Recent Stories

Local News

March 28, 2016

Borough Municipal Building to Have New Handicapped Ramp

The Ellwood City Municipal Building will soon have a new rear entrance thanks to a Community Development Block Grant. The project will eliminate unused restrooms in the rear of the municipal building along with the current ramp. A new ramp will be built that will head toward Sixth Street and then turn toward Bell Avenue. The new ramp will be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including a more gradual incline and an automated door with an activation button. The project is being done with the assistance of the Lawrence County Commission and the CDBG will absorb all…

March 28, 2016

Ellwood City Area Public Library Activities for Week of 3-28-2016

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: Tuesday, March 29, 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 at for more information. Wednesday, March 30, at 10:00 a.m. — “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. “Coloring for Adults” is a new concept in…

March 25, 2016

Borough to Apply for $268,000 Grant for Park Revitalization

The Ellwood City Borough will apply for a $268,000 state grant for upgrades to Ewing and Stiefel parks. The grant is a 50-50 match, so the total project will amount to $536,000. Earlier this month, council indicated it’d like to apply for at least $100,000 but by its meeting on March 21, council had established the current figure. The borough is working in concert with Lawrence County to apply for the grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The project will take place over 2017-18, which will spread out the cost. The borough’s contribution will utilize…

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…