Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

December 10, 2019

Annarumo Resigns as Ellwood City Medical Center CEO; Community Rallies

Hope. It’s what the Ellwood City Community and Officials had in 2017 when a deal was inked with Americore Health, a company that touted itself as a new healthcare company focused on saving and revitalizing rural communities through the acquisition and management of rural hospitals across the United States. Americore hasn’t been a savior for the hospital in Ellwood City, and hope is running out. Following the acquisition by Americore Health and its leader Grant White, there has been nothing but turmoil, halts in service, lawsuits, payroll issues, a nearly $300,000 unpaid electric bill owed to the borough of Ellwood…

December 10, 2019

Rozanski to Stay as Head Coach of Wolverine Softball

Gary Rozanski Jr. will remain the head coach of the girls varsity softball team at Lincoln High School. During the November 14th Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meeting, a group of parents—many of whose children are involved in a youth program not affiliated with the district and have not been coached by Rozanski—demanded consideration of a new varsity softball coach. It was announced at the December 5 directors meeting that Rozanski will stay on as coach. Board President, Jennifer Tomon made the announcement. “We don’t discuss personnel,” she said, after visitor Bill Garroway questioned the board’s decision,…

December 10, 2019

“Feel The Love Of Christmas” to be Featured at Cathedral in New Castle, Will Benefit Special Olympics

This will be the final season for a tradition started by the late musician B.E. Taylor, as his son B.C. Taylor conducts the final “Feel The Love Of Christmas” tour. Taylor will perform on December 14 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle. This year he will be joined by a group of Special Olympics athletes who take to the stage for a song. A tradition loved by the athletes and the audience. “The athletes look forward to it every year,” said John Maielli, Special Olympics basketball coach and fundraising chairman. According to Maielli, the tradition began about 15…

December 9, 2019

Mayor Proclaims December 7 Joseph Gasper Day

Ellwood City Mayor Anthony J. Court proclaimed December 7, 2019 as “Joseph Gasper Day.” Court presented a proclamation to Gasper, a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Gasper is our area’s last World War II Pearl Harbor Survivor. “Mr. Gasper is a War Hero,” Court said. The mayor was joined in the presentation by Samuel Teolis, a main representative of all veterans in Ellwood City. Teolis is also former Mayor of Ellwood City. “God Bless these Veterans and all Veterans,” Court said. “They are all hero’s in my eyes!” Gasper, who has lived in Ellwood City ever since he was discharged from the…

December 6, 2019

Ellwood City Area School Board Holds Reorganization Meeting

Ellwood City School Board swore in newly elected directors and reorganized Thursday evening during its combined meeting. Jean Biehls and Gary Rozanski were sworn in with current directors Leroy Cortez, Erica Gray, and Jennifer Tomon. Renee Pitrelli was elected board president with the support of current board members Kathleen McCommons, Barbara Wilson along with newcomers Rozanski and Biehls. Cortez, Tomon, and Gray voted no. Rozanski was voted vice president with the support of all board members except for Tomon. Two outgoing members thanked their fellow board members, administrators, and the community. Michael Neupauer spoke about the great administration at Ellwood…

November 22, 2019

Local Woman’s Agency Offers Insurance, Financial Planning Services

Lori Biddle-Berendt has a deep belief in old school customer service. You know that type of place where when you walk in, you feel at home. When you call, you get to talk to a person instead of a machine. Where you almost feel comfortable enough to take off your shoes and kick up your feet. That’s just how Biddle-Berendt runs her Farmers Insurance Agency. For Biddle-Berendt, building trust and a relationship with her clients is what has brought her success in the financial industry. She spends time sitting down with her clients and working with them to secure their…

November 20, 2019

Council Approves Free Holiday Parking

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to allow residents and visitors to park free in the downtown area for the holidays. Free parking will be authorized at all metered spaces on Lawrence Avenue, Bell Avenue, Crescent Avenue, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, and the Beaver Avenue parking lot from November 29-December 31, 2019. A maximum of two hours of parking will be permitted. Anyone exceeding the two hour time limit will be subject to a $5 fine if paid within 72 hours. Violators failing to make payment within 72 hours will be subject to prosecution through the District…

November 20, 2019

Kimpel’s Jewelers to Close in 2020

The gems in the jewelry cases at Kimpel’s Jewelers aren’t the only sparkle the store has to offer. The true gems are Kimpel’s owners Lisa and Gary Fox, who have announced the closing of their beloved store in 2020. Although the Fox family is at peace with their decision to close, one that Lisa said has been a while coming, the hardest part, according to Lisa is saying “goodbye” to the customers whom they have built a relationship with over the years. “The people are just so kind,” Lisa said. Lisa said she has been working at Kimpel’s since she…

November 20, 2019

Borough to Replace Utility Poles

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the purchase of 64 new utility poles to be installed in the borough. The poles, part of a project to replace 280 deteriorated poles, will cost $403 each for a total of $25,792. Because it takes time to coordinate with the telephone company, Borough Manager David Allen estimated the 64 poles could take a year or two to be fully implemented. Only 64 poles are set to be purchased out of the 280 needed because that is all that the borough can store at one time. Borough employees will work to replace the…

November 19, 2019

Council Approves Amendment to Hospital Zoning Ordinance

In a unanimous vote Monday night, Ellwood City Council agreed to amend the hospital/medical district zoning ordinance that they originally passed in May. The amendment adds to the definition of “Health Services” to mean: “Medical care facilities, facilities and residences included in a a continuum of care entity, as well as establishments providing support to the medical profession and patients, such as medical and dental laboratories, blood banks, oxygen and miscellaneous types of medical supplies and services. Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during an Aug 12 agenda meeting that the move will resolve an appeal filed by Penn Med LLC, a…