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June 26, 2020

Boomin’ – New F&V Fireworks Location Now Open

Business is boomin’ for a local business as we approach the 4th of July holiday weekend. Starting in 2001 with a single location in Enon Valley to a now open second location in Beaver Falls, F&V Fireworks has decided to make good quality fireworks available for all Pennsylvania residences at a good price. “We decided to open the fireworks store not only because we love fireworks but because we were tired of paying such high prices for such low quality fireworks at other places,” said owner Jeff “Junior” Feezle. As a family owned and operated business, Jeff says the family…

May 18, 2020

Ellwood City Native Opens Dentistry in Ewing Park

Although Nikki Jo Magnifico DDM was successfully practicing as an associate dentist in New Hampshire for the last decade, the Lincoln High School graduate felt a need to move back to her hometown of Ellwood City. So Magnifico did just that. She bought her new 620 Jefferson Ave practice from Dr. James Oberfeitinger on February 1, 2020. “I decided it was time to move home to be closer to my family,” she said. Her immediate family includes her husband, Eric, who she said is supportive of her business goals as well as two sons Tyler, 5, and Anthony, 2.5. A Gannon…

April 23, 2020

ECASD Food Service Staff Going Above and Beyond to Feed Area Students

Keeping kids fed during a pandemic is a challenge, but it’s one that the Ellwood City Area School District’s Food Service staff and volunteers continues to conquer. John Dzurina, Food Service Director for the district, said the successful operation would not be possible without the daily determination of his staff and volunteers. Dzurina said on average 920 kids are fed per day. With a healthy and filling breakfast and lunch both being served, that adds up to about 1,840 meals per day. Currently those meals include cereals, juice, milk, sandwiches, fruit, and vegetables. Hot meals have not been on the…

April 3, 2020

Ellwood Native Serves Up Sourdough Pizza, Breads at Lawrenceville Wood-Fired Oven Restaurant

Sustainable sourdough pizza topped with organic produce and meats is the specialty at Driftwood Oven in Lawrenceville. And although Neil Blazin fills his intimate ten-table dining room in Pittsburgh on a regular basis, Blazin has roots in Ellwood City. The 38-year-old enterpreneur grew up in Ellwood City and attended Lincoln High School. He then went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh as Political Science and History Major, but politics just weren’t as appealing as pizza and his dreams of owning a restaurant. These days Blazin spends most of his time crafting delicious pizza pies but enjoys spending his free…

April 1, 2020

Cambridge Falls to Offer Retirement Living Care at New Wampum Facility

Cambridge Falls, a personal care and memory care facility, located at 599 Norwood Drive in Wampum, the 26-acre facility is accepting resident applications. Following an 18-month, $1 million renovation project, the team is ready to open the doors. Rebekah Stratton, director of sales and marketing for Cambridge Retirement Living, said the anticipation of unveiling the new facility is overwhelming. “We are so excited to open the doors to show what our facility has to offer,” Stratton said. She added that the layout and design of the facility lends to the mission of Cambridge in that it offers person-focused care and…

March 20, 2020

50 Flavors: Katie’s Korner Ice Cream Shop to Open in North Sewickley Township

Bubble Gum, Chocolate Chip, Grape, Oreo, Reese’s … Oh, my! Is your mouth watering yet? If not, it will be soon while making the trip to Katie’s Korner for homemade ice cream. Soon being May when owner of the franchise’s North Sewickley Township location hopes to open the doors. “We plan on opening in May,” said owner Gary Hummel. “We are excited to give local young people an opportunity for employment.” Hummel also said he is looking forward to running an energetic business with a friendly crew that will be a meeting place for friends and families to gather and…

March 16, 2020

Ellwood City Police Department Boxing Club Seeking Donations to Keep Mentoring Program Going

The Ellwood City Police Department Boxing Club packs a one-two punch. One, they mentor area youth and two, they provide an outlet for fitness. Located in the basement of the borough building, the gym has a ring, punching bags, and nostalgic newspaper clippings and posters papering the walls and telling a rich and interesting story of the organization’s history. The ECPD Boxing Club has been working with youth for decades and the coaches have generational ties to the group. Jack Maine Jr. has been part of the organization since the 70s when he was throwing punches in the ring. Now…

February 14, 2020

Ellwood City Area School District Board Votes to Revise Kindergarten Admission Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District Board voted to revise policy 201 during Thursday night’s meeting. A unanimous vote will put the revisions on display until the next board meeting where they will then be recommended for approval. The discussion regarding kindergarten admission has been ongoing since November by parent Megan Jones whosaid previously that she was disappointed to learn that her child who has already invested two years into preschool would not make the August 15 cutoff for kindergarten registration and that there was not an option for evaluation. The vote regarding kindergarten admission was tabled during the January…

October 11, 2019

School Board Recommends Policy Revision to Support Outside Agency Lunch Debt Collection

Ellwood City Area School Board voted during its October 10 meeting to recommend a revision to the Food Services Policy 808. The move was prompted by a continued rise in school lunch debt. The new policy would give the district the allowance to use an outside agency to collect unpaid debt. The board could vote to adopt this policy during its November 14 meeting. Richard Zarone, district business manager spoke at the October 7 board committee meeting. He said the debt has reached $3,600 already for the year. He said there would be no cost to hire an agency as…

August 14, 2019

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…