Local News

FIRE VIDEO: ‘The House is a Total Loss’

The Ellwood City Fire Department responded “almost immediately” to a fire on the 100 block of Orchard Avenue Thursday evening. “We actually had a truck up the road for a separate call when the fire broke out. Some neighbors ran up to the truck and said 130 was on fire – so we responded almost immediately,” Ellwood City Fire Chief, Rick Meyers stated. Despite the fast action, due to the layout of the property it was difficult for the responding departments to get to the center of the fire – which they believe started in the kitchen/dining room area. The…


Ellwood City “Revivalization”

Over thirty youth enjoyed a program on yoga presented Tuesday evening by Ashley Smith, a yoga instructor from Ellwood City, as part of the enrichment component added to the youth’s daily arts and crafts projects supervised by Joseph Cioffi. They were given information on the subject and then eagerly participated in several poses such as the Shavasana pose (pictured). Ashley emphasized the health related impact that yoga can have, especially for stress relief, that all ages can benefit from. “Many people have the misconception that yoga is only about strengthening your body, but really it’s also about training your mind and…


Return of the Color Run

The Ellwood City Color Run was such a hit last year that the organizers, Stacie Hackett and Kim Rangel, decided to do it again this year. “It was a huge success last year with over 150 runners – everyone was dosed in color having a great time and we raised a lot of money for the cheerleaders,” Hackett stated. After looking for different fun ways to raise money for the benefit of the Ellwood City Cheerleaders, Hackett noticed how well the color runs did in other communities and thought maybe it would do well in Ellwood too. “We were looking…


Barry Quick Mart Celebrates Grand Opening

After spending nearly six months turning the former service station into a lively convenience store, the owners of Barry Quick Mart, located on Line Avenue, are joined by their family, friends, and customers to celebrate their grand opening today until 4p.m. Kuldip and Malkit Singh co-own the store together, which features general convenient store items, food, and gas pumps, two of which are full service, and they’re already pleased with the customer support. “Business is picking up every day and the community has been very supportive. We heard about the business opportunity and pursued it. We are not here to…


Art on the Avenue: Celebration of the Arts

The library is hosting an Art on the Avenue: Celebration of the Arts event on Friday, July 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. This is the library’s second annual Celebration of the Arts; last year, they hosted a wonderful author fair with 250 people in attendance. This year’s event will be very similar in nature; 28 local artists will be participating and will be placed around the library in an easy-for-folks-to-browse style. Featured will also be food, drink and beverages, including wine, in the program room which will be decorated in a gallery style featuring one piece of art work…


Boy Scout to Erect Charles Follette Jr. Memorial

The heroism of a Lincoln High Eagle Scout was slowly getting forgotten as generations passed – but one Neshannock Life Scout is determined to keep the young hero’s legacy going. On October 2, 1942, 14-year-old Charles Follette Jr. was attending a Lincoln High School football game working as crowd control for the Eagle Scouts to ensure spectators stayed off the field. During the game the seniors were doing a fundraiser by wheeling a gasoline powered popcorn roaster around the stadium to sell popcorn. Somehow during the game the machine caught fire and Follette and a few of his fellow scout…


Erratic Driver Accused of Threatening to Shoot Local Family

Updated at 2:10p.m. 7/19 Erik Sobel is facing charges of disorderly conduct and reckless driving after an incident that occurred on the evening of July 12. According to the police report, officers observed Sobel driving at a high rate of speed and erratically through the town trying to get the officers attention. Multiple complaints came in about Sobel’s driving and that he was threatening the Pounds and Johnsons. Officers could hear the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed through town and they observed him speeding on Lawrence Ave., as he pulled his emergency brake and slid into the…


Council Approves Lawrence Avenue Demolition

Four Lawrence Avenue storefronts are set for demolition after yesterdays council meeting. In a unanimous vote of 6-0 with Council Vice President David DeCaria absent, the Ellwood City Borough Council approved the contract with Continental Demolition of Bethel Park for the demolition of 509 to 515 Lawrence Avenue. DeCaria has opposed the destruction of one of the buildings, “it is true that as the lone businessperson on council I have been opposed to the demolition of the buildings on Lawrence Ave. The cost of demolition is halfway to the cost of restoring one of the buildings,” he said. “But, as…


Ellwood City Coloring Books On Sale Now

With the help of many local artists, the Ellwood City Art Club has prepared an Ellwood City coloring book that is now available for purchase at select locations throughout the town. The coloring books feature hand drawn art by local artists of all ages and will provide hours of fun and unique coloring opportunity. They are on sale for $10. All proceeds benefit the Ellwood City Art Club. Due to limited quantity, get them while they’re still in stock! Books can be purchased at the following locations: The Color Center, Lawrence Ave. Dayspring Gifts, 6th St. Sweet Caroline’s, Lawrence Ave….


Carpenter’s Project: “A Very Successful Year”

Last Friday marked the completion of the 16th successful year of the Carpenter’s Project. Over 230 adults and youth volunteered to assist in the renovation of 75 projects on a total of 46 homes, working from morning until evening all week with a “much needed” half day on Wednesday, Executive Director and volunteer of the project since its fifth year, Steven Miller said. The groups were broken up into 21 work crews; 10 paint crews, 6 carpentry crews, one cement crew, one brush (trimming) crew, one demolition crew, one power wash crew, and one window crew, with each crew consisting…