October 29, 2014 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Police Log Oct. 30: School bus rear-ended; harassment at AMC

Auto-accident-10-27-14-004 — Police Log Oct. 30: School bus rear-ended; harassment at AMC

• Police have not yet issued a press release, but there was an accident on Route 1 at Brandywine Drive in Chadds Ford Township about 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. A witness said one motorist driving north T-boned another car that was turning left. The witness said the vehicle turning left was a new car being test driven. (See courtesy photo from Thom McGurn above.)

• State police charged two people with harassment following an incident at the AMC Theatre at Painters Crossing in Chadds Ford Township. Police identified the two as Courtisha Chavis and Jamar Evan Caldwell, both 22 and from Chester. A report said the two “engaged in a physical altercation in which the victims did not intend to engage.” The incident happened on Oct. 26 at 1:17 a.m.

• Jay Thomas Flint, 27, of New Castle, Del., was arrested for DUI after state police observed him making several traffic violations on Route 202 at State Line Road, a report said. The traffic stop was made at 2:42 a.m. on Oct. 26.

• A 22-year-old from Essington was arrested for DUI on Route 202 at Dilworthtown Road on Oct. 25. Police identified the suspect as James Michael Findle. The arrest was made shortly after midnight.

• Police reported an act of forgery at the Whole Foods in Concord Township. A report said a customer paid for merchandise with a counterfeit $20 bill, and then immediately left the store. Police said the appropriate agencies were notified.

• State police cited one driver in a rear-ender accident on Route 926 at Ulverston Road in Pennsbury Township on Oct. 23. A report said Brett J. Compton, 21, of Chadds Ford, was driving a Ford F-150 behind another vehicle that was waiting to make a left hand turn, but failed to stop and struck the other vehicle from behind. No injuries were reported stemming from the 10:17 a.m. accident.

• Three people reportedly suffered minor injuries in a two-car crash at the intersection of Smithbridge and Concord roads. The driver of one vehicle, Edith Langdon, 82, of Wilmington, was cited for an improper left turn, police said. According to a report, Langdon was driving east on Smithbridge Road. A second car was crossing through the intersection when Langdon turned left, striking the other vehicle. Langdon and her husband were transported to a hospital. The driver of the second car was also reported injured, but there was no transport, according to the police report. The accident happened at 1 p.m. on Oct. 22.

• One person reported a minor injury following an accident in which a box truck rear-ended a school bus on Route 926 at Pocopson Road. A report said the two vehicles proceeded through the light, but the school bus stopped at the railroad tracks per state law. The truck slid into the rear of the bus and its truck driver was cited. The bus driver reportedly said she banged her knee on the driver side door, but refused medical treatment, police said. There were no students on the bus.

• Police arrested 21-year-old Kimberly Bydlon, of West Chester, on retail theft charges. There was no word on what was stolen, but the value was reported to be $60.24. The incident happened 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the Target in Concord Township.

• One driver was injured and another was cited in a two-vehicle accident on Route 202 at Pyle Road, police said. The accident happened 11:10 a.m. on Oct. 22. The police did not identify the driver who was cited for making an improper left hand turn. According to the report, the unidentified driver was traveling west on Pyle Road toward southbound 202. Another vehicle, heading north on 202 approached Pyle Road when the first driver reportedly pulled out into traffic. The second car hit an embankment and then spun out of control. The driver was taken to Riddle Hospital with minor injuries.

• Nicole Whitney Cassidy, 27, of Wilmington, was arrested for DUI following an Oct. 29 traffic stop on Route 202 at Ridge Road, police said. The stop was made at 2:25 a.m.

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Around Town Oct. 30

Along the Ford

• Chris Ferron, bottom, supports Marcy Flynn as they practice acro yoga outside the Transcend Yoga Studio in the Barn Shoppes in Chadds Ford. (See photo above.) Flynn, one of the owners of Transcend, said acro yoga is fairly new, about 10 years old. She called it a “fun, partner-style” practice and can be considered a modern day dance form. She also said the studio has changed its pricing policy. Fees are now based on donations. “Pay what you want,” she said.

• The second annual 5K Brandywine Run is this Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The raced starts at the Chadds Ford Township municipal building and finishes at the Brandywine Rover Museum of Art, a press release said. Racers will run along Ring Road to Bullock Road, and from Bullock to Creek Road. Then it’s Creek Road to Station Way to the museum.

