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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

Wrestlers Bring Home Four Medals In Weekend Tournament

The Ellwood City Wolverines wrestling team traveled to Hermitage on December 6 and 7 to compete in the 12th Annual Hickory Invitational Tournament which featured 24 teams competing. The team brought home four medals from the event: Ben Gallenz (Riverside High School competing on the Ellwood team through a co-operative agreement), 5th place, 106 pounds; Ryan Nazari, 8th place, 138 pounds; Austin Walley, first place, 195 pounds; and Rodney Grymes, 7th place, 220 pounds. Walley pinned Aidan Gardner (Redbank Valley) at 1:55 of the 195-pound final.  Walley as also named to the All-Academic Team Sponsored by Hermitage Education Association. Pictured…

December 9, 2019

Santa Claus Is Coming To Franklin Township

On Sunday, December 22nd Santa Claus will be proudly escorted by the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department to see all of the good girls in boys in the township. The tour will begin in Tomica Springs at noon on Sunday. Listen for the sirens and look for the flashing red lights to announce Santas arrival. When the truck comes to a stop, please come see Santa on the fire engine and get a treat from Santa himself and his elf. Please refer to the Franklin Township Facebook page on the day of the event for updated arrival times. Estimated arrivals…

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 9, 2019

Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of December 9th

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities.  Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. Activities taking place this week include MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 6:30 p.m. – “Classic Book Group for Adults,” they will be discussing the book “An English Murder” by Cyril Hare. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 6:30 p.m. – “Holiday Storytime,” for infants to early grade school. Stories, Crafts and Fun. Registration is requested. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 10:00 a.m. – “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. It is designed to help reduce stresses of everyday…

December 7, 2019

PHOTOS: ‘Let There Be Lights’ Friday Night

The annual Light Up Night on Lawrence Avenue Friday Night featuring craft & food vendors, music, children’s activities, train rides, a human snow globe photobooth and strolling Holiday Characters featuring Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph. The was also Santa Claus photo opportunity at Venezie Sporting Goods & Apparel. The lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree in the Community Plaza took place at 6:30 p.m with fireworks shortly after.  Although scheduled for 8:45 p.m., the firework explosion took place earlier than scheduled to the delight of the thousands of community members in attendance. Saturday’s festivities feature the Ellwood Christmas parade at…

December 6, 2019

PREVIEW: Tip-Off Tournaments Start Seasons For Local Basketball Teams

For the four area high school basketball teams tipping off their respective seasons this weekend, there will be a variety of ‘vibes’ for each team, nonetheless all looking to make their own improvements and reach the playoffs in the 2019-20 high school basketball season. Out of the local bunch, the Ellwood City girls basketball team (13-10) is coming off its best season in 15 years. The Wolverines reached the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in four seasons and return five of their top seven players, including junior forward Maria Ioanilli. “We’re coming off our most wins in over 15…

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…

December 5, 2019

Ellwood City Medical Center Announces Layoffs

This afternoon, according to a Facebook Live video from PA State Representative Aaron Bernstine, it was announced that the Ellwood City Medical Center has laid off 92 of the 171 employees of the hospital. The layoffs are due to the recent closing of the emergency room as well as the inpatient facilities. Over the next several days, Mr. Bernstine’s offices will be coordinating with other healthcare facilities to set up a job fair, exclusive to those employees who have been displaced. Bernstine’s offices will bring in representatives from as many healthcare facilities as possible to meet the talented health care…

December 5, 2019

United Fund Update: Short of Fundraising Goal

The Ellwood City United Fund is still short of its fundraising goal, says Andrew Kindle, treasurer of the United Fund. The United Fund campaign started on October 1, 2019, Kindle reports that as of November 15, 2019 the total contributions received are $16, 900.00 which equates to about 30 percent below the goal set for this time period. The annual goal set by the board in October is for $50,000. The board hopes that the community will step up to the plate by giving contributions so the communities needs may be met. The United Fund provides funds through out the…