Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

May 17, 2022

EC Borough Hires Summer Employees

Ellwood City Borough Council hired a list of summer employees during the Monday Regular Meeting. Council approved: A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 4/18/22, as submitted. A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 5/11/22, in the amount of $455,081 and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 5/11/22, in the amount of $209,623.29. A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted. A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, regulating disorderly houses. A disorderly house is defined as any place within the borough where persons gather or abide, and where the…

May 13, 2022

ECASD Board of Directors Approves Proposed Final Budget; Allowance for Stadium Project Change Orders

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors moved to approve the 2022-23 Proposed Final General Fund Budget with revenues in the amount of $29,809,784 and expenditures in the amount of $32,540,197 with an allocation from fund balance in the amount of $2,730,413. In addition the board voted to allow the Administration to accept change orders at Helling Stadium for concrete repair around the visitors concession stand, asphalt repair in front of the home bleachers, and endzone design not to exceed the anticipated credit for asphalt and conduit work. Dr. Wesley Shipley, school superintendent, announced that while working on…

May 11, 2022

Avoid Scams: New Wave of Email, Text Fraud

There is another round of scams circling the residents of Ellwood City and surrounding areas, according to Mayor Anthony Court. Court said the latest scam is an email that tells the recipient that money has been withdrawn from their bank account. Court said the email prompts the recipient to provide personal information that leaves that person susceptible to identity theft and financial loss. He said the best thing residents can do is delete any emails or texts that seem to be “phishing” for personal or financial information. In addition he said one resident was nearly victimized by scammers after they…

May 6, 2022

ECASD Board of Directors Puts Hold on Stadium Lights

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors decided during its Thursday Agenda Meeting to put the purchase of new lighting for Helling Stadium on hold. Dr. Wesley Shipley, school superintendent, said that the project was quoted by Musco lighting at a cost of at minimum $275,000. He said the “Cadillac” lighting system would cost the district at least $344,000. The lighting was not included in the original $2,562,405 budget for the stadium project. All directors agreed that the lighting is a cost that cannot be taken on by the district at this time. The board also has yet…

April 27, 2022

New Nail Salon Opens on Lawrence Avenue

Cortni Prine’s dream came true when she opened her nail salon in March. The Ellwood City Native has been doing nails for four years, and decided she was ready to become an entrepreneur. Nail’d It, LLC is located at 528 Lawrence Avenue. Clients can get manicures, pedicures, and also have parties at the salon. “I am excited to start this journey as a business owner right here in Ellwood City,” she said. “I would like to thank everyone who has supported and continues to support me.” Prine attended Lincoln High School and studied at the Beaver Falls Beauty Academy. When…

April 19, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Awards Commendations, Hires Police Officers

The Ellwood City Borough Council awarded two commendations during its regular meeting Monday night. The first commendation was given by Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court and Ellwood City Police Sgt. Michael McBride to Darrell Hunt, a street department employee, who was integral in helping the police department solve a recent criminal case. He witnessed the criminal activity and reported it to police. Court said Hunt’s swift actions led to an arrest of the suspects involved. Ellwood City Police officer Joshua Sipe was also recognized for going above and beyond in his duties. On March 29, Sipe saw borough resident Anthony…

April 11, 2022

North Side Primary School Gets “Chill Room” for Social Emotional Regulation

Ellwood City Area School District’s North Side Primary School now has a place where students can “chill.” More than a hangout, the Chill Room has a specific purpose for promoting positive social emotional awareness. Debbie Wiech, the district’s k-2 school counselor and k-12 community liaison, said the room is meant to help students regulate emotions. The room is part of the district’s cognitive behavioral plan and goes along with the district’s positive action curriculum. “We are teaching kids how to regulate emotions,” Wiech said. “To be able to get out of their heads and work through what they are feeling.”…

April 8, 2022

ECASD Board of Directors Approves Helling Stadium Project

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors awarded the Helling Stadium project to Fred L. Burns, Inc., Shippenville, Pa, at an overall cost of $2,562,405. The major portion of that project will be the installation of Astro Turf at a cost of $2,420,000, which includes removal of dirt, addition of drainage, and labor. In addition to the Astro Turf, the track will be resurfaced with a long-lasting synthetic material at a cost of $64,150 and $7,380 for the school colors to be added. Electrical work, including wiring to the poles, work on the timeclock and other electrical work…

April 7, 2022

2022 Spring Sports Q&A – Riverside

This is part two of a two part series featuring area seniors in spring sports. The start of spring 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 1 – Ellwood City Spring Sports Q&A Riverside Track Jenna Hayson Grade: 12 Events: 4x800m relay, 400, 800, 4x400m relay How many years have you been in Track? 4 What do you feel is your…

April 6, 2022

2022 Spring Sports Q&A – Ellwood City

This is part one of a two part series featuring area seniors in spring sports. The start of spring 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 Spring Sports Q&A EC Baseball Ashton Wilson Grade? 12 How many years have you been in Baseball?  I’ve been playing baseball for 10 years What do you feel is your biggest strength in Baseball? My…