PART 2: 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! [VIEW PART 1]

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!

#5 – RIVERSIDE HALL OF FAME INAUGURAL CLASS

The Riverside Hall of Fame honored its first class at its First Annual Hall of Fame banquet in May. The Riverside Hall of Fame organization was created to honor the dedicated coaches who have made a difference in the lives of so many area athletes, and celebrate the achievements of prestigious alumni, to raise money for the upkeep of sports facilities when the district can’t make ends meet, and to make sure sports programs stay alive and well funded for upcoming generations.

The esteemed, inaugural class was all coaches – Dan Oliastro, Karl Florie, and Royann Winfield.

#4 – TRICK OR TREAT SWITCH

In what may become a township debate, the longstanding tradition of holding Trick or Treat on Halloween night was bucked this year.  In September, Mayor Anthony Court and the Borough of Ellwood City announced that in 2024 that Ellwood City Trick or Treat would now follow the annual Halloween parade and take place on the Saturday prior to Halloween.  Court announced that the borough is going to try this new date/time on a trial basis. This year the parade and trick or treat took place on Saturday, October 26th. Neighboring townships held their trick or treats on Halloween night providing more autonomy for each township, and brining more trick or treat participants in to the borough for the parade and the ensuing trick or treat.  EllwoodCity.org held its annual costume contest with local boys earning top spots for cash prizes.

What is your feedback?

#3 – NOTABLE POLICE REPORTS

Notable police activities reported by EllwoodCity.org include the Ellwood City man found dead after standoff with police in Cranberry in July and two homicides that occurred less than two weeks apart in September. First, an Ellwood City man was arrested for killing a woman and injuring four others in a driveby shooting outside of Breakers Pub in Ellport Borough. Less than two weeks later, one male was shot dead at Ellwood City Forge and the 31-year-old suspect who fled the scene was later arrested in North Sewickley Township into custody after a shooting.

In March, four individuals from Ellwood City are among seventeen from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; and Youngstown, Ohio, who have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for violating federal narcotics, firearms, and racketeering laws.

Some good police news reported earlier in 2024 include Officer Robert Bird receiving a commendation in January from Mayor Anthony J. Court for his heroic acts that saved a man’s life earlier in the month.  Also in January, the Ellwood City Borough Council applauded the Police Department for its involvement in a recent federal drug investigation.

BONUS: Top 3 Police Blotters
https://ellwoodcity.org/2024/01/12/police-weekly-police-blotter-87/
https://ellwoodcity.org/2024/06/07/police-weekly-police-blotter-98/
https://ellwoodcity.org/2024/05/03/police-weekly-police-blotter-95/

#2 – ELLWOOD CITY A FRANCHISE DESTINATION

The buzz started in 2021 and continued through August of 2024. There was chatter on Facebook for nearly three years and until the walls were up, signage was added, Ellwoodians continued to speculate that Dunkin’ was never coming. Today folks are enjoying donuts and lattes from the Ellwood’s Fifth Street Dunkin’ location. It held its grand opening on Monday, August 19th, 2024. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. with the general manager and Ellwood City Borough Council members and other VIP’s from the Ellwood City area.  Ellwood City Borough Council approved final requests in regards to a Dunkin’ drive-thru restaurant in May 2023 and adjusted conditions in June 2023. Construction began in April of 2024 after the lots had been cleared.

More buzz began about Aldi coming to Franklin Township, and until the bulldozers were clearing room for the location, it was a mystery as to whether it was really going to happen. As the bulldozers broke ground in October, ALDI refused to comment or confirm the location, but Lloyd Myers of the Franklin Township Planning Commission, said that ALDI in fact broke ground on the land across the highway from North Star Plaza. At that time he said that it has been speculated that the store could possibly open in about five months but said he could not confirm.

Tractor Supply DID confirm a new location in Franklin Township, next to the Dollar General. “At this time, Tractor Supply can confirm its plans to open a store in Ellwood City,” said Tricia Glenn an account executive for FINN Partners on behalf of Tractor Supply. “While currently in the permitting phase, if all moves on schedule, construction could start as early as the end of 2024. While subject to change based on the construction timeline, if construction starts this year, the store could open in Summer 2025.”

#1 – LHS GRADUATE ACCEPTED TO PRESTIGIOUS DRUM CORPS

2022 Lincoln High School graduate, Zion Bunney

In February, we spotlighted local musician and 2022 Lincoln High School graduate Zion Bunney who was looking to make his Drumming Dreams come true.  Zion has been playing drums since he was 6 years old and found his footing with “Jersey Surf” in 2024.

“We rehearsed for 14 hours a day for 21 days,” recalls Bunney when reached for comment in December. “We competed in many larger cities and stadiums like the Alamo-dome, Truist Field at Wake Forest University, the university of Delaware, and Lucas Oil Stadium.”

In total, the tour visited 14 states across the length of the tour in a span of 52 days, totaling for 21 shows. Jersey Surf placed in the DCI world semifinals finishing 24 out of 31 performing groups.

Since the tour has ended Bunney has spent time working with the IUP drumline and time with his family.

Due to financial fees and requirements that come with participating in drum corps, Bunney will not be marching his Age-out summer.

“I am thankful for the opportunities and experiences I have had thus far,” adds Bunney. “I have one more year of eligibility left to march a season of WGI indoor percussion. I would like to take advantage of that to send my marching career out with a bang.”

Upon graduating from IUP Bunney says he will maintain focus on his criminology degree and hopes to become a police officer.

Bunney says he would like to continue be active with drumming and with teaching percussion.

“I’ve been offered to teach at some surrounding high school programs so hopefully after college I will have some time to take up that opportunity.”