Local News

Former Police Chief Sues Borough

Former police chief Mark Romutis is suing the Borough of Ellwood City. Romutis filed a wrongful termination lawsuit on Monday, October 19 at the Lawrence County Courthouse. According to court documents, the lawsuit is four-pronged: breech of contract, breech of policy violation, breech of implied covenant, and interference with prospective economic advantage. Romutis is seeking $35,000 for each of the claims for a total of $140,000. The lawsuit rests on the grounds that the reason for the police chief’s abrupt removal violated the terms of his contract and has limited his employment prospects. Romutis served as police chief from January…


Police Cruiser Purchase Causes Dissension in Council

Council voted to purchase a new police cruiser at Monday’s council meeting on October 19. However, the vote was not unanimous. Council members Ralph Chiapetta and David DeCaria voted no. Chiappetta said that due to low patrol hours in the police department (about 2.4/man hour), he couldn’t justify purchasing a new cruiser. “The police department has been focusing on drug activity while other crimes, such as vandalism, are on the rise,” Chiappetta said. David DeCaria joined Chiappetta in the dissenting vote, adding that the decision “won’t affect the safety of officers or the public.” However, the other five members of…


Police: Theft of $65,000 from Ellport Residence

Theft An Ellport woman stole over $65,000 from her mother, according to police reports. On September 10, 2015, Jeanette Mathas, of Ellport, reported a theft from her house. Mathas stated that she had been in the hospital for the past two months. When she returned, she found that approximately $65,000 she had hidden was missing. Mathas stated that her daughter, Brenda Anthony, was the only person with access to the house. A witness provided pictures of Anthony with the money. Another witness reported that Anthony had recently bought all new furniture for the house she was residing in. On September…


Police: Theft and Driving on Wrong Side of Road

Theft According to the police report, Ellwood City Power and Light reported a theft on Oct. 12. Investigating officers were informed that the theft occurred between Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 12 at 8:30 a.m. The chain link fence had been cut open and three electric transformers, valued at $15 each, were stolen. Investigation ongoing. Theft Rocco Ierino reported a stolen lawn mower from his property on Division Avenue on Oct. 11 around 4:40 p.m. According to the police report, Ierino was working on his property on Division Avenue. He placed his lawnmower on the sidewalk and went…


Council Members Disagree on Revision to Civil Service Regulations

The Ellwood City Borough Council was poised to adopt revised civil service regulations at its voting meeting on Monday, Oct. 19. However, after council member Connie MacDonald raised several questions during the agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, council agreed to table the motion for further discussion. MacDonald felt the regulations should include a credit check in the civil service commission’s background check. He also felt the borough should require police officer’s to have a college education, either a bachelors or associates. “In this day and age, we should hire the most qualified people and encourage people to have…


Riverside Parents Inquire about Co-Op Wrestling with Ellwood City

Several parents attended the Riverside School Board agenda setting meeting on Monday, Oct. 12 to inquire about a potential Riverside wrestling program. Visitor Rani Schweiger asked the Board if there was interest in either establishing a Riverside wrestling team or forming a Co-Op with Ellwood City. Superintendent Dr. David Arney said that because of how imminent winter sports season is, it is more practical to look into having Riverside athletes wrestle as independents for the 2015-16 school year. Schweiger countered that wrestling as an independent is an entirely different experience for athletes than having the support of a team. “My…


Strike Averted, School Tomorrow! Tentative Agreement Reached

Around 9 p.m. tonight, the Ellwood City School Board and the Ellwood Area Education Association reached a tentative agreement. As such, a strike has been avoided, and there will be school tomorrow as normal. Today’s negotiation, which began at 6 p.m., concluded a series of negotiations since the last contract expired on June 30. Following today’s agreement, Board Vice President LeRoy Cortez thanked the teachers for their patience. “We’ve reached an agreement that I believe is fair to both sides,” Cortez said. The threat of a strike loomed over the district since Wednesday, Oct. 9 when the Education Association announced…


Police: Theft and Drug Possession

Stolen Items According to the police report, on April 11, 2015, Vincent Delboverlando, 18, of Ellwood City, stole an air rifle, valued at $400, from Robert Shaffer. On July 17, Delboverlando made arrangements to sell back the air rifle for $100 in the 7-Eleven parking lot on 201 North St. An undercover office accompanied Shaffer and arrested Delboverlando following the transaction. Delboverlando was charged with theft on Oct. 1. Drug Possession According to the police report, on Aug. 23 around 8:45 p.m., a state police officer arrived to a residence on Elm Lane, New Beaver Borough, in a response to…


Strike! Ellwood City Teachers Threaten to Strike on Tuesday

The Ellwood Area Education Association will strike on Tuesday if no agreement is reached with the Ellwood City Area School Board by then. The association announced its intention to strike Wednesday following a failed negotiation meeting. Contract negotiations had been ongoing since the expiration of the previous contract on June 30. The Ellwood Area Education’s Association showed up in force at Thursday’s school board meeting. Members of the Parent-Teacher Association and Ellwood City Kitchen Cabinet also attended to show support for a compromise. Subsequently, the meeting was held in the cafeteria instead of the meeting room to accommodate the visitors….


School Board Discusses Driver’s Ed, Business Week and Perry School Sign

In addition to written and verbal statements by the Ellwood City Little Wolverines, the Ellwood City Area School Board discussed several other issues at its agenda setting meeting on Monday, Oct. 6. Board Member Renee Pitrelli asked if the “behind the wheel” portion of driver’s education could be restored. The school district used to offer the course after school which, when completed, provided a driver’s insurance deduction. According to Vice President LeRoy Cortez, the school board eliminated the course in 2011 simply because of a budget shortage due to Harrisburg’s statewide public education subsidy reduction. Board Member Bob Stevenson said…