Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

February 14, 2022

ECASD Board of Directors Hires Track Coaches

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors hired Alan Marsh and Nathan Brown to serve as co-head varsity track coaches during its February 10 meeting. Historically, the track team had one head coach and four assistant coaches. Because of the hiring of co-head coaches, the team will have only three assistants this year, according to ECASD Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley. Volleyball The board also voted to classify Middle School Volleyball as a sport and an eighth grade coach and seventh grade coach fall under the guise of the Head Volleyball Coach and under the pay matrix with all…

January 28, 2022

Shades of Bronze: New Business Helping Ellwood City to Beat the Winter Blues

Does winter have you missing the sunshine and feeling a little pale? Head over to Shades of Bronze at 605 Lawrence Ave. Joellen Cirelli opened the doors to her tanning salon and boutique on October 10, 2021. She joins a long list of young entrepreneurs who are working to revitalize the town. Joellen was just 22 when she became a businesswoman. “Ellwood City is such a small and great town filled with such good people and I wanted to keep the town booming so decided to start my dream and open a tanning salon,” she said. Cirelli is a hometown…

January 25, 2022

Power Sports Performance Offers Specialized Programs for Physical Activity

Did you know … there’s a sports facility in Ellwood City that caters to clients with special needs? Power Sports Performance, located at 310 1st Street (lower level), is an all-inclusive gym experience that offers yoga classes, adult fitness, no impact workout/resistance band, Sports Specific training, youth recreational classes, homeschool fitness program, sensory rooms, and gross motor gym time. Their specialty, however, is providing specific programs that are tailored to those clients that need a little bit of extra attention. “Seeing our clients with special needs learn to regulate their sensory needs, attention level, as well as improve positive peer…

January 18, 2022

Ellwood City Winter Wine and Brew Fest to be Held in March

The Annual Ellwood City Winter Wine and Brew Fest has been postponed until March. The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 26 at the Sons of Italy at 808 Lawrence Ave. It was  originally scheduled for Jan. 29. The event is an annual favorite and proceeds benefit Ellwood City Revitalization. The cost is $25 per person in advance and $30 per person at the door. The event will be catered, and a cash bar will be available. Purchase tickets at the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce at 806 Lawrence Ave., DeCaria’s on 5th at…

January 18, 2022

Borough Approves Liquor License Transfer to El Canelo IX, LLC; Mayor Names New K9 Officer

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the intermunicipal transfer of restaurant liquor license #R-17325 to El Canelo IX, LLC. El Canelo opened in Ellwood City at 1226 Lawrence Ave in October and has been serving Mexican food in Lawrence County since 2001. The manager of the restaurant, Antonio Porras, said at a January 10 council meeting that the license will be a great addition to help serve delicious beverages at the Ellwood City location. Porras said the transfer follows a decision to temporarily close the West State Street location because a lack of staffing. In other council news: Mayor…

January 13, 2022

ECASD Hires Head Football Coach; Approves COVID Health and Safety Plan

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors hired Daniel Bradley to serve as head coach of varsity football. Bradley received unanimous support from the board. He will be paid $7,000. “The students are elated,” said Brian Partridge, football boosters president, who was in attendance at the meeting. Bradley has a decade of experience serving as head coach. During that time, he has a 80-33 record. He has appeared in four WPIAL title games, with a winning title in 2018. His career includes: 2012-2013: Sto-Rocks, 23-3, 2 WPIAL title games (2012, 2013) 2014-2015: Ambridge, 8-11, 1 playoff appearance (2015)…

January 3, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Reorganizes, Sets 2022 Meeting Dates

Ellwood City Borough Council held its reorganizational meeting Monday night. Newly elected Mayor Anthony Court was administered his oath of office by Jerry Cartwright, magisterial district judge. Court then administered the oath of office to the newly elected council members: Jim Barry, Michele Lamenza, Brad Ovial, and Jan Williams. Ovial joined council after Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera resigned in August. Her term was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Guerrera had moved out of the borough, leaving her legally unable to fulfill the rest of her term. Ovial and Williams both submitted letters of interest in filling the vacant seat…

December 27, 2021

Ellwood City Fire Chief Completes Top Tier Training

“When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age.” From a Firefighter’s Prayer Rick Meyers knows a little bit about raging flames and saving lives. One of those lives stands out in his mind. It was a patient that his department performed CPR on, and her heart had to be defibrillated to resume beats. Every year after on the date her life was saved, the woman stopped to eat lunch with the firefighters. One of those years, she exclaimed that if she didn’t survive, the firefighters…

December 22, 2021

Ellwood City Police Department to Get K9

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to purchase a police K9. Officials moved to approve a quote from Shallow Creek Kennels for $15,000. In addition to the dog, the price includes a six-week handler course, manuals, and handouts. The new K9 will be paid from the K9 fund. This is a victory for the police department and Mayor Anthony Court, who have been pushing council for the move. The decision to implement the K9 was unanimous. Court has said in past meetings that the K9 is a vital tool in fighting area crime, especially drug related. In other council…

December 20, 2021

Sheetz Gets Ellwood City Council Approval for Development Plans

As far as the Ellwood City Borough Council is concerned, Sheetz is welcome to bring a business to Ellwood City. Council passed three motions Monday evening to help pave the way for development: A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to have a Sheetz convenience story with self-serve sale of motor fuels at 5th Street/Glen Avenue which is a Conditional Use in a c-3; GN Zoning District. A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to build a 6,070 square foot Sheetz Convenient Story with five multi-pump dispensers with a canopy on Fifth Street between Fountain Ave…