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November 20, 2015

Wampum Light Up the Town Events

The borough of Wampum invites all to attend “Light Up the Night” on Dec. 3. The event is on Main Street and lasts from 6 to 8 p.m. “Light Up the Night” is sponsored by the Wampum Parade Committee and the Wampum Area Business Association. Schedule of Events: 5:30- Setting out and lighting of 225 luminaries; closing down Main Street 6- Street lights and gazebo are lit 6- Dance Expression (young group) at Marshall’s parking lot 6:15- Dance Expression (older group) at Marshall’s parking lot 6:30- Diamond Dance at Marshall’s parking lot 7- Northside kindergarten carolers at Marshall’s parking lot…

November 19, 2015

Police: Crying Baby Alerts Neighbors of Mother’s Overdose

At least three Ellwood City residents have died from heroin overdose this year and if it wasn’t for a crying baby, it may have been four. According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 2 officers responded to a 911 call to check on the welfare of a child crying for an extended period of time. While en route to the residence on Ninth Street, officers were informed that neighbors had gained access to the residence and found a woman laying on the floor in cardiac arrest. When officers arrived at the residence, they identified the woman as Darcy Young, 28,…

November 19, 2015

The Numbers Behind the Ratified Teacher Contract

The Ellwood City Area School Board ratified a contract with the Ellwood Area Education Association for the 2016-20 school years on Thursday, Nov. 12. The new five-year contract, retroactively  beginning July 1, is nearly identical to the previous one, which ran from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. The changes are primarily slight increases in salaries. In the previous contract, while teachers had a pay increase for experience, there was no base pay increase. Hence, a new teacher with a master’s degree hired in 2012 would make $40,223, the same money as a new teacher with a master’s degree…

November 19, 2015

Council Wishes to Enforce Uniform Policy on Body Armor

At Monday’s borough council meeting, council unanimously voted to re-affirm the borough’s position on the Uniform Policy on Body Armor. The policy requires police officers to wear bulletproof vests as part of their uniform and was originally adopted by council in a unanimous vote on Nov. 18, 2013. According to council, two police officers do not always wear their vests, and council intends on enforcing the policy. Council member John Todorich said the policy should be amended to say punishment is up to and including termination. “Taxpayers pay for those vests, and they cost $1000 each,” Todorich said. “They should…

November 18, 2015

Police: Gas Station Attendant Hit During Robbery

Robbery: B&B Gas Station Attendant Hit A gas station attendant was treated for injuries sustained during a robbery at B&B on 2335 River Road. The robbery occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16. According to North Sewickley police, the attendant was attacked by a male dressed in a dark, hooded sweatshirt. The suspect hit the attendant several times in the head and threatened the employee with a knife before taking an undetermined amount of money. The suspect fled on foot. The attendant was treated at the Ellwood City hospital and released. Police have been unable to identify from the…

November 18, 2015

Two Spontaneous Council Motions Meet Mixed Response

Two motions, spontaneously suggested by outgoing council members at Monday’s council meeting, caused some stir among council. The first motion, a proposal by council member Ralph Chiappetta to appoint two part time patrol offices to full time, ultimately failed 5-2. The second motion, suggested by council member John Todorich, to install gates at the Ewing Park swimming pool parking lot passed 4-3. For Chiappetta and Todorich, Monday was their penultimate meeting. Chiappetta lost in the May primaries and Todorich was defeated in the general election on Nov. 3. Both seconded each others’ motions. During the new business segment of the…

November 18, 2015

Mayor Presents Commendation to Bette Baney and John DeLoia for 50 Years of Service

Mayor Anthony J. Court presented a commendation to Bette Baney and John DeLoia for their 50 years of service to the Ellwood City community. The DeLoias, who have organized the Halloween and Christmas parades for half a century, stepped down this month following the Halloween Parade. Caroline and Scott Golmic have taken the mantle and are organizing this year’s Christmas Parade. “The residents of Ellwood City would like to commend you both for your devoted dedication to the entire community,” Court said in the commendation. “After 50 years of organizing parades, this is truly the end of a very special…

November 17, 2015

Halloween Contest Winners Receive Cash Prize

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Ellwoodcity.org Halloween contest! Brixton and Arianna Contino won the contest with 490 votes! The 3-year old twins captured the hearts of Facebook users with their Beetlejuice and Lydia costumes, from the 1988 film Beetlejuice. Emma and Shane Leavens, 4 and 3 years old, dressed as matching scarecrows and won second place with 425 votes. The winners visited the EllwoodCity.org office at the Color Center for their cash prize of $50! The prize was presented by staff member Eric Venezie. Photos were submitted by mothers Ang Contino and Ashley Leavens. Thank you everyone for…

November 17, 2015

Ellwood Borough Council November Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the council meeting on held on Monday, Nov. 16: Announcements There will be a public hearing today at 2 p.m. to discuss storm water management systems. Visitors Three visitors spoke regarding the Inmetco fire on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 8 and 9. Overall, residents wanted to know if the borough has any system in place to the community of an emergency and expressed concerns about the environmental effect. On Nov. 9, the Ellwoodcity.org staff spoke to Fire Chief Rick Myers who stated that the DEP officer on the scene advised nearby residents to…

November 16, 2015

Students Make Case for Increased Technology Education to Board

Students from Perry Lower Intermediate School presented their work in the Wolverine Makerspace Workshop to the board last Thursday. If the seven 4th-graders are representative of their entire grade, then enthusiasm for the workshop is near unanimous. The Wolverine Workshop, which allows students to work with 3-d printers, CAD and robotics, was added this year at Perry. Currently, students spend about one or two hours once or twice a week tinkering, experimenting, and building under the direction of instructor Scott Setzenfand, who was hired in the summer. However, if the students had their say, most of the school day would…