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Human Interest

May 11, 2019

Fireworks Fundraiser Surpasses Goal: $9,000 Donated So Far

Ellwood City will not only have its fireworks display this year at the festival, it will be a display with some extra bang. Eric Rayner the 26-year-old Ellport man who has been the face of the Save The Ellwood City Fireworks fundraiser announced on May 9 that the $5,000 goal was met and an additional $4,00o was raised bringing the current total to $9,000. Rayner said, based on community input, any money raised over the original goal will be split 45 percent toward a larger fireworks display and 55 percent saved for next year’s display. “It’s been an honor to…

May 10, 2019

Ellwood City Area School District to Employ Armed Guards

Thanks to a grant, Ellwood City Area School District will have two armed school police officers. The $156,400 grant provided by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will allow the district to employ the two officers for two years. Superintendent Joseph Mancini said a security assessment’s findings led the district to apply for the grant and allocate the funding to be used to hire armed personnel. He said that assessment revealed that the Ellwood City School District was the only one in the county that did not have some type of security personnel on duty during school hours. That…

May 9, 2019

PHOTO: “Midnight In Manhattan” Riverside’s Prom Court

Riverside’s promenade is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Friday, May 10. Students will arrive at the high school cafeteria by 5:30, where formal photos can be taken. Promenade in the gym begins at 6:20, where seating is free. At 6:30, the promenade will begin in the high school auditorium, where seats are $5.00. The theme for prom is Midnight in Manhattan. Coronation of the King and Queen of prom follows the promenade. Next, a group photo will be taken by Clark’s Studios of New Castle in the old Kindergarten playground area. After the group photo, students will caravan to Shakespeare’s…

May 7, 2019

$4,357 Raised for Fireworks; Still Time to Donate

Fireworks Fundraiser draws closer to $5,000 goal. “We’ve received many donations and t shirt orders from people in the community and some people who don’t even live here,” said Eric Rayner, organizer of the fundraiser. “I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of such an amazing community.” As of May 6, $4,357 has been raised toward the $5,000 goal. The most recent donation was made by Bud Mazzant in combination with Berkshire Hathaway of Cranberry. They donated $500. Mazzant said the decision to donate was simple. “If you do away with fireworks and all those ammenities, you ruin…

May 1, 2019

Riverside Superintendent Set To Step Down

Riverside’s current superintendent, Dr. Dave Anney, will be serving his last day on June 28th. This announcement was made during Riverside’s school board meeting on Monday, April 15. “The best part of being an administrator is when you have the chance to help someone in some way and then you eventually see them turn into productive and responsible adults,” said Dr. Anney. Anney has been a part of the Riverside community for 32 years. He built his career from being smaller things like a high school math teacher, an assistant principal, and a middle principal to serving five years as…

May 1, 2019

PHOTOS: “A World Of Adventure” Ellwood City’s Prom Court

The 2019 Lincoln High School Prom “A World of Adventure” will take place on Friday, May 3, 2019, at Seven Oaks CC, in Beaver Pa followed by the traditional Ellwood City After Prom in Ellwood City. Doors to the Leslie Szabo Memorial Auditorium will open at 5:00 and the annual Lincoln High School promenade will begin at 5:30. Tickets for the evening’s event are $3.00 and can be purchased in advance at the high school office or at the door. The Class of 2020 has been hard at work all year preparing this year’s Prom festivities. Class of 2020 Class…

April 30, 2019

Festival Fireworks Fundraiser: Custom Logo Apparel Available, In Person Donation Day Set

Donations have started rolling into the Save the Ellwood City Fireworks fundraiser. Eric Rayner, the 26-year-old Ellport man who is leading the fundraising effort, said that as of April 30, donations total nearly $3,000 of the $5,000 needed to save the fireworks. The most recent donation was a $1,000 donation from the Ellwood City Police Department officers. “I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support we’ve gained in just the few days we’ve been accepting donations!” Rayner said. “Our community has really stepped up and put their money where their mouth is. I’m strongly encouraged that we will raise above and…

April 24, 2019

Koppel Bridge Replacement Project On Target, Detour Scheduled This Summer

According to PENNDOT Press Officer Steve Cowan, the $27.58 million dollar Koppel Bridge replacement project is progressing well. “Crews have one half of the deck rebar tied and are working on the other half of the bridge,” said Cowan via email. “Deck placement work should begin in early May.” An approximate three-month closure of both bridges and detour will occur from the late summer through the fall of 2019 when the new bridge and roadway will open. “Depending on several factors, the contractor is anticipating the detour to begin between July 17th and July 31st,” said Cowan. The current configuration…

April 24, 2019

Donation Collection Begins For Fireworks Fundraiser

Eric Rayner has officially began his Fireworks Fundraiser. He will be updating the public on the progress of his efforts as well as the amount of money collected on a regular basis on his “Save the Ellwood City Fireworks 2019” Facebook page. “I will update the Facebook page every night with updates on how much was raised,” Rayner said. He has already seen support from the community “The initial donations I received when meeting with Mayor Tony Court, Lt. David Kingston, council members Marilyn Mancini and George Celli, and Justin Neupauer of Alborn Tire Sales totaled $325,” Rayner said. Community…

April 23, 2019

Hospital Develops Niche Services, Adds Doctors

The best way to support the Ellwood City Medical Center and its employees is to use it for services. According to the Medical Center’s Marketing Manager Victoria Gatto, a 14-year employee, that is vital to the hospital’s future. “We are still open,” she said. “We still have great employees here ready to treat and serve you.” Gatto said general hospital services such as x-rays and blood work are all services that will help the hospital start to generate positive cash flow. And the hospital has announced that mammography services are returning on April 29 and patients can call 724-752-6733 to…