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January 5, 2024

Council Reorganizes, Reappoints Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council held its reorganizational meeting on Tuesday January 3. In a unanimous vote, Brad Ovial was chosen as President and Michele Lamenza was chosen as Vice President. Borough Manager Kevin Swogger was reappointed in a 6-0 vote (Lamenza was absent from the meeting), for a two-year employment agreement for $80,000. General election incumbants George Celli and Caleb Cragle were sworn into office as well as new Councilman the Rev. James “Jimmy” Johnson. Jim Barry and Celli were reappointed as council representatives for Ellwood City Revitalization. Barry was also reappointed as the borough representative for the Lawrence County…

December 7, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors Reorganizes, Fills Vacant Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors elected a president, vice president, and also appointed a new board member to a vacant seat. Jennifer Tomon was named president in a unanimous vote by the board. The board was split, however, on the vice president seat between Jean Biehls (supporters: Claire Fauzey, Erica Gray, and newly elected Kevin Boariu) and Kathy Galbreth (supporters: Norman Boots, Kathy Tillia, Jennifer Tomon). Following two roll call votes, the board would not sway on their choices. Finally the tie was broken once Robyn Nicklas was appointed to fill the vacant seat left after…

November 22, 2023

Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Police Use of PepperBall Guns; Provides Update on Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project

During Monday night’s voting meeting, Borough Council approved a change order #1 from Pollard Land Services, Inc. in the amount of $98,000 for the purpose of milling and overlaying the full width of Wampum Avenue from Fifth Street to Madison Avenue Ext. and from Madison Ave. Ext. to the entrance of the access road. The approved change order is in conjunction with the Wampum Avenue Pump Project, a sewer upgrade for multiple existing sewer transport lines in the wooded area East of Wampum Ave. and construction of a pump station to collect from these lines to be transported to the Ellwood…

November 9, 2023

HHSDR Engineers, Architects Discuss Timeline for Proposed Softball Field, Cost of Concession Stand

HHSDR engineers and architects offered information about the proposed softball field in Ewing Park during Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors committee meeting Monday night as residents continued to express opposition to the location. During a presentation regarding construction updates, Superintendent Wesley Shipley asked HHSDR representatives to discuss the proposed field’s timeline and details regarding the proposed $500,000 concession stand that is part of the project. HHSDR reps said the project would take a year from start to completion. The proposed timeline includes a bidding process which would begin in April of 2024 and continue through June 5…

November 8, 2023

Nov 7 General Election Results

Unofficial results from yesterday’s (Nov 7, 2023) General Election have been posted. Lawrence County According Lawrence County’s website, there were 21,795 ballots cast in Lawrence County. Of those, 5,022 were mail in votes. The total voter turnout was 39.30%. Click here for full unofficial results. Ellwood City Borough Council welcomes back two incumbents and one newcomer (vote total next to candidate): Caleb Cragle (Dem) 954 (with an additional 68 votes in the one Beaver County precinct) George J Celli (Rep) 787 (with an additional 49 votes in the one Beaver County precinct) Jimmy Johnson (Dem) 649 (with an additional 49 votes…

November 8, 2023

ECASD Board of Directors to Consider Construction Proposal for Lincoln High School

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors are set to vote to approve bid advertisements as presented by HHSDR Architects for renovations to Lincoln High School during Thursday Night’s Regular Board meeting. HHSDR representatives attended the ECASD Board of Directors Committee meeting Monday to present a timetable and probable costs of the renovations. The high school was built in 1926, with additions added in 1961. It was renovated in 1982 and again in 1998. The building consists of 213,370 square feet. HHSDR reported that the project would begin in February of 2024 and would take approximately 2.5 years to…

November 3, 2023

General Election Series Part 4: Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors Candidates

Note: This is part 4 in a series about the General Election. Part 1 was information about the election and where to vote. Part 2 highlighted the candidates for Riverside Beaver County School District’s Board of Directors. Part 3 featured information about the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council.  The General Election will take place on Nov 7. We caught up with the candidates for Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors back in May before the primary election to learn more about the candidates and get their points of view on important issues in education. Ellwood City Area…

November 3, 2023

Mayor: Political Sign Vandalism and Theft to be Prosecuted

Mayor Anthony J. Court has a message for Ellwood City residents: Anyone caught removing political signs from yards or vandalizing political signs will be prosecuted. The General Election is Tuesday November 7, and signs are everywhere representing area candidates. Court said there has been a rash of reports of sign theft and vandalism across the borough. “It’s disgusting that this is going on in our community. It won’t be tolerated. Anyone caught will be prosecuted.” The proper time, according to borough policy, to remove the signs are within five days after the election.

November 2, 2023

General Election Series Part 3: Ellwood City Borough Council Candidates

Note: This is part 3 in a series about the General Election.  Part 1 featured information about the election and where to vote. Part 2 highlighted the candidates for Riverside Beaver County School District’s Board of Directors. Part 4 will cover the perspectives of the candidates for Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. The General Election will take place on Nov 7. We caught up with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council back in May before the primary election to learn more about the candidates and get their points of view on important issues facing the borough….

November 1, 2023

General Election Series Part 2: General Election Riverside Beaver County School District’s Board of Directors Candidates

Note: This is part 2 in a series about the General Election. Part 1 provided general information about the elections and where to vote. Part 3 will feature information about the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council. Part 4 will cover the perspectives of the candidates for Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. The General Election will take place on Nov 7. We caught up with the candidates for Riverside Beaver County School District’s Board of Directors back in May before the primary election to learn more about the candidates and get their points of view on important…