Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

September 6, 2022

Ellwood City Fall Sports Q&A

This is part one of a two part series featuring area athletes in fall 2022 sports. The start of fall sports is upon us, so we took the opportunity catch up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries and to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. [VIEW PART 2 – RIVERSIDE Q&A] Ellwood City Athletes Golf Maddy McCommons Grade? Senior How many years have you been played golf?  6 years What do you feel is your biggest strength in golf? I feel that my drives…

August 31, 2022

Morgan Gruber Performing at Farewell Event

Morgan Gruber is moving to Nashville! But not before starring in one last show on Saturday, September 3, at Koehler Brewery, 130 Wampum Ave, Ellwood City—her Farewell Event. Gruber, Fombell, was an American Idol season 20 contestant. The American Idol contestant was 13 when she started taking vocal technique lessons from local instructor Mary Ann Mangini. Before taking the American Idol audience by storm, she was singing locally at events such as It’s All About The Warrior functions at Shakespeare’s Restaurant in North Sewickley Township and also with the New Castle Playhouse Mini-Stars. “I just want to thank everybody for supporting me…

August 16, 2022

Council Promotes Ellwood City Police Officer to Sergeant

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to promote Ellwood City Police Officer Rob Magnifico to sergeant. Council had a choice to make in promoting one officer or two. Magnifico along with fellow Officer Matt Kennedy were the choices to fill the position. Councilman Caleb Cragle and Councilwoman Jan Williams voted to promote two officers but were met with opposition from the rest of council. Councilmen James Barry, Brad Ovial, and George Celli and Councilwomen Judith Dici and Michelle Lamenza voted to appoint one officer—Magnifico—to fill the role. Before the vote, Councilman Cragle asked Mayor Anthony Court, who heads the…

August 12, 2022

ECASD Board of Directors Announce Back To School Event, Recognize Police Department

“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story,” According to Josh Shipp, award-winning speaker and bestselling author. The Ellwood City Area School District and its Board of Directors announced during Thursday evening’s board meeting that they will welcome Shipp and his words of wisdom during a Back to School Event on August 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the Lincoln High School Cafeteria. There will be a free pasta dinner and Shipp will talk about “The importance of one caring adult in a child’s life.” Free childcare will be provided during the event. The event is an…

July 19, 2022

Carpenter’s Project Completes 50 Projects On 34 Homes

Two words: “I’m free.” Two words said years ago by a man in need of help and two words heard by a group of volunteers who helped make that freedom happen. It was a moment that Steve Miller will never forget. Those words were spoken and heard after the Carpenter’s Project volunteers converted two steps into a ramp for a man who was homebound. Miller has been the director of the Carpenter’s Project for 11 years now, and during that time there have been plenty of other moments and words and gestures and celebrations that have kept him and the…

July 19, 2022

Borough to Seek Residents for Comprehensive Plan Committee

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to accept letters of interest from Borough residents willing to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Committee. The Comprehensive Plan Committee shall consist of three Council members, Borough Manager David Allen, and five Borough residents. Community planning, according to the American Planning Association, is “a process that seeks to engage all members of the community to create a more prosperous, convenient, equitable, healthy, and attractive place for present and future generations.” One of the fundamental responsibilities of local government is to plan for future growth and development of the community. The guidance document that results from…

July 8, 2022

HHSDR Provides Helling Stadium Update, Presents Proposal for Perry Lower Renovations

Representatives from HHSDR Architects/Engineers announced during Thursday night’s Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meeting that construction is on track at Helling Stadium for the proposed September 28 completion date. They said that all the “in the mud” type work is finished. They expect the turf work to begin after Aug 8, which is the expected arrival date of the materials. In addition, they mapped out a plan for a complete renovation of Perry Lower Intermediate. HHSDR said the project will have an overall cost of $9.6 million. Included in the project will be all new electrical, HVAC,…

July 1, 2022

Festival Entertainment: Part 3: Dorals to Take the Stage July 4

You know them. You’ve heard them. They are festival favorites. They are the Dorals. With Jim Lombardo on lead vocals and saxophone; Dave Audia on lead vocals and guitar, Jack Marshall on lead vocals and keyboard; Tee Sands on bass and background vocals, Steve Domeck on drums and background vocals; Rob Verone on lead guitar and vocals and sound engineer Patrick Benincase, the crowd will be rocked and rolled and will want to sing along on Monday, July 4 during the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food, and Entertainment Festival. The Dorals are celebrating 34 years of playing music this year,…

July 1, 2022

Mascot to be Named at Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food, and Entertainment Festival

The Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food, and Entertainment Festival will kick off it’s 40th Anniversary with something new: A mascot! The patriotic eagle is a great addition to the Fourth of July Festival tradition. And the committee held a contest to name the mascot. There were five finalists, and the winner and name of the mascot will be announced on July 2 at 4:30 p.m. Finalists include: -Issac L (After Issac L Ellwood, Creator of Barbed Wire, and whom our town is named after) submitted by Donna Ann Hope -Ellwood The Eagle submitted by Kevin Swogger -Long Crested Woodrow (But…

June 30, 2022

Festival Entertainment: Part 2: Elmoz Fire to play Dance Favorites

A little bit Whitney a little bit Bruno Mars mixed with some Play that Funky Music and Brick House. It’s a recipe of Funk, R&B, and Dance music. It’s Elmoz Fire. The Pittsburgh-based band will play the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food, and Entertainment Festival on Sunday, July 3rd from 8:15 to 9:45. The bands guitarist Dennis Trivilino lives in Ellwood, and he said the band is looking forward to playing the festival “We will get to play for all ages,” Trivilino said. “The dance music effects everyone whether 16 or 60. Everyone will dance to Brick House.” He said…