Articles by Tracey Ferguson

Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Numerous Upcoming Annual Events

Ellwood City Borough Council passed motions to approve numerous upcoming annual events that will be held on Borough property including Wander Ellwood, Dog Days of Summer, The Ellwood City Arts, Crafts & Foods Festival, and many others (please see motions passed below for details) during the January 21 Regular Meeting. Council also received an update on the Wampum Pump Station Project. Borough Manager Kevin Swogger announced that the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project is about 93 percent completed. The Borough had announced the start of the project in October of 2023 in an effort to improve the infrastructure in the…


Zoning Hearing Board Denies ECASD Application for Special Exception to Build Softball Field at Ewing Park Property

The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Ellwood City has denied the Ellwood City Area School District’s application for special exception to build a softball field on the Ewing Park School property. The board held a hearing on December 4, 2024, to take the District’s application into consideration and has determined that the proposed use of the property is not a permitted use as a public park/playground in a Low-Density R-1(A) District. The findings offered by Zoning Hearing Board members Joseph Lamenza, Timothy O’Brien, and David Parker on January 17, 2025, stated that the proposed softball field, its related…


ECASD Board of Directors Hires Superintendent

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to hire Dr. Amy Anderson as Superintendent for a five-year contract beginning July 1, 2025, pending completion of contract. Board President Jennifer Tomon said Anderson’s salary will be $150,000 per year. Director Norman Boots was the only “No” vote and expressed that he believed that Anderson should be paid a lower salary and get salary bumps on a tiered system. Director Kevin Boariu had no doubt that the board picked the right candidate, and that he believes the district has made great progress in areas such as reading. “I don’t…


Winter Sports Q&A – Riverside Part 2

Winter sports are back in action at Riverside High School. The most popular right now are Basketball and Swimming. We had a chance to catch up with some of the athletes from each of these teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the season ahead and their plans for the future. [VIEW PART 1] This is part four of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Ayden Garcia School? Riverside Sport? Basketball Grade? 12 How many years have you have played? 8 What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season? Working…


Winter Sports Q&A – Riverside Part 1

Winter sports are back in action at Riverside High School. The most popular right now are Basketball and Swimming. We had a chance to catch up with some of the athletes from each of these teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part three of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Riverside Part 2 winter sports Q&A segment is coming Monday. View Ellwood City Part 1 and Ellwood City Part 2 in our series Caelyn Ludwig School? Riverside Sport? Swimming Grade? 12…


Winter Sports Q&A – Ellwood City Part 2

Winter sports have arrived in Ellwood City. Basketball, Swimming, Hockey and Wrestling are among the popular sports for students at Lincoln High School. We caught up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries, to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part two of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Riverside Part 1 winter sports Q&A segment is coming tomorrow. [View Ellwood City Part 1] Gabe Lilly School? Lincoln High School/ Ellwood City Sport? Wrestling Grade? 12th…


Winter Sports Q&A – Ellwood City Part 1

Winter sports have arrived in Ellwood City. Hockey and Wrestling are among the popular sports for students at Lincoln High School. We caught up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries, to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part one of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Ellwood City Part 2 winter sports Q&A segment is coming tomorrow. Connor Michaels School? Lincoln High School/ Ellwood City Sport? Hockey Grade? 9 How many years have you have…


Borough Council Votes to Amend Rates and Charges on Utility Bills

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to amend the Electric Ordinance, specifically the schedule of rates and charges to be effective with the January 1, 2025 usage and reflected on the February 2025 utility bill 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. PJM is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. Consumers, including Ellwood Electric customers will see a surge in rates…


ECASD Board of Directors Elect Officers, Learn about Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held its election of officers for 2025 during Thursday’s combined meeting. Jennifer Tomon will again serve as board president for 2025. She was nominated by Director Jean Biehls and had unanimous support from the board. She was the only candidate nominated. Jean Biehls will again serve as board vice president for 2025. She was nominated by Director Kevin Boariu and like Tomon received unanimous support. The board also announced and approved meeting dates for 2025. Air Force Col. Nicole S. Hurley and U.S. Air Force Capt. Heather Edsall spoke about the…


Zoning Board to Consider Exemption For Proposed Girls Softball Field

As Ewing Park residents continue to oppose a girls softball field at the Ewing Park School property, the school district will make a special exemption request to implement the facility to the zoning hearing board during a 10 a.m. meeting on Dec 4. The meeting will be held at the borough building. 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 Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to commit to…