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March 25, 2016

The Passed Police Motion that Was Never Implemented

In December 2015, council passed a motion to change the police schedule. That motion, proposed by former council member Ralph Chiappetta, was approved unanimously but was never implemented. In a letter to the Ellwood City Ledger, Chiappetta stated he believed the schedule change would save $50,000 in overtime a year. However, Mayor Anthony J. Court, who is in charge of the police department, believes it would not save money and may even increase police costs. Chiappetta has visited council several times to ask them to enforce the motion with a Writ of Mandamus, although at the meeting on March 21…

March 24, 2016

To Hire a Full-Time Patrol Officer or Not?

At Monday’s meeting, the Ellwood City borough council struck down a motion to advertise for a part-time patrol officer. An alternative, hiring a full-time officer, was discussed but no decisions were made as council wished to research the matter further. Council member Marilyn Mancini first brought up her reluctance to hire a part-time officer, pointing out that recently council approved two part-time officers, neither of which committed to the positions. In addition, the borough paid for tests for one of the candidates amounting to over $700. She added that Lt. David Kingston, the police department’s ranking officer, advised that part-timers…

March 24, 2016

Ellwood City Mother and Son Charged with Dealing Cocaine

The Lawrence County Drug Task Force recently arrested an Ellwood City mother and son cocaine-dealing duo. Michael Mario Viccari, 26, and Darlene Cragle, 57, both of Ellwood City, were arraigned on Tuesday by Magistrate Jerry Cartwright following a several month investigation. Police were informed the duo was dealing drugs from 216 Buckeye Way. In a pre-planned operation on Oct. 15, Viccari sold 2.3 grams of cocaine for $80 to an informant. Again, on January 13, an informant was sent with $80 to purchase cocaine from Viccari. However, as Vicarri wasn’t home, Cragle made the exchange. Both were placed in the…

March 23, 2016

Residents Encouraged to Register for Code RED Alerts

The Ellwood City council is encouraging residents to sign up for Code RED emergency notification system alerts. The program alerts residents of area-wide emergencies, such as severe storm warnings. Participants may choose between landline, cell phone and text message options. However, residents must first be enrolled in the program. The borough website has a page for online registration. In addition, the borough will send out notifications in the mail with the option to register via paper. The description of Code RED registration from the borough website reads, “The secure, customized Community Notification Enrollment (CNE) page allows residents and businesses to…

March 23, 2016

Ellwood City Borough Council Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough Council meeting on Monday, March 21. Announcements There will be a special council meeting Thursday, March 24 at 8 a.m. to approve renovation plans for the rear of the Municipal Building. Picnic shelter reservations will begin on March 28 for non-Borough residents. There will be a Young Republicans debate on April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building auditorium. The Ellwood City Police Department will have a drug take back program for unused or expired medication on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Municipal…

March 23, 2016

Police: Woman Assaults Woman after Extended Argument

Woman Assaults Woman According to the criminal complaint, on Thursday, March 17, at 4 a.m. , officers were dispatched to a Fifth Street apartment for a domestic disturbance. When the officers arrived they could hear screaming coming from the upstairs apartment. Officers entered the apartment and made contact with the victim and the defendant, Melissa Star Sabo, 35. When questioned, Sabo stated that they merely arguing. However, the victim stated that Sabo had harassed and threatened her. She also said that Sabo had  slammed her by the neck onto the bed and began choking her. The victim stated that she…

March 22, 2016

Wampum Native Stephen Johns Debuts in NHL and Scores First Goal

Ellwood City now boasts a National Hockey League Player. Stephen Johns made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars on March 11 and has since played four more games. On March 17, he scored his first goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Johns is a native of Wampum and a Class of 2010 Lincoln High School graduate. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2014. The 6’4″, 213 pound defenseman signed a two year contract with the Stars with an $800,000 annual salary. Johns’ talent and dedication were noticed by Ellwood residents while he was still a Lincoln…

March 22, 2016

Ellwood City Drug Take Back Program

The Ellwood City Police Department is sponsoring a drug take back program on Saturday, April 30 at the Ellwood City Municipal Building. Residents may use the opportunity to turn in unused or expired medication for safe disposal. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 22, 2016

CCBC Faculty Member Selected as Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert

Monaca, PA – Recognized as a global leader in using technology to transform education, Mary Jo Slater, Professor of Office Technology at Community College of Beaver County,  joined more than 5,600 educators worldwide as part of the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program. Each year, Microsoft selects innovative educator experts to share ideas, try new approaches, and learn from each other through a global community dedicated to improving student outcomes through technology. “I am excited to have this opportunity to collaborate with and learn from educators all across the globe as well as bring CCBC the designation of leader in…

March 21, 2016

Photos: 23rd Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt

Nearly 600 children collected 6,000 eggs Saturday morning at the 23rd Annual Community Easter Egg hunt. The event, for children nine and under, took place at the Ewing Park tennis courts. Children hunted the eggs scattered throughout the courts, collecting candy and prizes. In addition to eggs filled with candy, hundreds of eggs had slips of paper redeemable for prizes, and 25 special eggs provided a super prize of a large Easter Basket with a stuffed animal and candy.