Flood warning devices are now on Ring Road in Chadds Frd

• Ring Road floods when Harvey Run spills its banks, as most Chadds Ford residents know. Now there’s a new warning device to let people know that the road is flooded. The devices, one facing in each direction, come courtesy of the state’s Automatic Red Light Enforcement grant at no cost to township residents, according to Supervisors’ Chairman Keith Klaver. The units are solar-powered and flash when the road floods. They are triggered from sensors in the roadway.

• The Kennett Flash presents the Serafin String Quartet in a concert series titled “Sip and Savor with the Serafins” on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. On Nov. 5, the Quartet presents “Nordic Journey” offering a behind the scenes tour of Norway’s most celebrated composer, Edvard Grieg. The next concert on Dec. 3 titled “Viennese Classical Roots” features Mozart Quartet in d minor with samples from Haydn and Beethoven.

• It’s Pirate Adventure Day at the Brandywine River Museum of Art on Sunday, Nov. 2. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. visitors can create pirate-themed crafts, participate in a rope-tying demonstration, hunt for treasure and hear daring tales of journeys on the high seas presented by Hedgerow Theater. Admission is free from 9:30 a.m. until noon, part of the free Sunday morning program running until Nov. 23.

• Pinot’s Palette in Olde Ridge Village — along with all studios in the chain — will be holding a National Painting it Forward event for the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Nov. 7 from 7-9 p.m. For every guest that attends the event, the studios are donating $15 to the foundation with a goal to raise $20,000. The link http://www.pinotspalette.com/GlenMills/Class/32965 is for the painting we will be offering, called Pink Bliss. Cost is $35 per painter. We are BYOB so guests are free to bring their beverage of choice as well as any food they may want to have. We supply everything else they need, plates, wine glasses, napkins, utensils, ice and all supplies to create their very own masterpiece.

• Artist Matthew Jensen will discuss his installation, Matthew Jensen: Alongside Tall Grasses, and how he uses photography, walking and collection building to reinvent the way landscape is represented and understood. The event is Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. It is free for members and included in museum admission.

• There will be a Veterans’ Day memorial ceremony Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Concord Township American Hero Memorial on Smithbridge Road across from the Rachel Kohl Memorial. Beginning at 3 p.m. There will be a brief presentation with a changing of the flags. There will also be Paul Scarborough prints for sale.

• Families with pre-school aged children are invited to attend the Saint Thomas the Apostle School Early Childhood Education Festival on Sunday, Nov. 9, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Families attending will have the opportunity to meet the teachers, visit the classrooms, receive information and hear about what make Saint Thomas the Apostle School different. Saint Thomas the Apostle School pre-k and kindergarten program encompasses daily lessons in religion, math, science, social studies, English language arts, penmanship and weekly curriculum in art, computers, music and physical education. Those interested in attending please send an email to stamarketing@staglenmills.org or visit www.stamarketing@STAGlenMills.org

• November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley and YMCA of the Upper Main Line are encouraging residents to learn their risks for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes and to take preventive steps to potentially reduce their chances of developing the disease. The YMCA of the Brandywine Valley is focusing on diabetes awareness and prevention at Wellness Wednesday events on Nov. 12. Informative chats and screenings will be held during the morning and early evening at the Brandywine Y, Coatesville; Jennersville Y, West Grove; Kennett Area Y, Kennett Square; West Chester Area Y, Airport Road; Upper Main Line Y, Berwyn and Lionville Community Y, Exton. The Y will offer a $1 joining fee Fri. Nov. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 16 in support of World Diabetes Day on Nov. 16.

• Local residents can start the season with a double decker of holiday spirit when Uptown! Entertainment Alliance partners with the Pennsylvania Academy of Performing Arts to present its third annual Christmas Show in West Chester on Saturday, Dec. 6. The evening will begin with a 6 p.m. performance of “A Christmas Carol…More or Less” at the West Chester Historical Society on North High Street, followed by a 7 p.m. candlelit Christmas Carol Walk through downtown West Chester. The show is free, but a $5 donation is suggested, a press release said. All proceeds benefit UEA’s mission to bring a performing arts theater to West Chester.

• From Oct. 27 through Nov. 24, Crozer-Keystone will hold its annual food drive to benefit the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. Food donations should be should be packed in cans, boxes or plastic bottle. There will be a drop off bin in the main lobby at the Crozer Medical Plaza at Brinton Lake at 300 Evergreen Drive. There will also be a toy from Nov. 24 through Dec. 19.

