Articles by Tracey Ferguson

May 9, 2024

ECASD’s Board of Directors Votes Down Motion to Suspend Nepotism Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted down a motion to suspend Board Policy 304.2 Nepotism for the hiring of a Building Clerk at Perry Lower Intermediate during its May 9 Regular Meeting. “Yes” votes came from Directors Jean Biehls, Dr. Claire Fauzey, and Director Robyn Nicklas. Directors Kathy Tillia, Kathy Galbreath, Norman Boots, and Kevin Boariu voted “No.” Director Erica Gray was not in attendance. Board President Jennifer Tomon abstained from voting as the proposed suspension of the policy was for the hiring of her relative Elizabeth Tomon. A majority of the “No” votes came as…

May 3, 2024

The Riverside Hall of Fame: Royann Winfield, Selfless Coach, Mentor to the End

NOTE: This is the third in a three-part series featuring The Riverside Hall of Fame’s first class, all coaches. The inductees will be honored at the First Annual Hall of Fame banquet at Shakespeare’s Restaurant this Saturday, May 4th, from 6 to 10 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the esteemed inaugural class of: Dan Oliastro, Karl Florie, and Royann Winfield. Royann Winfield was a fighter to the end. Whether it was standing in strong support of her students, or her residents at McGuire Memorial, or battling cancer, Royann simply refused to give up on herself or others. Her final season in…

May 2, 2024

The Riverside Hall of Fame: Dan Oliastro, Winningest Coach in WPIAL History

NOTE: This is the second in a three-part series featuring The Riverside Hall of Fame’s first class, all coaches. The inductees will be honored at the First Annual Hall of Fame banquet at Shakespeare’s Restaurant this Saturday, May 4th, from 6 to 10 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the esteemed inaugural class of: Dan Oliastro, Karl Florie, and Royann Winfield. He may be the winningest coach in WPIAL history, but winning isn’t everything to Coach Dan Oliastro. “It’s more than just baseball,” he said. “One of the things you have to do is build relationships … good relationships with the kids.”…

May 1, 2024

Ewing Park to Get ADA-Compliant Update: New Facility to Feature Adult Changing Table

There are some major conveniences that we take for granted. Like going out for the day and not having to worry about finding a restroom that is easily usable. We don’t always think about the struggles that others endure … we simply don’t even think about it. Councilwoman Jan Williams thought about it. She thought about the individuals that frequent Ewing Park that need special facilities with features that again most of us never think of. Williams is on a mission to bring a specialized facility to Ewing Park, specifically a facility that offers an adult changing table. Her idea…

May 1, 2024

The Riverside Hall of Fame: Karl Florie Built Powerhouse Team and Family of Football Players

NOTE: This is the first in a three-part series featuring The Riverside Hall of Fame’s first class, all coaches. The inductees will be honored at the First Annual Hall of Fame banquet at Shakespeare’s Restaurant this Saturday, May 4th, from 6 to 10 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the esteemed inagural class of: Dan Oliastro, Karl Florie, and Royann Winfield. Karl Florie, wasn’t the school board’s first choice to coach Riverside’s football program, but it came to pass that he was he was the right choice. Although his first season produced zero wins, he went on to build a program that became a powerhouse in…

April 17, 2024

Ellwood Area Family Center offering FREE Pickleball Clinics for Pickleball Month

John DiBuono has a passion for pickleball. So much so that he is instructing some pickleball clinics at the Ellwood Area Family Center, 311 College Street, Ellwood City, just in time for April’s National Pickleball Month. Although pickleball has picked up recently in popularity, it has been around for decades. 2024 marks the 59th anniversary of pickleball. It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, by three enterprising dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. It evolved from the original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout North America and…

April 17, 2024

Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Two Year Agreement with Valley Waste Service

During Monday night’s Ellwood City Borough Council meeting, Council approved a two-year option agreement with Valley Waste Service to provide for refuse, recycling & yard waste collection. The new contract expiration date will be June 30, 2026. Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said the first year there will be no increase, and the second option year will come with a four percent increase. Monthly costs are as follows July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025: 95 gallon, $17.96; 35 gallon: $14.95; and Yellow Bags, $25 per roll and for July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026: 95 gallon, $18.39; 35 gallon, $15.53; and Yellow Bags,…

April 12, 2024

ECASD’s Board of Directors Tables Motion to Dissolve the District’s Soccer Program

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to table a motion to dissolve the District Soccer program during their regular meeting Thursday night. The consideration was originally on the agenda after interest in the program seemed to dwindle when a Google Document for sign up wasn’t completed by enough students to develop enough of a roster to hold practices or maintain a consistent team. Board Director Jean Biehls made the motion to table it until next month to give the students a chance to ramp up recruitment efforts, and the rest of the board unanimously agreed. During…

April 12, 2024

PART THREE: Lincoln High School’s Schoolhouse Rock Live! Is A High Energy, Nostalgic Gem

Lincoln High School will present the musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live! starting tonight, April 12, 2024 in the high school auditorium, at 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City (information about the show and how to get tickets can be found at the end of this article). I got a sneak peak at the show, and you don’t want to miss it! Under the direction of Rick Hudson, this musical is based on the 1970s cartoon. Check out an interview with Director Rick Hudson, here. Schoolhouse Rock Live! is a high energy, education of sorts that includes music, comedy, and a truly golden…

April 11, 2024

PART TWO: Lincoln High School’s Schoolhouse Rock Live! Cast Q&A

Lincoln High School will present the musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live! on April 12-14 in the high school auditorium, at 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City (information about the show and how to get tickets can be found at the end of this article). The production features a cast and crew of high school students and is directed by Rick Hudson. 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 Schoolhouse Rock Live! Featured tomorrow will be part three, a review of the show and gallery…

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