Recent Stories

Ellwood City Borough Council

January 18, 2022

Borough Approves Liquor License Transfer to El Canelo IX, LLC; Mayor Names New K9 Officer

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the intermunicipal transfer of restaurant liquor license #R-17325 to El Canelo IX, LLC. El Canelo opened in Ellwood City at 1226 Lawrence Ave in October and has been serving Mexican food in Lawrence County since 2001. The manager of the restaurant, Antonio Porras, said at a January 10 council meeting that the license will be a great addition to help serve delicious beverages at the Ellwood City location. Porras said the transfer follows a decision to temporarily close the West State Street location because a lack of staffing. In other council news: Mayor…

January 3, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Reorganizes, Sets 2022 Meeting Dates

Ellwood City Borough Council held its reorganizational meeting Monday night. Newly elected Mayor Anthony Court was administered his oath of office by Jerry Cartwright, magisterial district judge. Court then administered the oath of office to the newly elected council members: Jim Barry, Michele Lamenza, Brad Ovial, and Jan Williams. Ovial joined council after Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera resigned in August. Her term was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Guerrera had moved out of the borough, leaving her legally unable to fulfill the rest of her term. Ovial and Williams both submitted letters of interest in filling the vacant seat…

December 22, 2021

Ellwood City Police Department to Get K9

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to purchase a police K9. Officials moved to approve a quote from Shallow Creek Kennels for $15,000. In addition to the dog, the price includes a six-week handler course, manuals, and handouts. The new K9 will be paid from the K9 fund. This is a victory for the police department and Mayor Anthony Court, who have been pushing council for the move. The decision to implement the K9 was unanimous. Court has said in past meetings that the K9 is a vital tool in fighting area crime, especially drug related. In other council…

December 20, 2021

Sheetz Gets Ellwood City Council Approval for Development Plans

As far as the Ellwood City Borough Council is concerned, Sheetz is welcome to bring a business to Ellwood City. Council passed three motions Monday evening to help pave the way for development: A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to have a Sheetz convenience story with self-serve sale of motor fuels at 5th Street/Glen Avenue which is a Conditional Use in a c-3; GN Zoning District. A motion to approve the request by Sheetz, Inc. to build a 6,070 square foot Sheetz Convenient Story with five multi-pump dispensers with a canopy on Fifth Street between Fountain Ave…

December 20, 2021

Council Takes Step to Recoup Funds Owed by Former Medical Center

Ellwood City Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution to collect $450,000 in delinquent utility bills and taxes owed by the former Ellwood City Medical Center. Pelorus Equity Group Inc. is the current owner of that debt. “This is a good step forward toward resolution with this property,” said Borough Manager David Allen. Allen explained that this is simply the first step in the process to regain the delinquent funds. The next step, he said is Federal Court. This step by the borough follows an October 29, 2021 Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors vote to accept a delinquent…

December 17, 2021

Council to Consider Sheetz Store, Liquor License for El Canelo

Ellwood City Borough Council will consider approving a request by Sheetz, Inc. to have a Sheetz convenience store with self-serve sale of motor fuels at 5th Street/Glen Avenue during its regular meeting on Monday, December 20, at 6 p.m. Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the vacation of Locust Way from Fountain Avenue to Glen Avenue and Fountain Avenue from 5th Street to Locust Way on November 15. The only “No” vote at that time came from Councilman Jim Barry. Councilwoman Judith Dici was absent from the November meeting. During a public hearing of the Ellwood City Borough Council…

November 9, 2021

Sheetz Presents Plans for New Store

During a public hearing of the Ellwood City Borough Council Monday evening, officials representing Sheetz presented plans for a proposed store. The 6,070 square foot store, as presented, would be anchored between Glen Avenue, Fountain Avenue, 5th Street, and Locust Way—across the street from McDonald’s. According to Ryan Wotus, attorney with Goldberg, Kamin & Garvin, LLP, the properties to be vacated in that area are currently under agreement with RBG Development. David Mastrostephano, manager of Sheetz engineering permit, said 14 properties are being developed. He also discussed plans to make a portion of Glen Avenue two way as well as…

October 18, 2021

Council to Consider Street Vacations

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to advertise an ordinance vacating Locust Way from Fountain Avenue to Glen Avenue and Fountain Avenue from 5th Street to Locust Way. There has been speculation for months that Sheetz has its eye on that location in Ellwood City. Borough officials said they cannot and will not speak on behalf of Sheetz, Inc. or whether Sheetz is planning a location in the borough, but Borough Manager David Allen said the company has been researching that area. A public hearing regarding the street vacations will be held on November 8 at 5:45 p.m. According…

September 15, 2021

Council Appoints Brad Ovial to Open Seat

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday evening to appoint Brad Ovial to fill the vacant seat of former councilwoman Lisa Guerrera. Ovial and another primary candidate Jan Williams both submitted letters of interest in filling the vacant seat. Council members George Celli, Caleb Cragle, Jim Barry, and Michelle Lamenza all voted in favor of Ovial—Councilman Rob Brough and Councilwoman Judith Dici were absent from the meeting. The seat was left vacant last month when Guerrera announced her resignation. Her term was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Guerrera recently moved out of the borough, leaving her legally unable to…

August 18, 2021

Borough Seeking Council Member

A vacancy now exists on the Ellwood City Borough Counil after the resignation of councilwoman Lisa Guerrera this week. According to information made available by the borough, any borough resident interested in serving on Council is now asked to submit a letter of interest to the Borough Secretary. Letters are to be mailed to the Borough Secretary, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. Letters are asked to be received by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2021. If any interested applicant has questions, he or she may contact the borough at 724-758-7777 During Monday’s council meeting, Guerrera advised her resignation…