Nicholas Vercilla, New Castle News Journalist Profile

Articles

Heat wave hits city as cooling centers open

4 days ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

It was hot on Sunday, but wasn't quite a record-breaking day in the city as temperatures are predicted to stay in the high 80s and 90s this week. Sunday's temperature in New Castle reached a high of 92 degrees. While it was hot, it wasn't quite the hottest it's ever been on June 22. New Castle hit 98 on the thermometer on June 22, 1988. The hottest temperature on record was 105 in 2011.
Riverside to host Renee's Run and Walk

4 days ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

The Riverside Sports Hall of Fame committee is set to honor a former district volunteer during a special 5K event. The first Renee’s Run and Walk for Uterine Cancer will be held June 28 at Ewing Park in Ellwood City. kAm#68:DEC2E:@?^4964<\:? :D 2E gib_ 2]>][ E96 C246 368:?D 2E hib_ 2]>] 2?5 >652=D H:== 36 8:G6? 2?5 2F4E:@? 32D<6ED H:??6CD H:== 36 2??@F?465 7C@> `_ib_ 2]>] E@ ?@@?] %96 4@DE :D Scd 6249]k^AmkAm%96 6G6?E :D :? >6>@CJ @7 #6?66 {J??
Union school board approves new contracts

4 days ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

The Union Area School Board approved a new contract for non-collective bargaining unit employees during its meeting on Wednesday to run through the 2025-26 school year. The board also approved a contract with the district’s custodians to run from July 1 through June 30, 2029, and renewed an athletic trainer agreement for the next school year. kAm%96 3@2C5 28C665 E@ 2==@42E6 E96 Sa[feg[feg :?
Ellwood Little League celebrates 75 years, will hold anniversary game

5 days ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

Joe Cioffi remembers stepping onto the field in 1950 for the inaugural Ellwood City Little League game between the Ellwood City American Legion and Moose Lodge teams. The Moose won the game 2-1 on June 6, 1950, and became the dominant league team during the next decade. kAm“(6 H@? E96 492>A:@?D9:A E92E J62C[ H9:49 x’== ?6G6C 7@C86E[” r:@77: D2:5]k^Am kAm}@H[ :? a_ad[ r:@77: :D D6E E@ C6EFC? E@ E96 5:2>@?5 E@ E9C@H @FE E96 46C6>@?:2= 7:CDE A:E49 5FC:?8 2 DA64:2= fdE9 2??:G6CD2CJ 82>6 @?
This week ahead: City council to vote on recovery house request

5 days ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

New Castle City Council will vote to accept or deny a conditional use request for an East Side recovery home during its voting meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 230 N. Jefferson St.The Lawrence County Drug and Alcohol Commission wants to use the residence at 1042 Beckford St., which it owns, to help up to four men in recovery from opioid and other substance-use disorders. kAm}@ >65:42= EC62E>6?E H:== 36 @776C65 @? D:E6[ E96 4@>>:DD:@?
City officials to discuss floodplain insurance relief

1 week ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

New Castle city leaders are set to meet with federal officials in a bid to bring relief to high floodplain insurance rates for downtown business owners. Jondavid “JD” Longo, the Citywide Development Corporation’s executive director, addressed City Council during Monday’s caucus meeting in his first public comments since being hired in May.
New annex opens with more military exhibits, sports history

1 week ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

The Lawrence County Historical Society showcased new additions and renovation work to its renamed annex on Wednesday. Thanks to an $8,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the annex — now called the Soto and Jennie Medure History Building — has new flooring, tables and bookshelves. The historical society is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 408 N.
Judge denies proposed Ellwood City softball field project

1 week ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

A softball field will not be coming to a residential neighborhood in Ellwood City — at least not now. Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge John W. Hodge affirmed Monday the borough’s zoning hearing board’s January decision to deny the special exemption request by the Ellwood City Area School District. kAm%96 5:DEC:4E 925 D@F89E E@ 3F:=5 2 EFC7 7:6=5 H:E9 2 4@?46DD:@? DE2?5 2?5 AC6DD 3@I[ 32D<6E32== 4@FCE[ H2=<:?8 EC2:= 2?5 A2C<:?8 =@E 2E E96 D:E6 @7 E96 7@C>6C tH:?8 !2C< t=6>6?E2CJ $49@@= 36EH66?
City's Juneteenth returns with family fun, fireworks

1 week ago | ncnewsonline.com | Nicholas Vercilla

New Castle’s Juneteenth celebration is coming back this weekend to an old location and promising games, food and fireworks. The 3 to 9 p.m. celebration is returning Saturday to Whole Truth Ministries at 1204 W. State St. and is being put on by a coalition of community groups, including nonprofit The Cultural Committee of New Castle. kAmrr}r !C6D:56?E py r=2C< D2:5 E96C6 H:== 36 7@@5[ 82>6D[ 24E:G:E:6D :?4=F5:?8 EC:G:2[ G6?5@CD 2?5 2 7:C6H@C<D D9@H 2E E96 6?5] %96 46=63C2E:@?
School board roundup: Laurel hires new transportation director

1 week ago | lancasterfarming.com | Nicholas Vercilla

The Laurel School Board honored several students interested in agriculture and farming. The board noted during an awards ceremony that 29 degrees were awarded to Future Farmers of America students. Those included Maelee Hill (Ag Education Merit Award and the Howard J. Fox Memorial Award), Garrett Eldredge (Ag Mechanics Merit Award) and Cheyenne Holben (the Dekalb Agricultural Achievement Award). Ed Novad and Sheri Eldredge received honorary chapter degrees. kAm$92H?