PennDOT has announced the following road projects, which are weather-dependent and could affect residents in the greater Chadds Ford area during the week of Dec. 12 through Dec. 19. Motorists are urged to allow extra time if they are traveling through one of the construction zones.
Route 842 in Pocopson, Newlin, and East Marlborough townships will be the site of lane restrictions on Friday Dec. 18. Crews are scheduled for brushing between Route 82 and South Creek Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lane restrictions will be needed on Creek Road in Birmingham Township for milling between Route 1 and Route 926. The work is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, through Friday, Dec. 18.
Work is finally scheduled to begin on the Frog Hollow Road covered bridge in East Fallowfield and West Marlborough townships on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Frog Hollow Road between Concord Bridge and Strasburg roads will be closed and detoured until the estimated completion date of Sept. 20.
Burnt Mill Road in Kennett Township remains closed and detoured indefinitely between Norway and Spring Mill roads while advance work continues on repairs to the Burnt Mill Bridge, which was closed on April 24, 2014.
The Birmingham Road Bridge in Birmingham Township is also closed indefinitely to repair structural damage discovered in September. Posted detours will be in effect between Lambourne Road and Stoney Run Drive.
The road-widening project continues on Route 100 in Uwchlan and West Whiteland townships. Lane closures will be in effect between Swedesford Road and Route 113 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, through Friday, Dec. 18. Southbound Route 100 between Business Route 30 and Shoen Road will require lane restrictions on Tuesday, Dec. 14, through Thursday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for curb repair.
Work is also continuing on the project to widen Route 202, which is scheduled for completion in August 2016. Traffic pattern shifts will occur between the Routes 30 and 401 interchanges.
Lane restrictions are scheduled on northbound Route 1 between Interstate 76 and Wissahickon Avenue in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Dec. 15, through Thursday, Dec. 17, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for overhead bridge repair.
On Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the left lane of southbound Interstate 95 between Broad Street and Island Avenue in Philadelphia will be closed for an inspection of the Girard Point Bridge.
If you want to report potholes and other roadway maintenance concerns on state roads, call 610-566-0972 in Delaware County or 484-340-3200 in Chester County, or visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on “submit feedback.”
Constance “Connie” Noblet, 91, a pioneer in the crime victims’ rights movement, died on Sunday, Dec. 6, in Rhode Island, where she had lived for more than 20 years; however, her influence and inspiration never left Pennsylvania, those who worked with her said.
Constance “Connie” Noblet
In 1973, Noblet co-founded and served as director of the Rape Crisis Council of Chester County, one of the first rape crisis centers in the country. Such agencies brought to the victims’ movement a recognition of the emotional damage inflicted by violent crimes and the importance of helping victims rebuild their lives within a criminal justice system that often mistreated them.
“Through our work with rape victims, we have recognized and helped other severely traumatized victims of violent personal crimes,” Noblet said in 1977 as the agency’s services had begun broadening to include victims of assault, robbery, stalking, drunk driving, attempted homicide, as well as the families of homicide victims.
In addition to providing direct services, the center, which has received national as well as international accolades, has worked with police, hospital staff, lawyers and social agencies not only to help victims but also to educate others about their needs. Groups from Japan, New Zealand and Russia have traveled to West Chester to copy the center’s programs.
The agency’s name ultimately changed to the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. to reflect its wider mission, and when Noblet relocated to New England in 1988, her presence continued to be felt, said Peggy Gusz, a co-founder of the Rape Crisis Council who succeeded Noblet as CVC’s director.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without her,” Gusz said.
Chester County Chief Deputy Sheriff George P. March said he met Noblet when he was first assigned as a state trooper to the Downingtown barracks. He described her as passionate and persuasive in her mission to serve victims. He recalled accompanying victims to meet Noblet and other advocates, establishing ties that ultimately benefitted everyone.
March said rape investigations in particular required intimate details to prosecute. “You can imagine how uncomfortable that would be for a victim,” March said, adding that the victims’ advocates provided important emotional support. On many occasions, March remembered being thanked by both the victim and the victim’s advocate for bringing them together.
“Connie was the kind of person that once you met her, you never forgot her, and you always admired what she was able to accomplish,” March said.
Mike Cotter, a retired lieutenant with the Chester County Detectives, said Noblet played a pivotal role in improving victims’ rights throughout Chester County. Her influence pervaded numerous decisions, ranging from establishing a team of county detectives to handle abuse cases to creating a Children’s Advocacy Center, a child-friendly facility for interviewing young victims and their families.
Cotter said before Noblet and her crew helped revamp the system, victims were simply part of a criminal investigation, and they would receive a phone call or subpoena telling them to show up in court. Most of the victims were scared and some had been so traumatized that they could barely remember what happened, Cotter said.
“Connie and her team – a group of upstanding, outspoken, intelligent people – were able to help guide victims through the process,” he said. “Connie was the one who got the ball rolling, and then Peggy kept it rolling.”
