Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

January 13, 2022

ECASD Hires Head Football Coach; Approves COVID Health and Safety Plan

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors hired Daniel Bradley to serve as head coach of varsity football. Bradley received unanimous support from the board. He will be paid $7,000. “The students are elated,” said Brian Partridge, football boosters president, who was in attendance at the meeting. Bradley has a decade of experience serving as head coach. During that time, he has a 80-33 record. He has appeared in four WPIAL title games, with a winning title in 2018. His career includes: 2012-2013: Sto-Rocks, 23-3, 2 WPIAL title games (2012, 2013) 2014-2015: Ambridge, 8-11, 1 playoff appearance (2015)…

January 3, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Reorganizes, Sets 2022 Meeting Dates

Ellwood City Borough Council held its reorganizational meeting Monday night. Newly elected Mayor Anthony Court was administered his oath of office by Jerry Cartwright, magisterial district judge. Court then administered the oath of office to the newly elected council members: Jim Barry, Michele Lamenza, Brad Ovial, and Jan Williams. Ovial joined council after Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera resigned in August. Her term was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Guerrera had moved out of the borough, leaving her legally unable to fulfill the rest of her term. Ovial and Williams both submitted letters of interest in filling the vacant seat…

December 27, 2021

Ellwood City Fire Chief Completes Top Tier Training

“When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age.” From a Firefighter’s Prayer Rick Meyers knows a little bit about raging flames and saving lives. One of those lives stands out in his mind. It was a patient that his department performed CPR on, and her heart had to be defibrillated to resume beats. Every year after on the date her life was saved, the woman stopped to eat lunch with the firefighters. One of those years, she exclaimed that if she didn’t survive, the firefighters…

December 22, 2021

Ellwood City Police Department to Get K9

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to purchase a police K9. Officials moved to approve a quote from Shallow Creek Kennels for $15,000. In addition to the dog, the price includes a six-week handler course, manuals, and handouts. The new K9 will be paid from the K9 fund. This is a victory for the police department and Mayor Anthony Court, who have been pushing council for the move. The decision to implement the K9 was unanimous. Court has said in past meetings that the K9 is a vital tool in fighting area crime, especially drug related. In other council…

December 20, 2021

Sheetz Gets Ellwood City Council Approval for Development Plans

As far as the Ellwood City Borough Council is concerned, Sheetz is welcome to bring a business to Ellwood City. Council passed three motions Monday evening to help pave the way for development: A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to have a Sheetz convenience story with self-serve sale of motor fuels at 5th Street/Glen Avenue which is a Conditional Use in a c-3; GN Zoning District. A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to build a 6,070 square foot Sheetz Convenient Story with five multi-pump dispensers with a canopy on Fifth Street between Fountain Ave…

December 20, 2021

Council Takes Step to Recoup Funds Owed by Former Medical Center

Ellwood City Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution to collect $450,000 in delinquent utility bills and taxes owed by the former Ellwood City Medical Center. Pelorus Equity Group Inc. is the current owner of that debt. “This is a good step forward toward resolution with this property,” said Borough Manager David Allen. Allen explained that this is simply the first step in the process to regain the delinquent funds. The next step, he said is Federal Court. This step by the borough follows an October 29, 2021 Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors vote to accept a delinquent…

December 17, 2021

Council to Consider Sheetz Store, Liquor License for El Canelo

Ellwood City Borough Council will consider approving a request by Sheetz, Inc. to have a Sheetz convenience store with self-serve sale of motor fuels at 5th Street/Glen Avenue during its regular meeting on Monday, December 20, at 6 p.m. Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the vacation of Locust Way from Fountain Avenue to Glen Avenue and Fountain Avenue from 5th Street to Locust Way on November 15. The only “No” vote at that time came from Councilman Jim Barry. Councilwoman Judith Dici was absent from the November meeting. During a public hearing of the Ellwood City Borough Council…

December 10, 2021

Biehls, Rozanski to Lead ECASD Board; Pitrelli Appointed to Vacant Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held its reorganization and regular voting meeting Thursday night. Current Board President Jean Biehls was again named president in a unanimous vote as was Board Vice President Gary Rozanski. They will lead the board in 2022. Kathy McCommons and Norman Boots were relected and will continue their efforts along with Claire Fauzy and newcomer Kathy Tillia. The four directors were sworn in by Biehls. The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors appointed Claire Fauzy during the August 5, 2021 committee/voting meeting to fill the position left vacant after the…

December 9, 2021

ECASD Announces Plans for Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs)

Ellwood City Area School District recently released a letter to families announcing Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs). FIDs allow the district to conduct remote learning when the weather prohibits safe travel to in person learning at the school facilities. According to Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley, the district has been approved to use up to five FIDS during inclement weather conditions. When weather prohibits the safe transportation of students, the District may announce that school is “CLOSED-Flexible Instruction Day.” “This means that schools will operate remotely as we learned to do during the pandemic closures,” Shipley said. “When an FID is called,…

December 8, 2021

ECASD to Move to Remote Learning for Three Days

Ellwood City Area School will temporarily move to remote learning for the three days leading up to the Christmas Break. The days include Dec. 20, 21, and 22. Teachers and Instructional aides will work remotely with students for a full day on Monday and Tuesday and a half-day on Wednesday. “This is an effort to reduce exposure to COVID prior to the holidays,” said Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley. He said although the case number is low, the decision was based on many factors including: The district currently has over 70 students out on quarantine due to community contacts—this would provide…