All Amtrak service has been suspended between Wilmington, Del., and Philadelphia, following a morning crash on Sunday, April 3.
Amtrak made the announcement after Amtrak Train 89, operating from New York City to Savannah, Ga., struck a backhoe that was on the tracks and partially derailed the lead engine, south of Philadelphia in Chester. Approximately 341 passengers and 7 crew members were on board.
At least 31 passengers are being transported to area hospitals, none with life-threatening injuries, Amtrak said. However, two Amtrak employees who were not on the train were killed, according to published reports. Local emergency responders are on the scene, and an investigation is ongoing, Amtrak said.
Northeast Corridor service between Wilmington and Philadelphia is suspended until later on Sunday. Keystone Service between New York City and Harrisburg, Pa., is not affected.
Individuals with questions about their friends and family on Train 89 should call Amtrak’s emergency hotline at 800-523-9101. Passengers with travel plans can confirm their train’s status, change their plans, or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. In addition, service alerts, passenger notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.
Cones and police tape highlight the damage that occurred after a Sunbury Trucking rig clips the corner during a turn onto State Street from Route 82.
On Tuesday, March 22, a trucker provided a dramatic reminder of why the Borough of Kennett Square has a truck route and why complaints about truck traffic surface periodically at Borough Council meetings: Big rigs can’t navigate some downtown intersections.
A series of signs and a pedestrian crossing pole were among the casualties of a truck that didn’t make the northwest corner of State and Union on Tuesday, March 22.
A Sunbury Trucking driver headed into the borough on Route 82 from Route 1 clipped the northwest corner at State Street during a right-hand turn, taking out a crossing signal post, several signs and a planter before continuing on his way.
Fortunately for the borough, the collision – not an uncommon occurrence, officials say – had a positive outcome thanks to the public, said Kennett Square Police Cpl. Bill Holdsworth.
“If it hadn’t been for an independent witness, we wouldn’t have been able to track down the company,” Holdsworth said, explaining that a driver managed to get the license-plate number.
Holdsworth said once the company was contacted, it was apologetic and cooperative, immediately providing insurance information. However, the incident will continue to cause headaches for borough workers until the damage is repaired.
Public Works Director Randy Behmke said the accident marked the third time since he began working for the borough in October that a truck has caused damage while making a turn – and the second time a witness has enabled authorities to hold the trucker accountable.
Behmke said another wide turn at the same intersection as last week’s hit the borough in the wallet after a vehicle struck the pedestrian signal pole and kept going. Behmke said the wiring wasn’t affected; the pole just had to be fixed at a cost of about $500.
The recent incident will prove more expensive, Behmke said. He explained that a worker had to be called in on overtime to secure the area since wiring was exposed. In addition to the pole, signs and a planter have to be repaired or replaced. Although he doesn’t have repair estimates yet, he expects the cost to be at least several thousand dollars.
“It’s been a constant battle,” said Behmke.
He and Holdsworth both agreed that the truck drivers probably didn’t know what had occurred. “When you’re in one of those large trucks, you’re probably not going to feel the impact,” said Holdsworth.
But Borough Manager Joseph C. Scalise said officials are pursuing ways to minimize the impact on the borough.
“Currently we are working on an ordinance which would limit truck traffic on State Street,” Scalise said. “It actually came together much faster than I had anticipated, and we were able to get PennDOT’s concurrence after just an email and an onsite visit.”
Scalise said before the borough can adopt the ordinance, it will have to complete an engineering and traffic study, which has been proposed but not yet authorized. Scalise said he has also met with a local mushroom grower to identify routes that would be safer for their drivers.
Prohibiting a truck driver from turning onto a street doesn’t help him get to his destination, explained Scalise. He suggested that adding some directional signs might also assist trucks in making their deliveries while reducing the risks to the borough.
In the meantime, borough officials hope residents will continue to provide extra sets of eyes. “Being vigilant is so important,” said Holdsworth. “We would have never known who did the damage at that intersection if someone hadn’t been paying attention.”
The Darlington Arts Center will welcome Cristian Perez and his ensemble for an evening of high energy South American fusion on Saturday, April 9.
Cristian Perez and his ensemble will bring high energy South American fusion to the Darlington Arts Center on Saturday, April 9.
Perez’s performance is part of Darlington’s Coffee House Concert Series. The guitarist will be joined by flutist Yana Hristova and bassist Ethan Foote to present original works with a South American twist, according to a Darlington press release.
Defying all musical labels, Perez, an Argentine guitarist/composer, weaves together genres from throughout the world to reveal the universality of music through his composition and arrangements. His guitar is joined by flute and upright bass to form a hybrid ensemble – equal parts jazz combo, chamber ensemble, and world music band. The group’s quest for beauty takes the listener on an ever-changing journey, past the conventional boundaries of genre and style.
The event will begin with an open microphone at 7:30 p.m. followed by Cristian Perez at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($10 for members) and include free coffee, tea, and desserts. BYOB – corkscrew and glasses are provided. Advance purchase is strongly recommended by calling 610-358-3632 or visiting www.darlingtonarts.org.
Other upcoming Coffee House Concerts include the blues/jazz musician Christopher Davis-Shannon Trio on Saturday, May 7. Shows will resume in the fall after a summer break.
On two special “Winterthur After Hours” Wednesdays – April 20 and May 18 – Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library will offer “Pay What You Wish” entry beginning at 5 p.m., giving visitors the option of setting their own admission.
Suspiro flamenco dancer Liliana Ruiz will entertain at Winterthur on April 20.
“We are pleased to offer ‘Pay What You Wish’ evenings this spring. It excites us to make Winterthur’s gardens, exhibitions, collections, and performances available to individuals, families, and groups,” David P. Roselle, director of Winterthur, said in a press release. “Our hope is that those who visit will gain a better understanding of the reasons Winterthur is an American treasure.”
“Winterthur After Hours” celebrates the seminal new exhibition “Made in the Americas: The New World Discovers Asia,” which runs through Jan. 8, 2017, with a variety of live music and dancers, food and wine tastings, and various additional entertainment and food and beverage offerings.
On April 20, visitors can enjoy the exuberant movements of Suspiro flamenco dancer Liliana Ruiz in the Galleries Reception Atrium from 6 to 8 p.m. Ruiz was born in Mexico City, where she started to study ballet and began her study of Spanish and flamenco dance, inspired by her family’s deep-rooted passion for the arts. She has studied Spanish dances and flamenco in Mexico, Spain, and the U.S.
Also on April 20, visitors can sample culinary treats in the “Food Sampling: Small Bites by Restaurant Associates” in the Rotunda throughout the evening. The food sampling will feature an assortment of delicious “small bites” showcasing the culinary influences of Asia on North, Central, and South American fare. In addition, Spanish-language guides will be stationed in the exhibition throughout the evening to answer questions and assist visitors.
On May 18, the inspired sounds of legendary rock band Sin City will fill the banks of Clenny Run. Food, water, wine, beer, and other beverages will be available for purchase.
Winterthur will offer a discounted membership opportunity to guests on these evenings.
