Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

May 27, 2020

Word Alive Church to Host Food Distribution Today

Word Alive Church, 124 Scenic Hill Blvd., will be hosting a food distribution today (May 27) from 12 to 2 p.m. According to Word Alive’s Lead Pastor Matthew Reynolds there are no requirements to qualify for the event and he is happy to be able to help Ellwood City’s residents. “A church in new castle called us two weeks ago and wondered if we would want to help distribute free food every other Wednesday in Ellwood City,” he said “We of course, said yes.” Reynolds said each car will receive 6 -1/2 gallons of milk, a box of mixed dairy…

May 21, 2020

Stage Stores (Gordman’s) Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Although the Ellwood City Gordman’s location in the Franklin Plaza just celebrated its grand opening on February 18, 2020, after a successful conversion from the former Peebles, the retailer has filed for bankruptcy. (Read article about the opening). Gordman’s parent company Stage Stores offered the following press release to the public early this month: Stage Stores Commences Voluntary Chapter 11 Process Company Conducting Sale Process for All or Part of the Business While Commencing Orderly Wind-Down of Operations; Stores to Reopen Starting May 15, 2020 HOUSTON – May 10, 2020 – Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) (“Stage” or the “Company”)…

May 19, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Struggle to Balance Budget; Discussion Continues Tonight

Note: The following is a roundup of discussion items from Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors Budget meetings held on April 28 and May 4, as well as public comments regarding the budget from the Board’s May 11 and May 14 agenda and voting meetings. As the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meet this evening to continue discussion on a budget, they will have to grapple with reducing a more than $2.5 million deficit. During budget discussion meetings in April and early May, board directors urged school officials to “tighten the belt.” At the initial…

May 19, 2020

Council Extends Tax Deadlines, Declaration of Disaster Emergency

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to extend tax deadlines and a Declaration of Disaster Emergency during the May 18 meeting. The first resolution passed by council extends real estate tax deadlines due to Covid-19. The discount period would end July 15 with no penalty charged if taxes are paid by December 31, 2020. The second resolution passed by council extends Resolution 2020-2, adopted on March 27, 2020, the Declaration of Disaster Emergency for the full 90 days, which would expire on June 27, 2020. Mayor Anthony Court and Borough Manager David Allen gave updates regarding Covid-19. Court said he is…

May 18, 2020

Ellwood City Native Opens Dentistry in Ewing Park

Although Nikki Jo Magnifico DDM was successfully practicing as an associate dentist in New Hampshire for the last decade, the Lincoln High School graduate felt a need to move back to her hometown of Ellwood City. So Magnifico did just that. She bought her new 620 Jefferson Ave practice from Dr. James Oberfeitinger on February 1, 2020. “I decided it was time to move home to be closer to my family,” she said. Her immediate family includes her husband, Eric, who she said is supportive of her business goals as well as two sons Tyler, 5, and Anthony, 2.5. A Gannon…

May 15, 2020

Principal Gives ECASD Commencement Update; Parents Planning Parade

Discussion regarding the Ellwood City Area School District’s plan for commencement ceremonies continued during the May 14 board of directors voting meeting. Louise McKinney, mom of a 2020 graduate said the parents are expecting more for their kids. She said if the county phases to green by June 2, she wants the administration to commit to the traditional in person commencement. High School Principal, Kirk Lape, was in agreement and said he hopes that is a possibility. “If we go green before June 2, I’m all for it,” he said. “That’s a no brainer.” Although Lape said such a decision…

May 14, 2020

ECASD Educators Planning Parade As Summer Send Off For Students

The educators in the Ellwood City School District wanted one last chance to see the faces of their beloved students before the end of the school year … even if it is at a safe social distance. Their solution: A parade. Organizers and ECASD Elementary Counselors Debbie Wiech and Chrissy Mendillo said so far 120 staff, faculty, and administrators have “signed up” to participate. “We hope this shows the love and dedication we have for our students,” Wiech said. According to Wiech, the mandated closing of the ECASD was a devastating situation for the students, but it was also a…

May 13, 2020

Ellwood City Entrepreneur Opens One-Stop Business Hub

As he watched the doors open at his new facility at 632 Lawrence Avenue, Eric Venezie saw his entrepreneurial dream come true. “I hope our new facility brings some enthusiasm to the Ellwood City community and shows that there is growth opportunity in our town,” Eric said. “Most all our staff is local, with local roots and families that depend on those peers and other businesses to support one another and help Ellwood City continue any resurgence, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.” Eric, a long-time Ellwood City business owner has brought his line-up of local businesses full circle and under…

May 12, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Discuss Proposed Commencement Ceremony

Discussion at Monday’s Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Director’s meeting centered on a proposed Commencement ceremony to honor Lincoln High School’s Class of 2020. School administration, including high school Principal Kirk Lape, had previously announced a plan that they believe will be as close to the traditional ceremony as possible while safely staying within the legal guidelines of social distancing due to Covid-19. The proposed plan includes 10-minute time slots for each graduate to have the opportunity to take that coveted walk across the stage to receive their diploma. Graduates will be able to enter the auditorium front…

May 12, 2020

Ellwood City Council to Vote on Proposal to Extend Tax Deadlines

Extensions will be on the agenda for the Ellwood City Borough Council’s May 18 meeting. Council will vote on two proposed extensions. The first is a resolution to extend real estate tax deadlines due to Covid-19. The discount period would end July 15 with no penalty charged if taxes are paid by December 31, 2020. The second is an extension of Resolution 2020-2 adopted on March 27, 2020 the Declaration of Disaster Emergency for the full 90 days, which would expire on June 27, 2020. Council will also consider approval of upcoming events as well as discussion regarding the hiring…