Articles by Tracey Ferguson

June 16, 2026

Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Police Drone Purchase

Ellwood City Borough Council approved a quote from Steel City Drones in the amount of $13,152 for the purchase of a drone for the Police Department (contingent upon union ratification of the policy) during Monday’s regular meeting. According to Sargeant Michael McBride, the drone will provide thermal images and will aid police and first responders during police calls and during any type of “disaster” event. Officer Robert Bird will be officially trained at Steel City Drones on how to use the drone, but McBride said it can be piloted by any officer as long as it is flown under 400…

June 10, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Table Vote on Budget; Pass Tax Increase

Although the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously (with Director Jennifer Tomon absent) to table a motion to approve the General Fund Budget (view it here) for the 2026-27 fiscal year in the amount of $36,941,103.00, they did approve a tax increase. The tax resolution sets the tax rates for the 2026-27 fiscal year to include the ACT 679 $5 per capita tax, the ACT 511 $10 per capita tax (a shared tax by municipalities), property tax millage at 22.0800 mills, Earned Income Tax at .5%, Realty Transfer Tax at .5% and the Occupational Privilege/Local Service…

May 29, 2026

Ellwood City Native Returns Home To Lead As Borough Manager

For Jeff Foley, stepping into the role of borough manager is more than a career move — it’s a homecoming rooted in pride and a sense of responsibility to the community that shaped him. “Returning to serve the community where I grew up is both an honor and a responsibility I take to heart,” Foley said. “Ellwood City has given me so much throughout my life, and I’m committed to giving that same dedication back.” A graduate of Ellwood City High School, Foley went on to receive a Bachelors of Arts in Accounting & Business Administration from Grove City College as well…

May 28, 2026

Borough Council Awards Waste Collection Bid to Aiken Refuse

During May’s regular meeting of Ellwood City Borough Council, officials awarded the bid for the collection of Refuse, Recycling, and Yard Waste to Aiken Refuse (Billing by Borough option). According to Borough Manager Jeff Foley, the move to Aiken will be a step in the right direction to save the residents money on waste collection and also provide more enhanced services. He also said that a good majority of Aiken’s employees live in Ellwood City, which is a nod to keeping business local. Previously the Borough contracted with Valley Waste Service for a two-year agreement in April of 2024. That…

May 20, 2026

Mayor Court Recognizes Rev. Robert Tod Custer With Proclamation

Mayor Anthony J. Court offered a special recognition to Rev. Robert Tod Custer during Monday night’s regular meeting of the Ellwood City Borough Council. Proclamation Honoring Rev. Robert Tod Custer Mayor Anthony J. Court Borough of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania WHEREAS, Robert Tod Custer was born on March 26, 1961, in Barberton, Ohio, to Harry “Sam” and Martha Custer, and was raised alongside his siblings—John, Mary, Alice, and Sam; WHEREAS, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Muskingum College in 1983 and began a career of compassionate service as a church youth director and later as a Case Worker…

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….

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