Ryan Shaffer

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Small Business Saturday Helps Build Local Economy

Thriving towns all need solid support from dedicated community members. On Saturday, Nov. 29, the community has a chance to come together and provide a positive impact on the local economy as businesses celebrate Small Business Saturday. Bob Rivers, owner of National Grind coffee shop on Lawrence Avenue and board of directors member of the Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce, discussed the importance in shopping local this time of year. “It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season,” Rivers said of Small Business Saturday. “This is the best time, with Black Friday coming up, Small Business Saturday, and…


Ellwood City to Honor Fallen Firefighters 25 Years Later

by Ryan Shaffer On Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m., the Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department will hold a memorial service to pay tribute to two firefighters who lost their lives fighting a structure fire on Lawrence Avenue. Nearly 25 years ago, on Dec. 4, 1989, David “Ernie” Martino and Paul Frederick entered the Elton Hotel, formerly located in the vacant lot between PNC Bank and Nido’s Beauty Salon, and never came back out. Fire chief Rick Myers explained the significance of their actions on that cold winter morning. “They paid the ultimate sacrifice for this community,” Myers said. “Every…


Young Girl WIth Hirschprung’s Disease Inspires with Smiles

by Ryan Shaffer Imagine a crisp, sunny spring day with colorful flowering erupting from the Earth during first bloom. The sun beams softly onto them as they awaken from their lengthy winter hibernation, and the effervescent dew gleans on the bright petals. Ellwood City’s Nan Beachem gets to enjoy that same warm feeling everyday when she sees her daughter Kyree’s captivating smile. Twenty-four years ago, Beachem began her commitment to altruism when she and her then-husband started fostering newborn children until adoption became available. It took little time for the two to move on to older children who needed transitioned…


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One Tomato, Two Tomato, Three Tomato, More

Nearly six months ago, Nino Riccio took a leap of faith and invested in the combination of his two New Castle restaurants. On Nov. 1, the chef and business owner plans to hold a soft opening for the II Tomato doors at its newer, larger location at 2409 Wilmington Road. The restaurant will then be open to the public Monday, Nov. 3. Riccio, who lives in Ellwood City, wanted to free himself up from the constant ten-minute drive between II Tomato, a fine dining establishment on East Long Avenue, and III Tomato, a sandwich shop and pizzeria on Wilmington Road….


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Ellwood City Woman Defies Odds on Appalachian Trail

by Ryan Shaffer Leaving a structured civilization construed of the most updated technology for nearly six months seems less-than-feasible for most. Though, for Ellwood City resident Sarah Beatrice, it was a dream come true. The 29-year-0ld embarked on a 2,185-mile journey through one of the most wondrous attractions along the east coast of the United States, the Appalachian Trail, with only a 26-lb backpack full of only bare necessities. “It was the most beautiful and rewarding, yet hardest thing I have ever done,” Beatrice said. “It was not just another walk in the woods.” Each year, approximately 2,000 people travel…


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Cheeseman’s Opens for a 15th Season

No one celebrates Fall quite like the Cheesemans of Portersville. Since 1999, the family has transformed 60 acres of their farmland into hosting ground for two of Western Pennsylvania’s most anticipated events: The Pumpkin Festival and Fright Farm. This weekend, the Cheesemans will open their barn doors up to the public for a fifteenth consecutive year with the commencement of Fright Farm on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 27, at noon, the Pumpkin Festival begins. According to Jen Cheeseman, the family took a chance and grew pumpkins, which sparked the idea of creating the events…


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Loccisano’s Begins Fuel Rewards Program

For nearly 100 years, Loccisano’s Golden Dawn has served the Ellwood City community with fine meats, fresh produce and delectable baked goods. Last week, the family-owned and operated grocery store implemented its newest value proposition with the commencement of the fuel rewards program. Customers now have the opportunity to save money at the pump simply by shopping at Loccisano’s, which aids in keeping business local. Floor manager Lexie Loccisano believes that fuel rewards give loyal customers all the more reason to continue their patronage of the establishment. “It’s a way to say ‘thanks’ to all of the loyal customers, Loccisano…


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Real Estate Agents Encourage Attendance at Council Meeting

On Monday, the Ellwood City borough council will vote on whether or not to implement a new inspection code ordinance. If it passes, and a betting person would say it will, then all residential, not commercial, buildings in the borough will require code inspections prior to sale. What does this mean for residents? Anyone planning on buying, selling or renting real estate must comply with a strict structural code. If the building or structure fails to meet code standards, then the owner must either pay for significant repair costs or receive less return on their investment. Also, the inspection costs…