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September 4, 2025

Brooks, Brown to Host Senior Expo on Friday, Sept. 12

NEW CASTLE – Sen. Michele Brooks (R-Lawrence/Crawford/Mercer) and Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) are pleased to invite senior citizens, their families and caregivers to a Senior Expo on Friday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Cascade Park Dance Hall, located at 1928 E. Washington St., New Castle. The expo will feature a wide variety of exhibitors from local, state and federal agencies, health care providers, and senior-focused organizations. Attendees can gather information and ask questions about programs related to health care, financial planning, veterans’ services, fraud protection and more. “I always enjoy these opportunities to engage with…

September 3, 2025

Riverside Fall Sports Q&A 2025: Part 1

This is part one of a three part series featuring area athletes in fall 2025 sports. [VIEW PART 2] The start of fall sports is upon us, so we took the opportunity catch up with the athletes of those teams to see what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming rivalries and to offer some perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future. Riverside Athletes Joci Cummings School you attend? Riverside High School Sport? Varsity Volleyball Grade? Senior How many years have you have participated? This will be my 6th year playing What do you feel is…

September 2, 2025

Tar & Chipping Continues On Roadways In Franklin Township

Tar and chipping is tentatively scheduled for several roadways in Franklin Township beginning today. Tar & Chipping is tentatively scheduled for the week of September 2nd for the following roads: Butler, Chateau, Circle, County Line, Emerald, Fire, Forest Grove, Frances, Franklin, Glad, Hansen, Knox, Lillyville, Lookout, Morningstar, Morrison, Nicholson, Pander Hollow, Pinshot, Raymond, Rose, Silver, Stiefel, Tara, Vine Way, and Virginia. The township asks that residents and drivers please do not park on the road or mow grass clippings onto the road. In July PennDOT maintenance crews completed seal coating operations on Route 288 between Franklin Township and Zelienople.  Portions…

September 2, 2025

Overnight Explosion Destroys Former Walnut Ridge School and Brew Pub

As first reported overnight by multiple news outlets, an explosion rocked the former Walnut Ridge Elementary school and home of The Time Brew Pub. The building was left with significant damage after a reported gas explosion took place shortly after midnight Tuesday. There were no initial reports of injuries. Columbia Gas was called to the scene as were Ellwood City police and the Pennsylvania state police fire marshal. Mount Vernon Drive was littered with debris and closed temporarily while clean up efforts began. The road is now open after it was closed for several hours. Bus routes for the first…

August 29, 2025

Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of September 1st

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. HOURS 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. – 4:00 p.m. Please remember no one is available to take your calls unless it is in the hours listed above. NOTE The Library is taking books for the book sale. Reminder: we do not take Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, Textbooks, Encyclopedias, Magazines and VHS tapes. Activities taking place this week…

August 29, 2025

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: On August 16th, and at approximately 6:00 a.m., police responded to a report of Online Theft. Upon further investigation, officers learned that the victims, a 71-year-old female and 73-year-old male both of Volant, were frauded $3000.00 total from a fake Facebook post regarding listed items for sale according to a criminal complaint. THEFT: Tyler Nicolls, 34, of New Castle, is charged with Theft of a motor vehicle after an incident occurring on August 12th at approximately 9:34 a.m. Police were informed by the victim that she allowed Nicolls to use the vehicle to take him to and from work,…

August 27, 2025

Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church Holy Name Society annual picnic & new member drive

Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church Holy Name Society recently hosted a picnic and new member drive. Holy Name Society president, Frank Aloi welcomed the attendees and guests at the picnic, which included the seven most recent HNS members in attendance. Mr. Aloi went on to say: “while our Society offers many opportunities for service and outreach, the principal emphasis is on promoting love for God, reverence for His Holy Name, prayer, and Christian fellowship by performing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. ” Meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of the month from September thru June after…

August 26, 2025

Ellwood City Forge Electrical Explosion Sends Two Workers To Hospital

According to multiple news outlets, an electrical explosion at the Ellwood City Forge facility on Sunday sent a Beaver man to a trauma center. James Poduhavac, 46, of Beaver, was flown to the hospital and another was taken for evaluation following the explosion in Ellwood City on Sunday.  Reports relate that Poduhavac sustained severe burns as a result of the incident. According to Ellwood City Fire Chief Rick Meyers, power to the whole facility was turned off and all other employees were sent home. Reports relate that fire officials believe the explosion occurred in a large fuse panel inside the…

August 26, 2025

Vogel Announces $10.3 Million to Expand High-Speed Broadband Access in 47th Senate District

HARRISBURG – Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) today announced that $10.3 million has been provisionally awarded to expand broadband access in the 47th Senate District. Internet providers who will be receiving the awards from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority are Amazon Kuiper, Armstrong Telecommunications, Inc, Comcast, CoreConnect, SpaceX and Verizon. “Whether through fiber or satellite, expanding broadband access to communities currently beyond reach is a critical mission,” Vogel said. “It impacts homes and schools, connects families and businesses, and is a key component of job creation. I’m very pleased to announce this multimillion effort in our region.” The funding comes from the federal…

August 26, 2025

Ellwood City Council Recognizes Borough Employees for Contributions to Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Initiative

Ellwood City Borough Council President, Brad Ovial, presented commendations to two borough employees for their work on the recent Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) initiative during Council’s recent regular meeting. Ovial handed over certificates of appreciation to Borough Manager Kevin Swogger and Rhiannon Schnell, secretary for public works and code enforcement. Schnell served as the community partner for the initiative and along with Swogger was an integral part of the application and planning process as well as seeing the program through to the end. Swogger said that more than $2.5 million worth of NO COST services were provided to the community….