Human Interest

Local resident Joseph Gasper will be featured tonight on KDKA during the popular Marty Griffin series, “Get Marty”, a segment that appears on the six o’clock news. 97 year-old Gasper, one of the area’s last surviving veterans, was injured on Dec. 7, 1941 at the attack on Pearl Harbor. His family had tried several times 18 months ago to get a chair lift installed, so he could safely go downstairs from his bedroom to the rest of the house. The Veterans Association was unable to install a chair lift. Gasper, who Griffin featured on his Facebook Page in December before…

The top ten stories of 2015 concludes today with Part 2 and the five most popular articles of the year. Part 1 can be viewed here. We thank all our readers for contributing to our one million plus page views this year. The EllwoodCity.org staff wishes everyone a safe and happy 2016! Council to Vote Today on Drug Addiction Treatment Clinic Ellwood’s newest health care service, Freedom Health Care Services, caused considerable controversy due to its location in a Walnut Ridge residential area. Borough council approved the drug addiction counseling facility in a 4-2 vote, although several residents protested. Confusion…

In following previous years’ tradition, EllwoodCity.org brings the calendar to a close with the top 10 most popular stories of 2015. Today is Part 1 in a 2-part series. We thank all our readers for contributing to our one million plus page views this year. Be sure to check back tomorrow for Part 2. The EllwoodCity.org staff wishes everyone a safe and happy 2016! Inmetco Fire Under Control The Inmetco fire created a smoke cloud so big it is rumored to have been visible from West Virginia. Emergency responders from all over the area rushed to the scene and firefighters…

This adorable 3-year old is Soren Flook. He had a drowning accident on July 1, 2014, was without oxygen and heartbeat for an extended period, then, miraculously revived. He does, however, have resulting brain damage, leaving him unable to walk, talk or eat, and he has numerous health struggles. The family is in dire need of a wheelchair van to get him to his appointments. As he is growing, it is getting more and more difficult to get him into a car seat in an SUV, since he cannot help and he sometimes postures (a severe stiffening of the whole…

The Ellwood City Municipal Woman’s Club 29th annual Christmas House Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Five houses in Ellwood and the surrounding area are featured. The tour, a holiday tradition, gives the community the opportunity to see different styles of homes and decorations. In addition, several local businesses will offer discounts for the tour. This year, the tour is in conjunction with several other fabulous community Christmas events, including the parade, “Light Up Night” and the opening of Christmas in the Park. Homes 2015 House Tour Ryan and Amanda Venezie- 651 Crabapple Lane Bob…

Local Author Nancy Wallace has reached a frequently-aspired but seldom obtained pinnacle of achievement: publication of a novel by a major publishing house. Yesterday, her fantasy novel “Among Wolves” was released in print in the U.K. by HarperVoyager, the fantasy branch of Harper Collins. The book is available for purchase in the U.S. online. The e-book has been available since early summer. Wallace, the children’s director at the Ellwood City Area Public Library, has possibly been this area’s most prolific author, with over a dozen published children’s books. So why did someone who mostly works with children end up writing…

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Ellwoodcity.org Halloween contest! Brixton and Arianna Contino won the contest with 490 votes! The 3-year old twins captured the hearts of Facebook users with their Beetlejuice and Lydia costumes, from the 1988 film Beetlejuice. Emma and Shane Leavens, 4 and 3 years old, dressed as matching scarecrows and won second place with 425 votes. The winners visited the EllwoodCity.org office at the Color Center for their cash prize of $50! The prize was presented by staff member Eric Venezie. Photos were submitted by mothers Ang Contino and Ashley Leavens. Thank you everyone for…