2024

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

POSSESSION: Logan Eversole, 20, of Ellwood City is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and other charges on April 25th. According to a criminal complaint, an incident occurred and police were dispatched around the area of Park Avenue and 7th Street. Police observed Eversole sitting in a vehicle and as they approached they smelled an overwhelming marijuana smell. Eversole’s eyes were bloodshot and seemed to be on some kind of pill. As Police spoke to Eversole, and attempted to place him under arrest, Eversole resisted. He was taken to the Police Department and released to his mother upon her…


Donald H. Simpson, 88

Donald H. Simpson, 88, of New Castle (formerly of Chapel Drive, Ellwood City) passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at The Grove at New Wilmington following a lengthy illness. Born July 15, 1935 in Beaver Falls, he was the son of the late James Albert and Frances Alberta Headland Simpson. He was married to Alice Catherine Rhodes Simpson for 43 years when she passed away in 2002. Donald had retired from the B&W after 33 years. He was a former member of the Providence Baptist Church. An avid deer hunter, Donald also enjoyed working on his farm and playing cards….


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Dianne M. Smith, 76

Dianne M. Smith, 76, of Ellwood City, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Avalon Springs Place in Coolspring Township. Born in New Castle on May 12, 1948, Dianne was the daughter of the late Clifford Deemer and Barbara Sheehy Gumminey. She married Rodger Clair Smith on March 17, 1990 and he preceded her in death on June 9, 2014. Dianne was a 1966 graduate of Riverside High School. She retired from Ro-Mar Textiles in Ellport. Dianne is survived by her children, Michelle Harter of Transfer, Robert Hickman of Portersville and Richard Hickman of Ellwood City, two sisters, Denise…


George Tita, 101

George Tita, formerly of Koppel, PA, died peacefully at the age of 101 on May 9, 2024 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Annapolis, MD. Born in 1923, he lived through the depression, served in WWII, saw the landing of a man on the moon, and the witnessed the advent of the television, cell phone, PC and the internet – a life well lived! George was preceded in death by his bride of more than 50 years, Anne (Gulevich) Tita in 2001, brothers John, Mike, and Nicholas, and sisters Susan Augustine and Ann Rossa. He is survived by his son and…


Historical Society Recognizes Excellence In Local Education

When the Ellwood City Area Historical Society Board adopted the topic for this year’s Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarship Essay, “Write About a Prominent Person in Ellwood City,” they expected to get papers on familiar names like Hartman, Steifel, or Schill. However, when Everett Bleakney’s Scholarship Committee received the entries, the members were surprised and elated to get five essays on living people and two on recently deceased residents rather than the older historical figures. What was even more surprising was that the best of those essays were about local teachers who had a significant impact on the young writers’…


Franitti, Sullivan Earn Top Finishes At WPIAL Track & Field Championships

Top place finishes by two local athletes spotlighted the individual achievements at the 2024 WPIAL Boys’ & Girls’ Track & Field Championships on Wednesday at the William C. Lennox Track on the campus of Slippery Rock University. Ellwood City sprinter Nick Franitti took home a 1st place WPIAL Championship in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys 300m Hurdles. Franitti posted a mark of 39.39 to take home gold. Franitti also posted a personal best in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.85, good for 2nd place. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐖𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐋 / @UPMCSportsMed 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝟐𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬’ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 & 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 – 𝟑𝟎𝟎-𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬…


Harold R. McConnell, 93

Harold R. McConnell, 93, of Salisbury North Carolina (formerly of Old Rt.18 Wampum) passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at his daughter’s residence following an illness. Born February 19, 1931 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Russell and Susie Park McConnell. He was married to Pearl E. Brommer McConnell for 62 years when she passed away on January 13, 2016. He first worked for Reliable Luggage where he met his future wife Pearl, then owned and operated McConnell Tax Service for over 40 years with her assistance. Survivors include daughter, Glenda L. (Edward) Daley of Salisbury…


Brenda L. Hughes, 60

Brenda L. Hughes, 60, of Mercer passed away Monday, May 13, 2024 at UPMC Farrell following a courageous battle with cancer. Born June 10, 1963 in New Galilee, she was the daughter of the late William B. Lindsay and Betty J. Frank. A graduate of Shenango High School, Brenda worked as a nurses aide at the Golden Hill Nursing Home. She was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Mercer. Her most cherished moments were spent with family. Survivors include her husband of 27 years Clifford L. Hughes; son, Clifford W. Hughes who is a Sr….


Gregory D. LaCava, 71

Mr. Gregory D. LaCava, 71, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center. Greg was born the son of the late Joseph H. and Virginia Y. (Hazen) LaCava in Ellwood City on March 11th, 1953. He is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1971 and attended the Community College of Beaver County. He earned an Associates Degree in machinist from the New Castle School of Trades. Greg worked at the Babcock & Wilcox Steel Mill in Beaver Falls, Vesuvios in Zelienople, High Tech in Cranberry Twp., and retired from…


Ellwood City Historical Society New Membership Drive

The Ellwood City Historical Society at its monthly board meeting, Andy Kindle, Ways and Means Chairman, suggested to the board that it hold a Membership Drive for new members. Kindle stated that the Ellwood City Chamber of commerce is planning over 20 activities this summer. Kindle said it is an opportunity for the Historical Society to promote a membership program. He also stated that starting now gives the society the rest of 2024 to promote membership to the community. The idea of giving free membership for the six months of 2024 and then only collecting a membership fee for the…