January 27, 2016 - ChaddsFordLive.com

2 area preservation projects win state funding

A project to turn part of the historic Strode's Mill crossroads in East Bradford Township from an eyesore into an asset gets a boost from an $84,000 state grant.

Updated at 8 p.m. with comment from Friends of Strode’s Mill

Two area preservation projects are among five Chester County initiatives that will share more than $1.6 million in grant funding through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced on Wednesday, Jan. 27, in a press release.

The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County (TLC) will receive $267,000 for the acquisition of a conservation easement on approximately 125 acres of woodland along Old Kennett Road in Kennett Township.

“It’s a key connector to the Stateline Woods Conservation Corridor with over 400 acres of protected land and 10 miles of trails,” said Gwen Lacy, TLC’s executive director. She said the new parcel would also provide a link to three TLC nature preserves and the Red Clay Greenway, now known as the Kennett Greenway.

East Bradford Township will receive $84,000 for its Strode’s Mill acquisition, approximately seven acres along Birmingham and Lenape Roads. The township and the Friends of Strode’s Mill organization plan to use the land for passive recreation and environmental education.

“We are thrilled to receive this news!” said Linda Kaat, who founded the advocacy organization that is working with the township. “Friends of Strode’s Mill is very proud of this historic site and its very promising future.”

Preliminary plans include renovating the two historic buildings, Strode’s Mill Barn and a springhouse, into an interpretative history site and developing a walking and biking trail on the surrounding wetlands.

The buildings are part of the Strode’s Mill Historic District at the crossroads of Birmingham and Lenape Roads, where Strode’s Mill, East Bradford Boarding School for Boys, the miller’s house, the Strode’s Pork Products plant and other buildings made up a small village dating from 1721 to 1880. A blacksmith, wheelwright and a tenant house provided various services to people traveling toward Kennett and Concord. The district is registered with the National Register of Historic Places, the release said.

“The preservation of our natural spaces and historic places is a big part of what makes Chester County so special. It is important that we continue to invest in open space and land conservation while making our natural areas more accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” Dinniman said in the release. “These grants can go a long way in not only protecting our environment, but also increasing recreational opportunities for residents and families throughout the region.”

In addition, $1,000,000 will go to the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust for the Warwick Furnace Preserve Acquisition, approximately 108 acres located along the South Branch of the Exceptional Value French Creek in Warwick and East Nantmeal Townships; $250,000 will be awarded to New London Township for the development of the first phase New London Village Park located at the township building property on State Road; and $25,000 is earmarked for an update to the Comprehensive Recreation, Park, Open Space and Greenways Plan for Valley Township.

The grants will be administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and funding for all of the Chester County projects comes from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the release said.

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Chesco Voter Services assistant gets top job

Local News

The Chester County Commissioners announced on Wednesday, Jan. 27, that the new director of the Department of Voter Services has been selected from within the department.

Kara Rahn, a resident of Honey Brook, has served as assistant director of Chester County Voter Services and is skilled in the Pennsylvania Election Code and in all election programming software, a county press release said.

Rahn was instrumental in the certification process of the 2014 and 2015 election results, and is proficient in voter registration and absentee ballot processes and procedures, the release said. She replaces James L. Forsythe, who recently retired.

Prior to her service as assistant director of Voter Services, Rahn held a managerial role at Exelon, based at Limerick Generating Station, was deputy director of the Delaware County Transportation Management Association, and served as government affairs coordinator and community relations representative for PECO, according to the release.

Rahn is a graduate of Shippensburg University and has an MBA from Eastern University, the release said.

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Minnie Eldreth of West Grove

Obituaries

Minnie Eldreth, 100, of West Grove, died Wednesday, Jan. 27, at her residence. She was the wife of Gene Eldreth, who died in 1980, and with whom she shared 30 years of marriage. Her first husband Byard Blevins, died in 1948.

Born in Lansing, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Isaac and Mary Miller Pennington.

Minnie was a certified nursing assistant, at Pocopson Home, for 20 years, retiring in 1974.

She enjoyed cooking, canning, crocheting, reading the Bible, going to church, having holiday dinners and being with her family and friends.

Minnie is survived by one daughter, Carol Cross of West Grove; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sons, Darrell Blevins and Jerry Blevins.

