Articles by Tracey Ferguson

Business

West End Auto Wash Now Open On Lawrence Avenue

Trust, hard work, and a reputation built over decades. That’s exactly the foundation that Brayden Morgan a young local business owner is building on after purchasing a second car wash to expand his family’s long-standing operation. For years, the family-owned car wash Ellwood Auto Wash at 201 1st St has been a fixture in town: the place where muddy trucks, pollen-coated sedans, and salt-streaked SUVs get a fresh start. Now, with the acquisition of the former The Car Wash of Ellwood City across town, the next generation is steering the business into a new era—without losing sight of its roots….


Ellwood City Borough Council Still Seeking Borough Manager Candidates

Ellwood City Borough Council announced the end of the Emergency Declaration enacted on January 26, 2026, by the Mayor of Ellwood City, Anthony Court, during Monday’s regular council meeting. Brad Ovial, president of council, spoke on behalf of Court stating that the emergency declaration has officially ended. Ovial also praised various public works and public safety officials who worked endlessly providing services to the public. He thanked the public works departments who kept the streets cleared as well as the police and firefighters who were all dedicated to providing service to those who needed it during the storm. The Ellwood…


ECASD Board of Directors Table Hiring of Head Football Coach for Special Meeting

Although the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors, according to the agenda posted on the district’s website, was set to vote to hire a new head football coach during Monday’s meeting, a coach was ultimately not hired. The 7 p.m. public meeting was delayed 50 minutes as the board held an executive session for interviews. When the agenda item was up for a vote, the board tabled the vote for a special meeting to be held on Friday, February 20, at 6 p.m. The board did hire Lilliana Scrima to fill a cafeteria worker position and also approved…


Ellwood City Borough Council to Advertise for New Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council voted during Tuesday evening’s regular meeting to advertise for employment of a new borough manager. The move comes after Council voted 4-3 on January 5, during a reorganizational meeting, to not renew the contract for Kevin Swogger. Councilwoman Jan Williams was joined by Councilmen Caleb Cragle, Brad Ovial, and Joseph Mancini in voting to not renew. Swogger joined the borough as manager in 2023. (Council voted to hire him in November of 2022). Ovial, president of council, said. “The majority of council decided to go in a different direction.” He said they are working to put…


Winter Sports Q&A – Part 3

Winter sports have arrived in the Ellwood City area. Basketball, Swimming, and Hockey are among the popular sports for students this year. 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 three of a three part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Yesterday we published Winter Sports Q&A – Part 2 and on Wednesday, we published Winter Sports Q&A – Part 1 Craig Patterson School you attend? Lincoln High School…


Winter Sports Q&A – Part 2

Winter sports have arrived in the Ellwood City area. Basketball, Swimming, and Hockey are among the popular sports for students this year. 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 two of a three part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Winter Sports Q&A – Part 1 segment posted on Wednesday. McCartney Plassmeyer School you attend? Riverside Sport? Basketball Grade? Senior How many years have you have participated? 8-ish…


Winter Sports Q&A – Part 1

Winter sports have arrived in the Ellwood City area. Basketball, Swimming, and Hockey are among the popular sports for students this year. 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 three part series featuring area athletes in winter sports. Our Winter Sports Q&A – Part 2 segment is coming tomorrow. Emma Stockman School you attend? Riverside High School Sport? Basketball Grade? 11th How many years have you have…


EC Borough Council Passes Budget; Recognizes Young Hero

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to adopt an ordinance to establish the real property tax rate at 11.75 mills for the year 2026 and also voted to pass a resolution adopting a 2026 budget. Councilman James Barry and Councilman James Johnson both voted “No” to the real property tax rate and the resolution to adopt the 2026 budget. Councilman George Celli voted “No” to adopt a 2026 budget. Council had to pass both motions in time for the end of year deadline, however, both votes will likely be revisited once the budget is reopened in 2026 when newly elected Councilman…


Business

NEW Business: Meet the Heart Behind Rosies Daycare Center

There’s a good chance you’ve heard the buzz about Rosies Daycare Center—the warm, cheerful new space tucked inside a lovingly repurposed old school building at 603 Bridge Street in Ellwood City. And behind every color-splashed craft wall, every happy preschool circle time, and every laugh from the group of kids, you’ll find one very determined, very passionate hometown woman: Mackenzie Annarumo. Mackenzie, who grew up just down the road in Fombell, now lives two doors down from her childhood home. With her husband of four years (together for ten!) and their preteen son, she’s turned her love of community into…


New Little Free Library Brings Big Community Spirit to Ellport

A new chapter is opening—literally—in Ellport, with the debut of the borough’s very own Little Free Library, a charming, book-filled box ready to spark curiosity, conversation, and community connection. The beautifully painted library, perched at Ellport Playground Park (Sheeler Field area), is hard to miss. Painted blue and white with the iconic Free Little Library tag with the words “Take a Book, Leave a Book” proudly displayed, it looks like something straight out of a storybook itself. To have a Little Free Library in Ellport was an idea that Dawna Poole, Ellport resident, felt strongly should be brought to life….