Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

August 18, 2026

Riverside Second Grader Takes the Stage for The First Time in Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit

All it took was a show at Disney for Lyam Hooke to realize that he wanted to be on stage. The Riverside second grader has made his stage debut at the New Castle Playhouse production of Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit. We caught up with Lyam, to learn more about him and to wish him luck for his first time on stage, for a Q&A::: Meet Lyam Hooke Part in Play: I am Doc and he’s a basketball player. Current Grade: I’m going into second grade. Been in musicals/plays since: This is my first time doing a play. Previous leads/musicals you’ve…

Business

August 13, 2026

Homegrown Leadership Brings Keller Williams Steel City to Ellwood City

Real estate is about more than buying and selling homes—it’s about building relationships, investing in communities, and helping people find where they belong. That’s exactly the vision behind the new Keller Williams Steel City office, now open at 237 Route 288, Ellwood City, under the leadership of local Realtors Katelyn Dominelli and Amy Chisholm. The July 2026 opening marks an exciting milestone as the first Keller Williams office in Ellwood City, bringing one of the world’s most recognized real estate brands together with hometown leadership that knows the community inside and out. For Dominelli, opening the office wasn’t simply a…

August 11, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Denies Proposal for Charter Student Recruitment

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted against a proposal from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to assist the district with implementation of charter student recruitment. The proposal included a basic $2,995 package to assist with implementation of charter student recruitment; opposition research for production of marketing documents, phone scripts, and talking points; graphics support for design of digital and physical marketing documents (Documents included brochures, postcards, and website content, with materials not included in cost of agreement); and coordinate and assist district administration with one day of door-to-door visits. Four board directors voted “Yes,” including Jean Biehls, Jennifer…

August 4, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Appoints Joyce Cirelli to Fill Vacant Board Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Joyce Cirelli to fill the vacant seat on the board during Monday night’s agenda meeting. Cirelli’s appointment follows the July 31, 2026, resignation from the board of former Board Director Kevin Boariu. Cirelli was one of four potential replacements that were publicly interviewed during Monday night’s meeting. Joyce Cirelli Cirelli said she has more than 30 years of experience in Education in healthcare and played an integral part in moving schools at Heritage Valley Health System to the Community College of Beaver County. “I created five academies…

July 31, 2026

A Legacy of Helping Hands: Carpenter’s Project Marks 25 Years of Service

For five days in July, hammers rang, paintbrushes swept, and neighbors came together with a shared purpose as the Carpenter’s Project celebrated its 25th consecutive year of transforming homes—and lives—across the Ellwood City area. From July 13-17, the volunteer-driven mission once again provided free exterior home repairs for local homeowners in need, continuing a quarter-century tradition of compassion, service, and community pride. “The whole community teams up to help others,” said Director Steven Miller. “The crews persisted through the heat and smoke from the wildfires. It was a really smooth year.” Typically, planning begins in April with volunteers and homeowner…

July 23, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Reject Suggested Amendment to LCCTC Supplemental Articles of Agreement by Neighboring District

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to reject a request from a neighboring district to make an amendment to the 1966 Supplemental Articles of Agreement of the Lawrence County Career and Technology Center. Director Jean Biehls was the lone “yes” vote. Ultimately the request for amendment, suggested by Sherry Patton, Mohawk School District’s Board President and LCCTC Joint Operating Committee Representative, would force Ellwood City School District to give up a seat on the LCCTC Executive Committee. The current articles give New Castle four representatives, Ellwood City two representatives, and the other six districts have one…

July 22, 2026

Ellwood City Borough Council Hears Community Concerns

Ellwood City Borough Council held its regular meeting on Monday. Borough Resident Peri Malcolm, who has attended council meetings numerous times to report incidents of speeding cars at the intersection of 4th and Crescent Avenues, announced that she has officially resigned her position as crossing guard. According to Malcolm, her resignation of the position was due to what she believed was “disrespect the crossing guards get from the borough and school board.” She used her public comment time to bring up another situation in her neighborhood that she feels could be dangerous. Malcolm said the bend at 9th Street and Border…

July 14, 2026

Riverside Alumni to Hit the New Castle Playhouse Stage in Footloose

For many performers, the stage is where passion, creativity, and confidence come to life. For several alumni of Riverside School District, that passion has led them back into the spotlight as cast members of Footloose, the high-energy musical based on the beloved 1984 film. Filled with unforgettable songs, dynamic choreography, and a story about standing up for what you believe in, Footloose continues to captivate audiences decades after its debut. Set in the small town of Bomont, Footloose follows teenager Ren McCormack as he adjusts to a community where dancing has been outlawed. As Ren challenges long-held traditions and inspires…

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…