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January 15, 2016

Student Brings BB Gun to School

A Lincoln High School student was charged with possession of a weapon on school property following an incident on Jan. 6 According to the police report, officers were called to Lincoln around 3 p.m. on Jan. 6 by Principal Kirk Lape in response to a student possessing a weapon. The offender, a 14-year old male, had displayed a semi-automatic BB pistol in the main gym. The model mimics the appearance of an actual handgun. He was reported by students. Officers questioned the defendant, who admitted to having stolen the pistol on Jan. 4. After shooting a vehicle, the male hid…

January 14, 2016

Ellwood City Athletic Director Proposes Reforms for Equipment Purchasing and Field Upgrades

At Monday’s agenda setting meeting, Athletic Director Darin Morella presented several major ideas to the Ellwood City Area School Board. Foremost, Morella, who was appointed AD this past summer, wished to reorganize the method with which the athletic department purchases equipment in order to cut down on wasted equipment, save money and have equipment arrive in a more timely fashion. His proposal is in cooperation with Richard Zarone, the district’s business manager. As it is currently done, all sports order their equipment at the same time, around May. The athletic department then is responsible for ensuring the orders arrive and…

January 14, 2016

Ellwood City School Board to Vote on Makerspace Funding Tonight

The Ellwood City Area School Board will vote on a motion tonight that will give approximately $150,000 in funding for makerspace workshops in Hartman Intermediate School and Lincoln High School. As of now, the board appears to be split 5-4 into two factions. The larger faction supports the full amount and the smaller faction, a reduced amount. However, the motion will be presented to the board for the full amount. A makerspace workshop is a creative space with high tech equipment such as 3d printers and robotics. Unlike a traditional classroom, students guide the learning through trial and error with…

January 13, 2016

Parent-Teacher Organization Attributes Membership Decline to FBI Clearance Requirement

Ellwood City Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) numbers have dropped from 565 to 72, according to a comment made by school board President Renee Pitrelli. This is an 87.3% drop, although the time span for this drop was not mentioned. At the Ellwood City Area school board agenda meeting on Monday, visitor Kathy McCommons, president of the PTO, attributed much of the decline to an Ellwood School District FBI clearance requirement for volunteers providing services to the district. All district volunteers, whether PTO members or coaches, must obtain three clearances. Two of those, a clearance statement and state police background check, can…

January 13, 2016

Ellwood City Girls Basketball on Three Game Roll

After a rough early season, the Ellwood City girls basketball has bounced back into swing. The Lady Wolverines won three games in a row and are now 3-4 in their class AAA conference. Following a 56-44 victory against Hopewell on Jan. 4, the girls defeated Lincoln Park 38-19 on Thursday, Jan. 7. Allie McKelvey and Karrington Ketterer paced the Wolverines with 10 points each and Cortni Prine had seven. In a much closer game, Ellwood City traveled to New Castle on Monday, defeating the Hurricanes 48-40. As has been the case with the Lady Wolverines lineup, their offense started slow….

January 13, 2016

Beaver Falls Library Activities for January and February

Beaver Falls– The Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls is helping you chase the winter blahs away with activities for all ages. Coloring for Adults- The new sensation of adult relaxation Coloring for Adults is sweeping the nation and the library is a great place to hang out, color, relax and enjoy some conversation. In the reading area for adults, the library has set up some color pages, color pencils and pens for the area of creative relaxation. Coloring is always fun, teens are encouraged to join in the fun. Drop in anytime while the library is open to experience…

January 13, 2016

Gibbons Announces Extension of Persian Gulf Veterans Benefits

HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, announced the application deadline for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program has been extended to Aug. 31, 2018. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, since 2008, the state has compensated more than 11,500 veterans for their service in the Persian Gulf conflict. Gibbons voted in favor of the law that extended the program. “Extending this program for applicants is the least we can do for the thousands of men and women who had to leave their families, jobs and livelihoods behind to serve our country in…

January 13, 2016

New Dimension Comics Hosts Walking Dead Creator and Artist Tony Moore

Pittsburgh– New Dimension Comics will be hosting a personal appearance by original creator and artist of “The Walking Dead” Tony Moore. The signing will be held on Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at our Pittsburgh Mills (Tarentum) location from 5 to 9 p.m. This tour is to highlight “The Walking Dead #150”. Attendees will be able to meet Tony Moore who will be sketching and signing books. He will also have a variety of merchandise and art prints, including a signed and numbered limited edition (only 100 produced) silkscreen tour poster. A free raffle will be held for a rare Walking…

January 12, 2016

Borough Council Forms Committees and Discusses Initial Agenda

The Ellwood City Borough Council announced committee assignments at its agenda setting meeting yesterday. Newly elected president Connie MacDonald consolidated four of the committees into two, reducing the total number from eight to six. In addition, MacDonald instituted a new policy of asking visitors at the conclusion of the meeting for questions and comments. There were none yesterday however. He also specified that the executive session held before the agenda meeting was for legal issues and wage issues. The regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19 instead of Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day….

January 12, 2016

Borough Live Christmas Tree Disposal

Residents may drop off their live Christmas Trees at the Public Works Garage from now until Jan. 31. The garage is located on Glen Avenue and Sixth Street and trees may be dropped off at any time. All items must be removed from the tree and as a reminder, only live trees are eligible. In addition, picnic shelter reservations will begin on the fourth Monday in February (Feb. 22) for Borough residents and begin on the fourth Monday in March (Mar. 28) for non-borough residents.