May 6, 2016 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Roadwork for week of May 7

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 May 7 through May 14. Motorists are urged to allow extra time if they are traveling through one of the construction zones.

Route 202 southbound from Route 3 to Route 100 in West Goshen Township will require lane restrictions for shoulder work on Tuesday, May 10. Crews are scheduled to work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also, motorists on Route 202 in both directions in West Goshen, East Whiteland and Tredyffrin townships will have to accommodate a slow-moving operation to paint traffic lines on Thursday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crews are scheduled to work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, on northbound and southbound I-476 between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-95 in Montgomery and Delaware counties.

Work is continuing on the project to widen Route 202, which is scheduled for completion in August 2016. Motorists should expect delays for traffic pattern shifts in Tredyffrin and East Whiteland townships.

Route 3 in East Goshen Township will be the site of road reconstruction through Thursday, May 13. Crews will be working between Mary Fran and Rose Hill drives from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

On Wednesday, May 12, I-95 northbound will be the site of intermittent lane closures between the Delaware state and Philadelphia County lines. Crews are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to work on patching.

Route 1 in Concord Township will be the site of utility installation through Sept. 1. Lane shifts will be needed on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Mainline Health Care project between Brinton Lake Road and Applied Card Way.

Lane restrictions will continue to be needed on Gay Street in West Chester Borough between North Worthington and Montgomery Street for sidewalk installation. Crews are scheduled to work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, May 20.

Work will also continue on the Speakman Covered Bridge in East Fallowfield and West Marlborough townships. 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 between Norway and Spring Mill roads while advance work continues on repairs to the Burnt Mill Bridge, which was closed on April 24, 2014. PennDOT reported progress last month on scheduling the work.

Work is continuing on the Birmingham Road Bridge in Birmingham Township, which closed in September due to structural damage. Posted 24-hour detours will be in effect between Lambourne Road and Stoney Run Drive through Aug. 31.

Daylong lane closures will be in place on Route 100 in Uwchlan and West Whiteland townships from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the installation of aerial fiber optic lines from Monday May 9, through Friday, May 13. The work covers an area between Swedesford Road and Sheree Boulevard. Test boring on southbound Route 100 will require lane restrictions on Monday, May 9, between Grathite Road and Darrell Drive and Darrell and Waynebrook drives from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bridge inspections on I-76, which will require lane closures, are scheduled on Tuesday, May 10, and Wednesday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon between Spring Garden Street and 28^th Street and between University Avenue and South Street.

On Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., one lane will be closed on the I-95 north ramp and one lane will be closed on the I-95 south ramp to the Philadelphia International Airport for overhead sign structure inspection.

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.”

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

Roadwork for week of May 7 Read More »

DA: Trio operated illegal gambling machines

Police

Guadalajara 2 — Authorities say they seized these gambling machines from Taqueria Guadalajara Express in Kennett Square.

A tip about illegal gambling machines at two area businesses led to three arrests, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced on Friday, May 6.

In a press release, Hogan said three individuals from southern Chester County face charges for their roles in operating four “Instant Access” machines at Taqueria Guadalajara Express in Kennett Square and one “Crazy Bugs” machine at the El Nayarit 2 Mexican Store in Oxford. During the execution of search warrants, detectives seized the machines, gambling ledgers, and more than $37,000 in illegal cash.

The detectives assigned to the Chester County Drugs and Organized Crime Unit (DOC) includes a detective trained and working under a grant from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The DOC Unit had a cooperating individual enter the stores and play the illegal gaming machines to confirm that the stores were collecting cash or making illegal payouts, the release said.

These types of gambling machines are illegal in Pennsylvania due to how easily they can be manipulated. Commonly, possessors of these machines – typically, video poker or video slot machines – “knock off” or erase all of the accumulated credits from the machine, the release said.

Under the “knock off” method, the player receives money for the remaining credits on the machine and then the machine is reset to zero credits for the next player to begin. This allows the machine’s owner to operate without regulation, which can lead to further “rigging” or having a gambling machine that does not ever pay out winnings. The operators of the machines have people pay to play, then they keep off-the-record gambling ledgers to record the “take” on profits, as well as any money paid out. The “take” traditionally is split between the business owner and whoever supplied the machines, the release said.

“Given the location and customers of these stores, these machines were used to target and take money from economically disadvantaged people,” Chester County Detective Sgt. Robert Dougherty, who heads the DOC Unit, said in the release. “Nobody appreciates unscrupulous business owners running an illegal gambling operation to fleece a vulnerable population.”

The defendants charged were Jaime Sandoval, 48, of Avondale, owner of the El Nayarit 2 Mexican Store; his son, Hugo Sandoval, 22, of Avondale, the manager of El Nayarit 2 Mexican Store; and his niece, Elizabeth Sandoval, 30, of Kennett Square co-owner of Taqueria Guadalajara Express.

