Pennsylvania State Police from the Media barracks are continuing their investigation into a daytime burglary that occurred on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 12:19 p.m. on Ring Road in Chadds Ford Township. The suspect is described as a white male, 30 to 40 years of age, 6 feet to 6 feet 4 inches tall, heavy build approximately 240-260 pounds, wearing black boots, jean shorts, black t shirt and black gloves. The suspect kicked in a side door to make entry, then ran up into the master bedroom on second floor and rummaged through the closet and drawers. He then ran out the side door of the residence. Home video surveillance captured the attached image of the actor. As of this time nothing has been determined as missing from the residence.
Police believe that the person committing these crimes is selecting homes that appear to be vacant and that he approaches the home and knocks on the door before forcing entry into the home. Police are asking residents to remain vigilant and to immediately call 911 with any incidents where an unexpected person makes contact with them at their home. Residents are urged to try and document the physical description of the individual and vehicle. Police are also asking residents with video systems to check their system for any suspicious activity.
Any agency with similar investigations or that has a suspect fitting this description is asked to contact Tpr. Brian Richardson at brrichards@pa.gov or 610-558-7080.
• Top photo: Students enjoy some playtime during the third annual Fall Festival at Chadds Ford Elementary School on Sept. 25. The event is a fundraiser for the PTO. Event chairman Lisa Albany said she was hoping this year’s festival would raise $3,000. Last year’s raised $2,500, she said.
• The Darlington Arts Center in Concord Township invites the community to a Back to School Arts Party on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. The party celebrates music, art, dance, and drama and will include exciting performances and exhibits from Darlington’s professional teaching artists, plus a collaborative community art project. Refreshments will also be provided. There is a $20 recommended family donation.
• Concord Township will hold a recycling day on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Public Works Garage on Smithbridge Road. Residents can recycle electronics, shred documents, donate used clothing and other household items. Township igloos will be available for drop-off of paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastics (#1 PET & #2 HDPE) and inkjet cartridges. No smoke detectors, large appliances, projection TVs, fluorescent bulbs, loose batteries, or hazardous waste/liquids will be accepted. Proof of residency is required.
• Families can use light and color to create art during a special workshop on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. Admission is free on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Families will explore the process of photography by printing a collage of natural materials on special Sunprint paper and will go out into the landscape to make a sun catcher that reflects the changing colors of fall. At noon, dancers from the Academy of International Ballet will perform a variety of classical and contemporary works, as well as excerpts from the Nutcracker Ballet.
• The 18th annual Kennett Brewfest is set for Oct. 10, from 2 to 6 p.m. on South Broad Street. Festivalgoers will be able to sample beers from myriad brewers from around the country; there will also be food available. A $50 admission allows the ticketholder an unlimited number of 2-ounce beers, a press release said.
• In conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, which begins Oct. 6, Longwood Fire Company will be visiting Hillendale Elementary, Pocopson Elementary, Chadds Ford Elementary, Greenwood Elementary, Westtown Academy, Ducklings, Kendal Day Care, and Fairville Friends to discuss fire prevention.
• Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to race through scenic and challenging terrain for Natural Lands Trust’s second annual ChesLen Chase for Open Space on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the 1,263-acre ChesLen Preserve in Newlin Township. Choose among three courses—a 10K run, a 5K run, and a 2-mile run/walk— all of which traverse ChesLen Preserve’s beautiful landscapes. Racers will enjoy a post-race party with food, drinks and live music. For more information, go here.
• The second Be Alive & Thrive at the Exton Square Mall will be held on Oct. 17, a community event that focuses on mind/body wellness with a goal of increasing awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. The day will include demonstrations, art projects, a selfie station, music, and Reiki relaxation treatments. Main Line Health Center, located at the Exton Square Mall, will provide health screenings and nutrition information. A ceremony to remember those lost to suicide and mental health conditions will take center stage in the afternoon.
• The West Chester Preservation Awards has reached an important milestone, celebrating its fifth year of recognizing and honoring projects and persons that highlight and preserve West Chester’s historic character. Presented by the West Chester Downtown Foundation, this year’s Oct. 22 ceremony will transition from a morning breakfast to an evening reception with wine, beer, and a light buffet catered by Limoncello Ristorante. The awards will be presented at the Chester County Historical Society at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-chester-preservation-awards-tickets-18397530509?aff=es2r. For more information, visit DowntownWestChester.com.
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.
Hi beautiful people. My name is Frangelica, but my friends call me Franny. I’ve been told that I’m very loving, and crave one-on-one attention from all my two-legged pals. I don’t see why that’s a problem since I will shower you with love for hours in return. I have lots of energy for an “older dog” (as if) and love to play all day long. Take that, young whippersnappers. I listen and obey all commands, and have been voted sweetheart of the week. Adopt me today and I will show you how true that is.
• Donald Wayne Banninger Jr., 42, of Media, was arrested for DUI shortly before 1 a.m. on Sept. 19, according to state police. Police were conducting a sobriety checkpoint along Route 202 at Springwater Plaza. When Banninger came through the checkpoint, a report said, it was determined that he was under the influence of alcohol.
• Police cited Kate M. Boyle, 19, of Brookhaven, for driving at an unsafe speed after she lost control of her vehicle while negotiating a left-hand curve on Concord Road at South Valentine Road on Sept. 12 at 11:27 p.m. The car went off the road and hit a fence and a tree, the report said.
