Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

April 21, 2026

Council Recognizes Quick Action by Police; Approves Two-Year Employment Agreement With New Borough Manager

Mayor Anthony Court recognized the Ellwood City Police Department for taking quick action during recent incidents in the borough during Monday’s Regular meeting of Borough Council. Court announced that the police department worked in conjunction with other law enforcement agents to apprehend suspects in a “drive by shooting” as well as suspects in thefts from the former Ellwood City hospital building. “Both incidents were solved in a timely and professional manner by the police department,” Court said. “The police department is working night and day to reduce crime and keep our community safe.” Council voted to hire Trent Young as…

April 21, 2026

Lincoln Jr/Sr High School Visual Arts Teacher Nominee for ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’

Let’s get out the vote … For Amanda Hatkevich, Lincoln Jr/Sr High School visual arts teacher to be named “America’s Favorite Teacher.” Vote here! (Be sure to cast your vote by April 23) At stake is not only the title, but $25,000 that Hatkevich says she will use part of to help educate the future. “I would invest in diverse art materials, digital tools, and photography equipment,” she said. “Funds would support classroom upgrades like storage, equipment, and outdoor seating for open-air creating. I would also fund visiting artists, field trips to museums, and student exhibitions to connect learning to…

April 14, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Consider Employee Furlough

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors considered a move to study the staffing needs of the district for a possible employee furlough during Monday night’s combined meeting of the board. Ultimately the motion was defeated in a 4/4 vote. “No” votes came from Board President Kathy Galbreath, Board Vice President Norman Boots, and Board Directors Kathy Tillia and Nick Mancini. “Yes” votes came from Board Directors Jean Biehls, Claire Fauzey, Erica Gray, and Kevin Boariu. Board Director Jennifer Tomon was not present at the meeting. The consideration came to the table as the district is facing a…

March 27, 2026

PART THREE: Lincoln High School’s Production of Little Shop of Horrors A Bloody Delight

“Suddenly, Seymour…” something extraordinary is blooming on the LHS stage this spring! Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School students will present the wildly entertaining musical Little Shop of Horrors on March 27, 28, and 29 in the Lincoln High School Auditorium. A talented cast and crew of students from grades 7–12 have been hard at work bringing this exciting production to life. Under the direction of Alexis Reisinger, students have dedicated countless hours to rehearsals, choreography, and technical preparation to create a production that blends humor, heart, and a touch of dark comedy. Today’s review is part three in a three-part series about Little Shop…

March 26, 2026

PART TWO: Lincoln High School’s Production of Little Shop of Horrors Cast Q&A

“Suddenly, Seymour…” something extraordinary is blooming on the LHS stage this spring! Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School students will present the wildly entertaining musical Little Shop of Horrors on March 27, 28, and 29 in the Lincoln High School Auditorium. A talented cast and crew of students from grades 7–12 have been hard at work bringing this exciting production to life. Under the direction of Alexis Reisinger, students have dedicated countless hours to rehearsals, choreography, and technical preparation to create a production that blends humor, heart, and a touch of dark comedy. We caught up with some of the leads in the show for…

March 25, 2026

PART ONE: Lincoln High School’s Production of Little Shop of Horrors Cast Q&A

“Suddenly, Seymour…” something extraordinary is blooming on the LHS stage this spring! Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School students will present the wildly entertaining musical Little Shop of Horrors on March 27, 28, and 29 in the Lincoln High School Auditorium. A talented cast and crew of students from grades 7–12 have been hard at work bringing this exciting production to life. Under the direction of Alexis Reisinger, students have dedicated countless hours to rehearsals, choreography, and technical preparation to create a production that blends humor, heart, and a touch of dark comedy. We caught up with some of the leads in the show for…

March 19, 2026

PART THREE: Riverside High School’s Production of Frozen Is Truly a Heartwarming Tale

The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, Frozen March 19-22 in the high school auditorium. A cast and crew of over 80 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers.  This is the 63rd anniversary of theatre at Riverside. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love. Today’s review is part three in a three-part series about Frozen. Previous stories featured cast Q&As. It’s not surprising that the cast and crew of Riverside’s Frozen is bringing the heat ……

March 18, 2026

Local High School Theatre Arts: Two Shows; Two Spectacular Casts … Get Your Tickets Now!!!

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet for Riverside Beaver School District’s production of Frozen and Lincoln High School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, what are you waiting for? The local theatre season is in full swing, and the casts of both shows welcome and encourage you to come out and support the students who work so hard to produce the shows, from the stage managers, to the leads, to the supporting cast, to the kids who put together the sets, it’s a theatre community effort that you don’t want to miss! Here is a special message from the…

March 18, 2026

PART TWO: Riverside High School’s Production of Frozen Cast Q&A

The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, Frozen March 19-22 in the high school auditorium. A cast and crew of over 80 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers.  This is the 63rd anniversary of theatre at Riverside. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is PART TWO in a three-part series about Frozen. Featured tomorrow will be part three,…

March 17, 2026

PART ONE: Riverside High School’s Production of Frozen Cast Q&A

The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, Frozen March 19-22 in the high school auditorium. A cast and crew of over 80 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers.  This is the 63rd anniversary of theatre at Riverside. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is PART ONE in a three-part series about Frozen. Featured tomorrow will be part 2…