Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

September 23, 2020

Join Club Hope and ‘Pink Out’ Cancer: T-shirts Available NOW

Club Hope Foundation is hosting a virtual “Pink Out” Cancer fundraiser in honor of breast cancer awareness month. To get your shirt and join in the fight, visit Venezie Sporting Goods online store to by September 27. Shirts will be available for pick up at Venezie Sporting Goods or will be shipped on October 8th. Although getting together for events, can be a challenge with Covid-19 restrictions in place, Club Hope is stepping up to fight in another way. “We encourage any groups that get together throughout October and wear their shirts to either text me pictures at the foundation…

September 21, 2020

ECASD Board Votes to Allow 1/4 Capacity at District Events

The Ellwood City School Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to allow spectators at events at ¼ capacity, but those in attendance will be required to wear masks, to social distance, and to sign a waiver excusing the district from liability. In a 6-1 vote the board decided that Ellwood City sports will now be played with the support of the community. Director Gary Rozanski was the lone No vote, and Directors Kathy McCommons and Norman Boots were not in attendance during the vote. The vote came following a September 14 federal court ruling that deemed Governor Wolf’s state…

September 21, 2020

Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight: Agenda

Ellwood City Borough Council will meet tonight. The following is the meeting agenda: Monday Night Council Agenda 5:30pm – EXECUTIVE SESSION – Police Personnel 6:00 P.M. – ELLWOOD CITY BOROUGH COUNCIL-REGULAR MEETING AUDITORIUM OPENING EXERCISES: A) Call to Order B) Roll Call C) Invocation – Phil Conklin – First Church of God D) Pledge of Allegiance Commendation Alicia Swick, Junior Councilperson Loccisano’s Golden Dawn – 104 Years E) Visitors F) Communications II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting 8/17/20, Public Hearing 8/24/20, Special Meeting 8/24/20 A motion would be in order to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 8/17/20,…

September 11, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Push for Spectator Attendance at Games

There’s no doubt the Ellwood City Area School Board of Directors support student participation in Fall sports, but they also made it clear that they want spectators in the stands, on the sidelines, and cheering on the athletes. At Thursday’s meeting, Director Erica Gray insisted the board find a way to make that happen. Although Superintendent Wes Shipley agrees with the board, he said the board’s and the district’s options are limited and opening the “gates” to events could open a flood gate of liability for the district. Current state mandates regarding Coronavirus limit spectators at outside events to 250…

September 4, 2020

Riverside Fall Sport Senior Q&A

High school sports are back in full swing. Football, soccer, and tennis are among the popular sports for students at Riverside. Vaughn Hudspath, Riverside tennis coach, is pumped about the upcoming season. “I am excited to be entering my 12th year of coaching,” he said. “Yes, it will be the most challenging year, but I am beyond excited to be able to bring tennis to Riverside for the 18 special girls who are on the Varsity and J.V. Team.  We have 9 Varsity and 9 JV.” He said a main goal is to keep his athletes safe and strong and…

September 3, 2020

Ellwood Fall Sport Senior Q&A: Part 2

High school sports are back in full swing. Football and Cheerleading are among the popular sports for students at Lincoln. We caught up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries, to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part two of a two part series featuring Lincoln High School seniors in fall sports. Sammy Dicaprio How many years have you been in Football? I have been playing football since 8th Grade. What do you feel is your biggest strength in Football? I believe…

September 2, 2020

Ellwood Fall Sport Senior Q&A: Part 1

High school sports are back in full swing. Cross Country and Volleyball are among the popular sports for students at Lincoln. We caught up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries, to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part one of a two part series featuring Lincoln High School seniors in fall sports. Cross Country Joe Cioffi How many years have you been in Cross Country? I have been doing Cross Country since 2nd grade, so this will be my 11th…

August 25, 2020

Borough Hosting “Drop off” Clean-Up Progam

The Borough of Ellwood City will be hosting a “Drop off” Clean-Up program Saturday, August 29th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The location of drop-off will be in the parking lot of 1200 Factory Avenue. The program is made possible by the Recycling Fund. To offset the cost, residents will be charged $8.00 per vehicle load per trip (2 trips max) or have the option (for those age 65 or disabled) to pay $35.00 to have items picked up curbside, but still limited to a vehicle load. If you plan to drop off any materials Saturday, you must buy…

August 25, 2020

ECASD Board Passes Health and Safety Plan, Approves Start of Fall Sports

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a Health and Safety plan Monday night in anticipation of the return to school. The details in the plan were not made available to the public, but Interim Superintendent Wes Shipley said the plan will be posted to the district’s website today. (Read the plan posted on Tuesday here.) Board members wanted clarification in the plan to state that “team” teaching would be the method during in person classroom teaching. The team teaching option was a board compromise after some directors favored self-contained teaching over team teaching. Self-contained teaching, according to…

August 18, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Appoints New Solicitor

Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors announced the appointment of Beard Legal Group and Jennifer Dambek as the new district solicitor. Dambeck is an associate in the Beard Legal Group, and focuses on labor and employment law, education law, and municipal law. The Beard Legal group is headquartered in Altoona, Pa According to the firm’s website, at its inception in 1989, the Firm represented approximately two School Districts as Solicitor and just a few more in Labor Relations matters. Today, the Firm serves as Solicitor to more than 44 School Districts and Career Centers across 16 counties in…