Her service and burial will be private.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

Arrangement s by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral home in Kennett Square.

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Alleged witness intimidator in custody

Local News

After being on the lam for more than three months, a Coatesville man surrendered to Chester County Detectives on Tuesday, Jan. 26, several days after police visited the homes of his mother and girlfriend during a warrant sweep, said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.

In December, Hogan had vowed to bring Kenneth “War” Wylie, 25, to justice, suggesting that his case should deter others from attempting to intimidate witnesses in Chester County.

“Through his every word and deed, this defendant has shown his disrespect for the Chester County justice system,” Hogan said in a press release. “Now it is time for him to face the consequences of his conduct.”

According to the criminal complaint, a prosecution witness in a drug case against Wylie was seated in Courtroom 12 of the Chester County Justice Center on Oct. 20, the day before Wylie’s scheduled preliminary hearing in the case. Wylie’s girlfriend, Chanel Turner, 23, a receptionist for the Chester County Juvenile Probation Department, told Chester County Detectives that she followed Wylie’s instructions to approach the victim and tell him he better not show up.

Later, Wylie also approached the victim and attempted to persuade him not to testify. The victim said he also received multiple electronic messages from Wylie prior to Oct. 20, the complaint said.

Both Wylie and Turner, who was taken into custody in October and terminated from her job, face witness intimidation and conspiracy charges, Hogan said.

Prior to the initial charges being filed, the defendant posted a rap video portraying him killing an individual who was cooperating with the police. While a fugitive, Wylie publicly posted numerous photos flashing money and police reports with the names of individuals who spoke to law enforcement, Hogan said.

Hogan said Wylie also posed for photos outside the Justice Center and used audio from the prior media coverage announcing charges against him in a rap song attempting to glorify his drug-dealing and life on the run: https://soundcloud.com/warg4l/war-wars-friday-cleaned.

Bail was set at $30,000 and Wylie was committed to Chester County Prison, Hogan said. Turner, who was held for trial in December, remains free on $7,500 unsecured bail, court records said.

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William J. Vignola of West Chester

Obituaries

William J. Vignola, 84, of West Chester, and formerly of Aston, died Jan. 20.

Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1931, William was the son of the late John and Rose (McCullough) Vignola.

William was a graduate of John Bartram High School in Southwest Philadelphia, where he was captain of the football team. He then graduated from Gettysburg College, where he played football for them as well. He later earned his master’s of business administration degree from Drexel University.

William served honorably in the US Army, stationed in Fort Eustis, Va.. Upon discharge, he began working at RCA for a short while before becoming an engineering estimator for Boeing, Ridley Park, for over 30 years.

He was an avid and loyal Phillies fan and follower of Villanova Basketball. He enjoyed vacationing at the Jersey shore with his family and later in Naples, FL with his wife. Most importantly, he loved attending any event that involved his 7 grandchildren of whom he was so proud. One of his favorite and most cherished traditions was taking his children and later, grandchildren to the Thanksgiving day parade, rain, wind, sleet or hail he would be there!

He was the husband of Mary J. (Gray) Vignola; loving father of Jill Marie Shaddock (William) and Susan M. Dunphy (Mark); loving grandfather of Molly, Kevin and, Christopher Shaddock, Julie, Brendan, Kieran and Patrick Dunphy. Also, survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Robert and Jack.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday Eve, January 27, 2016 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610-431-9000 and to his Funeral Mass 10:30 AM Thursday, January 28, 2016 at SS Peter & Paul Church, 1325 Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19382. Interment will be at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Bishop Shanahan Turf Campaign, 220 Woodbine Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335 or www.shanahan.org

Online condolences at www.donohuefuneralhome.com.

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Nils Bengston of West Chester

Obituaries

Nils Bengston, 83, of West Chester, formerly of Melrose, Mass., Trumbull and Huntington, Conn., died Jan. 21.

Born in Melrose, Mass. in 1932, he was the son of the late Nils B. and Irma (nee Ostling) Bengston.

He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (nee Turro); the loving father of Nils Peter (Barbara) and Gregory B. (Eileen); grandfather of Gabriella, Liam, and Evan; cousin of Mark Hosford (Vicki) and David Hosford; brother-in-law of Antoinette and Joseph Buccieri and Mary Ann Turro; also survived by many nieces and nephews in Connecticut, across the country, and Germany.

