Recent Stories

Local News

September 16, 2026

Bernstine Announces State Grants for Butler, Lawrence County Projects

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced nearly $1.2 million in Local Share Account (LSA) grants have been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support water infrastructure, road maintenance, public safety and municipal services in Butler and Lawrence counties. Local Share Account grants are funded through gaming revenues under Act 71 of 2004 and support economic development, community improvements and projects that enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvania residents. “These grants will help our local communities address important needs and keep essential services moving forward,” said Bernstine. “Reliable water systems, safe and well-maintained roads, dependable municipal equipment…

September 15, 2026

PHOTOS: 2026 Lincoln High School Homecoming Courts

As Lincoln High School is set to celebrate its 70th annual Homecoming this weekend, members of the 2026 Lincoln High School Homecoming Courts were announced by the school district. The Homecoming King will be crowned in school on Friday afternoon at the Homecoming Pep Rally, and the Ellwood City Wolverines will kick off against the Blackhawk Cougars at Helling Stadium at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Pre-game festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a performance from the Blue Band and Queen’s Court introductions. and the crowning of the 2026 Homecoming Queen will at halftime. The members of the 2026 Lincoln…

September 15, 2026

ECASD to Evaluate Three-Building Facility Configurations

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to authorize Superintendent Amy Anderson to investigate and evaluate potential three-building facility configurations for the Ellwood City Area School District, as an alternative to the district’s current four-building model. It was stated that the decision is for planning and informational purposes only and does not constitute a decision or commitment by the Board to close, consolidate, or reconfigure any district facility. The vote came following a Facilities Master Plan presentation by John Zahorchak, from EDM Consultants. During the presentation, Zahorchak said that his presentation isn’t a recommendation to close a building…

September 15, 2026

Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program Set To Return To Ellwood City In 2027

The Borough of Ellwood City is proud to announce the return of the IRT (Innovative Readiness Training) program in 2027. The IRT program provided $1.2 million in no-cost medical, dental, optical, veterinary and behavioral health services to Ellwood City and the surrounding areas in 2025 during Operation Healthy Ellwood. “We are proud to welcome the IRT program back to Ellwood City in 2027. I was not present for their first visit in 2025, so I am definitely looking forward to witnessing and participating in the mission next year,” said Jeff Foley, Borough Manager. Foley stated that after reviewing statistics of…

September 14, 2026

Annual Ellwood City Fall Fest & Car Cruise Is Saturday, Sept. 26th

Kick off the fall season with the annual Ellwood City Fall Festival and Car Cruise in downtown Ellwood City. The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce hosts one of the community’s largest and most anticipated events of the year as the Annual Fall Fest & Car Cruise will take place Saturday, September 26th, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in downtown Ellwood City! Car enthusiasts are invited to bring their classic, custom, antique, muscle, and specialty vehicles for our popular Car Cruise. Participation is completely free, with vehicle parking available along Lawrence Avenue from 6th Street to 12th Street. Parking…

September 14, 2026

Brown, Bernstine Announce State Funding for Local Historical Societies

Reps. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) and Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced state funding totaling $19,000 for historical organizations in Lawrence and Butler counties through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program. “The Lawrence County Historical Society plays an important role in preserving the stories, records and artifacts that tell the history of our communities,” said Brown. “This funding will help the society continue that work and ensure these valuable pieces of our past remain available for residents and future generations.” “Preserving our history takes the resources to properly care for them,” said Bernstine. “I’m pleased to…

September 12, 2026

Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of September 14th

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. 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. Please remember no one is available to take your calls unless it is in the hours listed above. BOOK SALE COLLECTION: We are now taking donations for the book sale in October. We do not take textbooks, readers digest condensed books, magazines, encyclopedias or VHS tapes. Activities taking…

September 11, 2026

Connoquenessing Bridge Closure & Detour Set To Begin Monday, Sept. 21

The Route 65 Bridge over Connoquenessing Creek will be closed and subject to detour beginning 6:00 a.m. Monday, September 21st. The bridge replacement project between Country Club Road and Mercer Road (Route 1006) will close to traffic around-the-clock for 33 days until Saturday, October 24th. The $9.45 million construction project will complete the demolition of the existing structure and they will use accelerated bridge construction techniques to install the new precast modular concrete structure according to reports. All traffic will be detoured, and the detours, according to a release from PennDOT District 11 can be found below: CAR DETOUR South…

September 11, 2026

Young Voices Again Filling The Halls Of Former St. Agatha Catholic School

This past Sunday, Father Jim Wehner, pastor of Divine Grace Parish, blessed Rosie’s Daycare Center in Ellwood City, located in the former St. Agatha Catholic School at 603 Bridge Street. Owner Mackenzie Annarumo had asked for the blessing and prayers that Jesus and the Blessed Mother will watch over the children and staff. Annarumo opened the daycare facility in late 2025. “Ellwood City is my home. My husband grew up here too,” Annarumo said in December 2025. “There’s a huge need for quality childcare everywhere, and Ellwood needed it—so I did everything I could to meet that need.” St. Agatha…

September 11, 2026

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

POSSESSION: James Locke, 39, of Ellwood City, is charged with Possession of Paraphernalia after officers received a report on Locke regarding an active warrant occurring on August 18th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 3:00p.m., police arrived in reported area and upon search of the residence found that Locke had been hiding in a hole in the wall in the second floor of a residence on Fairview Avenue. Locke and another party were removed from the wall and were searched. Officers seized two syringes from Locke’s person, and both were filled with crystal meth. Locke and the second…