Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

March 11, 2020

Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Addresses Coronavirus

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the hottest topic in the world today. Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Joseph Mancini said the district is having discussions regarding the disease, but that no major moves or changes have been made as of yet to address the situation. He said district administrators are staying on top of the reports, discussing, and researching the disease’s reach on a daily basis. He said the district is taking the stance right now of “don’t panic, but prepare.” “There has been increased cleaning of high touch areas,” he said during the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board…

March 10, 2020

Part Two: Riverside Musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying” Cast Q&A

This is part two of a two part series about Riverside’s High School’s production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying.” Yesterday’s article featured details about the musical. A musical is only as good as its cast. The cast of Riverside’s High School’s production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying” are excited to hit the stage running and give all audience members a good show. Ellwoodcity.org did a Q&A with some of the cast members: Maggie Hardin Part in Musical: Rosemary Pilkington Current Grade: 12 Been in musicals/plays since: 8th grade Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Gangster- Drowsy Chaperone…

March 9, 2020

Part One: Riverside Musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying” Takes Stage This Weekend

This is part one of a two part series about Riverside’s High School’s production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying.” Tomorrow’s article will feature a Q&A with the cast leads. The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical comedy, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” The musical will run March 12-15 in the high school auditorium. A cast and crew of over sixty students from the high school will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers. This is the 57th Anniversary of Theater at Riverside, which makes this a landmark show. Big business…

February 20, 2020

Community Rallies Around Councilwoman After Travel Expense Denial

Seems that despite a denial for a borough funded travel request, Councilwoman Jude Dici will be taking the trip to the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) conference in Hershey after all. Following a 4-3 vote at Monday’s meeting denying Dici’s travel request, the community has rallied to donate the funds in order to allow Dici to attend. According to Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera, she plans to pitch in $100 to send her fellow councilwoman to Hersey and another local resident and businessowner took to social media and pledged to raise money for Dici. Dici said she was aware of Guerrera’s…

February 19, 2020

Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial Exhibit Needs Volunteers; Meeting Set for Tomorrow

The Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial will be coming to Ellwood City in August. In order for the exhibit to be a success, the committee is seeking volunteers to help with all aspects of the exhibit. A meeting will be held on February 20 at 6:30 at the Historical Society at 310 5th Street. The actual wall will be featured in Ellwood City August 20-24. For more information on the Moving Wall, please contact Dom Viccari at 724-657-4388.

February 18, 2020

Council Votes to Approve Travel Expenses for Mayor, Denies Councilwoman

Council voted unanimously to send Mayor Anthony Court to a four-day Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) conference in Hershey but denied a request by councilwoman Judith Dici to attend that same conference. Council approved funds totaling $942.67 plus food and mileage for Court. In a 4-3 vote Dici was denied the request for funding with Council President George Celli, Vice President James Barry, Councilman Caleb Cragle, and Councilwoman Michelle Lamenza voting “No.” Cragle said he researched four years of council minutes, mileage, and cost of meals and estimated the cost of the mayor and Dici’s attendance at the twice-a-year…

February 18, 2020

Ellwood City Council Hires Home Blood Services Company to Test DUI Suspects

Ellwood City Council voted to implement an agreement for services for blood toxicology testing following DUI arrests. Monday night council voted unanimously to hire Becky’s Home Blood Services at a rate of $50 per venipuncture. The move comes after the closing of the Ellwood City Medical Center. Since the closing of the hospital, local officers were forced to travel at least 30 minutes to area facilities for the DUI testing. Becky O’Neil, owner of Becky’s Home Blood Services, also provides home blood business services to residents. She has been providing service in the area since 2018 and has more than…

February 17, 2020

Ellwood City School Directors Approve Personnel, Spring Coaches

The Ellwood City School Board Directors voted during Thursday’s board meeting to approve personnel hires. Among the appointments were Michael Elmer who was hired as an instructional aide and David Poore and Megan Rosenberger were approved as mentors for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Heidi Feltrop, secondary librarian was granted tenure. Board directors also voted to update the ACT 93 Agreement to include Paul Pishioneri and his salary increase to $72,000 for the 2020-2021 school year. Spring coaches were also appointed (Director Gary Rozanski Sr. abstained from the…

February 14, 2020

Ellwood City Area School District Board Votes to Revise Kindergarten Admission Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District Board voted to revise policy 201 during Thursday night’s meeting. A unanimous vote will put the revisions on display until the next board meeting where they will then be recommended for approval. The discussion regarding kindergarten admission has been ongoing since November by parent Megan Jones whosaid previously that 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 and that there was not an option for evaluation. The vote regarding kindergarten admission was tabled during the January…

February 14, 2020

Ellwood City Area School Board Meetings to Include Police Presence

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board voted 8-1 during Thursday’s meeting to implement a police presence at future school director meetings. Board President Renee Pitrelli motioned for the vote stating that the way the world is today, she feels it necessary. She added that with topics such as negotiations coming up, adding a police presence is the right thing to do. Board Director Jennifer Tomon voted “No.” “I don’t think the public should be paying for it,” she said. Ellwood City School District Police Officer Matt Smock was in attendance at last night’s meeting.