Articles by Tracey Ferguson

David Allen Attends Last Meeting As Ellwood City Borough Manager; Council Welcomes Kevin Swogger

David Allen attended his last Ellwood City Borough Council Meeting as Borough Manager Monday night. During his four years serving the community, he fought for the sale of the Ellwood City Medical Center following years of controversy following its closing. He also had to manage the city during the pandemic. Council members expressed thanks to Allen and wished him well in his next chapter. Allen hinted that he will still be “around” in a consulting capacity and still involved in community projects. The borough welcomed Kevin Swogger who will replace Allen in the New Year. Swogger, a Lincoln High School…


Ellwood City Sheetz Store to Host Grand Opening

Sheetz will host a Grand Opening Event at the new Ellwood City location on Thursday, Dec, 22 from 9-11 a.m. The company will celebrate the opening of Store #763. In July, Sheetz Public Relations Manager, Nicholas Ruffner, told Ellwoodcity.org that the construction of the store at the intersection of Fountain Avenue and Fifth Street was on track with a tentative opening time frame of late December 2022. And he was accurate with his tentative time frame. They were building up excitement for the event on their Facebook page in an official event, “We will cut the ribbon for our newest…


Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors Names New President, Vice President

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held it’s combined voting and reorganization meeting Thursday night. During the reorganization meeting, Kathy McCommons was named board president, with support from Directors Norman Boots, Renee Pitrelli, Jennifer Tomon, and Kathy Tillia. Jean Biehls was also nominated with support of Directors Erica Gray, Claire Fauzey, and Gary Rozanski. Biehls had served as board president previously. McCommons said she is excited to take on the role as board president and thanked Biehls for her service. She said a main goal of hers will be transparent, clear communication. “I will make sure everyone…


Local Girls Hosting ‘Hugs for Pap’ Holiday Blanket Drive for Club Hope

Two Ellwood City girls know two things for sure this holiday season … they miss their “pap” and want to help those with cancer. Maura (9), and Ella (5) Fauzey are teaming up with Club Hope Foundation for a “Hugs for Pap” Blanket drive in honor of their Grandfather, Tony Celli, who died in April of pancreatic cancer. Claire Fauzey, the girls’ mother, said they came up with idea. She said they have been struggling with the grief of the loss of their beloved “pap” and this is a way for them to honor him and help other warriors struggling…


Local Residents Hosting Vendor and Craft Show to Benefit Club Hope

After feeling an amazing amount of love and support during her Lymphoma diagnosis in March, Betty Phillippi wanted to give back. So she along with her granddaughter Jessica Schiavoni are hosting a craft and vendor show to help Club Hope. “Club Hope was so good to me this past year,” Phillippi said. “They were just really great and supportive.” The Christmas Hope Vendor & Craft Show will be held on December 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wayne Township Firehall, 5153 Ellwood Road, Ellwood City. There will be pepperoni rolls, cookies, water, and coffee for sale. In…


Ellwood City Borough Council Enacts Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program, hires Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to adopt an ordinance, creating an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program and to advertise an ordinance creating a 1 mill tax for those services. The move comes following a voter referendum on November 8 during the election in which a majority of voters were in favor of the program. During the October Council meeting, The Ellwood City Community Health Foundation presented the Ellwood City Fire Department a check for $175,000. Council voted at that October meeting to advertise an ordinance creating the ALS program, as well as an agreement that the program will be partially funded…


New Business: Bucci Advanced Plumbing Offering Hometown Service

Jimmie Bucci is truly a hometown kinda guy. That’s why he chose to open his own plumbing business and serve the neighbors and friends in his community. “I am looking forward the most to working in the town I grew up in and love,” Bucci said. “My father was a policeman in Ellwood City for 20 years and I know so many people thanks to him. I would be my happiest to only be working in my hometown.” Bucci Advanced Plumbing provides any plumbing repair in commercial or residential settings. From water heaters, boilers, tankless water heaters, sewer snaking, camera…


PART THREE: Godspell the Musical Cast Q&A

Note: This Q&A is part three of a three part series featuring Lincoln High School’s production of Godspell the musical. Part One featured a review of the musical and Part Two featured Q&As with the cast members. Lincoln High School’s performances of Godspell will be held on Friday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 12th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 13th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $12.00. All seats are reserved and can be purchased online by visiting www.showtix4u.com/events/Godspell. Tickets can also be purchased at the door beginning one hour prior to each performance. We caught up with the cast…


PART TWO: Godspell the Musical Cast Q&A

Note: This Q&A is part two of a three part series featuring Lincoln High School’s production of Godspell the musical. Part One featured a review of the musical and part three will feature more Q&As with the cast members. Lincoln High School’s performances of Godspell will be held on Friday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 12th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 13th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $12.00. All seats are reserved and can be purchased online by visiting www.showtix4u.com/events/Godspell. Tickets can also be purchased at the door beginning one hour prior to each performance. We caught up with…


PART ONE: Lincoln High School’s Production of Godspell is a Godsend

Note: This review is part one of a three part series featuring Lincoln High School’s production of Godspell the musical. Parts two and three will feature Q&As with the cast members. The Ellwood City Area School District will present the musical Godspell this weekend. Anyone who questions the investment into arts and music in the schools really needs to take a seat in the audience and watch every single cast member come alive with creativity. There aren’t really any over the top crazy costumes in this one, but the colorful fashions, iconic props, and magical music make this production a…