January 11, 2023 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Budget talks start at UCF

Unionville Chadds Ford School Board directors started talks on the 2023-2024 budget this week. A proposed preliminary budget — with an estimated appropriation of $102.35 million and revenues of $100.5 million — was passed. The vote was 9-0.

The estimated appropriation reflects an increase of 7.28 percent over that of the 2022-’23 budget. The proposed preliminary millage rates for Chester and Delaware Counties are 32.34 mills and 16.93 mills, respectively. They represent increases of 5.41 percent for Chester County and 6.14 percent for Delaware County. That’s a weighted average increase of 5.56 percent. (A mil is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.)

Adoption of the preliminary budget is planned for sometime before Feb. 15, but the final budget and levying of real estate taxes are expected to be voted on June 19.

About Rich Schwartzman

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.

Budget talks start at UCF Read More »

Civics Bee for middle schoolers

School & Education

Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry is partnering with the Pennsylvania Chamber to host a regional Civics Bee on April 15, as part of the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s National Civics Bee.

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. In the first round of the contest, local 6th, 7th- and 8th-grade students will participate in an essay competition. Students will be asked to identify a problem, challenge, or opportunity in their local communities and explain what they can do to contribute to its improvement based on founding principles and civic virtues. Judges will then select 20 finalists to participate in the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry’s local competition at the Chester County Intermediate Unit.

“The Chamber is excited to work with our community partners to engage the next generation of leaders in this country through a fun and interactive competition. Over the last few years, we have seen a growing frustration with our political leaders on the lack of civility and increase in dysfunction. The Chamber is committed to working with our younger generations to be more collaborative, inclusive, professional, and civic. Chester County is home to highly esteemed academic institutions, and the Chamber is proud to partner with these students as they further their academic development.” said Laura Manion, president of Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry.

This Civics Bee will feature special guest judges including, state Rep. John Lawrence, Michael Hartman, chief of staff for state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, and Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Josh Maxwell, with more “celebrity” judges being added daily.

After the regional Civics Bee at CCIU, the top three students from each local competition will then advance to the state competition on June 5, 2023. First place winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize in both the local and state competitions.

The Submission window is Jan. 13 – Feb. 24, and the deadline for essay submissions is February 24, 2023. Click here to view the online submission form.

About CFLive Staff

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

Civics Bee for middle schoolers Read More »

Empowering women in the tri-state

Along the Ford

The Junior League of Wilmington is hosting its eighth annual Women’s Leadership Summit on Saturday, Feb. 25.

To empower women leaders as they navigate a post-pandemic world, the Junior League of Wilmington is hosting its eighth annual Women’s Leadership Summit on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Ed Oliver Golf Club from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are available now for $55.

Attendees will learn how to adapt and become more resilient when embracing change at home, work, or in the community. Past Summits helped participants, of diverse backgrounds and professions, strengthen their skills as leaders, build a sense of empowerment, and expand their networks.

The Summit will feature a fireside chat during lunch with Traci Murphy, the executive director of the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence, and Delaware State Senator Kyle Gay as moderator. Attendees will also hear from award-winning 2x TEDx and global keynote speaker, Henna Pryor, PCC who her clients call their “secret weapon for impossible change.” Additional event activities include vendors, headshots, and networking.

“After two years of a virtual format, we are excited to bring the Women’s Leadership Summit back in person,” said Taylor Drainer, president of the Junior League of Wilmington. “State Senator Gay, Traci, and Henna bring diverse perspectives to the Summit, and I am excited for them to share how to embrace change while navigating new pathways in life”.

Save your seat today at jlwilmington.org/womens-leadership-summit-tickets/. Proceeds from the event will support the JLW’s Stand Up. Period. initiative. The JLW is committed to raising awareness of period poverty in Wilmington while working towards period equity through its period-banking program, education, and advocacy. Attendees are welcome to bring period supply donations.

The Women’s Leadership Summit is proudly sponsored by ChristianaCare, Ursuline Academy, and Wilmington University. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available. Interested parties should email jlw@jlwilmington.org for more information.

About Press Release

Empowering women in the tri-state Read More »

Police Log Jan. 11: DUIs, drug possession, theft

Police

Pennsylvania State Police

Avondale Barracks

• Police said they arrested a 22-year-old man from Coatesville for DUI with drugs in West Marlborough Township on Jan. 6. According to the report, police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle because of canceled insurance. Once they made contact with the driver, police said they could smell marijuana and that a marijuana cigarette was in plain view. The incident happened at 1:40 a.m. on Doe Run Road at Highland Dairy Road. The driver was not identified in the report.

• A 37-year-old man from Easley, S.C. — not named in the report — was arrested in East Marlborough Township on drug possession charges on Jan. 4. Police said the man was staying at a hotel and the management wanted him removed because he was smoking marijuana, Police said they did find cannabis in the room.

• Police said a 31-year-old woman from Chester was charged with DUI following a one-car crash on S. Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township on Jan. 4. The report said the driver, whose name was redacted from the report, was driving north when the car left the roadway while negotiating a left-hand curve. The car, a Ford Fusion, struck an embankment, went airborne, then rolled several times after landing. The woman was transported to Chester County Hospital. Drugs and paraphernalia were found in the vehicle, according to the report.

• State police are investigating an attempted shoplifting at the East Marlborough Walmart on Jan. 2. The report said a heavyset white man, about 40 years old, with hair dyed blue, tried to steal a $375 Bluetooth headset. The suspect fled on foot after being confronted by store personnel.

Kennett Square Police Department

• Police said Jason Wilhelm, 51, of Kennett Square, was arrested and charged with DUI and related offenses after officers were dispatched for a report of an erratic driver. The incident occurred on Dec. 18, at approximately 9:28 p.m., in the 200 block of Marshall Street. Upon making contact with the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, officers said they observed indicators suggesting intoxication, and field sobriety tests showed impairment. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and submitted to a chemical test of his breath, resulting in a blood alcohol level of 0.251 percent.

• A suspect in a Jan. 6, 2021, armed robbery in Kennett Square was arrested in Wilmington. Police identified the suspect as Shaheed Smith, 18, of Wilmington. According to the report, officers were dispatched for a report of a stolen vehicle, a Nissan SUV, which had been stolen at gunpoint. Later that day, KSPD was notified by Wilmington Police Department they had located said stolen vehicle, which was involved in a hit-and-run accident. After further investigation, the Criminal Investigations Division was able to locate multiple videos on social media identifying Smith as the operator of the vehicle in this incident.

About CFLive Staff

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

Police Log Jan. 11: DUIs, drug possession, theft Read More »