Local News

Jessie Swogger Berkebile Day Declared In Ellwood City

Mayor Anthony J. Court proclaimed Thursday, September 28, 2023 to be “Jessie Swogger Berkebile Day” in the Borough of Ellwood City. Jessie was presented with a proclamation on her 81st birthday celebration. She was the first full-time woman police officer in the Borough of Ellwood City. She was hired by Ellwood City Borough Council on August 22, 1979 and started working on September 16, 1979. Jessie is the mother of the Borough Manager, Kevin Swogger. PICTURED BELOW: (left to right) Officer Matthew Morabito, Sgt. Michael McBride, Council President George Celli, Borough Manager Kevin Swogger, Jessie Berkebile, Mayor Anthony Court, Council…


Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame: Chief Justice Debra McCloskey Todd Paved Way for Women in Law

Note: This is the third story in a series highlighting the Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame Induction class of 2022 leading up to the induction of the 2023 Hall of Fame class that will be announced at the October 6th Homecoming Game. Chief Justice Debra McCloskey Todd knew from a young age that law was her intended path in life. At age 12 she began working for Ellwood City attorney James Keller. James and his wife Beverly had a law office on Park Ave. just three blocks from Todd’s childhood home. She served as a file clerk. “I knew…


ECPD Completes Training and Earns Certification

On Tuesday, September 26th Mayor Anthony J. Court and Ellwood City Police Department conducted a training session at the Ellwood City Rod and Gun Club Range. The training consisted of firearms certification, taser certification, practical exercises and officers certified with the department’s new PepperBall Gun, which is another less lethal tool to be used by the Ellwood City Police Department. Officer Matthew Morabito is the department’s PepperBall Gun instructor. The Department also utilizes Bean Bag Rounds deployed from a 12 gauge shot gun.  All 13 Officers of the Department were qualified with Firearms and Less Lethal Options. Mayor Court and…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of October 2nd

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! Hours are Monday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. –…


POLICE: Woman Found Shot Dead In Truck In Perry Township

A homicide investigation is underway after a woman was found shot dead inside a Toyota pickup truck overnight Friday. According to the police report, and at approximately 3:17 a.m. on Saturday, PA State Police located a vehicle over a hillside along River Road in Perry Township near Butler Avenue. Emergency responders found a 39-year-old female from Corry, PA deceased inside the truck, partially over a hillside, with an apparent gunshot wound. Her husband, a 40-year-old male from Corry, PA was discovered outside the vehicle, further over the embankment, with gunshot wounds. The male was flown by medical helicopter to a…


2023 Ellwood City Homecoming Court Announced

Congratulations to the 2023 Ellwood City Homecoming Court! Ellwood City will celebrate their 67th Annual Homecoming festivities next week when the Wolverines host the New Brighton Lions at Helling Stadium on Friday, October 6th. Students will celebrate all week with themed Spirit Days sponsored by Student Council. The 2023 Homecoming King will be crowned at a school pep rally on Friday afternoon and the 2023 Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime of the football game that evening. Pre-game festivities, where the Queen’s Court will be introduced, begin at 6:30 that night.  Last year, Brooke Roth was crowned Ellwood City…


Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame: Dan Aloi Basketball Hall of Famer

Note: This is the second story in a series highlighting the Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2022 leading up to the induction of the 2023 Hall of Fame class that will be announced at the October 6th Homecoming Game. Bob Knight (also known as “The General”) once told him he was a good basketball player. He was a three-year starter for Ellwood City from 1985 to 1987. He had a career scoring mark of 1,937 points and had his basketball numbers 40 and 41 retired by the Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors. He is…


Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame: Dr. Jeffrey Hangst, Professor, Scientist, Musician

Note: This is the first story in a series highlighting the Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame Induction class of 2022 leading up to the induction of the 2023 Hall of Fame class that will be announced at the October 6th Homecoming Game. He’s a little bit musician, a little bit mechanic, and a lot mad scientist … and by mad, I mean mad COOL! Dr. Jeffrey Hangst, Hall of Fame Class of 2022, and Lincoln Class of 1975 graduate is an experimental particle physicist at Aarhus University, Denmark, and founder and spokesperson of the ALPHA collaboration at the Antiproton…


Hometown Holiday Toy Drive Announced!

As the holiday season approaches, the community is gearing up for a special tradition that brings warmth, joy, and togetherness to Ellwood City. The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with The Borough of Ellwood City and the Ellwood City Area School District, is sponsoring the Hometown Holiday Toy Drive. “We are excited to extend an invitation to your esteemed business to be a part of this heartwarming initiative,” says Rhiannon Schnell of the Public Works Department. The Hometown Holiday Toy Drive is an opportunity for our community to come together and spread the holiday spirit by ensuring…


REMINDER: The Annual Ellwood City Fall Fest & Car Cruise Is Saturday

A reminder to local and area residents looking to kick off the fall season, the annual Ellwood City Fall Festival and Car Cruise is this Saturday in downtown Ellwood City. The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce will be transforming downtown into a “Fall-themed” Craft, Food, Music, and Hot Rod/Motorcycle Utopia! The Annual Ellwood City Fall Fest & Car Cruise will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 30th on Lawrence Avenue. Come enjoy music, crafts & vendors, food, classic cars, and the kid zone in downtown Ellwood City! There is no fee to enter your…