Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

November 22, 2019

Local Woman’s Agency Offers Insurance, Financial Planning Services

Lori Biddle-Berendt has a deep belief in old school customer service. You know that type of place where when you walk in, you feel at home. When you call, you get to talk to a person instead of a machine. Where you almost feel comfortable enough to take off your shoes and kick up your feet. That’s just how Biddle-Berendt runs her Farmers Insurance Agency. For Biddle-Berendt, building trust and a relationship with her clients is what has brought her success in the financial industry. She spends time sitting down with her clients and working with them to secure their…

November 20, 2019

Council Approves Free Holiday Parking

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to allow residents and visitors to park free in the downtown area for the holidays. Free parking will be authorized at all metered spaces on Lawrence Avenue, Bell Avenue, Crescent Avenue, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, and the Beaver Avenue parking lot from November 29-December 31, 2019. A maximum of two hours of parking will be permitted. Anyone exceeding the two hour time limit will be subject to a $5 fine if paid within 72 hours. Violators failing to make payment within 72 hours will be subject to prosecution through the District…

November 20, 2019

Kimpel’s Jewelers to Close in 2020

The gems in the jewelry cases at Kimpel’s Jewelers aren’t the only sparkle the store has to offer. The true gems are Kimpel’s owners Lisa and Gary Fox, who have announced the closing of their beloved store in 2020. Although the Fox family is at peace with their decision to close, one that Lisa said has been a while coming, the hardest part, according to Lisa is saying “goodbye” to the customers whom they have built a relationship with over the years. “The people are just so kind,” Lisa said. Lisa said she has been working at Kimpel’s since she…

November 20, 2019

Borough to Replace Utility Poles

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the purchase of 64 new utility poles to be installed in the borough. The poles, part of a project to replace 280 deteriorated poles, will cost $403 each for a total of $25,792. Because it takes time to coordinate with the telephone company, Borough Manager David Allen estimated the 64 poles could take a year or two to be fully implemented. Only 64 poles are set to be purchased out of the 280 needed because that is all that the borough can store at one time. Borough employees will work to replace the…

November 19, 2019

Council Approves Amendment to Hospital Zoning Ordinance

In a unanimous vote Monday night, Ellwood City Council agreed to amend the hospital/medical district zoning ordinance that they originally passed in May. The amendment adds to the definition of “Health Services” to mean: “Medical care facilities, facilities and residences included in a a continuum of care entity, as well as establishments providing support to the medical profession and patients, such as medical and dental laboratories, blood banks, oxygen and miscellaneous types of medical supplies and services. Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during an Aug 12 agenda meeting that the move will resolve an appeal filed by Penn Med LLC, a…

November 19, 2019

Ellwood City School Police Department Receives Rural King Donation

Ellwood City Area School District Police Department received an $800 donation from the Rural King in Monaca. “A special thanks to store manager Art Barnett and his district manager Larry Cagliuso who were instrumental in working with the Ellwood City School Police Force to obtain a sizeable donation that will impact the safety and security of all students and staff in the school district,” said  John Sovich, Ellwood School Safety/Security Coordinator. Because of the donation, the school will be able to obtain multiple, electronic, heavy duty safes that will be used to store protective gear and any evidence collected across…

November 19, 2019

Ellwood City Medical Center to Offer Free Diabetes Educational Program

The Ellwood City Medical Center is hosting a free diabetes educational program. Information on Diet and Drugs for Diabetics will be held on Thursday, November 21 at 6 p.m. at the Ellwood City Medical Center’s basement dining room, 724 Pershing Street, Ellwood City, PA 16117. Interested participants can RSVP to 724-544-9845. “Whether you are a newly diagnosed diabetic or have been managing your diabetes for years please join us for our community education event discussing nutritional choices and drugs used to help manage diabetes,” said Victoria Gatto, marketing manager at the Ellwood City Medical Center.

November 18, 2019

Ellwood City Area School District Board Could Revisit Kindergarten Admission Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District Board could revisit Policy 201, which pertains to kindergarten admission at Ellwood City Area Schools. During the board’s November 14th meeting, new parent to the district Megan Jones spoke during the visitor’s section. Jones said she was disappointed to learn that her child who has already invested two years into preschool would not make the August 15 cutoff for kindergarten registration. The board voted to amend the policy in July. She said her daughter will turn 5 on August 23, just days after the cutoff. Jones said that she called other school districts in…

November 18, 2019

Ellwood City Area School District Implements School Lunch Debt Collector

Ellwood City Area School District board voted to implement a debt collector for school lunch monies. G.H. Harris Associates, Inc. an agency out of Dallas, Pa., will serve as a collector on delinquent payments for school lunches. Fees will begin for debts from $5 to $99.99 at $16. Rising from the first collection fee, subsequent fees would be $22 for debts from $100 to $300, $30 for $300.01 to $500, $40 for $500.01 to $1,000 and $75 for debts over $1,000. Follow up notices would incur a fee of $7 each follow up notice. Non payments could result in court…

November 15, 2019

Parents Demand New Head Coach for Ellwood City Girls Varsity Softball

A group of parents attended the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meeting Thursday night and demanded consideration of a new varsity softball coach. Despite leading the girls softball team at Lincoln as the head coach since 2006 and bringing home numerous titles during that time, Gary Rozanski was under strict scrutiny. Softball parent Doug Balin, said his daughter has come home from practice in tears. He believes that with better guidance, the girls would love the sport more and have a better chance at getting scholarships. Jeff Barnett said his daughter Kali is a starter for every…