Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

January 23, 2020

Ellwood City Area School District Directors Recognized

In honor of school board’s commitment to students, schools and communities, January is once again designated School Director Recognition Month. As part of this recognition, Ellwood City Area School District Directors Renee Pitrelli, Gary Rozanski, Jean Biehls, Leroy Cortez, Jennifer Tomon, Kathleen McCommons, Erica Gray, Barbara Wilson, and Norman Boots were praised during Tuesday night’s school board meeting. Each board member was given a certificate of appreciation by Superintendent Joseph Mancini. “We appreciate everything you do for this district,” Mancini said. According to a press release from the Ellwood City Area School District, Pennsylvania public schools educate nearly 2 million…

January 22, 2020

Council Hires Law Firm for Representation in Medical Center Bankruptcy Filing

In a unanimous vote Monday night, council hired the law firm Hamm, Milby & Ridings, PLLC out of London, KY, as representation in the Ellwood City Medical Center bankruptcy filing. A retainer of $1,500 and an hourly rate of $175 were approved. Ellwood City is seeking $300,000 in unpaid electric and sewage charges as well as $100,000 in property taxes that the Medical Center racked up before closing its doors on December 10. The closure of the facility came after the state Department of Health shut down its emergency room and inpatient services on November 27 for serious violations. Since…

January 22, 2020

School Directors Table Policy Regarding Kindergarten Admission

The Ellwood City Area School District Board tabled a vote regarding Policy 201 during its Tuesday, January 21st meeting. At the December 5th meeting the board voted to have administration review the policy, which pertains to kindergarten admission at Ellwood City Area Schools after a parent spoke out at the board’s November 14th meeting. New parent to the district Megan Jones said 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. She said her daughter will turn 5 on August 23, just days…

January 17, 2020

There’s A New Choice in Primary Healthcare in Ellwood City

Primary Health Network’s Ellwood City Health Center at 304 Evans Drive is now open for business and accepting patients. According to Drew Pierce Primary Health Network’s chief executive officer, PHN is a community health center that aims to serve the underserved population who have limited access to care including Medicaid patients and those in rural areas—although all are welcome. After over 30 years of service, PHN has grown to become the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Pennsylvania. The Ellwood City Health Center provides pediatric, internal medicine, and behavioral health services. Although their office on Evans Drive is in…

January 14, 2020

Ellwood City School Board to Vote on Kindergarten Admission Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District Board is set to vote on whether to make changes to Policy 201 during its Tuesday, January 21st meeting. At the December 5th meeting the board voted to have administration review the policy, which pertains to kindergarten admission at Ellwood City Area Schools after a parent spoke out at the board’s November 14th meeting. New parent to the district Megan Jones said 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. She said her daughter will turn…

January 9, 2020

Butler Health System to Open Facility in North Star Plaza

Butler Health System announced it will be opening a location in Ellwood City in the North Star Plaza. Officials with Butler Health did not offer comment on the announcement and would not confirm what type of services will be offered there, but they did say they would be adding primary care. “Butler Health System has provided health services to the community of Ellwood City for many years, and remains committed to doing so,” said Jana Panther,  “In addition to cardiology services, which have been available in Ellwood City for years, BHS will soon be adding BHS Primary Care, located in…

January 7, 2020

Celli Named Ellwood City Council President

George Celli will serve as Ellwood City Council president for 2020-2021. During its reorganization meeting Monday, council voted 4-3 to elect Celli. Councilman James Barry will serve as vice president following a 4-3 vote. Councilman Rob Brough and Councilwomen Lisa Guerrera and Judith Dici voted “No” to both nominations. Newly elected council members Celli, Caleb Cragle, and Dici were sworn into office. Council also set the meeting schedule for 2020. Committee of the whole meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Regular Council meetings will be held the third Monday of the month…

December 17, 2019

EC Electric Customers to See Savings in 2020

Borough residents could start to see savings on electric bills. Borough Manager David Allen announced the possible decrease in a council meeting Monday night. Councilman Rob Brough asked when those savings could be passed on to residents and Allen said as early as January. Council voted to adopt a resolution establishing a stabilized purchase power adjustment (PPA) for the 2020 electric usage as $.00988/kwh. He said customers should definitely see some savings since the previous PPA was more than two cents. Allen said the PPA will be locked in for a year and that the amount of savings will vary…

December 17, 2019

Council Passes 2020 Budget: Will Not Include First Responder Command Vehicle

In a three to four vote, Ellwood City Borough Council passed the $15.47 million 2020 budget. Before casting the votes, Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera urged council to consider adding in the purchase of a new first responder command vehicle. Fellow council representatives Rob Brough and Judith Dici agreed with Guerrera, which led to their vote of “No” on the 2020 budget. Guerrera said with the recent closing of the Ellwood City Medical Center, the time to upgrade is now. “This is our only line of defense to keep someone alive,” she said. “We are on our own here.” According to Guerrera,…

December 12, 2019

EC Student Reaches Goal for Water Filling Stations

Makena Hall, Lincoln High School junior, has succeeded in her mission “to come together to create a better tomorrow.” Hall led a thriving fundraiser to implement the installation of water bottle filling stations at Lincoln. She had a goal to raise $5,000 which is enough to cover three of the stations. Her motto: “One school, one community, one planet” has a two-fold motivation. One is filtered, good tasting water to keep students hydrated and the second is less plastic bogging down our environment. Hall attended the December 5th school board meeting to announce that she raised $3,547 to implement the…