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Human Interest

March 14, 2019

PART 2: Q&A With Two Of The Leads

“Pickles and pigs, pigs and pickles, who cares about that silly old state fair anyhow?” – character Margy Frank from the 1945 musical State Fair. This year beginning on Thursday, March 14 to Sunday, Riverside High School will be putting their own twist on the 1945 musical State Fair. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with a 2:00 p.m matinee on Sunday. This year Riverside high school will be putting on the musical State Fair. For reserved tickets call or text the musical hotline at 724-312-5845 or email for tickets at musicaltickets@riverside.k12.pa.us. Tickets can also…

March 13, 2019

PART 1: Riverside Musical ‘State Fair’ Dress Rehersal Photo Gallery

“Pickles and pigs, pigs and pickles, who cares about that silly old state fair anyhow?” – character Margy Frank from the 1945 musical State Fair. This year beginning on Thursday, March 14 to Sunday, Riverside High School will be putting their own twist on the 1945 musical State Fair. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with a 2:00 p.m matinee on Sunday. This year Riverside high school will be putting on the musical State Fair. For reserved tickets call or text the musical hotline at 724-312-5845 or email for tickets at musicaltickets@riverside.k12.pa.us. Tickets can also…

March 1, 2019

VIDEO: Official Donnie Iris Day Celebration

“As of February 28, 2019 at 3:00 p.m., every 28th of February shall be known as Donnie Iris Day here in the small town of Ellwood City,” Ellwood City Mayor Tony Court proclaimed as part of the presentation during the Ellwood City Historical Society birthday party event on Thursday recognizing the local rock star. Donnie Iris is mostly known for his time in the popular 1970s band the “Jaggerz” or his gold record for writing and singing the No. 1 song “The Rapper.” Iris originally learned to sing from his mother and other popular singers like Tony Bennett and Marvin…

February 19, 2019

Young Neurofibromatosis Survivor Fights, Fundraises For Others

LenaRose isn’t just your typical little girl … she’s a unicorn. She’s THAT girl. She’s the one who is unique, spirited, and giving. Facing a battle that is little known about, LenaRose takes her Neurofibromatosis in stride as she continues to dance her way through life with confidence (She just made the competition team this year). LenaRose has dealt with numerous eye issues since she was born. In 2016, she had surgery to have some scar tissue removed and the doctor recognized that her retina was bigger than it should be. That specialist suggested having LenaRose tested for Neurofibromatosis in…

February 18, 2019

Attention Lincoln and Riverside High School Seniors

The annual Ellwood City Area Historical Society Scholarship submission is quickly approaching. In hand deadline is Thursday April 11, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. The Ellwood City Area Historical Society will award two $1500.00 scholarships to two (2) graduating seniors. Graduating seniors from Lincoln High School and Riverside High School who have been accepted to attend a college, Trade School or Performing Arts are eligible. Applications may be received from the High School Student Guidance Counselor or from the Ellwood City History Center. Each applicant is asked to prepare a 400 – 600 word essay, researched and documented about one of…

February 11, 2019

Skating Into The Top 3, Hess Ice Rink Looks To Cash In

A local ice rink, Hess Ice Rink in New Castle, has been selected as one of the three finalists for a “Renovate the Rink” contest co-hosted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Voting opened Friday, February 1st and runs through Friday, February 22nd. This contest was introduced in October of 2018 as a new contest. This contest is hosted by Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Commercial Construction (PittComm). The winner will receive up to $100,000 in goods and services to renovate their rink. There were over 400 entries were received, and 16 rinks were nominated before the finalists were selected. Mark Bucci, the Parks…

February 1, 2019

Ellwood City Meals On Wheels Program Coming To An End

In a message released by Ellwood City Meals On Wheels (MOW) Officers to their clients and volunteers, it was announced this week the program will be coming to an end as of February 28, 2019. According to the release and in conjunction with the financial hardship of the hospital, the MOW has decided that it would be difficult to continue, citing that the hospital was not paying their food or milk bills, the company had frozen their account. “Some of the duties include almost volunteering 20 hours a week,” the statement reads. “This has taken a toll on some of…

January 31, 2019

Two Schools, One City, One Fundraising Cause

In light of our community’s tragic loss, the two rival schools have decided to come together and show support for the grieving family and friends of the late Kaitlyn “Kait” Francis. Showing their support, four students have stepped up and took on the task of making t-shirts to sell to students in a fundraising effort for the Francis family. The two from Ellwood City that started it all are Ariana Garroway and Sydni Haswell. The idea became so well liked that two students from Riverside, Maggie Harden and Tanner Leavens, decided to also Tweet out Riversides support. Despite the long…

January 31, 2019

Brewing Up New Ways To Preach

A Californian pastor is bringing a new way to teach the word of God to Ellwood City. On Saturday, January 12, Chris Swales opened the doors of the new coffee shop The Badlands on Fifth Street near the underpass. Swales is a California native who had been a pastor for The Badlands Ministry in California. The title of ‘The Badlands’ stems from where he grew up; just on the outskirts of the dry terrain desert. “[The Badlands] is a ministry, the coffee and food are just there to help financially support what we want to do,” Swales said. Swales and…

January 31, 2019

Wampum Graduate Named To The Dean’s List

Aleigh Mcclintick earned a 3.5 GPA, which led to her to be named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2018 Semester at the Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Mcclintick, of Wampum, graduated from Lincoln High School in 2018 and went on to Clarion to major in Nursing BSN. In high school, she participated in many clubs, some of which were Powder Puff from 2014-2016, Y- Teens from 2014- 2015, Student Council from 2014-2018, and the National Honors Society from 2017-2018. In college, she is currently participating in the Nursing club as well as her being inducted into the National Honors Society of Clarion…