Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

December 9, 2025

Borough Manager Completes The Certified Borough Officials Program

Ellwood City’s Borough Manager, Kevin Swogger, recently completed The Certified Borough Officials Program. I feel the training and courses I have completed help me to be a better leader/manager for the community and the Borough,” Swogger said. “The classes range from on-line to in classroom and cover a wide range of areas such as administrative, management, planning, zoning, and code enforcement to name a few. It also includes Annual Conferences and Newly Elected Municipal Officials (NEMO) Boot Camp.” The Certified Borough Officials (CBO) designation is a voluntary, educational achievement program for borough officials. It is designed to promote continuing education for…

December 5, 2025

ECASD Board of Directors Reorganizes, Welcomes Newcomer, Announces Meeting 2026 Dates

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held its election of officers for 2026 during Thursday’s combined meeting. The meeting began with swearing in re-elected and newly elected board members including: Norman Boots, Claire Fauzey, Kathy Galbreath, Nick Mancini, and Kathy Tillia. Galbreath will serve as board president for 2026. She was nominated by Boots and received votes from Boots, Director Kevin Boariu, Tillia, and Mancini. Board President for 2025, Jennifer Tomon, was also nominated by Director Jean Biehls and received votes from Biehls, Director Erica Gray, and Fauzey. Boots will serve as board vice president for 2026….

November 17, 2025

Council Establishes Stop Intersection on College Street at First Avenue

Ellwood City Borough Council voted 4-2 to establish a stop intersection on College Street at First Avenue (northbound and southbound). “No” votes came from Councilman George Celli and Councilwoman Jan Williams. Councilman Caleb Cragle was absent from the meeting. Before the vote, Borough Resident Robert Dibuono asked council to vote down the stop intersection. He said forcing traffic to stop there would impact the ability for some vehicles to get a running start to make it up the hill in the winter and might also be difficult for vehicles to stop at the bottom of the hill. Dibuono typically travels…

November 15, 2025

ECASD Board of Directors Vote to Fund North Side, Hartman Capital Improvements

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted 5-3 to Adopt a Resolution, as prepared by Bond Counsel, authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, in an amount not to exceed $11,905,000, for capital improvements to the School District’s educational facilities  (View a copy of the study here). Directors Kathy Galbreath, Kathy Tillia, and Kevin Boariu voted “No” on the motion. Director Norman Boots was absent from the meeting. Before the vote, district resident Lynn Jones spoke out against the resolution citing a concern for a raise in taxes. She said that residents cannot afford yearly increases to…

November 5, 2025

Nov 4 Municipal Election Results: Lawrence County

Unofficial results from today’s (Nov 4, 2025) Municipal Election have been posted. According to Lawrence County’s website, there were 25,423 ballots cast in Lawrence County. Of those, 5,646 were mail in votes. The total voter turnout was 44.38%. Click here for full unofficial results. Ellwood City Borough Council welcomes back 3 incumbents and one newcomer (vote total next to candidate): Newcomer, JOSEPH D MANCINI (Dem/Rep) 1,204 (with an additional 20 votes in the one Beaver County precinct) MICHELE LAMENZA (Dem/Rep) 1,017  (with an additional 14 votes in the one Beaver County precinct) BRAD OVIAL (Rep) 897 (with an additional 8…

October 31, 2025

Ellwood City Boxer Jordan Carr: Building Dreams One Round At A Time

At just 24 years old, Ellwood City’s Jordan Carr is a young man with a humble attitude, a relentless work ethic, and a knockout dream. By day, he’s juggling a full schedule—working in construction and apprenticing at a local barbershop—but when the gloves go on, he’s all business in the boxing ring. He’ll take his signature dedication and focus into the ring tomorrow, Saturday, November 1, at the Steel Standing Fight (promoted by Hazard Pay Fight Co.) from 7 to 11 p.m. at AHN Montour Sports Complex in Coraopolis. “I am so excited to be able to live out my…

October 30, 2025

Faith in the School Day: Local Program Offers Released Time Bible Classes

Kids Quest has quietly become a vibrant hub of support, enrichment, and faith for elementary students in Ellwood City. Far more than just religious education, Kids Quest bridges academics, recreation, and spiritual formation across generations. “This is an effort involving many churches and families in our district,” said founding board member Sean Brubaker. Over the past few years, its programs have grown, its volunteers rallied, and its impact begun to ripple across neighborhoods—providing a space where children feel valued, supported, and encouraged to grow. “We have been around for five years now and have had as many as 80 students enrolled…

October 29, 2025

UPDATE: Ellwood City Borough Trick or Treat Moved to Saturday, November 1

Mayor Anthony Court reached out to Ellwoodcity.org to confirm that Ellwood City will now hold its trick or treat night on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. “It is being moved due to the predicted inclement weather,” Court said. With cold temperatures, high wind, and rain in the forecast for Thursday, Court thought it would be best to move it to Saturday when the weather is predicted to be better. The Ellwood City Police Department will be out and about during Trick-or-Treat hours, handing out treats to kids and helping ensure a safe and enjoyable night for…

October 29, 2025

Free Little Library Honors Local Lifetime Educator, Author

In the heart of Ellwood City, a new little free library is quietly turning a small space into a big tribute. This isn’t just a repository for books — it is a living memorial to LuAnn Santillo, beloved teacher, literacy advocate, and founder of Half-Pint Kids, Inc. The little library, built in her honor, marries her lifelong devotion to children and reading with the spirit of community that she nurtured for decades. This free, take-a-book, leave-a-book library is located at Franklin Community Park on Walnut Street, Ellwood City and is open to everyone. “Rico and Amie Lucy along with their children donated the…

October 24, 2025

It’s A Toxic Takeover at the New Castle Playhouse

Note: Stay tuned to Ellwoodcity.org for a review after this weekend’s opening performances. Get ready, the most polluted town in New Jersey is coming to the Annex! Based on Lloyd Kaufman’s cult classic film, “The Toxic Avenger” is an award-winning rock musical that has it all. When Melvin Ferd III is tossed into a vat of toxic waste, he reemerges as Toxie – a mutant superhero with superhuman strength and a heart as big as Newark. The Toxic Avenger is a hilarious new monster of a comedy. Armed with superhuman strength and a heart as big as Newark, he’s out…