Local News

Gibbons Invites Public to Upcoming Town Hall Meeting

State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, will host a second town hall meeting to update residents on local community events and important state government-related issues. The second town hall will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Ellwood City Borough Municipal Building, 525 Lawrence Ave.  “As a state legislator, it is important for me to know firsthand how decisions that we make in Harrisburg impact the lives of my constituents,” Gibbons said. “Town hall meetings are a great opportunity for me hear constituent concerns and discuss issues affecting their everyday lives.” Gibbons said he encourages his constituents to…


Mayor’s Crime Watch and Advisory Meetings Rescheduled

The May 26, 2016 Crime Watch meeting and the Mayor’s Advisory meeting have been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The Crime Watch meeting  is rescheduled for Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. and the Mayors Advisory meeting is also rescheduled for Thursday, June 30 at 3 p.m.


Ellwood School District Survey Taking Input from Parents and Students

The Ellwood City Area School District board has implemented a survey seeking input from parents, students and teachers. The surveys are three to five questions and primarily open-ended. The parent and student surveys can be accessed by anyone on the district website. The purpose of the survey is to gauge the district’s strengths and weaknesses and gather new ideas. Initially there was no end date for the surveys, but at Thursday’s meeting, Vice President Matt Morella proposed the surveys end on June 2, the last day of the school year, which was approved.  


Memorial Day Committee Extends Invitation to Participate

The Ellwood City Memorial Day Committee would like to extend an invitation to the entire community to participate in this year’s parade. Invitation to veterans of all ages and branches to walk or ride in the parade in honor of the men and women who died in military service for the United States of America.  Any veteran unable to walk the parade route will have the opportunity to ride on a float with other veterans. Invitation to family members to walk in honor of a loved one. Those interested can take a photo of their loved one to the Color…


Portersville Christian School Information Night/Open House

Portersville Christian School will hold an information Night/Open House on Tuesday, May 31 at 7 p.m. for families interested in enrolling students for the 2016-2017 school year. In addition to kindergarten, there are openings in most grade levels for fall 2016. Interested families who have students entering kindergarten and grades 7 and 9 are encouraged to apply early, since these grades tend to fill up fast. Portersville Christian School (PCS) provides a distinctively Christian education to students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. PCS is the only fully accredited Christian school in the Butler-Lawrence-Mercer County area that offers comprehensive education through…


New Castle Playhouse Audition Notice for “Bedroom Farce”

The New Castle Playhouse will hold auditions for the play “Bedroom Farce” on June 27 and 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Annex Theatre. There are roles for four men and four women. Show dates are Aug. 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28. The play will be directed by Lester Malizia. About the Play Trevor and Susannah, whose marriage is on the rocks, inflict their miseries on their nearest and dearest: three couples whose own relationships are tenuous at best. Taking place sequentially in the three beleaguered couples’ bedrooms during one endless Saturday night of co-dependence…


Ellwood City Area Public Library Activities for Week of May 16

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: Monday, May 16, at 1:30 p.m. – Afternoon Book Discussion Group for Adults. The group will discuss the book, “A Man Called Ove,” by Fredrik Backman. Call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Tuesday, May 17 – The library will be taking part in the “5th Grade Walking Tour,” hosting 5th graders from Ellwood City, Riverside and Holy Redeemer schools throughout the day. Wednesday, May 18, at 10:00 a.m. — “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. “Coloring for…


Ellwood School Board Takes No Action on Athletic Director

Over a dozen visitors filled into the board room on Monday, May 9 to support Athletic Director Darrin Morella, who had offered his letter of resignation to the Ellwood City Area School Board. Although approving the resignation was slated as part of yesterday’s voting meeting agenda, the motion was removed in the interim. Because Morella’s contract is a personnel matter, it is exempt from Pennsylvania’s Open Records Law. The board may hold discussions under executive session and doesn’t have to provide information to the public. However, several visitor comments and unofficial statements indicated a raise was at the heart of…


Pennsylvania American Water Replacement Projects in North Side Area

Pennsylvania American Water will begin two replacement projects in the third week of May, weather permitting. The first project will replace 3000 feet of aging water main along College Street, Clover Avenue and First Avenue. Currently, the area is served by a four and six inch cast iron main that was installed during the late 1920’s and recently has been the source of several service disruptions. The company will be installing 12 inch ductile iron mains which will improve service reliability and increase flows for firefighting. The $535,000 project will also include replacing approximately 60 company-owned service connections with new…


Ellwood City School Board May Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Area School Board meeting held on Thursday, May 12. Recognition The district and administration congratulated the varsity softball team and head coach Gary Rozanski. The team finished the season 16-0, won the section and are ranked #1 in the WPIAL Class AA by the Beaver County Times. They will begin the playoff season at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 at Seneca Valley against the winner of a Neshannock vs. Waynesburg Central game on Monday. Revenue/Finance The board rejected a motion to pass the 2016-17 proposed preliminary general fund budget in…