Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

December 12, 2023

PART 1: Winter Sports Q&A – Ellwood City

Winter sports have arrived in Ellwood City. Basketball, Swimming, 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 two part series featuring area senior student athletes in excel in winter sports. Our Riverside winter sports Q&A segment is coming tomorrow. Maddy Long Sport? Basketball Grade? 12 How many years have you played? 9 years What do…

December 7, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors Reorganizes, Fills Vacant Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors elected a president, vice president, and also appointed a new board member to a vacant seat. Jennifer Tomon was named president in a unanimous vote by the board. The board was split, however, on the vice president seat between Jean Biehls (supporters: Claire Fauzey, Erica Gray, and newly elected Kevin Boariu) and Kathy Galbreth (supporters: Norman Boots, Kathy Tillia, Jennifer Tomon). Following two roll call votes, the board would not sway on their choices. Finally the tie was broken once Robyn Nicklas was appointed to fill the vacant seat left after…

November 22, 2023

Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Police Use of PepperBall Guns; Provides Update on Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project

During Monday night’s voting meeting, Borough Council approved a change order #1 from Pollard Land Services, Inc. in the amount of $98,000 for the purpose of milling and overlaying the full width of Wampum Avenue from Fifth Street to Madison Avenue Ext. and from Madison Ave. Ext. to the entrance of the access road. The approved change order is in conjunction with the Wampum Avenue Pump Project, a sewer upgrade for multiple existing sewer transport lines in the wooded area East of Wampum Ave. and construction of a pump station to collect from these lines to be transported to the Ellwood…

November 22, 2023

Evan’s Monumental Gifts Bringing Holiday Hope to Local Foster Families

That first Christmas without Evan, the Bollinger family bought a bunch of toys and Christmas gifts and took them to his grave where they sat in the snow. “That first year was the hardest. We didn’t know how to handle not having him,” said Kiara Bollinger, mother of Evan and founder of Evan’s Monumental Gifts. Bollinger did not want any family to feel the pit of loneliness that her family felt during the unexpected loss of a child, so Kiara and her husband Eric decided to take their grief and channel it into helping other families. In 2018, the Bollingers…

November 14, 2023

Ellwood City Area Municipal Women Hosting Holiday Craft and Vendor Show

Ready to start your Christmas shopping? Or need to add some sparkle to your holiday décor? Be sure to check out the Ellwood City Area Municipal Women’s Club’s Holiday Craft and Vendor Show this Saturday, November 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wayne Township Firehall, Rt 65, Ellwood City. In addition to shopping be sure to grab made to order pizza (red or white), some nachos, and a drink. Oh, and don’t dare forget dessert as they will be serving up Oram’s donuts. And there will be basket raffles. Always have a good turnout and repeat crafters…

November 10, 2023

NEW Business: Bajgiel Hosting Pop-Up Bagel Event

Have you heard? … Ellwood City is now the home of some off-the-charts homemade bagels and you can have them tomorrow morning! Bajgiel is serving up delicious dough with scrumptious schmears. Wondering why it’s called Bajgiel? Owner Kristen Velez said bagels originated in Poland and they wanted to keep their Polish roots alive, so they chose the polish spelling for the name. She added it’s OK to just say Bagel. Although a brick-and-mortar bagel shop is still in the works, Bajgiel is starting out by hosting some pop up bagel events where you can stop by, learn more about all…

November 9, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors: ‘We Remain Steadfast in Our Support for this Field’

Emotions regarding the proposed girls softball field continued to run high during Thursday night’s regular meeting of the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. Board President Kathy Galbreath made a statement on behalf of the board. “We remain steadfast in our support for this field.” She cited that the board’s unanimous vote to construct a field at the location of the old Ewing Park School is based on facts and information along with a commitment to district goals. The board members aren’t the only ones remaining steadfast to their convictions regarding the field. Area residents also aren’t budging…

November 9, 2023

HHSDR Engineers, Architects Discuss Timeline for Proposed Softball Field, Cost of Concession Stand

HHSDR engineers and architects offered information about the proposed softball field in Ewing Park during Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors committee meeting Monday night as residents continued to express opposition to the location. During a presentation regarding construction updates, Superintendent Wesley Shipley asked HHSDR representatives to discuss the proposed field’s timeline and details regarding the proposed $500,000 concession stand that is part of the project. HHSDR reps said the project would take a year from start to completion. The proposed timeline includes a bidding process which would begin in April of 2024 and continue through June 5…

November 8, 2023

Nov 7 General Election Results

Unofficial results from yesterday’s (Nov 7, 2023) General Election have been posted. Lawrence County According Lawrence County’s website, there were 21,795 ballots cast in Lawrence County. Of those, 5,022 were mail in votes. The total voter turnout was 39.30%. Click here for full unofficial results. Ellwood City Borough Council welcomes back two incumbents and one newcomer (vote total next to candidate): Caleb Cragle (Dem) 954 (with an additional 68 votes in the one Beaver County precinct) George J Celli (Rep) 787 (with an additional 49 votes in the one Beaver County precinct) Jimmy Johnson (Dem) 649 (with an additional 49 votes…

November 8, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors to Consider Construction Proposal for Lincoln High School

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors are set to vote to approve bid advertisements as presented by HHSDR Architects for renovations to Lincoln High School during Thursday Night’s Regular Board meeting. HHSDR representatives attended the ECASD Board of Directors Committee meeting Monday to present a timetable and probable costs of the renovations. The high school was built in 1926, with additions added in 1961. It was renovated in 1982 and again in 1998. The building consists of 213,370 square feet. HHSDR reported that the project would begin in February of 2024 and would take approximately 2.5 years to…