Local News

Several Ellwood Property and Business Owners Oppose Proposed Zoning Ordinance

“Over the years, your business district has sprawled and lost purpose,” Mark Pelusio of Town Center Associates said at the beginning of a public hearing on a proposed zoning ordinance for the Ellwood City Borough. In brief, the proposed zoning would divide Ellwood’s core business district into four sub-districts with the intention of creating a pedestrian dominated area on Lawrence Avenue from Fourth to Eight Street consisting primarily of retail and dining establishments. Council worked on the new zoning with the aid of Town Center Associates [TCA], a consulting agency based in Beaver, and an urban development company, Environmental Planning…


Police: Police Raid House and Find 42 Sick Cats and Three Dead Cats

Cruelty to Animals A Wayne Township woman was charged with cruelty to animals following a search of her residence on West Lawrence Avenue. Throughout May, the Wayne Township Animal Control Officer investigated Delores Esther Conley’s residence and viewed several cats that were visibly sick and needed treated or euthanized. After the defendant took no action, Lawrence County officers executed a search warrant and removed 42 live cats and three deceased cats. Conley admitted that the cats had not been to a veterinarian since 2006, and she was unable to provide care for them. She was also unaware how many cats…


Annual Ellwood Festival Features More Vendors and More Local Bands Than Ever Before

This year’s Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Foods and Entertainment Festival intends to focus more on the entertainment part than any previous festival. Indeed, Friday will be entirely oriented around local entertainment. While in previous years, the festival has pulled entertainment from around the greater Lawrence/Beaver County area, Friday will be all about Ellwood City. The festival will kick off with a “community day” beginning with the Little Miss Firecracker Pageant, which was a success in previous years. The rest of the day’s lineup will feature five bands from the Ellwood City area: Wine & Spirits, D Major, Nickle Plated Revolver,…


Police: Ellport Man Charged with Discharging a Firearm that Struck a Residence

An Ellport man was charged with reckless endangerment for discharging a firearm in the direction of a residence. After roughly a month of investigation, Ellwood City police charged Edward Charles Wymer, 52, with one count of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, a misdemeanor of the second degree. He was arraigned before Magistrate Jerry Cartwright on June 22. Yet, part of the case remains a mystery. On Saturday, May 25, a bullet struck Amy Prine’s residence on Gartley Avenue in Ellport, shattering a front window. On June 4, Cortni Prine, Amy’s 18-year old daughter, was outside when she heard a bullet whizz…


Little Miss Firecracker Pageant to Kick-Off 2016 Festival!

The third annual Little Miss Firecracker Pageant will kick off this year’s Ellwood City Community Day at the Ellwood City Festival. 15 girls between the ages of four and seven will vie for the title on Friday, July 1 at 11:15 a.m. on Folino Stage. Pageant co-chairs Becky Guisler and Nikki Mars are excited about the number of contestants. “This is our largest group of young ladies to date,” Guisler said. “We started the pageant two years ago as a way to bring something new to the festival and the event has gained in popularity. We’re hoping this year’s pageant…


Ellwood City Festival Entertainment Schedule

Friday, July 1 11 a.m. – Raising of the American Flag National Anthem sung by Franceska Butchelle 12:30 p.m. – Wine & Spirits Bands 2 p.m. – D Major 3:30 p.m. – Nickle Plated Revolver 5 p.m. – Generation II Band 6:30 p.m. – Brokin’ Pic 8 – 10 p.m. DJ Nikki/Community Dance Saturday, July 2 11 a.m. – Raising of the American Flag National Anthem sung by Franceska Butchelle 11:15 a.m. – Trophies from 10k race Noon – Heart in Service 1 p.m. – Castle Country Cloggers 1:30 pm. – Kiddie Corner with Vic Rangel & Professor Bubblemaker 2:30…


New Zoning Ordinance Will Divide Downtown Ellwood into Four Districts

Ellwood City zoning laws haven’t seen an update in many years. Folk singer Bob Dylan was penning his first songs when Ellwood borough councils were penning many of the zoning laws. There was even a sentence that referred to a car wash an an automobile laundry. Council is now in the final stages of approving a new zoning ordinance. Primarily, the downtown business area will be divided into four districts each with specialized encouraged use. Residential areas will not be affected nor will current businesses and residents in the business districts. Rather, each of the new districts will encourage the…


Mayor Presents Fifth Beautification Award

On Wednesday, Mayor Anthony J. Court presented to Stacy Stahl and Noah Robbin of Pittsburgh Circle the Fifth 2016 Beautification Award and Gift Certificate. Stacy and Noah were nominated by Joe Greco, and Stacy commented to the Mayor that “this is a dream come true.” Both Stacy and Noah were very excited over the award and thanked Joe for nominating them and thanked the Mayor for having such a great program. Since this program began, Mayor Court has had many residents comment on the success of his Beautification program and how nice residents keep their properties during the summer months,…


Lincoln Class of 1954 June Meeting

Pudue La Cava hosted the Lincoln Class of 1954, “Life is a Beach” committee at her Mt Vernon Drive home on Thursday, June 16 at 4 p.m. The session began with lunch provided by Ann Amadio, Ilene Gardner, Jan Keenan, Arlene Maielli, Clemmy Sirmarco and LaCava. Gardner and LaCava served and presented Amadio with a birthday cake, made by Gardner, in honor of her Flag Day birthday. Co-chairmen Paul Abraham, James Spielvogel and James Gillespie conducted the business session that followed. Abraham and Spielvogel reported on the site accommodations and necessary times and setup. Gillespie reported on the monthly fund…


Corona D’Italia Lodge June Meeting

Corona D’Italia Lodge #807 held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 8 at 5 p.m. at Pizza Joe’s. The session began with a pizza luncheon hosted by President Clemmy Sirimarco and served by Louis DiFrischia and Jackie Perno. Trustee Patty Regna voiced the invocation. The business session followed with financial reports by Treasurer Louise Vitullo. She welcomed Anita Chaffin, a long time member, who has been unable to attend meetings due to other commitments. Vitullo reminded all insured members to review their beneficiary information and to contact her for any changes to be made. Sirimarco recognized Orator Valerie Valentino and…