Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

January 11, 2024

ECASD Board of Directors Nominate Candidate to the MIU IV Board; Ewing Park Residents Speak Against Field Usage

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors unanimously nominated new Director Kevin Boariu to the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU IV) Board. Director Jean Biehls made the motion to nominate Boariu. The MIU IV Board will now have to accept the ECASD Board’s nomination. According to the MIU IV’s website, “it is one of 29 IU’s serving schools in Pennsylvania. The intermediate unit serves the 27 school districts and three vo-techs in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer Counties. In addition to providing programs and services requested by area school districts, MIU IV also implements programs mandated by the Pennsylvania…

January 5, 2024

Council Reorganizes, Reappoints Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council held its reorganizational meeting on Tuesday January 3. In a unanimous vote, Brad Ovial was chosen as President and Michele Lamenza was chosen as Vice President. Borough Manager Kevin Swogger was reappointed in a 6-0 vote (Lamenza was absent from the meeting), for a two-year employment agreement for $80,000. General election incumbants George Celli and Caleb Cragle were sworn into office as well as new Councilman the Rev. James “Jimmy” Johnson. Jim Barry and Celli were reappointed as council representatives for Ellwood City Revitalization. Barry was also reappointed as the borough representative for the Lawrence County…

December 13, 2023

PART 2: Winter Sports Q&A – Riverside

Winter sports are back in action at Riverside High School. The two most popular right now are Basketball and Swimming. We had a chance to catch up with some of the athletes from each of these teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part two of a two part series featuring area seniors in winter sports. PART 1 featured Ellwood City student athletes. Kayden Clyde Sport? Basketball Grade? 12 How many years have you have played? 1 What do you feel is your biggest strength? Defense What…

December 12, 2023

PART 1: Winter Sports Q&A – Ellwood City

Winter sports have arrived in Ellwood City. Basketball, Swimming, and Wrestling are among the popular sports for students at Lincoln High School. We caught up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries, to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. This is part one of a two part series featuring area senior student athletes in excel in winter sports. Our Riverside winter sports Q&A segment is coming tomorrow. Maddy Long Sport? Basketball Grade? 12 How many years have you played? 9 years What do…

December 7, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors Reorganizes, Fills Vacant Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors elected a president, vice president, and also appointed a new board member to a vacant seat. Jennifer Tomon was named president in a unanimous vote by the board. The board was split, however, on the vice president seat between Jean Biehls (supporters: Claire Fauzey, Erica Gray, and newly elected Kevin Boariu) and Kathy Galbreth (supporters: Norman Boots, Kathy Tillia, Jennifer Tomon). Following two roll call votes, the board would not sway on their choices. Finally the tie was broken once Robyn Nicklas was appointed to fill the vacant seat left after…

November 22, 2023

Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Police Use of PepperBall Guns; Provides Update on Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project

During Monday night’s voting meeting, Borough Council approved a change order #1 from Pollard Land Services, Inc. in the amount of $98,000 for the purpose of milling and overlaying the full width of Wampum Avenue from Fifth Street to Madison Avenue Ext. and from Madison Ave. Ext. to the entrance of the access road. The approved change order is in conjunction with the Wampum Avenue Pump Project, a sewer upgrade for multiple existing sewer transport lines in the wooded area East of Wampum Ave. and construction of a pump station to collect from these lines to be transported to the Ellwood…

November 22, 2023

Evan’s Monumental Gifts Bringing Holiday Hope to Local Foster Families

That first Christmas without Evan, the Bollinger family bought a bunch of toys and Christmas gifts and took them to his grave where they sat in the snow. “That first year was the hardest. We didn’t know how to handle not having him,” said Kiara Bollinger, mother of Evan and founder of Evan’s Monumental Gifts. Bollinger did not want any family to feel the pit of loneliness that her family felt during the unexpected loss of a child, so Kiara and her husband Eric decided to take their grief and channel it into helping other families. In 2018, the Bollingers…

November 14, 2023

Ellwood City Area Municipal Women Hosting Holiday Craft and Vendor Show

Ready to start your Christmas shopping? Or need to add some sparkle to your holiday décor? Be sure to check out the Ellwood City Area Municipal Women’s Club’s Holiday Craft and Vendor Show this Saturday, November 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wayne Township Firehall, Rt 65, Ellwood City. In addition to shopping be sure to grab made to order pizza (red or white), some nachos, and a drink. Oh, and don’t dare forget dessert as they will be serving up Oram’s donuts. And there will be basket raffles. Always have a good turnout and repeat crafters…

November 10, 2023

NEW Business: Bajgiel Hosting Pop-Up Bagel Event

Have you heard? … Ellwood City is now the home of some off-the-charts homemade bagels and you can have them tomorrow morning! Bajgiel is serving up delicious dough with scrumptious schmears. Wondering why it’s called Bajgiel? Owner Kristen Velez said bagels originated in Poland and they wanted to keep their Polish roots alive, so they chose the polish spelling for the name. She added it’s OK to just say Bagel. Although a brick-and-mortar bagel shop is still in the works, Bajgiel is starting out by hosting some pop up bagel events where you can stop by, learn more about all…

November 9, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors: ‘We Remain Steadfast in Our Support for this Field’

Emotions regarding the proposed girls softball field continued to run high during Thursday night’s regular meeting of the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. Board President Kathy Galbreath made a statement on behalf of the board. “We remain steadfast in our support for this field.” She cited that the board’s unanimous vote to construct a field at the location of the old Ewing Park School is based on facts and information along with a commitment to district goals. The board members aren’t the only ones remaining steadfast to their convictions regarding the field. Area residents also aren’t budging…