Local News

Corona D’Italia November Meeting

Corona D’Italia Lodge #807 held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at Pizza Joe’s Restaurant. The session began with an invocation by Trustee Patty Regna recognizing Veteran’s Day and honoring all living and deceased military personnel and all families. A pizza luncheon was served by Trustee Pudue LaCava and members Jackie Perno and Mary Jane Folino. President Clemmy Sirimarco conducted the business session that followed. Treasuer Louise Vitullo presented the financial reports. She noted that a donation was made to the Holiday Parade committee continuing the lodge’s intent to support local endeavors. Orator Valerie Valentino presented…


Library Activities Week of Nov. 23, 2015

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: The library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Normal hours will resume on Friday, Nov. 27. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. – Evening Book Discussion Group for adults. The group will discuss the book, “The Husband’s Secret,” by Liane Moriarity. Call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Thursday, Dec. 3, at 3:30 p.m. – Creative Writing Workshop for students in 9th grade and up. The group meets twice each month to share their work and discuss writing…


Christmas Tree Erected in Community Plaza

This colossal tree is the newest addition to the Ellwood City Community Plaza on Lawrence Avenue. It stands 29 feet tall and weights over 800 pounds. The tree was erected this morning as the start to a series of Christmas and holiday-themed events taking place in the coming weeks. Once decorated, the tree will have over 7500 lights. There is more to come next week regarding the tree, Light Up Night, the parade and more. Correction: Three tree will have over 7500 lights, which is a tad more exciting than 750.  


Ellwood Christmas in the Park Committee Invites All to Decorate Christmas Tree

The Ellwood City Christmas in the Park Committee is inviting area residents and businesses to sponsor and decorate a Christmas tree as part of this year’s display. The trees will line the final stretch of Christmas in the Park near the bocce court and Kid’s Created Kingdom. Sponsorships are $35 per tree. Proceeds will benefit EnCompass Point, a non-profit after school program for teens in Ellwood City. For more information, please contact Therese McShea at 724-321-1226 or Scott Golmic at 724-816-0498.


Local Author’s Major Publishing Debut Now in Print

Local Author Nancy Wallace has reached a frequently-aspired but seldom obtained pinnacle of achievement: publication of a novel by a major publishing house. Yesterday, her fantasy novel “Among Wolves” was released in print in the U.K. by HarperVoyager, the fantasy branch of Harper Collins. The book is available for purchase in the U.S. online. The e-book has been available since early summer. Wallace, the children’s director at the Ellwood City Area Public Library, has possibly been this area’s most prolific author, with over a dozen published children’s books. So why did someone who mostly works with children end up writing…


Rotary Club October Meeting

The Rotary Club of Ellwood City holds their weekly meetings on Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Connequenessing Country Club. In Late October the guest speaker was Lenore Bazzichi who is one of the founding members of the Ellwood City Revitalization Effort. She stated that Stage One of the project is now completed. The Green space in the center of town has been host to numerous concerts and enjoyed by many. Stage Two is underway which includes more infrastructure and improvements. It needs much community support and funding. Government grants will help. In November the club hosted four members of…


Wampum Light Up the Town Events

The borough of Wampum invites all to attend “Light Up the Night” on Dec. 3. The event is on Main Street and lasts from 6 to 8 p.m. “Light Up the Night” is sponsored by the Wampum Parade Committee and the Wampum Area Business Association. Schedule of Events: 5:30- Setting out and lighting of 225 luminaries; closing down Main Street 6- Street lights and gazebo are lit 6- Dance Expression (young group) at Marshall’s parking lot 6:15- Dance Expression (older group) at Marshall’s parking lot 6:30- Diamond Dance at Marshall’s parking lot 7- Northside kindergarten carolers at Marshall’s parking lot…


Police: Crying Baby Alerts Neighbors of Mother’s Overdose

At least three Ellwood City residents have died from heroin overdose this year and if it wasn’t for a crying baby, it may have been four. According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 2 officers responded to a 911 call to check on the welfare of a child crying for an extended period of time. While en route to the residence on Ninth Street, officers were informed that neighbors had gained access to the residence and found a woman laying on the floor in cardiac arrest. When officers arrived at the residence, they identified the woman as Darcy Young, 28,…


Mayor’s Christmas Awards

This year will be the fourth year that Mayor Anthony J. Court will be awarding to five local businesses the “Merchants Beautification Award” for 2015. In past years, this was a great success to the area businesses and to the residents. Mayor Court is hoping that all the local businesses will participate and decorate their storefronts, in hopes of spreading Holiday Cheer throughout Ellwood City. As in years past, any area businesses can be nominated for decorating their store front in the Holiday theme that they choose. Mayor Court will present Award signs and a gift certificate from local restaurants,…


The Numbers Behind the Ratified Teacher Contract

The Ellwood City Area School Board ratified a contract with the Ellwood Area Education Association for the 2016-20 school years on Thursday, Nov. 12. The new five-year contract, retroactively  beginning July 1, is nearly identical to the previous one, which ran from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. The changes are primarily slight increases in salaries. In the previous contract, while teachers had a pay increase for experience, there was no base pay increase. Hence, a new teacher with a master’s degree hired in 2012 would make $40,223, the same money as a new teacher with a master’s degree…