Born Constance Catherine Knickerbocker in Providence, R.I., Noblet grew up in Cranston and attended Rhode Island Hospital’s school of nursing, graduating as a registered nurse. In 1947 she married Earl Noblet of Fairhaven, Mass., a World War II veteran then studying chemistry at Brown University.
The couple moved to Stamford, Ct., where Mrs. Noblet worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital and then at Courtland Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. After a 25-year career in psychiatric, general and geriatric nursing, she began her major life’s work at the age of 48. The family had moved from Connecticut to East Whiteland, where, after working in community theater, Noblet joined a volunteer effort to provide counseling and support to rape victims in nearby West Chester.
Her work took her to crime scenes, accident sites, train wrecks, plane crashes and even a Bosnian war zone, where she helped guide efforts to comfort trauma victims. She also gave numerous workshops and seminars, sharing her skills and expertise with new victim service providers and criminal justice professionals. She trained hundreds of police officers and civil authorities to treat victims of rape and other violent crimes with dignity, and to assist crime witnesses.
“She touched so many people,” Gusz said, calling Noblet “the best role model and mentor a person could have – especially in this field.”
From 1983 to 1985, Noblet served as president of the board of directors of the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). She advised communities developing sexual assault or comprehensive crime victims’ centers, and volunteered her time to the National Organization for Victim Assistance and the National Institute of Mental Health as a conference planner and facilitator, and continued to serve on crisis-response teams through 1993.
She also lobbied in Washington, D.C., for a new federal policy toward victims, and in 1987 was congratulated for her efforts by then President Ronald W. Reagan after being honored by the Department of Justice for “outstanding contributions in assisting victims of crime.” She received the first Woman of the Year Award from the Women’s Coalition of Pennsylvania.
Noblet continued her work her after she and her husband returned to Rhode Island, settling in Narragansett. Even in her 70s, she helped train police and officials in crafting disaster response plans and as a member of Rhode Island’s Crime Prevention Planning Committee (CPPC). In 2003 she received the Neil J. Houston, Jr. Memorial Award presented by Justice Assistance of Rhode Island, for service contributing toward improving the state’s criminal justice system.
During that time, Gusz said she kept in touch with Noblet and often thought of her during the most challenging situations. “In moments of panic, all I had to do was stop – take a deep breath – and say to myself: What would Connie do? Miraculously, it turned out to be the right thing and that is how CVC got to be where we are today.”
Noblet’s professional and volunteer career spanned over five decades, during which she aided, counseled, intervened and advocated on behalf of victims of crime, accidents, violence, war and other disasters, working past the age of 80.
She is survived by five sons, Christopher of Jamestown, R.I., and Schull, Ireland; Jonathan of Narragansett, R.I.; Kevin of Port Chester, N.Y., and Barkhamsted, Conn.; Dennis of Raleigh, N.C.; Matthew of Langhorne, Pa., five daughters-in-law: Kathleen, Karen, Joan, Helen and Tamre, and 10 grandchildren: Kristin, Nathaniel, Martha, Erin, Emily, Devin, Andrew, Ryan, Shannon and Virginia.
At Noblet’s request, the family said no services are planned. Gusz said she intends to make a donation in Noblet’s name to the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County.
A limousine driver from Delaware who thought he was luring a 15-year-old boy for sex was actually communicating with a Delaware County detective, said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan.
Lawrence K. Walls
Whelan announced the arrest of Lawrence K. Walls, 58, of Millsboro, De., in a press release on Friday, Dec. 11. Walls is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted indecent assault and statutory sexual assault and criminal use of a communications facility.
The arrest concluded an undercover investigation by Det. Kenneth Bellis of the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division and Sgt. Gary Smith of Aston Township Police Department, both members of the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), the release said.
On Oct. 11, while acting in undercover capacity and posing as a 15-year-old boy named Nick, Aston Police Det. Sgt. Gary Smith responded to an internet ad titled, “Young man wanted – m4m” posted by Walls. Over the next month, Smith engaged in numerous conversations with “Nick” that escalated in their sexual content. Walls also sent nude pictures to “Nick” and asked him to do the same, the release said.
On Dec. 10, Walls exchanged numerous text messages to arrange a meeting with “Nick” in an Aston parking lot. At 6:43 p.m., Walls texted “I’m here” and was taken into custody without incident by members of the ICAC Task Force, including Smith, Bellis, and FBI Special Agent Jennifer Morrow, the release said.
Walls was remanded to the Delaware County Prison after failing to post $100,000 cash bail set by Magisterial District Judge Diane Holefelder. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 23, according to court records.
“I would like to commend Det. Sgt. Gary Smith of Aston Police as well as Det. Kenneth Bellis, along with all the members of the ICAC Task Force for their investigation and swift action to apprehend this dangerous predator,” Whelan said in the release. “We believe travelers are some of the most dangerous offenders, as they travel into Delaware County to take advantage of young children who are unsuspecting and in many cases, already troubled and therefore vulnerable.”
