Articles by Tracey Ferguson

ECASD Board of Directors Authorizes Appeal for Proposed Softball Field

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to appeal the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Adjudication of the Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Ellwood City relating to the proposed softball field during Monday’s regular meeting. All board members in attendance voted yes to support the appeal, and director Norman Boots was absent from the meeting. Director Kevin Boariu said he supports the appeal because he does not want the property to sit vacant and that he does not believe that the District should be in the business of owning unused property. Chris Voltz,…


Patty’s Crafty Corner Features Homemade Gifts, Home Decor

Looking for that perfect handmade gift? Why not shop local? Why not shop at Patty’s Crafty Corner? Patty’s Crafty Corner opened at the 201 5th Street location the day after Thanksgiving and has since been filling up the space with locally made gifts and goods. “We have home décor and gift items that are all handmade,” said Patty Miller, owner of the shop. Some of the items available include: bowl cozies, baby blankets, mermaid quilts, baby blankets, wooden crafts, ceramics, flower arrangements, soaps and lotions, dog treats, tumblers and tumbler accessories, wooden candle holders, jewelry, beaded bracelets and pens, wire…


Club Hope Gets New Home in Shelby Bar Building

Club Hope has a new home. The foundation recently purchased the Shelby Bar building at 26 Fountain Avenue. “We are blessed more than we ever thought possible for the support our warriors and our foundation continue to receive,” said Founder Kara Atkinson. “This building will open up so many opportunities for what we can do to bring HOPE to our warriors and families!” Atkinson said the move will be beneficial for the Foundation. “We were thinking about it looking for a permanent location but were never actively looking. Renting is just renting, and we wanted to use the support given…


Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Numerous Upcoming Annual Events

Ellwood City Borough Council passed motions to approve numerous upcoming annual events that will be held on Borough property including Wander Ellwood, Dog Days of Summer, The Ellwood City Arts, Crafts & Foods Festival, and many others (please see motions passed below for details) during the January 21 Regular Meeting. Council also received an update on the Wampum Pump Station Project. Borough Manager Kevin Swogger announced that the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project is about 93 percent completed. The Borough had announced the start of the project in October of 2023 in an effort to improve the infrastructure in the…


Zoning Hearing Board Denies ECASD Application for Special Exception to Build Softball Field at Ewing Park Property

The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Ellwood City has denied the Ellwood City Area School District’s application for special exception to build a softball field on the Ewing Park School property. The board held a hearing on December 4, 2024, to take the District’s application into consideration and has determined that the proposed use of the property is not a permitted use as a public park/playground in a Low-Density R-1(A) District. The findings offered by Zoning Hearing Board members Joseph Lamenza, Timothy O’Brien, and David Parker on January 17, 2025, stated that the proposed softball field, its related…


ECASD Board of Directors Hires Superintendent

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to hire Dr. Amy Anderson as Superintendent for a five-year contract beginning July 1, 2025, pending completion of contract. Board President Jennifer Tomon said Anderson’s salary will be $150,000 per year. Director Norman Boots was the only “No” vote and expressed that he believed that Anderson should be paid a lower salary and get salary bumps on a tiered system. Director Kevin Boariu had no doubt that the board picked the right candidate, and that he believes the district has made great progress in areas such as reading. “I don’t…


Winter Sports Q&A – Riverside Part 2

Winter sports are back in action at Riverside High School. The most popular right now are Basketball and Swimming. We had a chance to catch up with some of the athletes from each of these teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the season ahead and their plans for the future. [VIEW PART 1] This is part four of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Ayden Garcia School? Riverside Sport? Basketball Grade? 12 How many years have you have played? 8 What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season? Working…


Winter Sports Q&A – Riverside Part 1

Winter sports are back in action at Riverside High School. The most popular right now are Basketball and Swimming. We had a chance to catch up with some of the athletes from each of these teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part three of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Riverside Part 2 winter sports Q&A segment is coming Monday. View Ellwood City Part 1 and Ellwood City Part 2 in our series Caelyn Ludwig School? Riverside Sport? Swimming Grade? 12…


Winter Sports Q&A – Ellwood City Part 2

Winter sports have arrived in Ellwood City. Basketball, Swimming, Hockey and Wrestling are among the popular sports for students at Lincoln High School. We caught up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries, to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part two of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Riverside Part 1 winter sports Q&A segment is coming tomorrow. [View Ellwood City Part 1] Gabe Lilly School? Lincoln High School/ Ellwood City Sport? Wrestling Grade? 12th…


Winter Sports Q&A – Ellwood City Part 1

Winter sports have arrived in Ellwood City. Hockey and Wrestling are among the popular sports for students at Lincoln High School. We caught up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries, to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part one of a four part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Ellwood City Part 2 winter sports Q&A segment is coming tomorrow. Connor Michaels School? Lincoln High School/ Ellwood City Sport? Hockey Grade? 9 How many years have you have…