Recent Stories

Police and Fire

August 9, 2018

Expired Registration Leads to Court Summons

Ellwood City Police Department completed a traffic stop on Joseph Serjak for an expired registration on Aug. 4. Officers approached the vehicle and Serjak immediately stated he had a knife on his waist. Police advised Serjak to keep his hands on the wheel of the vehicle. Serjak was accompanied in the car by Jon Lamzena, both appeared nervous to officers. The officer observed track marks on Serjak’s arms and asked why his registration was expired. According to the police report, Serjak stated him and his wife has split up and he has been living out of his vehicle. The officer…

July 19, 2018

Jordan Brown’s Conviction in Murder Of Father’s Pregnant Fiancée Overturned

HARRISBURG, Pa. – It’s a case that has captured national and international attention — when at 11-years-old Jordan Brown of Lawrence County was charged with killing his father’s pregnant fiance nearly ten years ago. On Wednesday, in a unanimous decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Brown’s conviction on a first-degree murder charge. Back on February 20th of 2009, Jordan Brown was 11-years-old when he was charged with the shotgun slaying of 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son.  Prosecutors said he committed the murder and then got on the school bus minutes later. But fast forward nine and a half…

July 18, 2018

One Charged After Car Crash on July 4

Ivy Frederick was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after making a too sharp turn and hitting another vehicle. Jessica and Mark Bucci were parked at the stop sign heading west on Wayne Avenue when a red Cadillac Escalade made a too sharp turn and struck their vehicle. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke to Frederick about hitting the other vehicle. Officers noticed Frederick was stumbling on her words numerous times and was unable to maintain balance at all times throughout the course of investigating the accident. Police noted Frederick’s eyes to be glossy and her pupils…

July 12, 2018

One Man Charged in Connection With Ellwood City High Speed Chase on July 4

Ellwood City Police are looking for a driver who sent them on a high speed chase on the Fourth of July. Police have filed charges against 22-year-old Isiah Nathaniel Carr of 1866 W. Lawrence Ave. regarding the alleged pursuit. District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright has issued a warrant for his arrest. On officer patrolling in an unmarked cruiser saw a maroon van speeding through the lot of the Seven Eleven convince store just after 2:00am on July 4th. The driver of the officer said he had to immediately brake to avoid being hit by the vehicle, according to a criminal…

July 11, 2018

Update: Ellwood City Car Crash Victim Identified

The Ellwood City man killed in a one-car accident on Saturday night has been identified as Benjamin Junkin, 19. Ellwood City police reported that Junkin’s brakes apparently failed on Wampum Avenue at Bridge Street. His car went airborne, went over a hill, struck a couple of trees and rolled. Junkin was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The two passengers in the car, Kaileah Vellone, 21, of 616 Todd Ave., Ellwood City, who was Junkin’s fiancee, and Haley Vellone, 17, of 790 Seventh St., West Pittsburg, suffered minor injuries and were treated at Ellwood…

July 9, 2018

VIDEO: Brake Failure Causes Crash, Killing One Teen

According to published reports and a video, a one vehicle crash late Saturday night resulted in the fatality of a Union teenager after brake failure left his car helplessly careening down Bridge Street. The accident happened around 9:45 p.m. on Wampum Avenue at Bridge Street. According to reports, police said the driver had been trying to use his hand brake to stop the vehicle, but that also failed. His vehicle went over the embankment, striking at least two trees and rolling over, although it did not end up in the Connoquenessing Creek below. The emergency brake apparently gave out coming…

July 6, 2018

Ellwood City Fire Department Gets a Makeover

The Ellwood City Fire Department has gotten a makeover, and the old stucco siding that lined the building of the department has now been replaced by a powder blue siding. The fire department is a combination fire department, which means they have both paid and volunteer firefighters. They are one of 2 in the County that have paid staff. New Castle City has a full time fire department and does not have volunteers. The ECFD members are highly trained in all aspects of the fire service. “The building construction is complete, the only thing left to do is the graphics…

June 8, 2018

Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department Fundraiser

Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department is holding a fundraiser for Capt. Frank Condell and family. In March 2018 the ECFD Capt. Frank Condell suffered a significant brain injury. Fire Chief Rick Myers said, “the injury was a natural occurrence and did not occur at the fire station.” According to the department’s statement, Condell was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove a large blood clot. Frank suffered serious bleeding in his brain and the surgery relieved the pressure and stopped the bleeding. Frank has been making steady improvements. Although, Frank is home he…

May 25, 2018

Suspicious Man “Waving Knife Around” at Area Bar

Scott Alan Jackson, 23, Ellwood City was charged with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness May 19 at the Main Street Bar and Grill at 708 Lawrence Ave. Jackson was reportedly waving a knife around at the bar making others uncomfortable. Ellwood City Police Officers were dispatched to the Main Street Bar and Grill, for a suspicious person sitting at the bar. The male was reportedly wearing a camouflage hat and glasses appeared to be highly intoxicated and kept taking a large knife out of his pocket and waving it around. Officers entered the bar from the front and back entrances….

May 22, 2018

POLICE: Unsolicited Electric Department Calls Reported As A Scam

According to a new release made available by the Ellwood City Police Department on Tuesday afternoon, there have been suspicious phone calls made in attempts to collect money on resident electrical service. The Ellwood City Police Department and the Ellwood City Electric Department have received complaints from local residents who have been receiving telephone calls from someone posing as a representative of Ellwood City Electric Department. The caller then threatens to terminate the residents’ electrical service due to delinquency on their electric bill.  The caller then demands payment over the phone. Ellwood City Police Department advises residents to never give…