• Two unidentified drivers were involved in an accident on Route 52 in Pocopson Township on Sept. 22. State police from the Avondale barracks said the vehicles were driving in opposite directions just south of the traffic circle with Lenape Unionville and South Wawaset roads. Both vehicles were large pickup trucks with large side mirrors. Those mirrors struck as the vehicles went by. Both drivers were issued warnings, not citations. There were no injuries.
• State police are investigating the theft of a cellphone on Sept. 16. A report from Troop J, Avondale barracks, said the phone was taken from a chair at the Kennett Square Golf & Country Club in East Marlborough Township. The victim, a 73-year-old woman from West Grove, had left the white iPhone 5 in a pink case on her chair. The incident happened sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-268-2022.
• Nina Susan Selmayr, 59, of Wassaic, N.Y., was arrested for DUI following a crash on Route 842 at Green Valley Road in East Marlborough Township on Sept. 18, at 10:20 p.m., according to a state police report. Police said Selmayr was driving south on Green Valley, lost control of her vehicle while trying to make a right-hand turn, and wound up in a ditch. She was arrested after failing a field-sobriety test, the report said.
• On Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9:26 p.m., New Garden Township Police observed a vehicle cross the double yellow lines in the 300 block of Pemberton Road. During a subsequent traffic stop, police said Jose Garcia-Zavala, 40, of Kennett Square, show signs of impairment and was arrested for suspected DUI.
• On Thursday, Sept. 17, at 12:10 a.m., New Garden Township Police observed a vehicle speeding erratically in the 1000 block of Baltimore Pike. During a traffic stop, police made contact with the driver, Lorenzo Jeronimo-Ramos, 26, of Toughkenamon, who was arrested for suspected DUI after failing field-sobriety tests, police said.
• State police from the Avondale barracks responded to a one-vehicle crash on Newark Road in West Marlborough Township on Sept. 20 at 1:32 a.m. Police said Saul Gonzalez-Mendiola, 21, of Kennett Square, drove off the roadway, north of Line Road, and struck a utility pole. Police said Gonzalez-Mendiola, who showed signs of impairment, had been pursued by several police departments, including state police, New Garden Township, and Kennett Square Borough. State police said borough police would handle any charges. Court records said Gonzalez-Mendiola was held for trial on charges that include aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding police, DUI, and other offenses.
Halloween is right around the corner but this article is not about make belief ghosts and skeleton stories. It is about a scary and unfortunate reality. Today there are many preachers that are going to Hell and they are trying to take as many people with them as they can.
Jesus says to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) and the Apostle Paul adds that “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30)
In other words false prophets will arise from within the “Church” and lead many astray. These false teachers and false preachers will present a façade like that of a sheep; tender, beautiful, peaceful, and can do no wrong. I mean seriously who doesn’t love sheep! Yet Jesus points out these false teachers are not sheep, nor are they shepherds, they are ravenous wolves disguised as sheep.
How then can we tell the difference? How can we not be like Little Red Riding Hood? In this story there is no woodcutter that comes to the rescue after the fact. Yet, there is hope and salvation if we judge and discern who is a false prophet and who speaks the truth.
There are five questions everyone should ask when they read, listen, or watch their favorite preacher to determine if he or she is a true minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ or a fake; a false teacher and preacher.
First, what percentage of what they say and write is based on scripture? You see many preachers today say really positive things but hardly any of it is grounded in the Bible. The Bible should be the basis and final authority for all matters of life, faith and practice.
Secondly, does the preacher cite scripture as in book, chapter, and verse? Again many priests and preachers use texts from the Bible but they never cite where it’s from. Did not go to school? Credit and recognition should be given to God’s word and not left open ended for one to guess if it is Holy Scripture or not.
Third, what do they say about Jesus, not just God? Jesus himself says in John 14:1, “Believe in God; believe also in me” and he adds in verse 6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” One of the biggest problems today is that people believe in God, but they do not believe and trust in Jesus. Many false prophets and teachers rarely if ever mention Jesus Christ. This should be a warning sign for you.
Fourth, does the person preach the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ unapologetically? I know that is a mouth full. False preachers add and subtract from the Word of God to their own benefit. The Bible clearly says in both the Old and New Testament that no one should “add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6)
Finally, and the most telltale sign, does the person’s personal qualities and actions glorify God or themselves? These false teachers and preachers with their smooth talk and flattery only draw attention to themselves and not to the Lord Jesus they claim to represent. The Bible is clear that “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
The good news for false teachers and preachers is that if they repent and truly turn, trust and believe in Jesus they will be saved. If they do not they will go to Hell. I know it sounds terrible but it is the unfortunate truth. False teachers and preachers are cowards for giving into cultural norms and not speaking the truth from the Word of God. They are faithless in that they have trusted and believed in themselves rather than Jesus. They are liars and there is no truth in them. There is only one place for people like this “But as for the cowardly, the faithless … and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Rev. Marcos O. Almonte is senior pastor at Brandywine Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist Church west of Philadelphia. Pastor Marcos is a graduate of Palmer Theological Seminary with more than 10 years working with families with an expertise in theology, trauma and addictions. Pastor Marcos and his wife Mary have three children, Carmen, Joseph, and Lincoln.