• The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls is now accepting nominations for the 2015 Kitchen Table Award, which honors a Chester County woman who represents the mission and values of the nonprofit. All nominations must be received by Monday, Dec. 22. To learn more about the award and to download the nomination form, visit: http://ccwomenandgirls.org/kitchen-table-award-nominations-now-open/

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Adopt-a-Pet Oct. 30: Alex

Home and Leisure

Hello, my name is Alex and I’m a 7-year-old neutered male tuxedo shorthair. I had to come to the shelter because my family had a new baby and they didn’t have time for me. I’m such a lover. My family said I was good with children, and I’m also front-declawed. I would love to find a new forever home with people who will commit to a lifetime of love with me. I can be found at the Chester County SPCA located at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Goshen. The phone number is 610-692-6113 and the web site is www.ccspca.org.

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Photo of the Week: Sunday Calm

Photo of the Week

A calm creek reflects a blue sky while greenery is punctuated with autumn gold.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Time to drive stake through vampire power

Local News

Although goblins, ghouls and ghosts are most prominent around Halloween, vampire energy can be a menace all year long. Beware of vampire energy around your home to avoid being spooked, a PECO press release said.

Vampire, or phantom energy is energy used by computers, televisions, lamps, chargers, and other appliances that continue to use power even while plugged in but powered off. Vampire energy slowly, but continuously, drains energy even when the product is not in use. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that vampire energy costs customers in the United States more than $10 billion a year.

Small changes can add up to big savings:

Use a power strip with an on/off switch to fully power down electronics in your home.
Unplug your charger for your cell phone, portable music player or other electronics once fully charged.
When preparing for out-of-town travel, unplug all nonessential devices.
Look for the Energy Star^® label on home appliances, electronics and other products. Energy Star products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

To find where energy vampires may be hiding in your home, customers can take the PECO Smart Home E-Audit. This free, online tool analyzes a customer’s energy use and provides ways to save energy and money.

To create your own personal profile with the PECO Smart Home E-Audit, register for MyAccount at peco.com. For more ways to save energy and money, visit peco.com/smartideas.

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PennDOT announces area bridge ups, downs

Along the Ford

When it comes to building bridges, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced some good news and some bad news for area motorists.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, PennDOT opened all lanes on the newly built bridge carrying Route 322 (Brandywine Avenue/Downingtown Pike) over Brandywine Creek in East Caln Township, Downingtown Borough, and West Bradford Township, a press release said.

“The new structure will be safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling over the Brandywine Creek with the addition of wider travel lanes and shoulders, and a protected sidewalk,” PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso said. “The new bridge will serve the public for up to 100 years.”

PennDOT’s contractor worked over the past 17 months to build a new single span concrete bridge on a new alignment, and construct a new left turn lane for motorists traveling west on Route 322 (Brandywine Avenue/Downingtown Pike) to Bradford Avenue.

The new structure, which replaces a deficient 1929 bridge, is 167 feet long with 12-foot-wide travel lanes, an 8-foot-wide shoulder, and an 8-foot-wide sidewalk that also serves as a bicycle lane for Pennsylvania’s Bike Route L.

Over the next few weeks, intermittent lane restrictions will occur on Route 322 (Brandywine Avenue/Downingtown Pike) while crews perform line-striping operations; install pavement markers and rumble strips; and complete some final operations, including installing a barrier railing and asphalt pedestrian trail.

A bridge still under reconstruction will require northbound Route 202 to be closed at the Paoli Pike interchange in West Goshen Township, on Monday, Nov. 3, at 11 p.m., to Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 5 a.m. for the removal of an overhead bridge beam, the release said.

During this overnight operation, northbound Route 202 motorists will be detoured to the Boot Road Interchange. Drivers will exit at Paoli Pike and proceed east to the Boot Road intersection, where they will turn left and follow Boot Road to the on-ramp to Route 202 North.

In addition, the Route 202 North ramp to Route 322 West will be closed and detoured both nights. Route 202 North motorists en route to Route 322 West will exit at Paoli Pike and proceed west to the Montgomery Avenue intersection. Drivers will then turn right and follow Montgomery Avenue/Marshall Street to Goshen Road, then take Goshen Road to Phoenixville Pike, then turn left at Phoenixville Pike and follow it to Route 322 West.

