Articles by Tracey Ferguson

May 13, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Pass Preliminary Budget with Tax Increase; Consider Financing Plan for Budget Shortfall

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a preliminary budget—which calls for a 4.9 percent tax increase—and authorized administration to work with PFM Financial Advisors LLC, as Municipal Advisor on a financing plan as the district faces a more than $1 million budget shortfall. (view the preliminary budget here) Board directors and school officials have a big financial job ahead of them in the coming months as they seek to increase revenues while decreasing spending to work toward a more structurally balanced budget. Melissa Maze of PFM said this financing plan is strictly a strategy for cash…

May 6, 2026

Riverside Seventh Grader to Hit the New Castle Playhouse Stage in ‘Moana Jr.’

Rocco NW Siok has quite a bit of experience on stage, and the Riverside seventh grader is about to add Disney’s Moana JR. to that list. We caught up with Rocco, who encourages all to come out and see the show, with a Q&A before he takes the stage starting this weekend … Part in Musical: Hei Hei Current Grade: 7th Been in musicals/plays since: Matilda at Riverside High School was my first musical. I was in third grade and played Nigel. Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Matilda-Nigel; Seussical the Musical-a Who; Mary Poppins-Michael Banks; Newsies-Romeo; and currently Moana-Hei Hei Favorite Song in this…

May 1, 2026

From Pizza Wagon to Storefront: Chubby’s Expands Roots in Ellwood City

What began as a mobile pizza trailer serving up family recipes is now taking a permanent place in town. Chubby’s Pizza Wagon, owned by Bronson and Stephanie Bailey, is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar location at 429 Lawrence Avenue, marking a significant step forward for the growing local business. Bronson and Stephanie Bailey, lifelong Ellwood City residents who now live in nearby Franklin Township, has deep ties to the community — and to the pizza business itself. “I grew up in Ellwood City, wanted to stay in my hometown. I wish to expand our food truck menu and offer more…

April 30, 2026

Local Organizers Begin Fundraising Efforts to Bring Safe Haven Baby Box to Ellwood City; Donate Now

A BIG Ellwood City effort is underway to bring a new kind of life-saving resource to the community: a Safe Haven Baby Box. Local organizers say the goal is simple but powerful—offer a safe, legal, and anonymous option for parents in crisis to legally surrender their baby while ensuring the infants receive immediate care. Fundraising efforts are currently underway, with community leaders, local officials, and first responders rallying behind the project. What is now needed, according to Jenn Jones, Ellwood City resident who has spearheaded this project, is help from the business community and residents. “When a community participates in…

April 29, 2026

Local Summer Camps Offer Faith, Fun In Nature For ALL Ages; Registration Now Open

Tucked away in the peaceful countryside of western Pennsylvania, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Camp & Retreat Center (OLMC) is the kind of place where adventure meets purpose—and where faith and fun go hand in hand. Located in Volant, PA, OLMC was created to give young people and families a chance to step away from the noise of everyday life and experience something deeper: community, nature, and a relationship with Christ. Through what they call “Adventure Catechesis,” the camp blends outdoor excitement with meaningful faith experiences, showing that spirituality isn’t separate from life’s best moments—it’s woven right into them. Rev….

April 28, 2026

2026 Spring Sports Q&A: Riverside Athletes

The start of spring sports is upon us, so we took the opportunity catch up with the athletes of the Riverside sports teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries and to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. Logan Young Sport? Baseball Grade? 12 How many years have you have played? 12 What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season? Spending one last year with my teammates. How do you hope to improve this year? I hope to improve by taking more walks and…

April 27, 2026

Marine Corps League Det 788 Seeking Members

The members of a local Marine Corps League Detachment share a bond forged not only through military service, but through a continued commitment to community, country, and one another. Victoria Malcolm, Ellwood City resident and veteran, is hoping to help grow the local chapter, Marine Corps League Det 788, turn its focus toward the future, and ensure that its mission endures for generations to come. Even though she joined in October 2025 this detachment started in 1991. “It’s kind of like the American Legion but only for Marines,” Malcolm said. All marines in Lawrence County are welcome to join and…

April 23, 2026

Ellwood City Welcomes Growing Flooring Business

A new chapter in local business is unfolding as Ellks Floor Coverings added its second location to Lawrence Avenue, bringing a mix of experience, personal service, and community focus to the area. Owned by Kyle Ellks, the company has steadily grown from its roots in flooring and home improvement into a full-service retail and installation operation. Now, with expansion into Ellwood City, Ellks is aiming to build lasting relationships while offering homeowners and businesses a trusted local option. “I started in the flooring and home improvement field in 2017 and officially built Ellks Floor Coverings into a full retail and…

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…

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