Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

March 16, 2023

ECASD Student Madylin McCommons Named Candidate in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Madylin McCommons, a graduating senior at Lincoln Jr/Sr High School, has been named one of more than 5,000 candidates in the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2023. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order…

March 15, 2023

Riverside Beaver County School District to Present Musical Damn Yankees

The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, DAMN YANKEES on  MARCH 30 through APRIL 2 in the high school auditorium.   A cast and crew of over 75 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers.  This is the 60th Anniversary of Theater at Riverside, so we hope you can join us for this landmark show. Damn Yankees the Broadway mega-hit and winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, hits it out of the park! The winning score by Adler and Ross and a devilish book by George Abbot have made…

March 14, 2023

Mayor, Council Recognize Police Involved in Active Shooter Event

During Monday’s Borough Council Meeting, Mayor Anthony Court and Ellwood City Police Sergeant Michael McBride recognized numerous officers for their quick response during an active shooter event that occurred in Ellwood City on January 30. Ellwood City Police Officers Joshua Sipe, Matthew Morabito, William Duaphen, and Matthew Kennedy; Pennsylvania Police Troopers Wier, Burkhart, and Stambul; Shenango Township Police Officers Corporal David Lough and Patrolman Daniel Tressler; Franklin Township Police Officer Matthew Straub; North Sewickley Township Police Officer Brian Watkins; and Lawrence County District Attorney’s SIU Detective Mangino were each given a commendation during the meeting. The incident occurred on the…

March 10, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors Hire New Business Manager

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors met on Thursday March 9 and took the following actions: Motion to approve minutes from February 6, 2023 Committee meeting and February 9, 2023 Regular meeting. Motion to Approve General Fund Treasurer’s Report: WesBanco Checking $2,045,205.56 PLGIT GF Prime/Term $4,541,659.75 Tax Accounts $ 518,773.47 PSDLAF $ 1,478.03 PA Invest $ 410.82 Total Cash & Investments $7,107,527.63 Motion to approve the General Fund Accounts Payable Report, Cafeteria Report and Construction Report. Motion to approve Midwestern IU IV Adoption of Approved LEA Policies, Procedures, and Use of Funds from Midwestern IU IV implemented…

February 21, 2023

Ellwood City Borough Facade Improvement Program Accepting Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Ellwood City Borough Facade Improvement Program. During the February 20 meeting of Borough Council, Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said, “The façade improvement project is up and running.” Packets have been mailed to businesses with details, and owners are encouraged to visit the Borough’s website, https://www.ellwoodcityborough.com, which provides an external link at the top of the page to fill out an application. In January, the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners approved $1,124,305.00 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for seven impactful projects across Lawrence County include Ellwood City’s program. Ellwood City received $25,000 for…

February 14, 2023

Local Theatre Enthusiast Planning Improv Group, Hosting Meet and Greet

Calling all local comedy improv actors … Eric McAnallen is working to bring comedy improv to Ellwood City through his community-based troupe Driftwood Dramatics. The group is looking for actors in Lawrence and Beaver County and surrounding areas that would be interested in helping start an ongoing show to be rehearsed and performed in Ellwood City. No experience is required to participate, but actors must be at least 18 years old. An organizational meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 PM at Fitzgibbon Meadery (536 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City). “It will be a meet and greet,” McAnallen…

February 10, 2023

Ellwood Ice Serving Up Sensitivity Safe Treats

Apple, Banana, Birthday Cake, Blue Cotton Candy, Oh, my! Blue Raspberry, Bubble Gum, Caramel, Guava, Gotta have a treat from Ellwood City Ice! All of those flavors and more are the new wave of yum for EVERYONE available at 504 Lawrence Avenue. If your mouth is watering, you are in luck because they are now open from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays until the warmer months when they plan to expand hours. Ellwood Ice opened its doors for the first time on January 28 to a big community-driven crowd who had been waiting since Fall. The shop truly features…

February 10, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors Accepts Resignation of Principal

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to accept the resignation of Jr. High Principal Kirk Lape during the February 9 voting meeting. Lape, who served as principal for Lincoln High School’s seventh, eighth and ninth graders, was hired by the Laurel School District’s Board of Directors by recommendation of Superintendent, Leonard Rich for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year at a salary of $113,000 (prorated) during their voting meeting February 8. Start date was listed “effective upon his release from Ellwood City School District.” He will replace Laurel’s current Jr and Sr High School Principal Mark…

January 19, 2023

Local Boxer to be Featured in Fight on Showtime

Ellwood City’s prized fighter Rosalindo Morales has come a long way from stepping in the ring for the first time when he was 13 years old. This Friday he will be featured in a fight on Showtime’s Shobox: The New Generation live at 9:00 p.m. Morales will be part of three bouts that will take place at the Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, Pa. In the 8-round Super Featherweight bout, Morales will face Julian Gonzalez, an undefeated fighter from Reading, Pa. He said that Gonzalez is younger but hasn’t heard much more about him other than “he’s good.” “We are…

January 2, 2023

New Ellwood City Borough Manager Believes in Building the Community

For the newly hired Ellwood City Borough Manager Kevin Swogger, community development and management have been a long-time staple in his career. The 1985 Ellwood City graduate is rounding out his wide range of experience with a hometown position that will allow him to invest in the future of his community. Swogger, who lives in the Ewing Park neighborhood, has the background necessary to keep the borough moving forward. He was in the Airforce for 23 years, traveled all over the world, and enjoyed a prestigious 10-year special duty assignment interior for Air Force One. “I worked under three presidents…