This operation is part of PennDOT’s project to repair the structurally deficient Fern Hill Road Bridge over Route 202, which was struck and damaged by an oversized truck last November, according to the release.

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Roadwork planned for the week of Nov. 2

Along the Ford

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced the following road projects, which are weather-dependent and could affect residents in the greater Chadds Ford area during the week of Nov. 2 through Nov. 9. PennDOT recommends that motorists allow extra time if they are traveling through one of the construction zones.

Cable guide rail installation will continue to require shoulder closure between Newark Road and East Baltimore Pike on Route 1 in both directions in New Garden and Kennett Townships. The work will be done from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 19.

Route 82 in Kennett Square Borough between Hornblende and Hillendale Avenues will be the site of utility installation from Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 7. Lane restrictions will be required from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Traffic signal installation will continue on State Street at Broad and Union Streets in Kennett Square Borough. Lanes closures will be needed during work from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 7.

The roundabout project continues on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township. Wawaset is scheduled to be closed until Dec. 31 between Lenape-Unionville and Corinne Roads; detours are posted. Detours are also posted on Route 52, which will also be closed through Dec. 31 between Pocopson and Locust Grove Roads in Pocopson Township for roundabout reconstruction.

Burnt Mill Road in Kennett Township is closed and detoured between Norway and Spring Mill Roads indefinitely while crews prepare for repairs to a bridge that collapsed on April 24.

Fern Hill Road in West Goshen Township will be closed and detoured between Old Fern Hill Road and Five Points Road through Dec. 20 for bridge rehabilitation. Detours are posted.

Utility installation will cause lane closures on Marshall Street between High Street and Montgomery Avenue in West Chester Borough through Dec. 6; a detour is posted. The work will be done from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Brush-cutting will necessitate lane closures on Route 202 in both directions between Boot Road and Paoli Pike in West Goshen Township. The work is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 7.

Drivers will face overnight lane closures when traveling on Route 202 between the Chesterbrook and Route 401 interchanges in Tredyffrin and East Whiteland Townships. Crews will be working at night to put finishing touches, such as installing reflective markers, on the newly opened six-lane section of Route 202. Weather permitting, lane closures will be in place on northbound and southbound 202 from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; on Monday, Nov. 3, through Thursday, Nov. 6. from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.; and from 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Route 202 in both directions will continue to require a traffic pattern shift between the Route 401 and Route 30 interchanges through May 2016 during the ongoing road reconstruction and widening.

Northbound Route 100 (Pottstown Pike) will be reduced to one lane between Worthington Road and Route 113 (Uwchlan Avenue) in Uwchlan Township, Chester County, on Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for road widening, part of the $17.4 million project to expand a section of Route 100 from two lanes to three in each direction.

The Route 202 North ramp to Route 322 West in West Goshen Township and Route 202 North at Paoli Pike will both be closed on Monday, Nov. 3, and Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for bridge construction. Detours will be posted.

One lane will remain closed on Interstate 95 North at the Commodore Barry Bridge for construction through July 14, 2015.

If you want to report potholes and other roadway maintenance concerns on state roads, call 1-800-FIX ROAD.

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Awards will honor local history advocates

Arts & Entertainment

The Chester County Historical Society (CCHS) is seeking support for its annual Founders Event on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m.

The popular fundraiser enables area residents to support CCHS’s educational mission – implemented through numerous programs and exhibits – while interacting with other committed patrons of history, organizers said.

Penelope "Penny" Wilson will be honored by the Chester County Historical Society. — Penelope “Penny” Wilson will be honored by the Chester County Historical Society.

During the evening, which will include guided tours of the Historical Society’s galleries and food from Jimmy Duffy’s, guests will be treated to classical guitar playing by Malcolm Johnstone and will learn about the event’s two honorees, both of whom are described as supporters of CCHS for more than 25 years, a CCHS news release said.

“Our Founders Awardee Peco has been a dedicated supporter of CHS’s Antiques Show and education programs,” the release said.  ” Similarly, longtime supporter Penelope “Penny” Wilson has contributed to CCHS’s success in numerous ways, all which enhance our ability to reach tens of thousands easy year with local history activities and programming.”

Tickets, which cost $100 apiece, are available and can even be purchased at the door. Individual and corporate sponsorship opportunities still exist as well. Contact David Reinfeld at 610-692-4800, ext. 267, or dreinfeld@ChesterCoHistorical.org.

