ellwood city

Council Approves Amendment to Hospital Zoning Ordinance

In a unanimous vote Monday night, Ellwood City Council agreed to amend the hospital/medical district zoning ordinance that they originally passed in May. The amendment adds to the definition of “Health Services” to mean: “Medical care facilities, facilities and residences included in a a continuum of care entity, as well as establishments providing support to the medical profession and patients, such as medical and dental laboratories, blood banks, oxygen and miscellaneous types of medical supplies and services. Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during an Aug 12 agenda meeting that the move will resolve an appeal filed by Penn Med LLC, a…


Council to Meet Tuesday

Borough council has moved its September monthly voting meeting to 6 p.m. Tuesday. On the agenda is a vote regarding the NextEra Energy contract extension and a vote to set a public hearing to discuss an amendment to the hospital zoning ordinance. It was announced that the October committee of the whole meeting will also be rescheduled for October 15 at 6 p.m. because of the Columbus Day holiday.


Ellwood Elderberry Essentials Opens Doors to Healing Powers

Enthusiastic over elderberry. That’s Shauna Cucunato, owner of newly opened Ellwood Elderberry Essentials. Cucunato will share her enthusiasm and all she knows about elderberry tomorrow September 7 during her Grand Opening event at 429 Lawrence Ave with Katy’s – Homestyle Bakery & More where her products will have a permanent home. “I am so excited to be opening,” Cucunato said. Although she is a nursing student and has a strong belief in modern medicine, plenty of research has led her to believe that elderberry is a magical fruit. “Medicines are convenient,” she said. “But there are sometimes terrible side effects that…


Council Votes to Amend Hospital Zoning Ordinance

In a unanimous vote, Ellwood City Council voted on August 19 to amend the hospital/medical district zoning ordinance that they originally passed in May. The proposed amendment will be sent to the borough and Lawrence County planning commissions for review. The amendment adds to the definition of “Health Services” “facilities and residences included in a continuum of care entity.” Borough Manager David Allen said the wording basically boiled down to nursing homes. Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during an Aug 12 agenda meeting that the move will resolve an appeal filed by Penn Med LLC, a lender who is seeking a…


Local Woman Qualifies For Olympic Swimming Trials

She never imagined she would have the chance to do what she loves on a world stage. Taylor Petrak, 2017 Lincoln High School Graduate, has qualified for the Olympic Swimming Trials. As a very young “fish in the water,” Taylor didn’t necessarily have her sights set directly on the Olympics. “I never had any specific goals of making it to the Olympics,” she said. “It was not on my radar.” But a wave of talent and speed now has the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics in a major spot on Taylor’s radar. She qualified for the trials on July 23 posting…


Ellwood City Garbage Causing a Stink

Ellwood City’s recycling program is down in the dumps. The landfill to be exact. The situation has gotten so bad, according to Ellwood City Manager David Allen, that waste management companies are refusing to take our items. He said in a recent council meeting that when one of these companies hears the name Ellwood City, they want nothing to do with our waste. This is happening, Allen said, because non-recyclable items are ending up in the recycling containers. Stuff such as grass clippings, dead animals, liquids that aren’t meant to be disposed of in regular trash and recycling containers, and…


Council Votes to Create Hospital/Medical District

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night 6-0 to create a hospital/medical district on the property where the Ellwood City Medical Center is located. Missing from the vote was councilman Rob Brough. There was no public input during Monday’s vote. The move is meant to protect the hospital and surrounding offices from being developed as anything but a medical facility. During a public hearing in April, Benjamin Steinberg an attorney representing Penn Med LLC, a lender who is seeking a more than $5 million judgement against Americore Health LLC, Ellwood Medical Center LLC, and Ellwood Medical Center Real Estate LLC,…


Fireworks Fundraiser Surpasses Goal: $9,000 Donated So Far

Ellwood City will not only have its fireworks display this year at the festival, it will be a display with some extra bang. Eric Rayner the 26-year-old Ellport man who has been the face of the Save The Ellwood City Fireworks fundraiser announced on May 9 that the $5,000 goal was met and an additional $4,00o was raised bringing the current total to $9,000. Rayner said, based on community input, any money raised over the original goal will be split 45 percent toward a larger fireworks display and 55 percent saved for next year’s display. “It’s been an honor to…


Festival Fireworks Fundraiser: Custom Logo Apparel Available, In Person Donation Day Set

Donations have started rolling into the Save the Ellwood City Fireworks fundraiser. Eric Rayner, the 26-year-old Ellport man who is leading the fundraising effort, said that as of April 30, donations total nearly $3,000 of the $5,000 needed to save the fireworks. The most recent donation was a $1,000 donation from the Ellwood City Police Department officers. “I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support we’ve gained in just the few days we’ve been accepting donations!” Rayner said. “Our community has really stepped up and put their money where their mouth is. I’m strongly encouraged that we will raise above and…


Lawrence Avenue Phase Two Revitalization Plan In The Works

Plans to spruce up Ellwood City’s Main Street are complete and ready for borough council approval. CT Consultants, Franus Architectural Associates, and Loukas Engineering have put months of research and design into a Phase Two Revitalization Plan that will not only improve the overall look of the central business district from 4th to 6th Streets but will also fix some underlying problems. One of those “problems” according to architect Dan Franus is storm water accumulation on the street which rises to a height that, at times, floods businesses. Part of the plan includes new sidewalks and milling of the street….