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May 28, 2020

Ellwood City Area Public Library March Memorials

The following are memorial contributions received by the library during the month of March. Memorials are published on a weekly basis in this column and represent a portion of the contributions received. In memory of Balind “Bert” Birtalan from Hungarian Home In memory Andrea Beth (Stascik) Dimond from Karen R. Cox In memory of Ted C. Ford from Karen R. Cox In memory of Norma J. Galmarini from Doris and Laurie Keane In memory of Patricia A. Geer from Donna Rickert In memory of Marie A. Kennard from Ted and Laurie Staples In memory of Sarah L. “Sally” (Brenner) Magill…

May 27, 2020

Ellwood City’s Summer Concert Series Cancelled

In a social media post Wednesday afternoon the Ellwood City Community Enrichment (ECCE) announced the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Concert Series. The statement reads: Our top priority is to keep our musicians, community and volunteers healthy and safe during this usual time. Therefore, the concert series committee has made a tough decision to cancel the 2020 Summer Concert Series due to COVID-19. Any donations received this year will help fund the 2021 concert seires. Thank you for understanding and we are looking forward to seeing you all next year! ECCE is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization est. July 2004 and…

May 27, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Passes Proposed Budget; Changes Likely

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a proposed general fund budget of $30,472,335 for the fiscal year 2020-2021 in a 5-4 vote. Voting “No,” Director Barbara Wilson said she has numerous questions regarding the budget. Her main concern is how the board can possibly pass a budget that forecasts a $3 million defecit. Wilson wasn’t alone in her dissent. Directors Jean Biehls, Leroy Cortez, and Kathy McCommons joined her in rejecting the budget. Board President Renee Pitrelli and Directors Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, Norman Boots, and Gary Rozanski voted to pass the budget. The proposed budget…

May 27, 2020

Word Alive Church to Host Food Distribution Today

Word Alive Church, 124 Scenic Hill Blvd., will be hosting a food distribution today (May 27) from 12 to 2 p.m. According to Word Alive’s Lead Pastor Matthew Reynolds there are no requirements to qualify for the event and he is happy to be able to help Ellwood City’s residents. “A church in new castle called us two weeks ago and wondered if we would want to help distribute free food every other Wednesday in Ellwood City,” he said “We of course, said yes.” Reynolds said each car will receive 6 -1/2 gallons of milk, a box of mixed dairy…

May 21, 2020

PHOTOS: ECASD Educators Parade

Decked out in signs, balloons, and creative decorations, Ellwood City Area School District staff made a trek through numerous neighborhoods Thursday evening as part of a planned parade to show their love and dedication for their students. Over 120 staff, faculty, and administrators participated. The parade route included neighborhoods in Ellwood City, Portersville, Ellport, and Wampum. ECASD Police assisted in the parade working with the local police, public safety officials, and the fire department. View previous article, www.ellwoodcity.org/2020/05/14/ecasd-educators-planning-parade-as-summer-send-off-for-students/  

May 21, 2020

Stage Stores (Gordman’s) Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Although the Ellwood City Gordman’s location in the Franklin Plaza just celebrated its grand opening on February 18, 2020, after a successful conversion from the former Peebles, the retailer has filed for bankruptcy. (Read article about the opening). Gordman’s parent company Stage Stores offered the following press release to the public early this month: Stage Stores Commences Voluntary Chapter 11 Process Company Conducting Sale Process for All or Part of the Business While Commencing Orderly Wind-Down of Operations; Stores to Reopen Starting May 15, 2020 HOUSTON – May 10, 2020 – Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) (“Stage” or the “Company”)…

May 20, 2020

Ellwood City Teen BC3’s Youngest Graduate In Class Of 2020

(Ellwood City, PA) A teenager from Ellwood City in 2019 became the youngest graduate in at least 20 years at Butler County Community College when 17-year-old Mikayla Beachem received a BC3 workplace certificate in entrepreneurship. A teenager from Ellwood City in 2020 has tied Beachem in age to the day. Saylee Grinnen completed the same Riv-Ell Entrepreneurship Program as did Beachem and became BC3’s youngest graduate in its Class of 2020. Both achieved certificates from BC3 on their 6,474th day in age. Like Beachem, Grinnen and her eight Lincoln or Riverside high school classmates in the Riv-Ell Entrepreneurship Program also…

May 19, 2020

Buckle Up PA “Click It Or Ticket” Action Plan Enforced Through June 7

A Buckle Up PA ‘Click It or Ticket’ action plan was announced this week with enforcement running from May 18 through June 7, 2020. According to a press release, the mobilization will focus 50% of their enforcement funding on seat belt enforcement on unbelted crash roadways. Buckle Up PA (BUPA) will fund up to 350 LEAs for the 3-week mobilization. The plan is designed to increase Pennsylvania’s seat belt usage rate by optimizing the use of grant funds, focus enforcement and to increase the number of OP citations issued. The BUPA “Click It or Ticket” Action Plan for the 2020…

May 19, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Struggle to Balance Budget; Discussion Continues Tonight

Note: The following is a roundup of discussion items from Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors Budget meetings held on April 28 and May 4, as well as public comments regarding the budget from the Board’s May 11 and May 14 agenda and voting meetings. As the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meet this evening to continue discussion on a budget, they will have to grapple with reducing a more than $2.5 million deficit. During budget discussion meetings in April and early May, board directors urged school officials to “tighten the belt.” At the initial…

May 19, 2020

Council Extends Tax Deadlines, Declaration of Disaster Emergency

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to extend tax deadlines and a Declaration of Disaster Emergency during the May 18 meeting. The first resolution passed by council extends real estate tax deadlines due to Covid-19. The discount period would end July 15 with no penalty charged if taxes are paid by December 31, 2020. The second resolution passed by council extends Resolution 2020-2, adopted on March 27, 2020, the Declaration of Disaster Emergency for the full 90 days, which would expire on June 27, 2020. Mayor Anthony Court and Borough Manager David Allen gave updates regarding Covid-19. Court said he is…