Recent Stories

Local News

July 19, 2018

Jordan Brown’s Conviction in Murder Of Father’s Pregnant Fiancée Overturned

HARRISBURG, Pa. – It’s a case that has captured national and international attention — when at 11-years-old Jordan Brown of Lawrence County was charged with killing his father’s pregnant fiance nearly ten years ago. On Wednesday, in a unanimous decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Brown’s conviction on a first-degree murder charge. Back on February 20th of 2009, Jordan Brown was 11-years-old when he was charged with the shotgun slaying of 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son.  Prosecutors said he committed the murder and then got on the school bus minutes later. But fast forward nine and a half…

July 18, 2018

Council Approves Murals for Underpass

At Monday’s meeting, Ellwood City borough council approved a request by a local artist to paint murals on the Fifth Street Underpass. Woodrow Cowher, of Ellwood City, had previously painted murals on the side of Sweet Caroline’s on 507 Lawrence. His project is sponsored and funded by the Ellwood City organization Kitchen Cabinet and the Hoyt Foundation. The paintings will be on the outside walls of the underpass and according to Kitchen Cabinet member Earla Marshall, will require little maintenance due to a protective coating Cowher uses. There was initially some discussion between council and the cabinet over approving the…

July 18, 2018

BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing Unveils 3 New Career Programs

(New Castle) BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing has become the first of Butler County Community College’s five additional sites to offer associate of applied science degree programs in office administration-medical and in accounting, and the second in office administration-executive – career programs that will allow students to develop skills needed to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Students completing an associate degree in office administration-medical can work as secretaries or administrative assistants in a medical environment. Those professions in 2016 paid an average salary of $34,600 in Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Labor and Industry. Employees with experience earned…

July 18, 2018

One Charged After Car Crash on July 4

Ivy Frederick was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after making a too sharp turn and hitting another vehicle. Jessica and Mark Bucci were parked at the stop sign heading west on Wayne Avenue when a red Cadillac Escalade made a too sharp turn and struck their vehicle. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke to Frederick about hitting the other vehicle. Officers noticed Frederick was stumbling on her words numerous times and was unable to maintain balance at all times throughout the course of investigating the accident. Police noted Frederick’s eyes to be glossy and her pupils…

July 17, 2018

Real Estate Transfers for June 2018

Courtesy of the Register & Recorder section of the Lawrence County Government Center in New Castle, the following are real estate transfers from the Ellwood City and surrounding areas for June 2018: Ellwood City 110 13th St; Bank of New York Mellon Trustee to Frank Zalavarria for $19,000.00. 103 Glen Ave; Jeffrey K Ketterer & Laura Katterer to Mitchell Steffler for $85,000.00. 732 Crescent Ave; Mary Ann Caputo to Fortune Foreclosures LLC for $19,000.00. 130 Wampum Ave.; Theo C Cusato EST to BM Property Management LLC for $200,000.00. 1216 Beaver Ave; Tonia F Donnelly to Michael A Dibattista for $11,115.00….

July 16, 2018

Ellwood City Public Library Activities for Week of July 16

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities.  Activities taking place this week include: MONDAY: 10 a.m. — “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. This program is usually held on Wednesdays, but will meet on Monday mornings instead during the summer months. “Coloring for Adults” is a program designed to help reduce the stresses of everyday life. Everyone is welcome. TUESDAY: 6:30 p.m. – Puppet Theater Performances. The students will present the plays they have been rehearsing throughout the summer in Puppet Theater Workshop. All family, friends, and other Summer…

July 13, 2018

RECAP: The Ellwood City Carpenter’s Project 17th Year

For five days each summer, the Ellwood City Carpenter’s Project teams up with churches around the area to complete exterior house projects throughout Ellwood City and Riverside school districts. This year the project is taking place from July 9 to 13. The Carpenter’s Project started back in 2002 when Chuck and Marsha Timblin of Calvin Presbyterian Church of Ellwood City wanted to see their church and other local churches come together for one summer to help those in the community who were either physically or financially unable to fix their homes on their own. But hat one summer goal turned…

July 12, 2018

Borough Code Officer Requests Stronger Enforcement Ordinances

Ralph Chiappetta, Ellwood City borough’s code enforcement officer, addressed yard maintenance issues at council’s agenda meeting on Monday. He urged council to request the state government to enact stronger code laws. According to Chiappetta, most complaints are grass and trash related and the major issue is dealing with out of state owners. Several borough properties have owners from as far away as Texas, California, or Oregon, and Chiappetta said it is exceedingly difficult to eradicate blight in these properties. The owners often ignore letters and fines and are difficult to contact. He specified one property is up to $17,000 in…

July 12, 2018

One Man Charged in Connection With Ellwood City High Speed Chase on July 4

Ellwood City Police are looking for a driver who sent them on a high speed chase on the Fourth of July. Police have filed charges against 22-year-old Isiah Nathaniel Carr of 1866 W. Lawrence Ave. regarding the alleged pursuit. District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright has issued a warrant for his arrest. On officer patrolling in an unmarked cruiser saw a maroon van speeding through the lot of the Seven Eleven convince store just after 2:00am on July 4th. The driver of the officer said he had to immediately brake to avoid being hit by the vehicle, according to a criminal…

July 11, 2018

Update: Ellwood City Car Crash Victim Identified

The Ellwood City man killed in a one-car accident on Saturday night has been identified as Benjamin Junkin, 19. Ellwood City police reported that Junkin’s brakes apparently failed on Wampum Avenue at Bridge Street. His car went airborne, went over a hill, struck a couple of trees and rolled. Junkin was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The two passengers in the car, Kaileah Vellone, 21, of 616 Todd Ave., Ellwood City, who was Junkin’s fiancee, and Haley Vellone, 17, of 790 Seventh St., West Pittsburg, suffered minor injuries and were treated at Ellwood…