Local News

Quilts and the Underground Railroad Discussed at ECAHS Feb. Meeting

More than 50 members and guests of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society were treated to a presentation of how quilts were used as guidance by the underground railroad. The presentation was given by the Reverend Jim Swanson to a crowd gathered at the meeting of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society on Tuesday, February 11th. According to Swanson, quilts were utilized to send messages and provide directions to runaway slaves before and during the civil war. The messages were based on the designs of the quilt. The pattern could convey advice for a runaway slave to remember. An example…


TICKETS! Get Your Basketball Playoff Tickets For Action This Week

The Ellwood City boys basketball team opens up its playoff push tonight in its opening round game versus South Park. The 10-seed Wolverines (13-9 Overall, 8-4 Section 1-3A) will travel to #7 South Park for a defacto home game for the Eagles slated to start at 7:00 p.m.  The winner will advance to face the winner of #2 South Allegheny and #15 Charleroi. The Ellwood City girls basketball team, fresh of its first playoff victory in 30 years, will play #4 Keystone Oaks in the quarterfinals at North Allegheny High School on Wednesday, February 19th at 6:00 PM Also in…


Bernstine Introduces Legislation to Create Two-Tiered Concealed Carry System, Supporting Constitutional Carry Rights

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) has introduced legislation designed to enhance the concealed carry process for firearm owners in Pennsylvania. House Bill 454 would create a two-tiered system to streamline firearm carrying laws, ensuring greater protection of citizens’ Second Amendment rights while balancing public safety. “Pennsylvanians have the fundamental right to protect themselves and their families, and this legislation is a step toward ensuring that right is respected,” said Bernstine. “Law-abiding citizens who follow the rules should not face undue obstacles when it comes to exercising their constitutional rights. The proposed two-tiered system provides more freedom, more choice and…


All Aboard Ellwood Inc. Announces Memorial and Honorary Donations

All Aboard Ellwood Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the industrial and railroad heritage of Ellwood City, is honored to announce and express its deepest gratitude to the individuals and families who have made memorial and honorary donations. These heartfelt contributions will directly support the construction of the much-anticipated Industrial and Railroad Museum. Honoring and Remembering Loved Ones The following donors have graciously made contributions in memory or honor of their loved ones: In Memory Of: Dom & Mary Ann Viccari – Blanche Novak James and Margaret Nido Foley, Frank Genova and in honor of Foley Family – Nick…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of February 17th

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. NOTE The Library has partnered with Seneca Library District, Oil Creek Library District, Erie County Public Library and Crawford County Federated Library System for e-books. You can now use the Overdrive or Libby App. to borrow books from the above Libraries. Please call the library with any questions. HOURS Hours are Monday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m….


Ellwood City Fire Department Among Many To Receive State Grants

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced Wednesday local fire companies and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies were awarded state grants totaling nearly $216,000 from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. The program was created by the Legislature and is administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt. “Local fire and EMS agencies are the backbone of our community’s safety, and it’s crucial that we support…


Registration For 2025-26 Kindergarten at North Side Primary Now Available

North Side Primary School, in the Ellwood City Area School District, is now pre registering for the 2025-26 Kindergarten school year. Registration is scheduled for April, but parents need to pre-register their child(ren) first.. Please call the school if you have any questions at 724-752-1591, Ext. 4000. VIEW 2025-26 REGISTRATION FORM North Side Primary School is a K-2 building in the Ellwood City Area School District. Learning at North Side emphasizes the building blocks for reading and mathematics while promoting collaboration, creativity, and fun. As “The Cornerstone Connection” of the district, staff prioritizes connecting with our students and families to…


POLICE: Local Narcotics Raid Leads To Arrest

On January 30th, 2025, members of the Lawrence County District Attorney’s HIDTA Drug Task Force, the Ellwood City Police Department, and the Lawrence County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) executed a search warrant at 306 Wood Street, Ellwood City. Operation “The Issue is Smoot” began at approximately 6:10 a.m. when CIRT knocked and announced their presence. Once no contact was made at the front door, entry was made. CIRT secured the residence, locating and detaining one female. The target of the investigation, 26-year-old Aubrey Quillan Smoot, was not present at the residence. As a result of the search, the following…


Riverside 2025-26 Pre-K Counts and Kindergarten Registration Now Open

Riverside Beaver County School District Pre-K and Kindergarten registration is now open. Children who will be 5 years old before September 1, 2025 and are residents of the Riverside Beaver County School District are eligible to begin the enrollment process for kindergarten. Before you begin the process, be sure to read over the checklist to ensure you have all your required documents. Please note, online enrollment works best when done on a desktop or laptop computer. You may encounter technical issues using a cellphone to enroll. Within a few days of completing the enrollment, you will receive an email with…


ECASD Board of Directors Authorizes Appeal for Proposed Softball Field

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to appeal the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Adjudication of the Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Ellwood City relating to the proposed softball field during Monday’s regular meeting. All board members in attendance voted yes to support the appeal, and director Norman Boots was absent from the meeting. Director Kevin Boariu said he supports the appeal because he does not want the property to sit vacant and that he does not believe that the District should be in the business of owning unused property. Chris Voltz,…