Recent Stories

Human Interest

April 22, 2019

World War II Pearl Harbor Survivor Turns 101

Happy (early) Birthday to Ellwood City’s Joseph Michael Gasper, who is turning 101 on Tuesday, April 23. He is our area’s last World War II Pearl Harbor Survivor. Gasper, who has lived in Ellwood City ever since he was discharged from the Army in 1945, is still very sharp and enjoys talking with his friends and family. Last year he was feted to a grand centenarian birthday party that included a gun salute from the Veterans Guard. He received dozens of cards from all over the world and birthday greetings from television and other entertainment stars. This year will be…

April 12, 2019

Written In The Trees

Everyone loves the romantic movies where the love-struck high school teens carve their initials into a tree at their local park, signifying their love will forever grow and leave a mark on this world. Sometimes bark grows over and the two fade away, only thinking back to the love they shared in brief moments. However, the love story that has become of Carli Young and Tanner Gilchrist seems to have become ethereal. The two met at Tanners twelfth birthday—Carli only attended because her father had been friends with Tanner’s father. With a fleeting twelve-year-old mind, Carli couldn’t have picked Tanner…

April 12, 2019

Dog Gone: The Ulti-Mutt Pet Lovers Bar

When local dog lover, Tim O’Brien (or more commonly known as T.O) acquired the property on 125 First Street, he wanted to do something different then the common bar and grill places located throughout the small town of Ellwood City. Seeing as he had all of this unused property on the lot, T.O went to the drawing boards and created something new: Dog Gone. “[I wanted to] give the town a different aspect to the bar/restaurant scene,” O’Brien said. “It’s not just a shot and beer place where people come to get plastered.” Within the walls of the restaurant, he…

April 11, 2019

Ellwood City Mayor Named Vice President Of Statewide Association

Ellwood City’s mayor Anthony Court was recently named Vice President of the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania (AMBP). Court, 61, who has served as mayor for 13 years said he is proud to have been chosen for the role. He was raised in Ellwood City with his three sisters Luisa, Angela, and Margherita. He takes his job as Mayor personally and plans to continue that in his state-wide position. “I am honored,” Court said. “Especially since it is voted on by my peers from across the state.” He will serve two years in the vice president role…

April 9, 2019

Holy Redeemer Cancels Annual Bazaar

Love those Holy Redeemer Pepperoni Puffs? Unfortunately, this year fans are going to have to rely on the Festival to get their fix. Holy Redeemer announced over the weekend that they are canceling their beloved bazaar this year. Citing a lack of attendance and financial success, Fr Mark Thomas announced in a letter that the decision was not made without consideration. “As you can imagine, planning for future events must begin very early to insure success,” Thomas said. “Over the last months, the parish staff, pastoral council, finance council and various committees have come together to prayerfully plan our future…

April 3, 2019

Governor Wolf Appoints Council President to Advisory Committee

Ellwood City Council President Judith Dici was recently appointed to Governor Wolf’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). The Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) provides municipalities, legislators and the business community an opportunity to have an open dialogue to discuss the impact legislation is having on local governments as well as creates a forum to communicate and converse about the needs and challenges facing local governments throughout Pennsylvania. Dici will represent Ellwood City and 957 other boroughs until 2023. Out of a handful of borough officials, Dici was chosen by Wolf to serve on the committee. The Local Government Advisory Committee…

April 2, 2019

Ellwood City Meals on Wheels Speeding Ahead

Juicy meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn: Can you smell what Ellwood City Area Meals on Wheels has cooking? Monday’s April 1 reopening of the beloved program was also its 45th anniversary. With a new dedicated headquarters and cook, Terri Crespo, Meals on Wheels board member, said the program is completely back in business and ready to serve those in need. Monday’s inaugural delivery came after about a month’s delay in service. “We’ve gotten so many compliments about how good the food was and how glad residents were that we are back in business,” Crespo said. “Everything went wonderful, and better…

March 18, 2019

“Dog Gone” Bar & Restaurant Grand Opening

On Friday, March 15, Ellwood City Mayor, Borough Council Members, and an Ellwood Chamber representative attended the Grand Opening for the newest Ellwood City business, “Dog Gone” Bar and Restaurant. Dog Gone, located at 225 1st Street, features an outstanding menu that includes lamb chops and fish sandwiches as well as meatball sandwiches.  The owner Tim O’Brien and Mayor Court have been longtime friends and Court expressed how proud he is of both O’Brien and Hiler and wishes them both luck and success on this new adventure. DogGone will be open Monday-Thursday from 3pm-12 and Friday-Saturday from 3pm-2am. For those…

March 18, 2019

BC3 Is The State’s No. 1 Community College

(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College has been ranked as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania by Schools.com for a third time in a row, a recognition that validates the college’s continued excellence on its main campus in Butler Township and at its five additional locations, said Dr. Nick Neupauer, BC3’s president. “What is remarkable about this is that the bar has been set so high, and yet for a third consecutive ranking, we have achieved that No. 1 status,” Neupauer said. “It’s not just a single variable that resulted in this ranking.” Schools.com, a Foster City, Calif., organization,…

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…