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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,…

February 13, 2018

“The Tamburitzans” To Perform In March At Lincoln High School

“The Tamburitzans” (formerly the Duquesne University Tamburitzans) will perform their new production on Sunday March 25 at the Lincoln Junior/Senior High School on Sunday, March 25th at 3:00pm. In their 81st season, the Tamburitzans will take the audience on a whirlwind tour of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Mexico, Cuba and “Dance of the Gypsy Roma”.  The blend of colorful costumes, precise footwork and youthful energy has long been a trademark of any Tamburitzan concert and all attendees will thrill to the performance. The concert is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ellwood City Scholarship Fund and…

February 13, 2018

Visitors Bring Concerns Regarding Beechwood Boulevard Address Changes

At yesterday’s Ellwood City borough council agenda meeting, several residents expressed concerns regarding a proposed change to Beechwood Boulevard street addresses. The change would affect 38 properties, many on Beechwood Boulevard. All of the addresses were identified by Lawrence County Emergency Services as potentially difficult for emergency personnel to find due to confusing street numbers. David High presented council with a petition signed by 10 residents addressing multiple concerns over the changes. Several of the affected addresses are in Beaver County, and High questioned how a Lawrence County agency could request a change in another county. In addition,  the petition…