Local News

Ellwood City Area Public Library Activities for Week of March 21

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: Monday, March 21, at 1:30 p.m. – Afternoon Book Discussion Group for Adults. The group will discuss the book, “Ordinary Grace,” by William Kent Krueger. Call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Tuesday, March 22, at 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. — “Family Laptime,” an interactive story time for babies as young as 6 months old as well as for toddlers and preschoolers. Featured are stories, songs, finger plays and more. This spring session runs through April 19. Registration is requested, so call the library now…


“Casualties of Steel,” a Documentary on the Closing of Ellwood’s U.S. Steel

In 1974, U.S. Steel closed its seamless tube mill in Ellwood City. “Casualties of Steel,” a documentary, chronicles the cultural impact of that closing through first hand accounts of the people who lived during the booming times of steel and its sad aftermath. This film was created by Ben Minett as a requirement for an ethnography class at Carnegie Mellon University. The documentary has no narrator and instead progresses through the voices of Ellwood City residents. Minett is a 1997 Riverside High School graduate. He created “Casualties of Steel” during his master’s degree studies at Carnegie Mellon University. Minett lives…


23rd Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt

The 23rd Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt is this Saturday, March 23. The event will be held in the tennis court area of Ewing Park and starts at 11 a.m. All children 9 and under are welcome. Over 5,000 eggs along with 25 golden eggs will be distributed throughout the five hunts. Treats will be given out to each child after their hunts. Hunt Schedule: The first hunt begins at 11 and parents are not permitted into the hunt area for the following age groups: 1st hunt 5-6 girls 2nd hunt 5-6 boys 3rd hunt 7-9 girls 4th hunt 7-9…


400 Free Prom Dresses Available for Lawrence County Students

New Castle- Over 400 free prom dresses are available to Lawrence County students in a giveaway this weekend at Feed My Sheep Outreach Ministries on 540 E Long Ave. This is the second prom dress giveaway in what is planned to be an annual event. Last year, nearly 200 dresses were given to high school students who may not have been able to afford their own. Dresses range in size from 0 to 28. The event begins today from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be door prizes and…


Corona D’Italia March Meeting Brief

Corona D’Italia Lodge #807 officers and members observed St. Patrick’s Day at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 9 at 5 p.m. The session held at Pizza Joe’s began with an Irish Stew luncheon prepared by the staff and served by Trustee Pudue LaCava, Sentinel Lois DiFrischia and member Jackie Perno. Invocation was given by Trustee Patty Regna remembering all present and deceased lodge members and military personnel. Orator Valerie Valentino presented candy favors from her decorated table of green and white hats, green flower arrangements in vases, and cups to all in attendance. President Clemmy Sirimarco conducted the business…


Council Divides over Fate of Building

A building on Lawrence Avenue caused disagreement during Monday’s borough agenda meeting. The building in question is on 509 Lawrence Ave., which the borough owns. The building used to house the Ellwood City Newsstand and has been deemed unfeasible for repair. Since the building can’t easily be put to use, President Connie MacDonald felt the building should be torn down. At best, a developer may buy it and at worse, it can be used as a parking lot. Vice President David DeCaria disagreed and backed himself with advice from Town Center Associates, a Beaver-based consulting firm advising Ellwood City on…


Mary Fabian Receives Honor for 100th Birthday

Mary Fabian of Ellwood City received a commendation from Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court on her 100th birthday on March 5. Friends and loved ones gathered to celebrate the milestone with her at Vinny’s restaurant in Ellwood.      


Gibbons Votes for 2015-16 Budget to Keep School Open and Provide Services

HARRISBURG, March 16 – State Rep Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, said he voted in favor of the latest state budget proposal in an effort to keep schools open and continue to fund human services programs for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens The Republican majority proposed another state budget today that offered additional funding for schools, social services and agricultural programs without raising taxes. “I am very concerned for our children and senior citizens who have been the victims of continued bickering in the General Assembly,” Gibbons said. “I do not want to see schools in my area close because Governor Wolf and…


Vogel Supports Restoration of Funding for Schools, Agriculture, Hospitals

HARRISBURG — Senator Elder Vogel Jr. (R-47) issued the following statement today in response to the Senate’s passage of legislation to restore approximately $6 billion in funding for education, agriculture, and hospitals that Governor Wolf eliminated from the state budget in December: “Today, I voted for and the Legislature restored the $6.05 billion in funding that was vetoed by Governor Wolf back in December. If Governor Wolf signs it into law, our public schools will remain open, the 1,000+ folks that work for Penn State Extension will not be laid off, and we can finally move past this ugly situation…


Borough Considering Applying for more than $100,000 in State Grants for Parks

At its voting meeting next week, the Ellwood City Borough Council is poised to approve an application process for a state grant for upgrades to Ewing and Stiefel Park. The grants could total more than $100,000. The Ellwood City Parks and Recreation Committee, chaired by council member David DeCaria, has been working on a parks master plan, and with this grant, the borough will have money to implement some of the ideas. The grant would come from the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Ellwood City qualifies because of its participation in Lawrence County’s recreation plan. The state provides…