State Rep. Steve Barrar, R-Chester/Delaware, majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, hosted a public hearing on House Bill 1272, which would allow fire companies to bill for real and reasonable costs associated with their emergency responses.
“As our fire companies face the increasingly challenging issue of remaining financially viable, this bill would provide reimbursement for equipment that is used when responding to an emergency. It would not allow staff time to be paid, nor would it be expected to be a sustainable revenue stream,” Barrar said in a press release.
The bill is intended to ease the burden of fundraising that fire companies continually face. When volunteers are forced to hold endless pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners and boot drives, they have less time for the many other activities that demand their attention. This struggle often results in difficulty recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters, the press release said.
During the hearing, state fire commissioner Tim Solobay expressed his support of the bill and suggested that career fire departments be included in the bill in addition to volunteer fire departments.
“I travel across the state to talk with fire department chiefs and membership about the problems they are having with recruitment and retention. Those issues usually push back to one thing, and that’s the finances of the fire department,” Solobay said. “People are willing to join fire departments and be emergency service providers because they want to do that task – not to become professional fundraisers. This bill would allow them to recoup their reasonable costs.”
Don Konkle, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Service Institute, echoed the need for the bill and advocated for the ability of local municipalities to decide the fee schedule that will be followed. Currently, the bill incorporates a uniform fee schedule for all fire companies within the commonwealth.
Another testifier, Tim Shatto, chief of the West Hanover Fire Department in Dauphin County, explained to the committee the need for uniformity. He stated that one insurance company will pay a claim while another insurer will make a payment only if a written agreement between the individual submitting a claim and the affected fire company existed prior to an incident.
“I thank Rep. Cris Dush, the maker of the bill, and everyone who participated in the hearing. It is our hope that we can enable fire companies to cover their costs so we can all continue to enjoy the valuable services they provide,” Barrar concluded. “The goal is not for fire companies to make money, but simply to remain viable.”
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.
With weather forecasters predicting an ideal weekend for holiday decorating, PECO extended wishes for a happy, energy-efficient holiday season and offered safety tips in a press release:
Only decorate with lights approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and consider using energy-efficient LED lighting, which consumes up to 75 percent less energy. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the number of strands of lights that can be safely connected together. Check all lights – new and old – for cracked or broken plugs, loose connections or exposed (bare) wires. Discard damaged sets of lights. Power down all decorative lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
Outside, PECO suggested ensuring that lights are approved for outdoor use. Never work near overhead power lines or anywhere there is a possibility of contacting an overhead power line – either directly or indirectly – with a ladder or other piece of equipment. Do not string lights on outdoor trees that are growing near or into power lines. Hang outdoor lights with insulated staples or hooks instead of nails or tacks.
Indoors, ensure cords do not pose a tripping hazard, and don’t overload wall outlets or extension cords. Do not place cords under rugs, furniture or appliances; covered cords can overheat, become frayed and cause a fire. Keep all electric cords and extension cords out of the reach of children.
When using a ladder, maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending it. Do not work from the top two steps of any ladder and make sure that the ladder’s feet are firmly set and square before climbing. If possible, have a spotter at the base of the ladder.
Kathleen “Dollie” Bonsall Davis, 84, of West Grove, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, in Newark. She was the wife of the late Ronald B. Davis who died in December of 2014 and with whom she shared 65 years of marriage.
Born in West Chester, she was a daughter of the late Robert J. Bonsall Sr. and the late Violet McClintock Bonsall.
Dollie was a technician for Thatcher’s and CVS Pharmacies in Kennett Square, retiring in 2006.
She enjoyed cooking Sunday and holiday dinners for her family. She enjoyed bingo every Friday night with her friends at the Kennett Senior Center. She also loved to go to Delaware Park and Atlantic City. Recently, Dollie became an avid Phillies fan. Also, her home was filled with memories and many family photographs.
Survivors include one son, Kenneth J. Davis (Claudia) of Newark, one daughter, Cynthia L. Colvin (Brian) of Avondale. Predeceasing her were two sons, Lawrence A. Davis in 2008 and Thomas J. Davis (whom died shortly after birth). She also left behind two sisters, Joanne Cox and Mildred Spencer, and two brothers, Robert J. Bonsall, Jr. and James T. Bonsall. Predeceasing her were her brothers, Raymond Bonsall, Richard Bonsall, Edward Bonsall and one sister, Margaret Bonsall.
She had seven grandchildren: Susan, Jamie, Kellie, Justin, Stephanie, Brian and Kristen and seven great-grandchildren, Nicole, Clay, Grey, Mia, Bryn, Christian and Isabella.
Services and interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Penn Medicine, Chester County Hospital for Cancer Research, 701 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610-431-5000).
Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home (610-869-2685) of West Grove, PA. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com
