Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

November 3, 2021

M@C Discount, Local Online Auction, Offers Deeply Discounted Merchandise

Going once, going twice, SOLD! M@C Discount is an online bidding platform where users from the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas can place bids and the highest bidder wins. The newest location at 6800 Big Beaver Boulevard, Rt 18, Beaver Falls opened in July and has been helping bidders find deals since the doors opened. The concept is pretty simple. Big box retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Kohl’s, Lowes, and others receive tons of returns and overstock other items. There has to be a place for these items to go. Look no further than M@C Discount. At M@C Discount, everyday consumers can…

October 26, 2021

Don’t Throw Summer Plants Away: Donate Them

Charlene Hall is on a mission to save the “summer” plants. Hall, 34, a local mom of two, wants to take any plants you no longer want off of your hands. She said many residents believe that once the summer is over, the plants used to beatify outdoor landscapes need to be thrown away. Hall said that is rarely the case. “People go out in spring and buy big pots of arrangements and don’t really know about each individual plant that is in there,” she said. Those pots full of plants just might contain a couple that can be repotted…

October 19, 2021

Local Hope Warrior Named ‘Woman of Courage’

Some define a woman of courage as a mother, others someone who helps their community, others a leader or teacher, others a survivor. Cara Atkinson is all of the above. The lifelong Ellwood City resident was recently named the recipient of the Pink Pamper’s Woman of Courage award. “Woman of Courage” is an award bestowed upon a cancer survivor who has made a huge contribution to the Western Pennsylvania Cancer Community. Atkinson said before even attending the event where she received the award, she felt like she had already won. I found out I was nominated by a lady who…

October 18, 2021

Council to Consider Street Vacations

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to advertise an ordinance vacating Locust Way from Fountain Avenue to Glen Avenue and Fountain Avenue from 5th Street to Locust Way. There has been speculation for months that Sheetz has its eye on that location in Ellwood City. Borough officials said they cannot and will not speak on behalf of Sheetz, Inc. or whether Sheetz is planning a location in the borough, but Borough Manager David Allen said the company has been researching that area. A public hearing regarding the street vacations will be held on November 8 at 5:45 p.m. According…

October 18, 2021

Two-Day Live Music Festival, Halloween Fun to Take Over Ellport

Live local music, a Halloween theme, events for kids, and some spooky fun for adults … you don’t want to miss the Ellwood City Band Bash. Local Resident Eric Rayner is back at it again raising money for the annual summer fireworks show while providing entertainment for the community. On October 22-23 ten musical acts will entertain the crowd at Robert E Rodgers Memorial Park in Ellport. “This is our best lineup yet,” Rayner said. EVENT LINE-UP: Friday October 22 (Gates Open at 4 p.m.) 4-4:45- Zakk Bissell 5-6 Eric Oliver 6:30-7:30 The Zoo 8-10 The Middle Room Saturday October…

October 15, 2021

ECASD Names New Solicitor

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted Thursday evening to name Tucker Arensberg as the new law firm to represent the district. The name of the associate that will serve at the meetings was not announced, but the decision comes following the resignation of the district’s current solicitor, Jennifer Dambeck, of the Beard Legal Group. Dambeck resignation is effective Dec. 2. She said the decision is not a personal one, and that Beard Legal Group plans to represent school districts that are closer to its office in Altoona. Dambeck was appointed solicitor in August of 2020, following…

September 20, 2021

Meals on Wheels Seeking Cook, Volunteers, Clients

Meals on Wheels, the beloved program that offers nutritional meals to those in need is looking for a cook. The position will be a Monday-Friday job from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The person will order and receive foods, prepare the foods, and organize the volunteers. Applicants are required to have a Safe Serve Certification, which program organizer Gina McKenna said is easy to obtain. “Meals on Wheels is a wonderful environment to work in and to meet new friends and new people,” McKenna said. Interested applicants can apply here: Job Application; Email: EllwoodMOW@gmail.com; or call McKenna at 724-730-9316. The…

September 15, 2021

Council Appoints Brad Ovial to Open Seat

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday evening to appoint Brad Ovial to fill the vacant seat of former councilwoman Lisa Guerrera. Ovial and another primary candidate Jan Williams both submitted letters of interest in filling the vacant seat. Council members George Celli, Caleb Cragle, Jim Barry, and Michelle Lamenza all voted in favor of Ovial—Councilman Rob Brough and Councilwoman Judith Dici were absent from the meeting. The seat was left vacant last month when Guerrera announced her resignation. Her term was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Guerrera recently moved out of the borough, leaving her legally unable to…

September 14, 2021

Local Fitness Instructor Hosting Kickboxing Classes

Jacquie Zona is on a mission to share her love of fitness with the community. Whether it’s through kickboxing, Barre, Pilates, or other group fitness classes, Jacquie’s goal is to provide workouts for everyone—the moms, the dads, the kids, those who have been working out their entire lives, and those who are new and maybe a little intimidated. “I love the way exercise makes me feel and I want to inspire others to love it as well” she said. “I believe that there is a form of exercise for each person. Once you help them find what they love, it…

September 13, 2021

Smoothies, Juices, Sandwiches Served Up in New Downtown Store

Hoot, Hoot, Hoot … there’s a new owl in town. Elder Owl that is—the latest foodie’s dream to hit downtown Ellwood City. The store offers smoothies, Popping Boba Juice/Lemonade, Frappes, Acai Bowls, Granola Bowls (made with in house granola), Cinnamon Roasted Almonds/Pecans, Cotton Candy, Snacks, and scrumptious Paninis (fancy grilled cheese). “Aside from our all natural smoothies, we have Popping Boba which I believe nobody else in Ellwood has,“ said Owner Chakayla Hyland. “And there is much more coming soon. Expect to see soups on our fall menu!” Hyland said her business model and tasty offerings were a no brainer…