One of Nils’ greatest passions was working with the Boy Scouts of America, providing leadership for over 30 years in both Troops 66 and 93. His achievements were recognized in 2014 with the Extraordinary Service Award from Chester County Council.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Service 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610-431-9000.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to The American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Phila., PA 19103.

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Police Log Jan. 27: Fugitive, thefts, DUIs

Police

• A Jan. 19 hit-and-run accident on Route 202 in Concord Township helped land a Seaford, Del. man in jail. A state police report identified the suspect as Linwood Bruce Burley, 56. According to the report, troopers had responded to the scene of a multi-vehicle accident near Johnson Farm Lane at 5:41 p.m. and learned from a witness that the operator of a silver Honda Accord had fled the scene on foot. Police dispatch had recently learned that Delaware State Police recently had a theft in which the accused had fled in a silver Honda Accord and that he was driving with an expired license. It was also learned that there was an active arrest warrant out for him from Maryland. Pennsylvania police found the suspect in the area of Route 202 and Naaman’s Creek Road. He was charged and taken to Delaware County Prison.

• State police from the Media barracks are investigating a theft from a property on Oakland Road in Chadds Ford Township. Sometime between Nov. 15 and Jan. 22, someone stole an orange Stihl chain saw, a red Honda 2000i generator and a red, non-branded air compressor from a detached garage.

• Two men — whom police only described as black — are being sought in connection with the theft of $1,000 worth of merchandise from the Staples office supply store in Concord Township. The theft happened between 3:55 and 4:33 p.m. on Jan. 19.

• A state police report said Wilmington resident José O. Perez-Rosa, 25, was cited after a one-vehicle accident on Lenape-Unionville Road in Pennsbury Township on Jan. 13. The report said Perez-Rosa was heading east toward Wawaset Road when his vehicle ran off the shoulder and struck a tree. No injuries were reported.

• New Garden Township police said Rebecca Cunane, 38, of West Chester, exhibited signs of intoxication and failed a field sobriety test and was arrested for DUI following a Jan. 13 crash on West Scarlett Road and W. Baltimore Pike. The accident happened at 8:451 p.m.

• An arrest warrant has been issued for Dennis Dougherty, 46, of Avondale, following a physical altercation with a woman on Kaolin Road, according to a report from New Garden police. The report said officers responded to a domestic dispute call and found evidence — injuries — confirming the victim’s account of the incident that Dougherty threw an object at her and pushed her to the ground. Dougherty is wanted for simple assault and related charges, police said. Anyone with information on Dougherty’s whereabouts is asked to call the New Garden Township Police Department at 610-268-3171.

• On Saturday, Jan. 16, at 11:37 p.m., New Garden police observed a vehicle driving erratically in the 1100 block of Newark Road, according to a police report. The vehicle continued onto Baltimore Pike and was observed to cross over the centerline on multiple occasions. A traffic stop was conducted, and the operator was identified as Ivan Alvarez-Lopez, 33, of Wilmington. While speaking with Alvarez-Lopez, officers observed signs of intoxication; Alvarez-Lopez admitted to drinking and failed field sobriety tests, leading to his arrest.

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Film festival to inspire ‘Change of Course’

Arts & Entertainment

Once again, local host Trail Creek Outfitters is bringing the 14^th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival – the country’s largest environmental film festival – to the area.

The 14th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be held on Feb. 25 and 26.

This year’s theme, “A Change of Course,” focuses on pressing issues surrounding water. The films aim to inspire dialogue and encourage change in the way people interact with the environment, said a press release from the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County (TLC).

The two-night festival of short films, sponsored nationally by Patagonia, will be held at the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester on Thursday, Feb. 25, and Friday, Feb. 26. Doors open at 6 p.m. for hors d’oeuvres and local brews, with films beginning at 7 p.m., the release said.

Tickets are $25 per night or $45 for both nights. This festival historically sells out and features stellar filmmaking that combines stunning cinematography and first-rate storytelling to take the audience on an adventurous ride to remote areas of the world.

Proceeds from the festival will equally benefit the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County and the Stroud Water Research Center. Tickets are available now at trailcreekoutfitters.bigcartel.com. For more information, call 610-347-0347, ext. 103 or visit www.tlcforscc.org/wild-scenic-film-festival.

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