Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

May 7, 2019

$4,357 Raised for Fireworks; Still Time to Donate

Fireworks Fundraiser draws closer to $5,000 goal. “We’ve received many donations and t shirt orders from people in the community and some people who don’t even live here,” said Eric Rayner, organizer of the fundraiser. “I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of such an amazing community.” As of May 6, $4,357 has been raised toward the $5,000 goal. The most recent donation was made by Bud Mazzant in combination with Berkshire Hathaway of Cranberry. They donated $500. Mazzant said the decision to donate was simple. “If you do away with fireworks and all those ammenities, you ruin…

May 6, 2019

EllwoodCity.org & Eric Ryan Corporation Present: ‘Bug Bingo,’ a Relay for Life Fundraiser

The game will give Ellwood City residents the chance to win a $200 cash prize while helping raise money for the American Cancer Society. Be sure to visit the Eric Ryan Corporation booth at The Relay for Life Carnival for A Cure on May 18th  between 3 pm and 7 pm to purchase your card(s). HOW TO PLAY BUG BINGO AND RULES: Purchase your Bingo card by visiting the Eric Ryan Corporation at the Relay for Life event. The cards can only be purchased at the Relay for Life event and will not be sold anywhere or anytime else. Cards…

April 30, 2019

Festival Fireworks Fundraiser: Custom Logo Apparel Available, In Person Donation Day Set

Donations have started rolling into the Save the Ellwood City Fireworks fundraiser. Eric Rayner, the 26-year-old Ellport man who is leading the fundraising effort, said that as of April 30, donations total nearly $3,000 of the $5,000 needed to save the fireworks. The most recent donation was a $1,000 donation from the Ellwood City Police Department officers. “I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support we’ve gained in just the few days we’ve been accepting donations!” Rayner said. “Our community has really stepped up and put their money where their mouth is. I’m strongly encouraged that we will raise above and…

April 29, 2019

Lawrence Avenue Phase Two Revitalization Plan In The Works

Plans to spruce up Ellwood City’s Main Street are complete and ready for borough council approval. CT Consultants, Franus Architectural Associates, and Loukas Engineering have put months of research and design into a Phase Two Revitalization Plan that will not only improve the overall look of the central business district from 4th to 6th Streets but will also fix some underlying problems. One of those “problems” according to architect Dan Franus is storm water accumulation on the street which rises to a height that, at times, floods businesses. Part of the plan includes new sidewalks and milling of the street….

April 25, 2019

Lincoln Girls Basketball Team Earns A Commendation

Council President Judith Dici presented a Commendation to the Lincoln High School girl’s basketball team for their successful season and trip to the playoffs. Pictured left to right: Assistant coach Paul Hervatine, seniors Natalia Greco and Isabella Roth, assistant coach Vanessa Venezie, Council President Judith Dici, Councilwoman Marilyn Mancini and assistant Principal John Sovich. The Lady Wolverines, under the direction of first-year head coach Marc Heil (not pictured), earned a playoff birth after a 13-10 regular season.  The team fell in the Class-3A playoffs to Carlynton in February.

April 24, 2019

Donation Collection Begins For Fireworks Fundraiser

Eric Rayner has officially began his Fireworks Fundraiser. He will be updating the public on the progress of his efforts as well as the amount of money collected on a regular basis on his “Save the Ellwood City Fireworks 2019” Facebook page. “I will update the Facebook page every night with updates on how much was raised,” Rayner said. He has already seen support from the community “The initial donations I received when meeting with Mayor Tony Court, Lt. David Kingston, council members Marilyn Mancini and George Celli, and Justin Neupauer of Alborn Tire Sales totaled $325,” Rayner said. Community…

April 23, 2019

Hospital Develops Niche Services, Adds Doctors

The best way to support the Ellwood City Medical Center and its employees is to use it for services. According to the Medical Center’s Marketing Manager Victoria Gatto, a 14-year employee, that is vital to the hospital’s future. “We are still open,” she said. “We still have great employees here ready to treat and serve you.” Gatto said general hospital services such as x-rays and blood work are all services that will help the hospital start to generate positive cash flow. And the hospital has announced that mammography services are returning on April 29 and patients can call 724-752-6733 to…

April 18, 2019

Dici, Court to Serve as Officers of State Association

Council President Jude Dici and Mayor Anthony Court acknowledge recent honors they have received. At the Pa State Association of Boroughs Convention, to be held in June in Hershey, Dici will be sworn in as the President of the PSAB’s Councils Association and Court will be the Vice President of the PSAB Association of Mayors.

April 18, 2019

Local Man’s Quest to Save Fireworks Ignites

Eric Rayner’s plan to rally the community to save the festival fireworks has been officially backed by the Ellwood City Arts Crafts and Foods Festival Committee. Rayner, 26, of Ellport, met with the committee on Wednesday evening to present his plan of action in the hopes of getting the committee’s “approval.” Although the committee offered Eric their support they are not hosting or leading the fundraiser. They have however agreed to host the fireworks, pay for the insurance, traffic control and grounds keeping for the fireworks event if the community raises the money needed to implement the display. Upon hearing…

April 16, 2019

Hospital Zoning District Vote To Be Held In May

During a public hearing Monday night, Ellwood City Council voted to advertise an amendment to the zoning ordinance and map regarding the Ellwood City Medical Center. A formal vote to create a zoning district could come as early as the May 20 council meeting. The only speaker during the meeting was Benjamin Steinberg an attorney representing Penn Med LLC, a lender who is seeking a more than $5 million judgement against Americore Health LLC, Ellwood Medical Center LLC, and Ellwood Medical Center Real Estate LLC. Steinberg speaking on behalf of Penn Med LLC, expressed opposition to the zoning district. He…