Articles by Tracey Ferguson

Dici, Court to Serve as Officers of State Association

Council President Jude Dici and Mayor Anthony Court acknowledge recent honors they have received. At the Pa State Association of Boroughs Convention, to be held in June in Hershey, Dici will be sworn in as the President of the PSAB’s Councils Association and Court will be the Vice President of the PSAB Association of Mayors.


Local Man’s Quest to Save Fireworks Ignites

Eric Rayner’s plan to rally the community to save the festival fireworks has been officially backed by the Ellwood City Arts Crafts and Foods Festival Committee. Rayner, 26, of Ellport, met with the committee on Wednesday evening to present his plan of action in the hopes of getting the committee’s “approval.” Although the committee offered Eric their support they are not hosting or leading the fundraiser. They have however agreed to host the fireworks, pay for the insurance, traffic control and grounds keeping for the fireworks event if the community raises the money needed to implement the display. Upon hearing…


Hospital Zoning District Vote To Be Held In May

During a public hearing Monday night, Ellwood City Council voted to advertise an amendment to the zoning ordinance and map regarding the Ellwood City Medical Center. A formal vote to create a zoning district could come as early as the May 20 council meeting. The only speaker during the meeting was Benjamin Steinberg an attorney representing Penn Med LLC, a lender who is seeking a more than $5 million judgement against Americore Health LLC, Ellwood Medical Center LLC, and Ellwood Medical Center Real Estate LLC. Steinberg speaking on behalf of Penn Med LLC, expressed opposition to the zoning district. He…


Ellwood City Mayor Named Vice President Of Statewide Association

Ellwood City’s mayor Anthony Court was recently named Vice President of the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania (AMBP). Court, 61, who has served as mayor for 13 years said he is proud to have been chosen for the role. He was raised in Ellwood City with his three sisters Luisa, Angela, and Margherita. He takes his job as Mayor personally and plans to continue that in his state-wide position. “I am honored,” Court said. “Especially since it is voted on by my peers from across the state.” He will serve two years in the vice president role…


Ellwood City Medical Center Offering Kidney Classes

As part of its outreach efforts, Ellwood City Medical Center will be hosting “Kidney Smart Classes.” Victoria Gatto, the center’s marketing manager, said this is just one of the programs being offered to help the hospital connect with the community. “At Ellwood City Medical Center we want to provide health education to community members to be able to take charge of their health, whether it be preventative or disease management,” Gatto said. During the class, the following topics will be explored: What causes chronic kidney disease {CKD) and how can it be delayed? What is a kidney friendly diet and…


Ellwood City School Board Expresses Disappointment Over Fireworks; Discusses School Start Times, Fields

The Ellwood City Area School District Board addressed the public on Monday night regarding blame placed on them by the Festival Committee for the cancelation of the Festival’s traditional fireworks display. The school board expressed disappointment in the Festival Committee’s decision to cut the fireworks, and Board President Jennifer Tomon said the move is simply political. “Local politics at its worst … that’s how I’ve seen the nine hard working people at this table and the EC football boosters, who I might remind everyone, are all volunteers, characterized,” Tomon said. “I would argue local politics at its worst would be…


Holy Redeemer Cancels Annual Bazaar

Love those Holy Redeemer Pepperoni Puffs? Unfortunately, this year fans are going to have to rely on the Festival to get their fix. Holy Redeemer announced over the weekend that they are canceling their beloved bazaar this year. Citing a lack of attendance and financial success, Fr Mark Thomas announced in a letter that the decision was not made without consideration. “As you can imagine, planning for future events must begin very early to insure success,” Thomas said. “Over the last months, the parish staff, pastoral council, finance council and various committees have come together to prayerfully plan our future…


Local Man Gains Support in Plan to Save Festival Fireworks

He’s a man on a mission to keep the traditional Festival Fireworks display shining bright. Eric Rayner, 25, Ellport, will have his chance to lead a community-wide effort to raise funds to keep the fireworks display. Humble about his plans, Rayner insists that he just stepped up because he saw a need. “This isn’t about me,” he said. “This isn’t a me thing. It’s a we (community) thing.” Rayner was just not ready to settle for a festival without its beloved fireworks. He found out during Monday night’s Ellwood City Area School District Committee Meeting that use of Helling Stadium…


Festival Committee Cancels Fireworks

The beloved Ellwood City Festival Fireworks have been canceled. The announcement came from Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Foods and Entertainment Festival Committee. “The Festival budget exceeds $60,000 each year, and as you probably know, prices don’t come down, they go up,” the committee said. “The total budget covers police protection, trash pick-up, porta-johns, cleaning service, use of the park, fireworks, entertainment, advertising, insurance, and more. With rising costs, the past decade has seen the committee cut expenses wherever possible to keep the Festival a reality for the community.” Although the festivals other features including vendors will still be part of…


Governor Wolf Appoints Council President to Advisory Committee

Ellwood City Council President Judith Dici was recently appointed to Governor Wolf’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). The Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) provides municipalities, legislators and the business community an opportunity to have an open dialogue to discuss the impact legislation is having on local governments as well as creates a forum to communicate and converse about the needs and challenges facing local governments throughout Pennsylvania. Dici will represent Ellwood City and 957 other boroughs until 2023. Out of a handful of borough officials, Dici was chosen by Wolf to serve on the committee. The Local Government Advisory Committee…