Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

September 4, 2025

Riverside Fall Sports Q&A 2025: Part 2

This is part two of a three part series featuring area athletes in fall 2025 sports. [VIEW PART ONE] The start of fall sports is upon us, so we took the opportunity catch up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries and to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. Riverside Athletes Tyler Richards School you attend? Riverside Sport? Football Grade? 12th How many years have you have participated? 7years What do you feel is your biggest strength? Offensive line What is your favorite…

September 3, 2025

Riverside Fall Sports Q&A 2025: Part 1

This is part one of a three part series featuring area athletes in fall 2025 sports. [VIEW PART 2] The start of fall sports is upon us, so we took the opportunity catch up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries and to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. Riverside Athletes Joci Cummings School you attend? Riverside High School Sport? Varsity Volleyball Grade? Senior How many years have you have participated? This will be my 6th year playing What do you feel is…

August 26, 2025

Ellwood City Council Recognizes Borough Employees for Contributions to Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Initiative

Ellwood City Borough Council President, Brad Ovial, presented commendations to two borough employees for their work on the recent Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) initiative during Council’s recent regular meeting. Ovial handed over certificates of appreciation to Borough Manager Kevin Swogger and Rhiannon Schnell, secretary for public works and code enforcement. Schnell served as the community partner for the initiative and along with Swogger was an integral part of the application and planning process as well as seeing the program through to the end. Swogger said that more than $2.5 million worth of NO COST services were provided to the community….

August 15, 2025

Ellwood City Girls Softball Team to Seek Neighboring School District Fields for Home Games

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to allow the girls softball team to use neighboring school districts’ fields for home games during the August 14th Regular Meeting. The girls previously played at Stiefel Park on a field owned by the borough, but they will not return to Stiefel in their upcoming season. The board expressed safety concerns and a deterioration of the field as the reasoning for seeking play at neighboring districts’ fields. Board members also stated that they no longer wish to invest money into any improvements to the field at Stiefel Park. “I’m not…

July 25, 2025

Carpenter’s Project Wraps Up Its 24th Summer of Service in Ellwood City

For the 24th consecutive year, the Carpenter’s Project—a volunteer-based home‑repair mission running July 14-18—mobilized residents across Ellwood City and the Riverside School Districts to deliver free exterior fixes to homeowners in need. “This was a solid year,” said Director Steven Miller. “Some of our projects this year were bigger projects than we’ve ever done before.” Despite a summer plagued with rain, it seems as though the project was saved from the waters. “Weather was a little bit rough on Monday afternoon,” Miller said. “We had quite a bit of rain but more than half of the crews wanted to continue…

July 17, 2025

Wander Ellwood Rescheduled for Wednesday, July 23, Because of Rain Storms

Wander Ellwood’s July event has been rescheduled for Wednesday July 23 after rain storms forced the first cancellation ever of the beloved event. Councilman Brad Ovial said the event is so popular the Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t consider not rescheduling it. Per the Chamber, “Entertainment details for the new date are still being confirmed, and we’ll share more as soon as possible. Thanks for your understanding. We’ll see you next week!” This open street night, organized by the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce, transforms Lawrence Avenue into a bustling hub of activity from 5 to 9 p.m. The event showcases…

July 17, 2025

Memorial Bricks from Ellwood City Hospital Get New Home in Ewing Park

144 bricks … not just bricks, but bricks that memorialized the loved ones of Ellwood City Residents were moved from the Ellwood City Hospital site to a new permanent home in Ewing Park. Ellwood City Mayor Anthony J. Court led the initiative to remove the memorial bricks from the former Ellwood City Hospital site. Thanks to his leadership and coordination with Borough Manager Kevin Swogger and the public works department, the bricks were successfully and efficiently moved to their new home in Ewing Park. Mayor Anthony J. Court was approached by several concerned residents regarding the memorial bricks displayed at…

July 14, 2025

ECASD Board of Directors Votes to Not Appeal Findings of Court of Common Pleas Regarding Softball Field

The Ellwood City Area School District will not appeal the findings of the Court of Common Pleas denying a proposed softball field in the Ewing Park School location. The ECASD Board of Directors voted on a motion to approve the Notice of Appeal filed in Case No. 70012 of 2025 MD in the Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County during the July 14 Combined meeting of the board. The motion failed following “No” votes from Kevin Boariu; Kathy Galbreath; Kathy Tillia; and Norman Boots. “Yes” votes were cast by Jennifer Tomon, board president; Jean Biehls, board vice president; Dr….

July 11, 2025

It’s Electrifyin’: Grease to Grace the New Castle Playhouse Stage

It’s Greased Lightnin’ at the New Castle Playhouse as local talent presents “Grease,” July 11 – 20 on the main stage. Directed by Amee Boughter, a stellar cast will bring your favorite characters to life on Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. “Grease is more than just a musical—it’s a cultural phenomenon that has stood the test of time, and it’s an absolute blast to bring it to life,” says director and choreographer Amee Boughter. “It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s filled with heart. At its core, Grease is about identity, friendship, and the…

July 3, 2025

PART THREE: Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival Series: Twice As Nice: Bringing Dance Party Vibes to Ellwood City Festival

In our annual series spotlighting the annual Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival, we look at a series of subjects, people, and entertainers who will help the festival make its mark this 4th of July holiday season. VIEW PART TWO | VIEW PART ONE PART THREE: Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival Series: Twice As Nice: Bringing Dance Party Vibes to Ellwood City Festival Get ready to dance, groove, and sing along as Twice As Nice, the high-energy dance band from Wheeling, West Virginia, takes the stage at the 43rd Annual Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food…