Local News

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

VEHICLE FIRE: On February 15, at approximately 1:32 a.m., a Fombell man was involved in a vehicle fire on Route-18 in North Beaver Township. According to the report, police responded to a report of a PennDOT salt truck that was on fire in the area of PA-18 and Gilmore Road in Lawrence County. According to the information provided by driver, Ronald McElwain, 54, the salt truck was traveling north when he heard a pop, and smoke started filling the cabin. McElwain was able to pull off the roadway and exit the vehicle without injury. The salt truck suffered catastrophic damage…


BC3 Nursing Students Gain “Once-In-A-Lifetime” Experience Serving Community During Pandemic

(Butler, PA) Nearly a year after Butler County Community College donated personal protective equipment to healthcare workers at the outset of a global pandemic, its registered nursing students are gaining “once-in-a-lifetime” experience – experience uncommon among nursing schools, they add – as volunteers serving the community at a COVID-19 clinic inoculating up to 1,200 visitors a day. Brittney Barnett, Mackenzie Dean, Michele Gaiser and nearly 80 others from the Nursing, R.N., program on BC3’s main campus are assisting senior citizens from Butler Memorial Hospital’s parking lot and into its nearly 3-month-old COVID-19 clinic that is providing vaccinations against a virus…


Ellwood City To Host Easter Treat Bag Hand Out

This year marks the Ellwood City Area Easter Egg Hunt’s 26th community event and this year things will be slightly different. Due to COVID-19 and continued safe social distancing practices, this year’s event has been changed to a drive thru event where treat bags will be handed out. “Instead of doing 25 Golden Eggs this year we are going to do something different,” said committee member Kathy Brenner. “This year we are going to put a theme to our event – An Easter Parade.” Have your child(ren) help you decorate your vehicle and get a slip to enter a contest…


PHOTOS: Riverside Lions Club Collects Hygiene Products

The Riverside Lions Club recently collected hygiene products at two area locations as part of its ‘Hygiene Helpers’ project. The products at the Franklin Township Giant Eagle and Dollar General stores were donated to the Holy Redeemer Food Bank.  Both stores have donations boxes located near the exits. “The Riverside Lions would like to thank the Franklin Area Giant Eagle and Dollar General stores for supporting us in our ongoing collection of Hygiene products thru our Hygiene Helpers boxes located at each store,” said District Governor of the Riverside Lion Club, Chip Campbell. “We would also like to thank the…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week of March 8

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, WE’RE OPEN The Library will be open by appointment only. Call the library to set-up an appointment to browse for books or use a computer. Anything printed must be paid for with exact change or check. We will not be making copies at this time. Newspapers and magazines will not be available. Limitations for patrons are 10 items with a limit of three, for either books on CD or DVD’s per person. Masks are to be worn,…


ECASD to Return to Classes Five Days a Week with No Delay Starting Monday

Students in the Ellwood City Area School District will return to school in person, five days a week beginning Monday, March 8 without a delay in the morning. Although the board agreed unanimously that the students should return to school full-time, the board was split regarding whether or not to maintain the delay. Before polling the board regarding a delay, Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley recommended a full return to school without a delay. “To continue to have a delay would be a disservice to all students who are able to attend,” he said. Shipley assured the board that no student…


Teachers Now Qualify for COVID-19 Vaccinations

As Pennsylvania strives to return more students to their classrooms for in-person instruction, teachers are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations under a newly announced expansion of the Commonwealth’s immunization plan, according to Senator Elder Vogel. Under today’s (March 3) announcement, teachers will have their own separate vaccination program and will not be included in Class 1A (senior citizens and those with pre-existing medical conditions). Teachers will not receive priority status nor will they receive vaccinations ahead of those in Class 1A. “By vaccinating teachers, Pennsylvania can expedite the reopening of schools all across the state,” Senator Vogel said. “This…


Wolves Club Honored by the Ellwood City Italian American Heritage Foundation

The Ellwood City Italian American Heritage Foundation, at the February Wolves Club meeting, honored the organization with an appreciation plaque in recognition for all they have done and continue to do for our community. Mr. Biondi, while presenting the recognition plaque, on behalf of the ECIAHF remarked; ‘it is with tremendous gratitude, pride, and admiration that we honor the Ellwood City Wolves Club Den II for over seven generations of support and service to our community’. Organized in 1948 by a handful of Italian immigrant businessmen, the Wolves Club has been synonymous with providing scholarship to students in the Ellwood…


Hitched & Unhitched: December, January, February

The ongoing pandemic coupled with the harsh weather of winter months may have taken a bit of a toll on romance — particularly weddings — forcing more couples to downsize and even go virtual. The Washington Post, citing bridal consultancy data, reports that nearly 80% of weddings were postponed or canceled when the U.S. outbreak started almost a year ago, upending much of the $73 billion wedding industry. Couples, meanwhile, have redirected money that would have gone to lavish receptions toward bigger rings and honeymoons according to the report. However circumstances played out, for many area brides and grooms the…


Franklin Township Seeking Volunteer Position For Planning Commission

Franklin Township is looking for volunteers for its five-member planning commission. The board meets once a month on the first Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. to review subdivisions, land developments, and potential ordinances. Those interested can contact the Franklin Township office at 724-758-9702 or email twpsecretary@zoominternet.net. With a population just over 4,000 residents, Franklin Township is located in the very Northeast top of Beaver County. Both Butler and Lawrence Counties form the East and North border of the Township. The Connoquenessing Creek forms the Southwest Boundary. Franklin Township was established by an Act of Legislation on February 28, 1850. Follow the township…