Local News

PART 1: Top Stories of 2021

In following previous years’ tradition, EllwoodCity.org brings the 2021 calendar year to a close with the Top 10 most popular stories of the year. Today is the first part of our two-part series featuring the top news stories of the year based on analytics and social media reach. This year has been unforgettable to say the least, we as a community have faced the good, the bad, and the ugly this year but managed to come out on top of it all. We would like to thank our valued readership that helped generated nearly 2 MILLION page views this calendar…


Borough Of Ellwood City Announces Board Vacancies

The Borough of Ellwood City has announced the following on the Boards and Commissions of the Ellwood City Borough. The vacancies are as follows: Zoning Hearing Board Alternate, Planning Commission, and Civil Service Commission Alternate. Any Borough resident interested in serving on any of the above positions is asked to submit a letter of interest to the Borough Secretary at 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City. All letters must be due/postmarked on or before 4 p.m. on December 30th, 2021


Ellwood City Fire Chief Completes Top Tier Training

“When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age.” From a Firefighter’s Prayer Rick Meyers knows a little bit about raging flames and saving lives. One of those lives stands out in his mind. It was a patient that his department performed CPR on, and her heart had to be defibrillated to resume beats. Every year after on the date her life was saved, the woman stopped to eat lunch with the firefighters. One of those years, she exclaimed that if she didn’t survive, the firefighters…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week of December 27

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. PLEASE NOTE The Library has partnered with Seneca Library District, Oil Creek Library District, Erie County Public Library and Crawford County Federated Library System for e-books. You can now use the Overdrive or Libby App. to borrow books from the above Libraries. Please call the library with any questions. WE’RE OPEN! The Library is open. Newspapers, magazines and toys will not be available for the time being. Masks are required to be worn, covering mouth and nose, while in…


Oral Argument at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

For the past 10 years, I have taken my United States Advanced Placement Government & Politics class to Philadelphia to hear oral argument at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I have solicited all the funds for the trips from community business owners, my former steel mill buddies, and from my good friends and family. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention them in this article: Tommy Pietrcollo, Judge Dom Motto, Robin Fazioli, Carol Fazioli Cutajar and her husband Paul, Michael Perry, Sandy Carna, Michael Neupauer, Joann & Michael Smith, Jeff Foley, Gregory Manzo, Dan Miller, Springfield Group, Johnny Martini, Catalyst,…


Ellwood City Police Department to Get K9

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to purchase a police K9. Officials moved to approve a quote from Shallow Creek Kennels for $15,000. In addition to the dog, the price includes a six-week handler course, manuals, and handouts. The new K9 will be paid from the K9 fund. This is a victory for the police department and Mayor Anthony Court, who have been pushing council for the move. The decision to implement the K9 was unanimous. Court has said in past meetings that the K9 is a vital tool in fighting area crime, especially drug related. In other council…


Ellwood City Area School District Hires Law Firm to Collect Delinquent Accounts

According to a press release made available by the Ellwood City School District, Portnoff Law Associates has been hired to collect its delinquent accounts. In an effort to maximize the collection of its unpaid school real estate taxes, Ellwood City Area School District has hired the law firm of Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. to collect its delinquent accounts. Representing over 160 municipalities and school districts across Pennsylvania, Portnoff utilizes state law that allows for the costs of collection to be imposed upon the delinquent property owner, creating immediate incentive to make payment and reducing the burden of collection costs on…


Ellwood City Police Department Receives New Weapons

On December 14th, 2021, the Ellwood City Police Department put into service 5 new shotguns and 5 new AR-15 patrol rifles. The guns were purchased with funds from Drug Seizure Money. These new and improved weapons have replaced weapons that were 25 years old. The new weapons will help the Officers better protect and serve the community. Picture left to right – Officer James Cunningham, holding one of the new shotguns, Sgt. Michael McBride, Officer in Charge of ECPD, Mayor Anthony J. Court, and Officer Rob Magnifico, Department firearms instructor.


Sheetz Gets Ellwood City Council Approval for Development Plans

As far as the Ellwood City Borough Council is concerned, Sheetz is welcome to bring a business to Ellwood City. Council passed three motions Monday evening to help pave the way for development: A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to have a Sheetz convenience story with self-serve sale of motor fuels at 5th Street/Glen Avenue which is a Conditional Use in a c-3; GN Zoning District. A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to build a 6,070 square foot Sheetz Convenient Story with five multi-pump dispensers with a canopy on Fifth Street between Fountain Ave…


Council Takes Step to Recoup Funds Owed by Former Medical Center

Ellwood City Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution to collect $450,000 in delinquent utility bills and taxes owed by the former Ellwood City Medical Center. Pelorus Equity Group Inc. is the current owner of that debt. “This is a good step forward toward resolution with this property,” said Borough Manager David Allen. Allen explained that this is simply the first step in the process to regain the delinquent funds. The next step, he said is Federal Court. This step by the borough follows an October 29, 2021 Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors vote to accept a delinquent…