The Chester County Historical Society is located at 225 N. High St., West Chester, 19380. To learn more about its many offerings, go to http://www.chestercohistorical.org.

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Police: Curb aggressive driving or risk ticket

Local News

Law-enforcement officials want area drivers to park their aggression before getting behind the wheel – and to know that failing to do so is more likely right now to generate a traffic ticket.

For the next few weeks, police departments across the state will be targeting aggressive-related behavior such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, careless driving, and red light running. The initiative is part of the Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project, which is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The goal of the partnership, which includes government as well as community groups, is to use high-visibility target enforcement to raise public awareness so that the number of needless aggressive driving injuries and deaths can be reduced, authorities said.

In addition to the Pennsylvania State Police, 349 local police departments, including Kennett Township, West Chester, Willistown, and Westtown-East Goshen, will be participating in the four-week wave of enforcement, which ends in late November. Any aggressive driver stopped by police will receive a ticket, police said.

Utilizing crash data to identify aggressive driving locations, police will be concentrating on those areas. For example, the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department will target Wilmington Pike in Westtown Township and Thornbury Township and also West Chester Pike in East Goshen Township.

Municipal police agencies that participated in last year’s campaign wrote 53,587 aggressive-driving related citations, including 31,150 for speeding alone. Traffic Control Signal Signs was the second most-common offense, resulting in 5,011 citations. Additionally, the enforcement brought about 51 felony arrests, 145 DUI arrests and 179 drug-related arrests, according to PennDOT.

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Lawyers give boost to endangered book

Local News

A year after gaining distinction as the People’s Choice Award winner in a state endangered artifacts competition, a rare prison visitors’ book at the Chester County Historical Society (CCHS) has moved closer to ending its imperiled status.

Passmore Williamson kept a log of the signatures of the people who visited him while he was imprisoned for refusing — Passmore Williamson kept a log of the signatures of the supporters who visited him while he was imprisoned for abolitionist activities in 1855.

CCHS said it has received a grant of $5,000 from the Chester County Bar Foundation for the restoration of Passmore Williamson’s 1855 prison visitors’ book. The book is one of the most unusual and important items in the CCHS collection, documenting a pivotal time in Passmore Williamson’s life as well as U.S. history, said Rob Lukens, CCHS president.

In 1855, Passmore Williamson, a Philadelphia businessman who was born in Westtown Township, chose to go to prison rather than violate his principles. He was imprisoned for failing to cooperate in recovering two sons and their mother, Jane Johnson, an enslaved woman who sought and gained freedom in Pennsylvania with Williamson’s assistance. Williamson spent 100 days in Philadelphia’s Moyamensing Prison before he was released, according to CCHS records.

While imprisoned, Williamson, whose case had generated considerable publicity, took the unusual step of keeping a visitors’ book. It named the more than 500 men, women and children who showed their support by visiting Williamson in jail – some from as far away as Canada and Ireland.

The book contains the signatures of Frederick Douglass and hundreds of other notable supporters, including Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman; William Still, who later published a history of the Underground Railroad; and Mary Ann Shadd, the first African American woman to publish a newspaper in North America. Tucked in the back of the book is a letter conveying gratitude from Jane Johnson, who was then living safely in Massachusetts.

Passmore Williamson's prison visitors' book needs an estimated $25,000 worth of restoration work. — Passmore Williamson’s prison visitors’ book needs an estimated $25,500 worth of restoration work.

“CCHS is very grateful for this significant grant from the Chester County Bar Foundation,” said Lukens. “It speaks volumes about the Foundation’s mission that they are willing to support the preservation of this national treasure, which will inspire innumerable visitors and researchers for decades to come.”

Don Kohler, president of the Chester County Bar Foundation, said the group was proud to contribute. “Preserving this book will insure that future generations are aware of how important Chester County was to the Abolitionist Movement,” he said.

Because the book’s binding must be restored and each page needs to be cleaned and treated, the conservation work is estimated to cost approximately $25,500. More than half of that amount has been raised from individual supporters and grants, a CCHS press release said.

Anyone who is interested in helping to preserve Williamson’s book is asked to contact David B. Reinfeld at 610-692-4800, ext. 267, dreinfeld@chestercohistorical.org, or make a donation online at http://chestercohistorical.org/support-cchs.

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