Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

November 22, 2024

ECASD Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley Reflects on 35 Years in Education

Dr. Wesley Shipley began his 35-year career in education as a fifth-grade teacher and worked his way up to superintendent of the Ellwood City Area School District. Shipley will retire on June 30, 2025. The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors reluctantly passed a motion to accept his retirement during the November 14 regular meeting. Shipley said serving the district and students has been a pleasure. He said Ellwood stands out among his best years in education. “This has been the most fulfilling position that I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’ll mostly miss the people. The entire community…

November 21, 2024

Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program To Add Free Veterinary Care During July Training in Ellwood City

During Ellwood City’s Borough Council meeting, Borough Manager Kevin Swogger announced that the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program set to setup training in Ellwood City in July will add veterinary care to its lineup of free medical services. IRT is a Department of Defense (DoD) military training opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories, that delivers joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness. Simultaneously, IRT provides key services (health care, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity) with lasting benefits for communities. Swogger said the group visited the city—one of many visits they will make before July—and the group plans to…

November 14, 2024

ECASD Board of Directors Approve Retirement of District Superintendent

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors reluctantly passed a motion to accept the retirement of District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley during Thursday evening’s regular meeting. As the motion was made, there wasn’t an easy second. Board President Jennifer Tomon said she is happy for Shipley but sad for the district. Shipley will continue to serve as superintendent until June 30, 2025. Shipley said serving the district and students has been a pleasure. During his 35 years in education, he said he has held roles at numerous districts, but Ellwood stands out. “This has been the most fulfilling…

November 4, 2024

Be Sure to Cast Your Vote in the General Election on November 5th

The General Election is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, 2024. You can find your assigned polling place by checking the location listed at the bottom of your registration status page. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are a first-time voter or are voting at a new polling place, here are helpful tips to learn how to get ready. And be sure to arrange for transportation to your polling place in advance. View the Lawrence County polling locations HERE. View the Beaver County polling locations HERE. About the General Election According to the official website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,…

November 1, 2024

Local Pig Teaching Community That #kindnessisking; Family Seeking Veterinarian for Specialized Treatment

He’s a gentle giant and a king of kindness. He most definitely gets the kindness part from his human dads. Hampton Hamilton Pigglesworth, a four-year-old, 900-pound Yorkshire mix pig, lives a pampered life with his devoted Dads on Chapel Drive in North Sewickley Township. This massive yet gentle pet has captured the hearts of many through his social media presence—with over 15,000 followers and friends from all over the world—where videos show him lounging around the house, playing king of his farm’s hill, greeting visitors, and proving that even pigs can make affectionate and loyal companions. And his dads John…

October 28, 2024

T & M Celebrates Business, Family Milestones With Opening of New Location

They say it’s all because two people fell in love … It began in Ellwood City in 1991 when Tim and Mary (the T & M in T & M Hardware) Post bought their first hardware store on their wedding anniversary to pursue their dreams of owning their own business and to do what they were meant to do—serve their community as hardware retailers. And on October 23 three anniversaries culminated for the Post family as they Celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the opening of the Ellwood location, Tim and Mary’s wedding anniversary, and the opening of the newest T…

October 24, 2024

BlastZone Fun Park (Formerly Stop n Sock) Renamed, Reimagined, Revamped with Technology

BlastZone Fun Park, formerly Stop n Sock, is “swinging” forward with technology that takes family-friendly recreation to a whole new level. There have been a lot of upgrades made to the property at 100 Wise’s Grove Rd in New Brighton. Changes that are certain to catch your eye. Be sure to stop by this weekend for the last round of Halloween Festivites including the Haunted Maze and Zombie Shoot (featured later in the article). Ryan Errett, co-owner, said although he realizes that people will always know the location and will probably always call it Stop n Sock, BlastZone Fun Park…

October 21, 2024

Franklin Township to Get ALDI, Tractor Supply stores

If you haven’t heard … Franklin Township is getting an ALDI and a Tractor Supply. “At this time, Tractor Supply can confirm its plans to open a store in Ellwood City,” said Tricia Glenn an account executive for FINN Partners on behalf of Tractor Supply. “While currently in the permitting phase, if all moves on schedule, construction could start as early as the end of 2024. While subject to change based on the construction timeline, if construction starts this year, the store could open in Summer 2025.” ALDI has refused to comment, but Lloyd Myers of the Franklin Township Planning…

October 14, 2024

ECASD to Get Weapon Detection System

The Ellwood City Area School District will be getting a very smart weapon detection system. During Thursday’s regular meeting of Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors, Director and Chair of the Board’s Security Committee Claire Fauzey announced that she was “Pleased to share that the hard work and collaboration of Mr. Sovich (high school principal) and Officer Brian Speer over the last several months, the district has been able to purchase a weapon detection system that will be put into place at LHS. With much investigation of safety concerns and reviews of this device with other schools, we…

October 8, 2024

Turner-Hyde Funeral & Cremation Services Marks Five Years with New Owners

Adam C. and Angela S. Hyde are celebrating 5 years of owning Turner-Hyde Funeral & Cremation Services. Adam says the once “Turner Funeral Home” has undergone many changes in those 5 years and he is proud to say that seeking services with Turner-Hyde is an entirely new experience and those who call are treated like we would like to be treated, just like family “We provide services that the likes of Ellwood City has never seen,” Adam said. “And we have a lot of passion.” Adam and Angela have been married for 20 years and have two children, Hannah, 17…