Local News

December Ellwood City School Board December Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City School Board meeting held on Thursday, Dec. 3: The meeting was the last meeting of 2015 and the last meeting with board members George Garda, Bob Stevenson and Jennifer Grossman, although Stevenson and Grossman were absent. Superintendent Joe Mancini thanked the three leaving members for their service and thanked Garda for his many years of service to the Ellwood School District as both an administrator and board member. At the conclusion of the meeting, new members Erica Gray, Jennifer Tomon and Danielle Woodhead were sworn in. Renee Pitrelli was voted…


Library Activities Week of Dec. 7, 2015

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m. — “Holiday Family Laptime” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8. The event is designed for babies as young as 6 months old as well as preschoolers. Holiday stories, songs and finger plays will be featured. Call the library to register or for more information. Thursday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. – “Hooked on Books,” a book discussion group designed for students in 6th through 8th grades. The group will discuss the book, “Tomorrow When the War Began,” by John Marsden….


Nativities on Display at Wurtemburg Methodist Church

Wurtemburg Methodist Church will be displaying Nativity scenes from Dec. 10 to 12. There will be 200 plus Nativities for your viewing pleasure. The event is free and welcome to all ages. There will also be refreshments, kid’s activities, free Nativity drawing and a Nativity store. Dec. 10 and 11: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Keep Christ in Christmas! Wurtemburg Methodist Church is on 1244 Portersville Road, Ellwood City. For more information, contact the church at 724-758-9685


Morella Allies with New Members to Elect Pitrelli School Board President

With the support of three new members, Renee Pitrelli was elected President of the Ellwood City Area School Board at Thursday’s reorganization meeting. It was a contested vote. At the start of yesterday’s meeting, Mike Nuepauer sat in the president’s chair and LeRoy Cortez served as vice-president. Both favored keeping things as is and were supported by Anthony Buzzelli and Kathy Pansera. Each of the four has served at least two terms. However, board members Renee Pitrelli and Matt Morella had different plans. Backed by the three new members, Erica Gray, Jennifer Tomon and Danielle Woodhead, Pitrelli ended the meeting…


New Ellwood City Borough Website Launched

The new Ellwood City Borough website launched yesterday, providing residents with a more engaging and informative online resource. Currently, the old website is still functional, though the homepage should soon have a redirect link to the new website. A quick comparison between the old and new reveals why it was time for change. The old borough website was designed primarily for desktop use. The new website is mobile friendly and features more contemporary aesthetics, such as bigger pictures, drop down menus and a more user friendly layout. Most importantly, the website provides a far more informative resource for residents and…


Police: Juvenile DUI Leads to Crash

DUI According to the police report, on Nov. 30 around 2:25 a.m., officers responded to an accident at the intersection of Pershing Street and Madison Avenue. A vehicle had struck the rear of a legally parked car. Both vehicles suffered moderate damage, but there were no serious human injuries. Investigating officers talked to the driver and passenger of the offending vehicle. Both were 15-year old females and appeared to be intoxicated. According to police, the driver will probably be charged with a DUI and driving without a license and both will probably be charged with underage drinking. Formal charges will…


Senator Vogel Petitions Horse Racing Commission Regarding Lawrence County Downs Deadlines

In a letter to the state Harness Racing Commission, state Sen. Elder Vogel called for an adjustment to the deadlines for the Lawrence County Downs Racetrack. The letter, co-signed by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman and President Pro Temore Joe Scarnati, addressed several concerns Vogel feels will impede the successful completion of the Racino Project currently being undertaken by Endeka Entertainment. The deadlines call for construction to begin by October 2016 and for the first live-betting race by October 2017. If the deadlines aren’t met, the state could revoke Endeka’s license. The letter, dated Nov. 9, is included below: We…


Veterans’ Specialist to Visit Gibbons’ Office Next Week

State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, today announced he will host veterans’ specialist Stephanie Bengoa in his Ellwood City office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 to lend help to veterans and their families. Bengoa, of the American Legion’s Veterans Assistance program, will be in Gibbons’ office to assist veterans with understanding what benefits they have earned, filing appeals to existing claims, enrolling in the Veterans Administration health care system and any other question regarding benefits. Gibbons’ Ellwood City office is at 438 Line Ave. No appointment is necessary. Constituents with questions can contact Gibbons’ office at 724-752-1133.


Christmas Parade Lineup

The annual Ellwood City Christmas Parade will be held this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Current forecasts predict Saturday to be 52° and sunny. The parade will start at the intersection of Fourth Street and Lawrence Avenue. Participants will march down Lawrence Avenue, turn left on Eighth Street, turn left on Crescent Avenue and return to the Holy Redeemer School parking lot to disband. Spectators lining the streets will see a wonderful lineup including Santa Claus, the Pirate Parrot and the Lincoln High School Marching Blue Band. DJ Greg Marshall will play Christmas carols in front of the Ellwood City Municipal…


Schedule of Christmas Events this Weekend

This weekend promises to be a merry time with lights, parades, horse and carriage rides, and more. Because so many Christmas events have been coordinated around each other, it can be difficult to keep track of what’s when. Here’s a convenient schedule: Friday, Dec. 4 6 to 8 p.m.: Light Up Night on Lawrence Avenue featuring entertainment by Rudy Zetz, Janet Falotico and Sharon Grey 6:30: Lightning of the 30 foot Christmas Tree and Zambelli Fireworks in the Community Plaza 8 to 10:30: “It’s a Wonderful Life” free screening at the Lincoln High School Auditorium Saturday, Dec. 5 10 a.m….