Articles by Tracey Ferguson

July 1, 2026

Pure Gold Brings Timeless Hits and Unmatched Energy to the Ellwood City Festival

When Pure Gold takes the stage at Sunday, July 5, at 6 p.m. at the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival, audiences can expect much more than a concert. They can expect a full-scale entertainment experience built on decades of musical excellence, crowd interaction, and nonstop energy. Pure Gold Showband delivers a fully choreographed, high-energy performance packed with the songs you know and love. Every show is designed to get audiences singing, dancing, and completely engaged from start to finish. With five lead vocalists, a full horn section, and a powerhouse rhythm section, this is live entertainment at…

June 30, 2026

Ellwood City Festival to Feature The Jaggerz: Six Decades of Harmony, Soul, and Western Pennsylvania Pride

For 60 years, The Jaggerz have been a staple of the Western Pennsylvania music scene, blending R&B, soul, rock, and Top 40 favorites into a sound that has endured across generations, and they will take the stage on Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m. at the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Foods, and Entertainment Festival. Since forming in 1965, the band has recorded four albums and 11 singles, building a legacy that stretches from local clubs in the tri-state area to national chart success with their signature hit, “The Rapper.” The story of The Jaggerz began when musicians from three different…

June 29, 2026

Suns of Beaches To Bring the Ultimate Tropical Party to Ellwood Festival

No passport. No plane ticket. No worries … will be needed when the Suns of Beaches take to the Festival Stage on Friday, July 3, at 8 p.m. at the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Foods, and Entertainment Festival. The high-energy Jimmy Buffett tribute band transforms every performance into a tropical getaway. Complete with steel drums, island favorites, beach-themed originals and plenty of audience participation, the group has built a reputation for delivering what they call more than a concert—it’s a beach party. According to drummer Ben Sakmar, while Jimmy Buffett’s music forms the heart of every show, the band offers…

June 24, 2026

More Than a Festival: Why the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival Needs Community Support

Every summer, Ewing Park transforms into the heart of Ellwood City as thousands gather for one of the region’s most cherished traditions—the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival. Now entering its 44th year, the festival continues to showcase the creativity, talent, and community spirit that have defined Ellwood City for generations. Scheduled for July 3-5, 2026, the three-day event brings together artisans, crafters, food vendors, entertainers, musicians, community organizations, and families for a celebration that has become synonymous with the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The marquee highlight of the Festival has always been the finale … the…

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…

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