Recent Stories

Politics

October 22, 2025

School Crossing Guard to Borough Council: Speeding Out of Control, Dangerous

A school crossing guard urged the Ellwood City Borough Council to do something about the speeding cars at the intersection of 4th and Crescent Avenues Monday evening at the regular meeting of council prompting immediate action by Mayor Anthony Court. Peri Malcolm, school crossing guard, said the amount of cars speeding in the mornings and afternoons while school children are walking to school is alarming. “They are just flying up and down the streets. Somebody is going to get hurt there.” Malcolm said she takes her post from 7:10 to 8 a.m. and again from 2:10 to 3 p.m. and…

October 22, 2025

Be Sure to Cast Your Vote in the Municipal Election on November 4th

The Municipal Election is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. You can find your assigned polling place by checking the location listed at the bottom of your registration status page. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are a first-time voter or are voting at a new polling place, here are helpful tips to learn how to get ready. And be sure to arrange for transportation to your polling place in advance. View the Lawrence County polling locations HERE. View the Beaver County polling locations HERE. Voting by mail If you plan to vote by mail ballot (either mail-in or absentee), you…

September 16, 2025

Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Standing Schedule for Annual Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food, & Entertainment Festival

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to always hold the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food, & Entertainment Festival on the weekend on or surrounding Fourth of July. Council determined that should the Fourth of July fall on a Monday/Tuesday, the festival should be held the weekend before, and if it falls Wednesday/Thursday, it should be held the weekend after. Councilwoman Michelle Lamenza made the motion with support from all council members except Jan Williams. Council President Brad Ovial said this would give the festival a set time each year to allow the festival committee to plan. Not everyone was…

September 11, 2025

ECASD Board of Directors Vote to Retain Architectural Firm in Consideration of North Side and Hartman Construction Projects

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted Thursday night to retain HHSDR to design projects relating to the North Side and Hartman Facility Studies (View a copy of the study here), create bid documents, and seek bids for the projects including alternative bids with options for the project’s scope. The projects, according to the study, come with a probable cost of approximately $9.9 million. Board members Norman Boots and Kevin Boariu voted “No” citing concerns of cost as well as current construction projects already underway. Boariu said the board needs to have extensive discussion before moving forward with…

September 4, 2025

Brooks, Brown to Host Senior Expo on Friday, Sept. 12

NEW CASTLE – Sen. Michele Brooks (R-Lawrence/Crawford/Mercer) and Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) are pleased to invite senior citizens, their families and caregivers to a Senior Expo on Friday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Cascade Park Dance Hall, located at 1928 E. Washington St., New Castle. The expo will feature a wide variety of exhibitors from local, state and federal agencies, health care providers, and senior-focused organizations. Attendees can gather information and ask questions about programs related to health care, financial planning, veterans’ services, fraud protection and more. “I always enjoy these opportunities to engage with…

August 26, 2025

Vogel Announces $10.3 Million to Expand High-Speed Broadband Access in 47th Senate District

HARRISBURG – Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) today announced that $10.3 million has been provisionally awarded to expand broadband access in the 47th Senate District. Internet providers who will be receiving the awards from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority are Amazon Kuiper, Armstrong Telecommunications, Inc, Comcast, CoreConnect, SpaceX and Verizon. “Whether through fiber or satellite, expanding broadband access to communities currently beyond reach is a critical mission,” Vogel said. “It impacts homes and schools, connects families and businesses, and is a key component of job creation. I’m very pleased to announce this multimillion effort in our region.” The funding comes from the federal…

August 13, 2025

Vogel: Senate-Led Spending Plan Focuses on Immediate Critical Service Funding

HARRISBURG – The Senate advanced a responsible spending plan aimed at providing immediate funding support to counties, school districts, social service providers and other services in need of critical resources, according to Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47). While the 2025-26 state budget negotiations continue, Senate Bill 160 would provide funding at the levels included in the final 2024-25 state budget. If the House of Representatives also approves the bill, the state can immediately begin disbursing nearly $47.6 billion without the need for any new taxes. “Our schools, hospitals, counties and other depended-on services should not be caught in the middle while awaiting a…

July 16, 2025

Bernstine Votes ‘No’ on Irresponsible State Budget Proposal

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) released the following statement after voting “no” on the 2025–26 Pennsylvania state budget, as House Democrats pushed through House Bill 1330, the General Appropriations bill. “This proposal spends too much, lacks transparency and sets up Pennsylvania for long-term fiscal trouble. “We are being asked to vote on a $50.6 billion spending plan without a full financial sheet, without a tax code and without a fiscal code. That’s not how responsible government works. “A budget isn’t just about how much money we spend; it’s about how that money is spent and how it impacts our future….

June 18, 2025

Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County Judge Denies Ellwood City Area School District’s Appeal Regarding Softball Field

The Ellwood City Area School District’s appeal of the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Adjudication of the Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Ellwood City relating to a proposed softball field in Ewing Park was denied in the Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County. Judge John Hodge decided that the district is precluded from constructing the proposed project at that location “as it failed to comply with the Ellwood City Borough Zoning Ordinance” affirming the January 17, 2025, decision of the Ellwood City governing body. Read the findings here. The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of…

June 18, 2025

Ellwood City Borough Council Takes Action on Budget, Announces Community Programs

In addition to handing down discipline for an officer in the Ellwood City Police Department, Ellwood City Borough Council took action on budget items and borough leaders gave updates on projects, community initiatives during Monday’s regular meeting. Mayor Anthony Court congratulated the Riverside Baseball team on its recent championship win. Court said that he along with a couple school board members were planning a parade for the team, but because of a time issue Franklin Township Fire Department wanted the parade to be put on hold. “It wasn’t from the Mayor’s Office. Want to make sure that’s understood because there…