Articles by EllwoodCity.org Staff

Ellwood City Arts and Crafts Festival

Since 1981, thousands of community members have been celebrating the Ellwood City Arts and Crafts Festival – and the 2017 festival is expected to be just as successful. The event, scheduled for next week June 30-July 2 at Ewing Park, will include a wide variety of activities, performances and vendors for everyone in the Ellwood City community to enjoy! Festival funds (when there is a positive balance) go back into the operating fund for the next year, with a reserve held for possible emergencies. The Festival Committee is all volunteer and the Committee is a non-profit organization, solely in existence…


Public Community Event Tonight Regarding HIRA

The Christian Chamber Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will be holding an open forum tonight to discuss the purchase of the old Youth Development Center in New Castle. The purchase of the former Youth Development Center has many community members, including government officials State Representative Bernstine, State Representative Sainato and Senator Vogel, concerned about the potential owners. Hira Educational Services is a Muslim-based company who claims to aid in Muslim schooling but after reviewing the companies tax records and finance history, local government officials question the companies financial reliability and have asked Governor Tom Wolf to reconsider the sale. The event…


Ellwood City Area Public Library Activities for Week of June 26, 2017

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: Monday, June 26, at 10:00 a.m. — “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. “Coloring for Adults” designed to help reduce the stresses of everyday life. Everyone is welcome, so call the library for more information. This program has been moved to Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. through August 9 because of Summer Reading Program activities. Call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Tuesday, June 27, “Jump Start to Kindergarten,” for children who are entering kindergarten this fall. The…


New Castle Approved for Medical Marijuana Growing Facility

Since Pennsylvania approved legislation permitting the sale of medical marijuana, a former factory located in New Castle has been chosen as one of the first 12 medical marijuana grower/processors in Pennsylvania. The 30,000 square-foot former factory located at 911 Industrial Street in New Castle is expected to be operational within six months, and is anticipated to relieve some of the financial distress in the local community and create 100-150 “good-paying” jobs once the operation reaches full potential, the New Castle News site reports. Keith Morgan and Richard Genderson of Holistic Farms located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, are the visionaries behind the…


New Castle Playhouse Presents South Pacific

The New Castle Playhouse presents South Pacific. Opening night is scheduled for Friday, July 14, 7:30p.m. at the Augustine Auditorium. More information on the official flyer below:


Summer Paving Contract Approved

Ellwood City council members unanimously voted yesterday to approve the 2017 summer paving contract with Wampum-based Youngblood Paving. Over a hundred-thousand less than last years paving project, the $239,778.86 contract is expected to cover the expenses to pave 17 blocks of streets, including the entire length of Pittsburgh Circle. 11 Blocks of Pittsburgh Circle, Glen Avenue for one block from Keystone Way to Pittsburgh Circle, three blocks of First Avenue from North Street to Gregg Street, and two blocks of Gregg Street from Wampum Avenue to First Avenue are to be repaved. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act the…


Disability Options Network to Host Free Workshop

(New Castle, PA) – Disability Options Network will host a free workshop for parents in support of students transitioning from high school to employment on Wednesday, June 28, at Career Link from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. This workshop will cover independent living and self- advocacy and how to get there, using a student’s IEP to get to employment, an overview of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) programs for transition age youth (14 to 21), and a brief look at disability laws. Parents will be able to ask questions throughout the session which will be led by and independent…


Police Find Crack Cocaine and Sleep Apnea Machine in Vehicle

Police Find Crack Cocaine and Sleep Apnea Machine in Vehicle According to the criminal complaint, on June 14, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration. Operator of the vehicle, Christopher Patrick Bruno, 61, of Ellwood City, did not hold a valid drivers license and was under driving suspension in Florida and Pennsylvania. Bruno also had an active warrant for his arrest through the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Bruno was detained for the warrant, and he advised officers of his sleep apnea machine in his car that he would need for sleeping. Officers opened a bag…


Annual Strawberry Festival to Return Thursday

The annual Strawberry Festival hosted by the First Church of God will be this Thursday, located at 1862 Mercer Road, Franklin Township, from 4:30-7p.m. Although the main focus of the event will be centered around an array of strawberry-infused desserts, ham barbecue and sloppy Joe sandwiches, hot dogs, baked beans, macaroni salad, and chips will also be available. Proceeds will benefit the church’s youth group – many of which will be taking part in the event.


Cigarette Causes Garage Fire Sunday Night

A car is destroyed following a garage fire that happened Sunday around 9:30p.m. at an Ellwood residence located on Keystone Way. According to the Ellwood City fire chief, the fire started after the homeowner threw a cigarette on the garage floor, possibly igniting gas residue on the ground. No one was injured.