Local News

$954K Grant Enables Start-up of Lawrence Mercer Manufacturing Workforce Development Organization

YOUNGSTOWN – The Ohio-Penn Interstate Regional Collaboration received a $954,708 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor in September, which will be used in large part to build out a workforce development coalition serving Lawrence and Mercer County manufacturers. The funding is part of the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative, which specifically engages local communities in the Appalachian region to develop strategies to prepare workers for good jobs in high-demand industries. “Manufacturers and jobseekers on both sides of the border will ultimately be the beneficiaries of this significant grant funding,” said Chris Becker, President, G.W. Becker Crane. “A…


PennDOT Announces ‘Innovations Challenge’ for High School Students

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that high school students from around the state are invited to participate in the seventh annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model. For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop a plan for the replacement of an aging multi-lane roadway that will reconnect previously separated neighborhoods and incorporates community needs, such as…


FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for October 4th

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this afternoon. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. This is a standard test that occurs at least once every three years. No action is needed. The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message…


Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame: Dr. Nicholas Neupauer, LHS Class of 1985, Is Elevating Education

Note: This is the fifth story in a series highlighting the Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2022 leading up to the induction of the 2023 Hall of Fame class that will be announced at the October 6th Homecoming Game. Dr. Nicholas Neupauer is a true family man. And even though he has dedicated his career to higher education, the LHS Class of 1985 and Hall of Fame Class of 2022 standout credits his success all to his family. He said his parents the late Nick Neupauer and Patricia (Neupauer) Bishop, also both Lincoln graduates, were great role…


ARISE, Borough of Ellwood City Help Kick Off Domestic Violence Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mayor Anthony J. Court along with Jessica Mudger and Johnna Johnston, representatives from Arise, placed ribbons and signs around downtown Ellwood City to kick off the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and Arise hopes to spread awareness and continue educating the community on violence prevention and healthy relationships. The signs also contain information about Arise and services we offer to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. ARISE – Our Community’s Response to Violence and Abuse – formerly called the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County is…


Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame: Annie Malkowiak, LHS Basketball Star, Pays it Forward with Positivity

Note: This is the fourth story in a series highlighting the Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2022 leading up to the induction of the 2023 Hall of Fame class that will be announced at the October 6th Homecoming Game. Lincoln Class of 1989 standout Annie Malkowiak has pretty much enjoyed a life in basketball and in general that has been a slam dunk. She said that despite some health challenges, including Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy after getting the COVID vaccination and also battling blood cancer, she has remained positive and hasn’t stopped moving and loving basketball…


Jessie Swogger Berkebile Day Declared In Ellwood City

Mayor Anthony J. Court proclaimed Thursday, September 28, 2023 to be “Jessie Swogger Berkebile Day” in the Borough of Ellwood City. Jessie was presented with a proclamation on her 81st birthday celebration. She was the first full-time woman police officer in the Borough of Ellwood City. She was hired by Ellwood City Borough Council on August 22, 1979 and started working on September 16, 1979. Jessie is the mother of the Borough Manager, Kevin Swogger. PICTURED BELOW: (left to right) Officer Matthew Morabito, Sgt. Michael McBride, Council President George Celli, Borough Manager Kevin Swogger, Jessie Berkebile, Mayor Anthony Court, Council…


Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame: Chief Justice Debra McCloskey Todd Paved Way for Women in Law

Note: This is the third story in a series highlighting the Ellwood City Area Hall of Fame Induction class of 2022 leading up to the induction of the 2023 Hall of Fame class that will be announced at the October 6th Homecoming Game. Chief Justice Debra McCloskey Todd knew from a young age that law was her intended path in life. At age 12 she began working for Ellwood City attorney James Keller. James and his wife Beverly had a law office on Park Ave. just three blocks from Todd’s childhood home. She served as a file clerk. “I knew…


ECPD Completes Training and Earns Certification

On Tuesday, September 26th Mayor Anthony J. Court and Ellwood City Police Department conducted a training session at the Ellwood City Rod and Gun Club Range. The training consisted of firearms certification, taser certification, practical exercises and officers certified with the department’s new PepperBall Gun, which is another less lethal tool to be used by the Ellwood City Police Department. Officer Matthew Morabito is the department’s PepperBall Gun instructor. The Department also utilizes Bean Bag Rounds deployed from a 12 gauge shot gun.  All 13 Officers of the Department were qualified with Firearms and Less Lethal Options. Mayor Court and…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities For Week Of October 2nd

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458. PLEASE 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. WE’RE OPEN! 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. –…