Recent Stories

Human Interest

June 26, 2020

Local Man Works to Save Fireworks Again

For the second year in a row, Eric Rayner has fought to save the fireworks display. And he will get his wish. Council voted on June 17 to have the 2020 fireworks. Last year, the concern was a lack of funding. This year, the fireworks are fully funded but when the Annual Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food and Entertainment Festival was canceled for 2020, Rayner decided he did not want that to include a cancellation of the fireworks. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. July 3 at Steifel Park. He said the location was chosen for visibility. “I’m hoping…

June 25, 2020

Unity Rally to be Held In Ellwood City’s Community Plaza

A Unity Rally will be held on Sunday June 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Community Plaza in Ellwood City. The event will feature a line-up of speakers. Organizers said the event is non-partisan and all are welcome and encouraged to attend and raise awareness of and show support for the Black Lives Matter and current Civil Rights Movement sweeping across our nation. In addition to speakers, NAACP and Lawrence County Action will have tables with information, and there will be a voter registration available as well. “I am proud to be part of this event and to…

June 18, 2020

Boutique Shopping Now Available on Fifth Street

Looking for a unique boutique shopping experience? Guess what? You don’t have to leave Ellwood City. Just head over to AOE Boutique at 213 Fifth Street for the store’s Grand Opening on June 20. Brittany Linko, owner, said the boutique will feature casual collections, snacks, shoes, and accessories. She said she could not pass up the cozy little spot she found for her business right in the heart of Ellwood City. “I found a gorgeous storefront with great bones on 5th St. for rent, and I knew it was just the right place for me,” said AOE Boutique Owner Brittany…

June 10, 2020

The Re-Opening Of Ellwood City Public Library

The Ellwood City Public Library, as well as all public libraries in the state of Pennsylvania, was closed to the public on March 14th and all other services were placed on hiatus due to COVID-19. For the past 10-weeks, due to the closing order from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries part of the Department of Education), staff members joined the rest of the nation in the work from home order. Now with the state re-opening, the libraries will also be using their own re-opening system to help ensure further safety. Further, all due dates have been waived and no books…

June 1, 2020

Lincoln Class of 2020 Parade Set For Tuesday; Community Participation Encouraged

June 2 will be a big day for Lincoln’s class of 2020. Not only will the graduates be featured in a graduate parade, but they will in fact get to have one last moment together in their caps and gowns thanks to the county moving to the green phase. Lincoln Principal Kirk Lape said before the parade, seniors will gather in the auditorium for the traditional “tassle turn.” At that time the graduates will turn their tassles from right to left signifying their accomplishment. Lape said this activity will be filmed and edited into the commencement ceremony film. Senior Class…

May 28, 2020

Lincoln High School Top Four And Graduating Class Of 2020

The Lincoln High School graduating class of 2020 will receive their diplomas Thursday May 28th and Friday May 29th at the Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo Memorial Auditorium. Lincoln High School is graduating 78 students. William Bubb is an Honorary Lincoln Military Graduate.  The following students will serve in the military upon graduation: Alexander Sablan – United States Air Force and Jolene Smith – United States Air Force. High Honor Graduates Hannah Keally PARENTS/GUARDIAN: Katie and Frank Keally CAREER PLANS: Fashion Designer NAME OF COLLEGE/SCHOOL YOU PLAN TO ATTEND: Kent State University ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL/CHURCH/COMMUNITY: NHS (president) Peer Leadership Art Club…

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

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 18, 2020

Ellwood City Native Opens Dentistry in Ewing Park

Although Nikki Jo Magnifico DDM was successfully practicing as an associate dentist in New Hampshire for the last decade, the Lincoln High School graduate felt a need to move back to her hometown of Ellwood City. So Magnifico did just that. She bought her new 620 Jefferson Ave practice from Dr. James Oberfeitinger on February 1, 2020. “I decided it was time to move home to be closer to my family,” she said. Her immediate family includes her husband, Eric, who she said is supportive of her business goals as well as two sons Tyler, 5, and Anthony, 2.5. A Gannon…