June 26, 2024

AdultMakerspace — The Kennett Library received a grant of $500,000 for its makerspace.

KENNETT SQUARE PA—Kennett Library has received a $500,000 grant from the Longwood Foundation to enhance and expand its makerspace facilities. This generous grant will enable the library to provide state-of-the-art resources and innovative programming, further establishing the library as a cornerstone of creativity and learning in the community.

Enhanced Makerspace Features:

Increased Hours and Additional Staff: The makerspaces are now open whenever the library is open, and staff will be available to help with and collaborate on creative projects
Audio Visual Room: The AV room will have trained staff available for the public to begin using the room for visual and audio recording projects
Innovative Programs: Expanded workshops and classes in areas such as coding, robotics, and digital design
Collaborative Spaces: Dedicated areas for group projects and creative collaboration
Resource Expansion: Increased availability of materials and tools for a variety of maker activities

Chris Manna, Executive Director of Kennett Library, said, “We are incredibly grateful to Longwood Foundation for their support. This funding will allow us to transform our makerspaces into a premier destination for innovation and hands-on learning, providing our patrons with the skills and tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”

The enhanced makerspace is expected to benefit a wide range of community members, from students and educators to entrepreneurs and hobbyists. Focusing on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, the makerspace will offer new opportunities for learning and creativity, fostering a culture of innovation within the community.

Upcoming Makerspace Initiatives:

Youth Programs: After-school and summer programs focused on STEAM education
Adult Workshops: Classes and workshops for adults looking to develop new skills or explore new hobbies
Entrepreneurial Support: Resources and support for local entrepreneurs and small business owners
Community Events: Regular events showcasing projects and innovations from makerspace users

For more information about the makerspace and upcoming programs, please visit KennettLibrary.org.

About Press Release

Police Log June 26: Extorsion, harassment

Police

Pennsylvania State Police

Media Barracks

• State police said they are investigating a reported case of extorsion in Concord Township. A 72-year-old man at Maris Grove said he was extorted to give an unknown person $500 worth of Bitcoin.

• Michael DeFrank, 42, of Aston, was arrested on harassment charges, a police report said. According to that report, there was an incident at Home Depot in Concord Township on June 4 but no details of the incident were released in the report.

• A 60-year-old man from Wilmington, not identified in the report, was arrested for shoplifting at Wegmans on April 4. He reportedly stole $840 worth of crabmeat.

• Police said they’re investigating a scam in Concord Township. According to the report, a 59-year-old woman was conned out of $1,300,000 by people posing as police from China.

• Police are also investigating a scam in which a 79-year-old woman was scammed out of $20,000 at Maris Grove. The incident was reported on June 12.

• Kids throwing watermelon seeds led to the arrest of a 69-year-old woman at Painters Crossing Condominiums on June 10. According to the police report, the woman shoved a 35-year-old woman and yelled at other parents when kids threw the seeds onto the grassy area near the pool.

• Police said Nicholas Sargent 24, of Wilmington, was arrested for DUI following a traffic stop on Route 1 in Concord Township on June 15, police said. No reason for the stop was mentioned in the report.

• A 22-year-old woman from Wilmington (not identified in the report) was arrested for DUI on Route 202 near Smithbridge Road on June 1. Police said they stopped the vehicle after observing faulty equipment on the vehicle.

• Police are investigating a case of possible counterfeiting. A report said an unknown man used a bogus $100 bill to pay for $83 worth of pizza at Pops Pizza on Route 202 on June 1, but the suspect had already left the store when police arrived because they weren’t notified until two hours after the incident.

• Alexander Declet, 25, of Wilmington, was arrested for DUI on June 7 in Concord Township, police said. The incident happened just before midnight in the 1100 block of Smithbridge Road. Police said they made the traffic stop after observing vehicle code violations.

• Police said they arrested Antonia Polychroniadis, 28, of Newark, on shoplifting charges. She is accused of stealing $550 worth of merchandise from Wegmans on May 2.

• A 25-year-old woman from Boothwyn was victimized when someone broke into her car that was parked on Smithbridge Road in Concord Township on May 8. A reported $2,500 in cash and property was taken within an hour and 20 minutes sometime between 4:53 and 6:15 p.m.

• Nicole Bonaventure, 50, of Media, was arrested for shoplifting at Target in Concord Township on May 22, police said. She is accused of stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise.

• Police arrested an 81-year-old woman living at Maris Grove for shoplifting at the Acme in Concord Township but closed the case because the store refused to cooperate. The incident happened on May 25

• A couple from Baltimore, 39-year-old Abdul Hassan, and 30-year-old Rasheda Givens, were arrested for drug possession following a traffic stop for traffic violations, a police report said. The incident happened on May 27 in the 1400 block of Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford Township.

• Police are investigating a theft by-deception case at Maris Grove on May 28. The victim is a 92-year-old woman. Someone transferred approximately $30,000 from her account, police said.

Avondale Barracks

• State police from the Avondale barracks said they arrested three people from Maryland on shoplifting charges after the trio reportedly stole $2,000 worth of Legos from the Walmart in East Marlborough Township on June 19. Police identified the three as Susan Hooker, 48, of Middle River, Joshua Sheets, 38, of Pasadena, and David McDonald, 40, of Lothian. The report also said the three are also suspects in other retail thefts in the area.

• A three-car crash in Pocopson Township led to Rachelle R. Stout, 51, of Landenberg, being cited for making an unsafe U-Turn on Lenape Road, police said. The incident happened on June 7. According to the report, Stout and a second vehicle were traveling south on Lenape Road when Stout made the U-Turn and was struck by the second car, which also struck a northbound vehicle. No injuries were reported.

• Police said Barry L. Vogel, Jr., 43, of Columbia, Pa., was cited for his involvement in a two-vehicle crash on Route 1 in East Marlborough Township on May 30. According to the report, Vogel was southbound in the left lane of Route when he changed lanes without signaling and struck a second vehicle in the right lane. making a lane change without signaling. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to Christiana Hospital with. a suspected minor injury, police said.