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April 14, 2016

Ellwood City School Board to Consider Athletic Apparel Deal

At its voting meeting tonight, the Ellwood City school board will consider allowing Walmart and Kmart to sell Ellwood City school district-themed clothing. The agreement would be negotiated through Pel Industries, an athletic apparel company. During the board’s agenda meeting on Monday, Business Manager Richard Zarone said the district had attempted a similar arrangement before with a different company, but it hadn’t worked out. The school would receive eight percent royalties from sales. Vice President Matt Morella was concerned that such an arrangement would hurt local businesses. Board member Kathy Pansera noted that Beaver County Walmarts already sell t-shirts for…

April 14, 2016

Ellwood Boys and Girls Track Results from Laurel Meet

The Ellwood City boys and girls track teams lost to Laurel at a home meet on Tuesday. However, Ellwood athletes captured several first places. For the boys, distance runner Billy Lott won the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs while participating in a winning 4×800 meter relay team. Nick Ioanilli claimed first in the 100 meter dash and long jump. Also taking first for Ellwood were Keyshawn Gatto in 400 meter run and River Kelly in the shot put throw. For the girls, Madison Morella won the 100 meter dash and 100 meter hurdles while participating in the winning 4×100…

April 14, 2016

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group Guest Speaker

Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related Dementia? Have you felt like you have gotten lost in the world of being a care provider? Could you use an evening out with people who are going through similar experiences that you can relate to? Is it time to take care of you, your issues and your needs? Learn practical care giving information Get mutual support Learn about local community resources Find solutions to challenging behaviors Special Guest speaker: – Constituent Services Coordinator with The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter Date: Wednesday May 4, 2016 Time: 6p.m. to 7…

April 13, 2016

Homicide Trial: Prosecution’s Primary Witness

[This is Part 3 in a series covering the homicide trial of Leon Platt. Parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here.] Update April 14, 8:30 a.m.: The defense called no witnesses and the jury began deliberations yesterday afternoon. They will reconvene today. Platt, 28, of Rochester, is accused of murdering Richard Hogue, 28, just after 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2013 in an apartment on 411 Loop St. in Ellwood City. Lawrence County Judge J. Craig Cox is hearing the case, Assistant District Attorney Thomas Minett is prosecuting and defense attorney John Bongivengo is representing Platt. On…

April 13, 2016

Council to Vote on Full-Time Police Officer on Monday

Ellwood City Borough Council will vote on a motion to advertise for a full-time patrol officer at its regular meeting next Monday. The motion was added to the agenda at Monday’s agenda meeting after a discussion. [Correction 12 a.m.: The motion will advertise the position, not hire an officer.] The police department currently has one lieutenant, one sergeant, eight full-time patrol officers and one part-time patrol officer. Council member Judi Dici started the discussion with statistics concerning overtime rates for the police department. According to numbers read by Dici, overtime costs for January through March are $42,606.84. According to borough…

April 12, 2016

Homicide Trial: Prosecution Rests Case

[This is Part 1 in a series covering the homicide trial of Leon Platt. Parts 2 and 3 can be found here and here.] After six days and over two dozen witnesses, the prosecution rested its case yesterday afternoon in the murder trial of defendant Leon Platt. Platt, 28, of Rochester, is accused of murdering Richard Hogue, 28, just after 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2013 in an apartment on 411 Loop St. in Ellwood City. It’s the first murder trial in Ellwood City since 1980. Lawrence County Judge J. Craig Cox is hearing the case before a jury of…

April 12, 2016

Homicide Trial: Prosecution Witnesses

[This is Part 2 in a series covering the homicide trial of Leon Platt. Parts 1 and 3 can be found here and here.] After six days of testimony and over two dozen witnesses, the prosecution rested its case in the trial of Leon Platt. Platt, 28, of Rochester, is accused of murdering Richard Hogue, 28, just after 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2013 in an apartment on 411 Loop St. in Ellwood City. It’s the first murder trial in Ellwood City since 1980. Lawrence County Judge J. Craig Cox is hearing the case before a jury of seven men…

April 12, 2016

Police: Aggravated Assault with a Knife

Women Assaults Man with Knife Devon Rand Crocker, 23, of Ellwood City, was accused of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children for an incident on April 3. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a domestic situation on Franklin Avenue at approximately 7:30 p.m. Investigating officers made contact with the victim, Crocker’s boyfriend, in the hallway of a second floor apartment. He reported that following a verbal altercation lasting several hours, Crocker attacked her mother and him with a knife. The victim was able to disarm Crocker, but was bitten repeatedly. These actions occurred in the presence…

April 12, 2016

Relay for Life Upcoming Events

Looking For A Few Good Persons As the Ellwood City Relay For Life starts its 2016 year, we are in search of individuals that are outstanding in working with the community to lead our committee to greater rewards than in years past. Even if you have just a few moments in your busy schedule, we could use your guidance and knowledge. Openings are in the areas of Chairperson, Sponsorship, Team recruitment, Chinese Auction, Logistics and Survivors. You are invited to join us at our committee meetings to learn more about these openings and other places your service can be helpful…

April 11, 2016

Baseball and Softball Recap: Ellwood, Riverside Gather Wins

The Riverside baseball team played and won two games last week. On April 5, the Panthers defeated Vincentian Academy 4-3 and got a 2-0 win against Shenango on Thursday. For the Shenango win, juniors Ricky Wass and Dylan Speicher earned runs in the first and third innings. Michael Boswell pitched a near-perfect game with 13 strikeouts and only two hits against. The Panthers are now 5-1 overall and 1-0 in their conference. They play an away game at Laurel today, weather permitting. Ellwood Baseball The Ellwood City baseball team played three games, winning two of them. The Wolverines defeated Central…