Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

October 22, 2019

Ellwood City to Keep Parking Meters … for Now

Council voted to table a motion to eliminate parking meters on Lawrence and Bell avenues and Fifth Street. Council was divided on the issue during the October 21 meeting with George Celli, Michelle Lamenza, and James Barry voting to table and Rob Brough, Lisa Guerrera, and Judith Dici voting to move forward with the motion. Councilwoman Marilyn Mancini was not in attendance, leaving Mayor Anthony Court to tie-break the vote. Council President Judith Dici, brought up the idea at an agenda-setting meeting October 15. She said Ellwood City is not making enough revenue from parking to keep them, and she…

October 17, 2019

Council to Discuss Parking Meters, Amendment to Hospital Zoning Ordinance

The Ellwood City Council is set to vote on two proposals during it’s October 21 voting meeting. One is the amendment to the Ellwood City Medical Center zoning ordinance to add facilities and residences included in a continuum of care entity to the definition of health services. There will be a public hearing at 5:45 regarding this amendment. Also on the agenda will be a consideration to remove parking meters in the borough. Council President Judith Dici said the meters are outdated and “not that great of a revenue.” She said Ellwood City brought in $18,762 from the meter fees…

October 17, 2019

Borough Announcements: Electric Department Expands Hours, Meeting Schedule, Scam Prevention

Ellwood City Borough Council made a few announcements during the Oct 15 agenda meeting: Electric Window to Open on Fridays Borough Manager David Allen said the electric department window now will be open on Fridays. This addition rounds out hours from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. He said the hours were added to give residents a better chance to pay bills. Council to Change Meeting Day in November The committee of the whole meeting for November will be held on November 12 at 6 p.m. due to the Veteran’s Day Holiday. Local Residents Report Possible Scam Numerous council members…

October 17, 2019

Ellwood City School District Police Q&A

This is Part Two in a series featuring the Ellwood City School District Police Officers. EllwoodCity.org wanted to learn a little about the Ellwood City School District Police Officers. Find out what they had to say in this exclusive Q&A:   Officer Brian Speer Q: What are you most looking forward to when working with youth as opposed to adults? A: The goals of the Ellwood City Area School District Police Department is providing a safe learning environment, providing valuable resources to school staff members, fostering positive relationships with youth, developing strategies to resolve problems affecting youth and protecting all…

October 16, 2019

EC School Police Officers Strive To Promote Safety, Guidance For Students

This is Part One in a series featuring the Ellwood City School District Police Officers. Read Part Two tomorrow. For the Ellwood City School Police Department officers keeping the students safe is the number one priority, but both see the job as more than just that. Making a positive difference in the lives of youth is what the officers hope to do in their newly created roles in the Ellwood City Area School District. With more than 20 years as a police officer, Brian Speer, said his most memorable incident as an officer was not “busting” a violent criminal. Speer…

October 15, 2019

EC Student Strives for Better Water, Better Planet

Makena Hall, Lincoln High School junior, is on a mission to encourage her school and her community “to come together to create a better tomorrow.” Hall, is fundraising to implement the installation of water bottle filling stations at Lincoln. She is hoping 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. According to Hall, although her peers get thirsty, they don’t want to drink water…

October 14, 2019

Cortez, Neupauer Recognized For Years of School Director Service

The Ellwood City Area School District recognized Leroy Cortez and Mike Neupauer for their dedication and years of service on the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors. Cortez has served for 16 years, Neupauer has served for 12. School Superintendent Joseph Mancini said during the board’s Oct 10 meeting that they were honored by the Pennsylvania Boards Association (PSBA), which recognizes for years of service from 8 to 36 years. “The legacy of school board service is firmly embedded in the history of our nation and its commitment to public education,” Mancini said. “The PSBA, has a rich…

October 11, 2019

School Board Recommends Policy Revision to Support Outside Agency Lunch Debt Collection

Ellwood City Area School Board voted during its October 10 meeting to recommend a revision to the Food Services Policy 808. The move was prompted by a continued rise in school lunch debt. The new policy would give the district the allowance to use an outside agency to collect unpaid debt. The board could vote to adopt this policy during its November 14 meeting. Richard Zarone, district business manager spoke at the October 7 board committee meeting. He said the debt has reached $3,600 already for the year. He said there would be no cost to hire an agency as…

October 11, 2019

EC School Directors Table Conflict of Interest Policy

During the October 10 voting meeting the Ellwood City Area School Directors voted to table the policy and refer it to the policy committee. The proposed policy was introduced during the Board’s Monday Night agenda meeting, at which time District Solicitor John DeCaro, said the change could force board members to choose between maintaining their board position or maintaining their participation in leadership roles in other organizations such as boosters, clubs, and PTO. It was met with strong opposition from Board Directors Barabara Wilson, Kathleen McCommons, and Renee Pitrelli, who viewed the proposal as a target aimed at certain board…

October 9, 2019

School Lunch Debt Continues Rise Into Thousands Prompting Consideration Of Collection Agency

Because the school lunch debt is continuing to rise, the Ellwood City Area School Board will vote on Thursday whether to hire an outside agency to collect that debt. Richard Zarone, district business manager, said the debt has reached $3,600 already for the year. He said there would be no cost to hire an agency as it would paid by the fees incurred by the debtor. He said the four-tier process would include two warning letters, one certified warning letter, and then the matter would be turned over to the collection agency. This proposed solution follows a good gesture in…