Human Interest

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…

This year’s Lincoln High School Musical presented a certain challenge for a conventional Ellwoodcity.org Q&A. The musical, “Into the Woods,” a Brother’s Grimm fairy tale medley, has no defined leads but instead features an extensive ensemble cast. Accordingly, the Q&A is presented in collective responses rather than individual sessions. Overall, the cast loved the diverse emotions the musical portrays. “It’s quirky and funny and the audience will love both the comic side and the serious parts,” junior Joey Cortez, who portrays the titular character in “Jack and the Bean Stalk,” said. Cortez is one of the veterans players, having participating in…

An annual Halloween event at the Eric Ryan Corporation received extra attention due to a special guest. Every Halloween season, the Eric Ryan offices are decked out into a spooky labyrinth and employees don their best costumes. The children and grandchildren of employees are invited to an afternoon office Trick or Treat. This year, Trick or Treat featured a special guest: 8-year old Kyree Beachem, who has Hirschsprung’s disease, also known as short gut disease, which affects the intestinal tract. She needs liver, small bowel and pancreas transplants and is on the top of the transplant list at Pittsburgh Children’s…