Local News

ECASD Changes Date of December Board Meeting

In a notice made available Monday afternoon, the Ellwood City Area School Board of Directors have changed the date of their December board meeting. According to the notice, the December board meeting that was originally scheduled for December 2, 2021 has been moved to December 9, 2021. The re-organization meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the Combined Committee Meeting and Regular Meeting will immediately follow. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School.


THROWBACK THURSDAY: Haunted Hillview Manor

Editor’s note: This article originally appears on our website in October 2016, but we are republishing as a Halloween treat. Located on the outskirts of New Castle lies one of the most popular western Pennsylvania ghost hunting locations- Hill View Manor. The manor is an 85,000 square foot building that opened in the 1920’s as a “poor farm” and halfway house but was later turned into a care facility in the 1970’s. Its doors closed permanently in 2004 and remained lifeless until it was sold to new management a few years later who turned it into a prime spot for…


NOTICE: ECASD Board of Directors Schedules Special Meeting Friday

In a notice made available by the Ellwood City Area School District this week, the Board of Directors have scheduled a Special Meeting on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. The Special Meeting will be pertaining to Delinquent Real Estate Taxes. This meeting will be held virtually. A link will be provided on the school district website the day of the meeting.  


New Castle Man Admits Role in Multi-State Cocaine Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH – A resident of New Castle pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today. Darnell Latham, 52, of New Castle, Pennsylvania pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine from March of 2019 through September of 2020, before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Latham is one of thirteen defendants charged in the Indictment returned in this case. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration began…


Local Hope Warrior Named ‘Woman of Courage’

Some define a woman of courage as a mother, others someone who helps their community, others a leader or teacher, others a survivor. Cara Atkinson is all of the above. The lifelong Ellwood City resident was recently named the recipient of the Pink Pamper’s Woman of Courage award. “Woman of Courage” is an award bestowed upon a cancer survivor who has made a huge contribution to the Western Pennsylvania Cancer Community. Atkinson said before even attending the event where she received the award, she felt like she had already won. I found out I was nominated by a lady who…


Council to Consider Street Vacations

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to advertise an ordinance vacating Locust Way from Fountain Avenue to Glen Avenue and Fountain Avenue from 5th Street to Locust Way. There has been speculation for months that Sheetz has its eye on that location in Ellwood City. Borough officials said they cannot and will not speak on behalf of Sheetz, Inc. or whether Sheetz is planning a location in the borough, but Borough Manager David Allen said the company has been researching that area. A public hearing regarding the street vacations will be held on November 8 at 5:45 p.m. According…


Two-Day Live Music Festival, Halloween Fun to Take Over Ellport

Live local music, a Halloween theme, events for kids, and some spooky fun for adults … you don’t want to miss the Ellwood City Band Bash. Local Resident Eric Rayner is back at it again raising money for the annual summer fireworks show while providing entertainment for the community. On October 22-23 ten musical acts will entertain the crowd at Robert E Rodgers Memorial Park in Ellport. “This is our best lineup yet,” Rayner said. EVENT LINE-UP: Friday October 22 (Gates Open at 4 p.m.) 4-4:45- Zakk Bissell 5-6 Eric Oliver 6:30-7:30 The Zoo 8-10 The Middle Room Saturday October…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week of October 18

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…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

NOISE DISTURBANCE: Amber Jewel Perez, 36, of Ellwood City, is charged with aggravated harassment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and harassment earlier this month. According to a criminal complaint, officers were called to the neighborhood of Loop Street where they heard loud music coming from a residence. Perez and another woman were in a hot tub on the porch playing loud music. The police instructed them to turn down the music and Perez complied. At 5:35 a.m., the police were sent back to the address for another disturbance. A caller reported that the music was getting louder. Perez emerged…


ECASD Names New Solicitor

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted Thursday evening to name Tucker Arensberg as the new law firm to represent the district. The name of the associate that will serve at the meetings was not announced, but the decision comes following the resignation of the district’s current solicitor, Jennifer Dambeck, of the Beard Legal Group. Dambeck resignation is effective Dec. 2. She said the decision is not a personal one, and that Beard Legal Group plans to represent school districts that are closer to its office in Altoona. Dambeck was appointed solicitor in August of 2020, following…