The three face charges related to operating illegal gambling machines and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities and are free on bond awaiting trial, according to court records.

The Chester County Detectives’ investigation was assisted by the Kennett Square, New Garden, and Oxford police departments; the Department of Homeland Security; and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and financed in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Anybody with information should contact Chester County Detective Christine Bleiler at 610-344-4263, the release said.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

DA: Trio operated illegal gambling machines Read More »

Scouting out water education at Stroud

School & Education

stroudFullSizeRender — Steve Kerlin (right), education director at the Stroud Water Research Center, helps a group of Brownies collect macro-invertebrates.

For many young people, slogging around a streambed can offer a great opportunity to experience the delightful muddiness of nature and even learn about the importance of clean water. Now, it can also produce a badge of honor.

Members of Brownie Troop work on planting trees in the streamside forest buffer near the education wing of the Stroud Water Research Center. — Members of Brownie Troop work on planting trees in the streamside forest buffer at the Stroud Water Research Center.

On Saturday, April 30, members of Brownie Troop No. 4070 completed their Wonders of Water Journey badges at the Stroud Water Research Center for the first time. At the Avondale property, which includes a branch of the White Clay Creek, scientists have been working to protect the health of the world’s fresh water for nearly half a century.

Part of that mission involves teaching young people about the importance of maintaining clean streams, a goal with benefits that include providing drinking water. Steve Kerlin, the center’s director of education, said he’s thrilled that Stroud has added Scout programs to its repertoire.

“We are planning to also host our first Boy Scout stream education program on Saturday, June 4,” Kerlin said.

He said the Brownies completed a number of requirements for the Love Water Award, Save Water Award, and Wonders of Water (WOW) Award. Among their myriad activities, the girls planted trees in the streamside forest buffer by the education wing of the building, collected macro-invertebrates to assess the health of White Clay Creek, and examined and identified the macro invertebrates in the education lab, Kerlin said.

The Brownies also learned about the water cycle, shared their favorite water experiences, and brainstormed about ways to save and protect water, Kerlin said.

When the Boy Scouts visit, Kerlin said they would work on the Environmental Science merit badge and the Soil and Water Conservation merit badge, two of three badges required for a special honor called the World Conservation Award. The Environmental Science Merit Badge is required to advance to the top rank of Eagle Scout, Kerlin added.

He said Scout leaders interested in taking advantage of Stroud’s programs should contact him at skerlin@stroudcenter.org. For more information on the Stroud Water Research Center, visit http://www.stroudcenter.org/index.shtm.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

Scouting out water education at Stroud Read More »

K-9 unit to benefit from those swinging 9-irons

Local News, Local News Birmingham, Local News Kennett, Local News Pennsbury, Local News Pocopson

This golf outing supports a doggone great cause, according to Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh.

Melody, a stress-busting dog, is the latest addition to the Chester County Sheriff's K-9 Unit. — Melody, a stress-busting dog, is the latest addition to the Chester County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit.

Welsh said that the Chester County Sheriff’s Office is holding its 23^rd Annual Sheriff’s Community Golf Classic on Monday, May 9, at the Downingtown Country Club golf course. The proceeds of the golf classic support the community work of the sheriff’s K-9 unit.

“We are pleased to work with law enforcement in Chester County and beyond,” Welsh said in a press release. “Our K-9s have proven to be a valuable asset and an excellent resource to all law enforcement agencies.

“The newest addition to the team is Melody, a comfort dog for the courts. “Melody has become an important part of caring for our citizens, particularly children, who are under stress and often distraught during court proceedings,” Welsh said in the release, adding that Melody makes traumatic and emotional situations much easier to handle.

In 2006, Chester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit was established to serve the citizens and assist law enforcement, including working in the court system. The nine K-9 teams have utilized their specialized skills in all county-owned facilities and have contributed to the safety of citizens and county employees. The teams are all trained in tracking and in detecting bombs and explosives, drugs, accelerants, and cadavers.

The K-9 teams are able to respond to requests for assistance in every area in the county without concern for jurisdictional authority. County sheriff’s deputies have full enforcement powers anywhere within the county.

“Our K-9 services have been recognized for their professionalism and efficiency, which has resulted in their services being requested by numerous townships, county, state and federal agencies,” Welsh said in the release.

In previous years, the golf outing has raised funds for various other community programs, including DARE and other safety initiatives. For more information on the Sheriff’s Community Golf Classic Golf Classic, contact Welsh at cwelsh@chesco.org.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

K-9 unit to benefit from those swinging 9-irons Read More »