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September 24, 2014

Cheeseman’s Opens for a 15th Season

No one celebrates Fall quite like the Cheesemans of Portersville. Since 1999, the family has transformed 60 acres of their farmland into hosting ground for two of Western Pennsylvania’s most anticipated events: The Pumpkin Festival and Fright Farm. This weekend, the Cheesemans will open their barn doors up to the public for a fifteenth consecutive year with the commencement of Fright Farm on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 27, at noon, the Pumpkin Festival begins. According to Jen Cheeseman, the family took a chance and grew pumpkins, which sparked the idea of creating the events…

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September 23, 2014

Derby, Fall Fest Packed Full of Fun

Ready, Set, Go … to the Ellwood City Main Drag Derby and Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27. The day starts at 9 a.m. when the derby cars will begin to glide down Lawrence Avenue, and it will continue until 4 p.m. with activities at Fall Fest. So far there are 32 participants in the soapbox derby-style race including 25 stock car, four super stock cars and three vintage cars. According to derby event organizer Earla Marshall, who is working with the Kitchen Cabinet to host the event, the vintage car participants will not race; they will take the initial…

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September 10, 2014

Loccisano’s Begins Fuel Rewards Program

For nearly 100 years, Loccisano’s Golden Dawn has served the Ellwood City community with fine meats, fresh produce and delectable baked goods. Last week, the family-owned and operated grocery store implemented its newest value proposition with the commencement of the fuel rewards program. Customers now have the opportunity to save money at the pump simply by shopping at Loccisano’s, which aids in keeping business local. Floor manager Lexie Loccisano believes that fuel rewards give loyal customers all the more reason to continue their patronage of the establishment. “It’s a way to say ‘thanks’ to all of the loyal customers, Loccisano…

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August 29, 2014

Twenty-Five Cameras Installed At Walnut Ridge Complex

On Tuesday, Mayor Anthony J. Court and the Lawrence County Housing Authority (LCHA) members gathered at the Walnut Ridge Housing Authority location to kick off the installation of 25 State of the Art cameras. The Mayor stated the project would be completed in approximately six weeks. Mayor Court stated the changes at this location were inevitable and he is pleased with these improvements. The high definition-digital zoom cameras will be plugged directly into the Ellwood City Police Station and cruisers for on the spot viewing. The Mayor lobbied for these cameras and believes this is a step in the right…

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August 14, 2014

Ellwood City to Host Radio Station

Rewind back to October 2013, it was just a normal day at the office for Cindy Antinossi when a man named Robert Irvine approached her about starting a radio station in Ellwood City. Antinossi, the owner of Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise and pastor at Dayspring Harvest Ministries, didn’t know the first thing about radio at the time, but luckily for her she had an experienced mentor. Irvine, a former Pittsburgh and Youngstown radio and television broadcaster, helped Antinossi apply for her FCC license just weeks after the initial radio proposal. He also applied for a license of his own to…

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July 22, 2014

Council Votes Against Moving Circle Playground Equipment

Nick Mancini raised his concerns at Monday night’s council meeting over the playgrounds in the area. He complained of the poor placement of playground equipment that prohibits local children from playing pickup baseball and football games. During the public comment section of the meeting, Mancini personally asked council members to tour Rolling Hills, Merit Book, West End, Circle and Rosannah Playgrounds and evaluate how good the facilities are. Circle Playground quickly became the main issue as it recently gained new equipment, provided through a state grant. A borough representative decided the location for the new playground addition, and it was…

July 1, 2014

Ellwood School Board Holds Special Meeting

There has been plenty of talk regarding change in the Ellwood City Area School District for the upcoming school year in recent months. The retirement of Superintendent Frank Aloi is what began the surprising series of events when he announced that he would be leaving the district at last month’s meeting, effective as of July 16, 2014. With no time to hold interviews before the end of the fiscal year, the board named Assistant Superintendent Joe Mancini as the active Superintendent for the 2014-2015 year and eliminated the position of Assistant Superintendent. In less than a month, the school district…

June 13, 2014

Ellwood City Budget Approved; Superintendent Retires

by Sarah Reese The Ellwood City Area School Board has been forced to make numerous difficult decisions in previous years regarding passing a budget for the following school year as have other boards across the state. Cuts have been made in nearly all aspects of the school district including removing the elementary instrumental music teacher position after the retirement of Ray Falotico, a decision disapproved by a wide majority of parents with children in the music program. Last night’s school board meeting raised concerns for the future of the district among board members. Leroy Cortez voiced his opinions on his…

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June 11, 2014

Breaking Bread Grand Opening

by Sarah Reese A waffle iron is to Sam Kelly as glass slippers are to Cinderella. The purchase of her waffle iron, along with her passion for cooking, is what inspired Sam to open up a new restaurant in Ellwood City. With a little help from her “fairy god-husband” Justin, Sam received the keys to her brand new eatery, Mary Fray’s former Ellwood Breakfast and Burgers, as a Christmas present on Dec. 24. Sam, a former banquet server and waitress, and Justin, a former sous chef, had been searching for a restaurant when they were approached about Ellwood Breakfast and…

June 6, 2014

Farmer’s Market and Summer Concert Series Begin

It’s officially summer time in Ellwood City when the Farmer’s Market and Summer Concert Series makes its return to the downtown area. Both events are a part of the Ellwood City Revitalization’s efforts to “put feet on the street” as member Terri Stramba put it. The main goal is to bring people into Ellwood City to support the Farmer’s Market and the Summer Concert Series and then in return, stimulate the economy in downtown shops and restaurants. The Farmer’s Market, which runs from this Saturday, June 7 to Saturday, Oct. 18 (subject to weather conditions), will feature 17 vendors selling…