th Street. Hoffmeier is an Ellwood City native who attended Riverside High School and her partner Gennuso grew up in Pittsburgh.  Finally, in March we learned about Ople Farms, owned and run by Elizabeth and William Kofmehl, it provides recreational opportunities for individuals and their families to take part in arena polo at a stunning, privately-owned facility in Fombell.

#8 – SOFTBALL FIELD SAGA

The saga of the potential softball field relocation continued in 2024. As EllwoodCity.org reported on the discussions last year, the subject was listed as #1 story in 2023 and has stayed on the Top 10 board yet another year. The Zoning Hearing Board has yet to deliver a decision on a special exemption request made by The Ellwood City Area School District to build a softball field on the old Ewing Park School Property. This hearing was a long time coming as residents in the park have stood with opposition to the field’s proposed location.  The Board of Directors approved a traffic study of the Ewing Park Property in August. Current zoning allows for a park or playground but not a sports field. The district hopes to win the appeal and get one step closer to the softball complex they have planned. The battle began in July of 2023 when The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to commit to improving district softball and baseball facilities. The plan, provided by HHSDR in an athletic facility study, includes a newly constructed softball field on the Ewing Park School property. Should the plan come to fruition, it will be funded via a local athletic capital campaign, led by local resident Bill Nardone. The cost of the softball field will be $1,8M. Residents on the three blocks that surround the proposed complex, however, have stood up with strong opposition and formed a new advocacy group in February. Many support the field but not at that location. Numerous residents have spoke out regarding noise concerns, safety concerns, traffic concerns, parking concerns, property damage concerns, and property value concerns.

#7 – ELLWOOD CITY COUNCIL

The Borough of Ellwood City updated its bill payment system over the summer with a few hiccups along the way. The borough notified its residents there will be no shut offs in September and all late fees would be waived due to system issues.

Most recently, we found out at the end of 2024 electric costs in 2025 will be no different. Ellwood City Borough Council voted in December to amend the Electric Ordinance, and to establish a stabilized Purchase Power Adjustment (PPA) for the 2025 electric usage as $0.008/kwh sold. The move came following a significant rise in PJM (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland interconnection) capacity prices. The borough announced that residents will see the PPA decrease from 0.018 to 0.008. The base rate will increase by .03672 per (kWh).

#6 – ELLWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors had a productive year of business. Some of the top stories in 2024 included …

Nepotism: The Board voted to eliminate Policy #304.2 – Nepotism during the June 17 Regular Meeting. The meeting agenda had the revised policy grouped with a motion to approve numerous other policies for first reading, but Director Claire Fauzey asked that the nepotism policy be separated from the group, at which time she made a motion to eliminate the policy completely. She received a second from Director Jean Biehls who also voted “yes” along with Directors Erica Gray, Nicklas, and Jennifer Tomon. “No” votes were given by Directors Kathy Tillia, Norman Boots, and Kevin Boariu. Director Kathy Galbreath was not in attendance at the meeting, but had plenty to say about the move a month later at the August meeting.

Perry School Construction Project Completion: The March meeting of the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors was preceded with an open house for the public to see the renovations of Perry Lower Intermediate School as well as a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate and finalize the project’s completion. “What a great opportunity for us to look at what is created and what is finished,” Dr. Wesley Shipley, ECASD Superintendent said during the ribbon cutting ceremony just before Board Director Kathy Galbreath took the jumbo scissors and cut the ribbon with the rest of the Board by her side. An open house was also scheduled in March.

Soccer Team Elimination: In April the Soccer program was in jeopardy after not enough students signed up to participate, however, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to table a motion to dissolve the program. Board Director Jean Biehls made the motion to table it until May to give the students a chance to ramp up recruitment efforts, and the rest of the board unanimously agreed. The students ended up getting the support they needed, and the soccer program continued.