Local News

“Feel The Love Of Christmas” to be Featured at Cathedral in New Castle, Will Benefit Special Olympics

This will be the final season for a tradition started by the late musician B.E. Taylor, as his son B.C. Taylor conducts the final “Feel The Love Of Christmas” tour. Taylor will perform on December 14 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle. This year he will be joined by a group of Special Olympics athletes who take to the stage for a song. A tradition loved by the athletes and the audience. “The athletes look forward to it every year,” said John Maielli, Special Olympics basketball coach and fundraising chairman. According to Maielli, the tradition began about 15…


Santa Claus Is Coming To Franklin Township

On Sunday, December 22nd Santa Claus will be proudly escorted by the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department to see all of the good girls in boys in the township. The tour will begin in Tomica Springs at noon on Sunday. Listen for the sirens and look for the flashing red lights to announce Santas arrival. When the truck comes to a stop, please come see Santa on the fire engine and get a treat from Santa himself and his elf. Please refer to the Franklin Township Facebook page on the day of the event for updated arrival times. Estimated arrivals…


Mayor Proclaims December 7 Joseph Gasper Day

Ellwood City Mayor Anthony J. Court proclaimed December 7, 2019 as “Joseph Gasper Day.” Court presented a proclamation to Gasper, a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Gasper is our area’s last World War II Pearl Harbor Survivor. “Mr. Gasper is a War Hero,” Court said. The mayor was joined in the presentation by Samuel Teolis, a main representative of all veterans in Ellwood City. Teolis is also former Mayor of Ellwood City. “God Bless these Veterans and all Veterans,” Court said. “They are all hero’s in my eyes!” Gasper, who has lived in Ellwood City ever since he was discharged from the…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of December 9th

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities.  Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. Activities taking place this week include MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 6:30 p.m. – “Classic Book Group for Adults,” they will be discussing the book “An English Murder” by Cyril Hare. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 6:30 p.m. – “Holiday Storytime,” for infants to early grade school. Stories, Crafts and Fun. Registration is requested. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 10:00 a.m. – “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. It is designed to help reduce stresses of everyday…


PHOTOS: ‘Let There Be Lights’ Friday Night

The annual Light Up Night on Lawrence Avenue Friday Night featuring craft & food vendors, music, children’s activities, train rides, a human snow globe photobooth and strolling Holiday Characters featuring Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph. The was also Santa Claus photo opportunity at Venezie Sporting Goods & Apparel. The lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree in the Community Plaza took place at 6:30 p.m with fireworks shortly after.  Although scheduled for 8:45 p.m., the firework explosion took place earlier than scheduled to the delight of the thousands of community members in attendance. Saturday’s festivities feature the Ellwood Christmas parade at…


Ellwood City Area School Board Holds Reorganization Meeting

Ellwood City School Board swore in newly elected directors and reorganized Thursday evening during its combined meeting. Jean Biehls and Gary Rozanski were sworn in with current directors Leroy Cortez, Erica Gray, and Jennifer Tomon. Renee Pitrelli was elected board president with the support of current board members Kathleen McCommons, Barbara Wilson along with newcomers Rozanski and Biehls. Cortez, Tomon, and Gray voted no. Rozanski was voted vice president with the support of all board members except for Tomon. Two outgoing members thanked their fellow board members, administrators, and the community. Michael Neupauer spoke about the great administration at Ellwood…


Ellwood City Medical Center Announces Layoffs

This afternoon, according to a Facebook Live video from PA State Representative Aaron Bernstine, it was announced that the Ellwood City Medical Center has laid off 92 of the 171 employees of the hospital. The layoffs are due to the recent closing of the emergency room as well as the inpatient facilities. Over the next several days, Mr. Bernstine’s offices will be coordinating with other healthcare facilities to set up a job fair, exclusive to those employees who have been displaced. Bernstine’s offices will bring in representatives from as many healthcare facilities as possible to meet the talented health care…


United Fund Update: Short of Fundraising Goal

The Ellwood City United Fund is still short of its fundraising goal, says Andrew Kindle, treasurer of the United Fund. The United Fund campaign started on October 1, 2019, Kindle reports that as of November 15, 2019 the total contributions received are $16, 900.00 which equates to about 30 percent below the goal set for this time period. The annual goal set by the board in October is for $50,000. The board hopes that the community will step up to the plate by giving contributions so the communities needs may be met. The United Fund provides funds through out the…


POLICE REPORTS: Criminal Complaints

The following are police criminal complaints filed at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lawrence County office of Honorable Jerry G. Cartwright. According to a complaint, on November 20, at 7:21 p.m. officers were dispatched to Dollar General in reference to a retail theft in progress. Upon arrival, a store employee advised there was a female stealing numerous items and putting them in her brown purse.  Teresa Ritter, 25, of Ellwood City was taken into custody. When officers asked Ritter to open her purse, there were nine pieces of merchandise valued at a total of $37.75 including a $10.00 Lego Creator Drone….


Elton Hotel Firefighters Memorial Service Planned

It has been 30 years since the Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire at 428 Lawrence Avenue in the borough, to the location of the now-former Elton Hotel. That December 4th call would change the lives of many. While crews worked to contain the blaze, a catastrophic collapse occurred, which left two firefighters trapped inside. David “Ernie” Martino and Paul Frederick gave the ultimate sacrifice that morning while protecting the borough and its residents. Now, this weekend, December 7th beginning at 11 a.m., a memorial service will be held to pay tribute to these heroes, 30 years…