Recent Stories

Human Interest

October 16, 2019

EC School Police Officers Strive To Promote Safety, Guidance For Students

This is Part One in a series featuring the Ellwood City School District Police Officers. Read Part Two tomorrow. For the Ellwood City School Police Department officers keeping the students safe is the number one priority, but both see the job as more than just that. Making a positive difference in the lives of youth is what the officers hope to do in their newly created roles in the Ellwood City Area School District. With more than 20 years as a police officer, Brian Speer, said his most memorable incident as an officer was not “busting” a violent criminal. Speer…

October 15, 2019

EC Student Strives for Better Water, Better Planet

Makena Hall, Lincoln High School junior, is on a mission to encourage her school and her community “to come together to create a better tomorrow.” Hall, is fundraising to implement the installation of water bottle filling stations at Lincoln. She is hoping to raise $5,000 which is enough to cover three of the stations. Her motto: “One school, one community, one planet” has a two-fold motivation. One is filtered, good tasting water to keep students hydrated and the second is less plastic bogging down our environment. According to Hall, although her peers get thirsty, they don’t want to drink water…

October 14, 2019

Cortez, Neupauer Recognized For Years of School Director Service

The Ellwood City Area School District recognized Leroy Cortez and Mike Neupauer for their dedication and years of service on the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors. Cortez has served for 16 years, Neupauer has served for 12. School Superintendent Joseph Mancini said during the board’s Oct 10 meeting that they were honored by the Pennsylvania Boards Association (PSBA), which recognizes for years of service from 8 to 36 years. “The legacy of school board service is firmly embedded in the history of our nation and its commitment to public education,” Mancini said. “The PSBA, has a rich…

October 11, 2019

School Board Recommends Policy Revision to Support Outside Agency Lunch Debt Collection

Ellwood City Area School Board voted during its October 10 meeting to recommend a revision to the Food Services Policy 808. The move was prompted by a continued rise in school lunch debt. The new policy would give the district the allowance to use an outside agency to collect unpaid debt. The board could vote to adopt this policy during its November 14 meeting. Richard Zarone, district business manager spoke at the October 7 board committee meeting. He said the debt has reached $3,600 already for the year. He said there would be no cost to hire an agency as…

October 11, 2019

EC School Directors Table Conflict of Interest Policy

During the October 10 voting meeting the Ellwood City Area School Directors voted to table the policy and refer it to the policy committee. The proposed policy was introduced during the Board’s Monday Night agenda meeting, at which time District Solicitor John DeCaro, said the change could force board members to choose between maintaining their board position or maintaining their participation in leadership roles in other organizations such as boosters, clubs, and PTO. It was met with strong opposition from Board Directors Barabara Wilson, Kathleen McCommons, and Renee Pitrelli, who viewed the proposal as a target aimed at certain board…

October 9, 2019

School Lunch Debt Continues Rise Into Thousands Prompting Consideration Of Collection Agency

Because the school lunch debt is continuing to rise, the Ellwood City Area School Board will vote on Thursday whether to hire an outside agency to collect that debt. Richard Zarone, district business manager, said the debt has reached $3,600 already for the year. He said there would be no cost to hire an agency as it would paid by the fees incurred by the debtor. He said the four-tier process would include two warning letters, one certified warning letter, and then the matter would be turned over to the collection agency. This proposed solution follows a good gesture in…

October 8, 2019

Policy Change Proposal Causes Pushback At EC School Board Meeting

A suggested change to the Ellwood City Area School Board’s conflict of interest policy has some board members crying foul. The board is set to vote Thursday on whether to accept the proposed changes introduced during the Board’s Monday Night agenda meeting, at which time District Solicitor John DeCaro, said the policy change could force board members to choose between maintaining their board position or maintaining their participation in leadership roles in other organizations such as boosters, clubs, and PTO. This proposed change in policy came upon the heels of a suggestion by Board Member Erica Gray and was written…

September 24, 2019

From Cop to Creative: Koppel Police Chief Finds Outlet in Woodworking

When he’s not protecting and serving the community of Koppel, Police Chief Matt Smock finds himself sawing and designing works of art. Smock, 40, said although being a police officer is always something he has wanted to do and has been a rewarding career for the past 8 years, there isn’t as much creativity on the job as he craves. That creativity is released in his woodwork. “It’s the custom work that really gets me into woodworking,” said Smock, who owns .308 Carpentry. Smock, who was a fitter/welder for 12 years before entering the police academy, said that experience has…

September 16, 2019

Ellwood City’s Fearscapes Haunted Attraction a Menacing Maze

Need a little fear in your life? You don’t have to leave Ellwood City to find it. FearScapes Haunted Attraction located in the old Snyder Factory, 1503 Brentwood Avenue, has plenty of fright up its sleeve. A concept straight out of nightmares and brought to reality by FearScapes owner, John Guerrini, the attraction features “twists, turns, thrills, and chills” all caged up in a fifty room escape maze. Hideous and ghastly creatures will taunt you as you take a walk through the menacing maze. This concept is a combination effort. He credits his wife Veronica with the sinister scenes, eerie…

September 13, 2019

Ellwood City School Board Approves Soccer Funding

The Ellwood City School Board voted unanimously Thursday to approve funding of no more than $4,300 to the boys and girls teams for transportation and referee costs. Before the vote, during the visitors comment portion, numerous soccer supporters spoke on behalf of the teams. Jerry Hermann, visitor, told the board saying no is saying no to a dedicated group of kids. “Be encouragers, not discouragers,” Hermann said. Jean Biehls, visitor, encouraged the board to “open their minds” and look at funds dedicated to other athletics. “We need to let them know that they are just as important,” Biehls said. Lisa…