Recent Stories

2024

July 12, 2024

PART 2 – Cast Q&A: New Castle Playhouse Presents The SpongeBob Musical

The New Castle Playhouse will present The SpongeBob Musical starting tonight July 12-21 and will feature some of Ellwood City’s area favorite actors. At least five Ellwood City Area actors including Lauren Bush, Jacob Storey, Ace Sharer, Alex Hazen, and Lauren Krug will take to the Main Stage in Augustine Auditorium on July 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on July 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. (ticket information can be found at the end of the article) In PART 1 of our series, published Thursday, we caught up with Bush, Storey, and Sharer for a…

July 12, 2024

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: Terry Janiel, 18, of Ellwood City is charged with multiple counts of Theft from Motor Vehicles, Criminal Mischief, and Loitering after several incidents in late June. According to criminal complaints, and first on June 23rd, officers obtained footage of Janiel and other actors walking around the area of 600 Line Avenue after a previous night of thefts, and the actors had attempted to rob someone with a firearm and then fled the area. Surveillance from Barry Quick Mart show Janiel and other actors attempting to steal a motorcycle. A second complaint against Janiel relates a second victim…

July 12, 2024

ECASD Board of Directors Vote to Hire Building Clerk and Director of Pupil Services and to Create a Dean of Student Affairs Position; Debate Elimination of Nepotism Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to hire Elizabeth Tomon for a building clerk position at Perry Lower Intermediate during the July 11 combined regular meeting. Board President Jennifer Tomon abstained from voting as Elizabeth Tomon is a relative. Elizabeth received “Yes” votes from Board Vice President Jean Biehls and Directors Erica Gray, Kathy Tillia, Kevin Boariu, Robyn Nicklas and Dr. Claire Fauzey. “No” votes were cast by Directors Kathy Galbreath and Norman Boots. Elizabeth’s hiring followed nepotism policy votes during both the May and June regular ECASD Board of Directors Meetings. A motion was made…

July 11, 2024

Fireworks Fest Plans Set For July 20th In Downtown New Castle

The City of New Castle has partnered with Pyrotecnico and other local businesses to present the 2024 New Castle Fireworks Fest in the city’s downtown on Saturday, July 20, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The night includes local food and drink options, food trucks, live music, and will culminate with a spectacular display as New Castle-based Pyrotecnico is set to light up the sky of The Fireworks Capital of America. The event is being billed as a block party in the city with activities taking place along South Mercer and East Washington Streets. Attendees are encouraged to park in…

July 11, 2024

Ralph L. Lutz, 75

Mr. Ralph L. Lutz, 75, of Park Gate passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 surrounded by his girls at the Butler Memorial Hospital. Mr. Lutz was born on January 27th, 1949 in Ellwood City to the late Norman L. and Margaret L. (Coast) Lutz. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1966 and Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. On June 14th, 1967 Ralph enlisted with the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge on June 11th, 1971 with the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good…

July 11, 2024

PART 1 – Cast Q&A: New Castle Playhouse Presents The SpongeBob Musical

The New Castle Playhouse will present The SpongeBob Musical starting tomorrow July 12-21 and will feature some of Ellwood City’s area favorite actors. At least five Ellwood City Area actors including Lauren Bush, Jacob Storey, Ace Sharer, Alex Hazen, and Lauren Krug will take to the Main Stage in Augustine Auditorium on July 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on July 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. (ticket information can be found at the end of the article) In Part 1 of our series, we caught up with Bush, Storey, and Sharer for a cast Q&A….

July 11, 2024

Franklin Twp VFD Community Blood Drive In Two Weeks

Rev up the excitement with a summer car giveaway! The Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department Community Blood Drive is Friday, July 26th.  The event earns funds for the department and is scheduled to take place from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26th at the Franklin Township Building, 897 Route 288, Fombell, PA 16123 The VFD currently has only three residents signed up to donate according to the township secretary. Please consider donating if possible. **Appointments recommended** To schedule an appointment to donate: – Go to vitalant.org and search with Account Code UC5990039 – Call 1-877-25VITAL If you need…

July 10, 2024

Anthony Rockar Jr., 87

Anthony Rockar Jr, 87, of New Galilee passed away at his residence on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 surrounded by his family. Born May 14, 1937 in Campbell, OH, he was the son of the late Anthony Sr. and Julia Stralick Rockar. He was married to Dolores Woods Rockar when she passed away in 1999. Anthony worked at the J & L in Aliquippa as an equipment operator and was a member of the LMBA and a social member of the VFW both in New Galilee. An avid outdoorsman, Anthony loved to hunt, fish, and camp. He also enjoyed flea markets….

July 10, 2024

Julia McWithey, 51

Julia McWithey, 51, of West Mayfield Twp passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at UPMC McCandless Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was the daughter of the late Clarence and Nancy (Johnson) Shade and was born February 20, 1973, in Aliquippa. She is survived by her husband; Jeremy G. McWithey of West Mayfield, Twp, her son; Kyler McWithey, her sister; Lalonnie Verigood of Georgia, and her brother; Jason Shade of Hopewell and one sister-in-law; Emily Shade of Houston, Pa. Julia was born and raised in Aliquippa and was a 1991 graduate of Hopewell High School and a graduate of the Beaver…

July 9, 2024

Thomas Matthew Pazsint, 71

Thomas Matthew Pazsint, 71, of Wampum, passed away on July 7th, 2024 following an extended illness. He was born on September 14th, 1952 to the late Alice and Alexander Pazsint. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1971, attended YSU, lived worked and gardened with a heart that never darkened to others. He will be sadly missed. Tom loved hunting, fishing, and the fellowship of the Polish White Eagles Club in Chewton PA. Tom was called PAZ, and was a self-taught voracious picker of wild mushrooms, and those he shared his knowledge with are still alive to…