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February 21, 2018

2018 Historical Society Scholarship Awards Announced

The Ellwood City Area Historical Society will award the Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarships of $1,500.00 each to two (2) graduating seniors in 2018 who have been accepted into an institution of higher learning. (i.e. 4 year, Trade School or Performing Arts) Please note the following requirements. 2018 graduating students from Lincoln High School and Riverside High School are eligible. One (1) scholarship will be available to both Lincoln and Riverside High Schools, providing all requirements are met, with a approval of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society’s scholarship committee. In case no student entries qualify from one (1) high…

February 21, 2018

Ellwood City Borough Council February Meeting Brief [Updated 8 p.m.]

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough Council meeting held on Feb. 19, 2018. **Updated Feb. 21 at 8:00 p.m. Visitors Brian Bush, of the Ellwood City Revitalization Committee, presented council with a check for $200,000 from the Hoyt Foundation. Connie MacDonald, current member of the Lawrence County Housing Authority and previous council president, protested the current council’s decision to stop the planned construction of a new electric building, claiming at least $120,000 in bond money had been “thrown away.” [see correction] Resolutions A motion was adopted amending the costs of street opening permits and curb…

February 20, 2018

Police: Man Tased While Attempting to Flee Police

Man Tased While Attempting to Flee Police According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 10 at approximately 3:00 a.m., an officer observed a jeep traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of Crescent Avenue and Seventh Street. The investigating officer activated the patrol car’s emergency signals, but the jeep didn’t pull over. Police pursued the jeep to the 300 block of Wayne Avenue where the suspect parked. The suspect, a white male, attempted to run away, and the officer pursued on foot. The officer advised the suspect to stop or he would be tased, but the man…

February 19, 2018

Another Scam Targeting Elderly Reported

According to information made available this morning by the Borough of Ellwood City, Mayor Court wanted to once again warn residents that another scam is circulating through the Ellwood City area, targeting the elderly for money claiming that a relative is in trouble with the law. If you get a phone call like this or if you have elderly people living in the area, please warn them of this scam and advise them to call the Police. NEVER give out their financial information to anyone unless they are certain of the caller. Be safe and protect our elderly from these scammers!

February 19, 2018

Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of February 19

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: The library will be closed on Monday, February 19, in observance of the Presidents’ Day Holiday. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, February 20. Tuesday, February 20, at 1:30 p.m. – Afternoon Book Discussion Group for Adults. The group will discuss the book, “Harmony,” by Carolyn Parkhurst. New members are welcome, so call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Tuesday, February 20, at 4:00 p.m. – The Library Anniversary Committee will meet to discuss upcoming events and fundraising activities. New members are welcome, so call the…

February 16, 2018

Penn State Master Gardeners Announce Spring Symposium

The Penn State Master Gardeners of Lawrence County are holding their spring symposium on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 135 Decker Drive in New Castle from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year’s program will feature four educational topics. Join Adam Haritan, a wild food enthusiast, researcher, and forager, as he presents “Spring Foraging for Wild Edible Plants”. Brandon Ratvasky, from Ratvasky Supply, will share “New Plants of 2018”. Penn State Extension Urban Forestry Associate Educator, Scott Sjolander, will present “A Practical Introduction to Assessing Tree Risk”. Come learn the art of bonsai, as Michael…

February 16, 2018

Ellwood City Schools Offering Counseling After Suicide

The Ellwood City School District is offering counseling to students in the wake of the sudden death of one of their classmates. In a statement posted on the district website, officials announced that it is with great sadness to inform you that one of our students took her own life Wednesday night.  Our thoughts and sympathies go out to her family and friends. All of the students were given the news of the death by their teacher during advisory Wednesday morning. According to the statement, members of a crisis team will be available to the students over the next days…

February 14, 2018

Police Standoff At Home Off Mercer Road [Updated Feb. 16]

  SWAT officers surrounded a home off Mercer Road in Franklin Township Wednesday morning in a standoff that lasted three hours. According to reports, police and SWAT officers were on site at the Franklin Township residence where a male was inside the home with a gun before the standoff eventually led him into police custody. As a result of the police presence and locale, Riverside School District issued a lockdown with parents and guardians receiving automated phone calls. Investigators haven’t said why they were originally called to the home or why the standoff ensued.  No one was injured.  More information…

February 14, 2018

POLICE: Union Township Man Leads Police On Chase

According to reports, Ellwood City Police have charged Gary Joseph Rakoci Jr., 26, of Union Township, after he allegedly fled from police in his vehicle and on foot, around 3:00am Saturday while he allegedly was driving drunk. According to a criminal complaint filed by Ellwood City police, an officer driving an unmarked patrol car was southbound on Seventh Street when he saw a gray Jeep go through an intersection at Crescent Avenue at high speed, and it turned north, failing to stop at a stop sign. After observing a gray Jeep go through an intersection at Crescent Avenue at high speed,…

February 14, 2018

February Ellwood City Historical Society Meeting Notes

The Ellwood City Area Historical Society meeting held its monthly meeting Monday evening at the History Center.  The meeting was opened as President Everett Bleakney welcoming everyone, and explaining the mission of the Historical Society which is to protect, promote and preserve the Ellwood City Area History and,  to make it accessible to the people of Ellwood City. The Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag was led by World War II Veteran Guy Prestia. Everett acknowledged Kathy Powell and Karen Hungerford, guests from the Zelienople Historical Society.  Kathy related on the Zelienople Society and their functions there. Ron Geddes,…