A passel of Chester County officials, including all three commissioners, recited the oath of office on Sunday, Jan. 3 on West Chester University’s campus. The approximately 45-minute ceremony, emceed by Valentino Giorgio III, the county’s Republican Committee chairman, was held at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall in Philips Memorial Building. It began with powerful a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Chester County…
After nearly 15 hours on a bus — the culmination of a winning, whirlwind trip to Jacksonville, Fla. — the members of the Unionville High Marching Band had earned the right to catch some shut-eye. But at 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3, those who had drifted off to sleep got an abrupt wake-up call. The sound of sirens and the glare of flashing lights…
His smile lit up a room, his laughter energized those around him, and his compassion infused all within reach. So the death of 16-year-old Brian Roberto Ayllon of Kennett Square on Dec. 22 of natural causes sent shock waves through the Kennett and Unionville school districts and beyond. And on a rain-swept Tuesday evening, Dec. 29, hundreds upon hundreds gathered at St. Rocco Catholic Church…
With the arrival of the winter season, PennDOT is urging area motorists to be prepared for driving in inclement weather as crews work to keep state highways passable. “State crews and equipment are ready to serve our citizens by treating and plowing highways to keep them passable during times of snow and mixed precipitation,” said PennDOT District Executive Kenneth M. McClain in a press release.…
Santa had a little help getting some Christmas gifts to Peggy DeShields and her four grandsons of Oxford. That help came in the form of Tpr. Samantha Minnucci and other troopers from Troop J, Avondale barracks, of the Pennsylvania State Police. According to Minnucci, the troopers, along with Walmart and Camp Cadet — the troop’s summer camp program for kids whose families couldn’t otherwise afford to…
“Welcome to the North Pole at Chadds Ford.” That’s part of the introductory message for the holiday sounds and lights extravaganza on the front lawn of the Schweitzer residence at the end of Joshua Way in Pennsbury Township. It’s an elaborate, multi-media spectacle that has evolved for about 15 years and grows annually, said the homeowner, Frank Schweitzer. During a recent phone interview, he insisted…
Following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, gun sales at Targetmaster went up 50 percent, according to manager Bob Bonnett. Now, he said, after the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, sales at his shop on Route 202 in Concord Township are spiking again. He said the actual figure is hard to gauge, but he estimates gun sales and range use are up 25…
As has been the case for several years, there will be no tax increase for residents of Birmingham or Pennsbury townships. Both municipalities have passed their respective budgets for 2016 and township property tax millage rates remain steady. Pennsbury’s budget is balanced with revenues and expenses projected to be $1,616,625. Property taxes remain at 1.49 mills. (A mill is a tax of $1 for every…
At its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 15, the Kennett Public Library Board heard reports that the library is making progress in its quest to relocate to a larger property in the borough – and to rid itself of red ink. Ten board members, including Tom Swett, the newest addition to the 13-member group, and a handful of residents attended the hour-long meeting. Board president Susan…
As Congress works to wrap up its year-end business, it is important that lawmakers not overlook a modest program that has had an outsized impact on our communities and environment. The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established 50 years ago in order to preserve our nation’s natural resources, waterways, and cultural heritage. Iconic national parks like Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon, as well as…
A free, two-way data-sharing partnership between PennDOT and a real-time crowdsourced navigation app will help drivers share road conditions, Gov. Tom Wolf announced in a press release. Wolf said the partnership between PennDOT and Waze would benefit the state's motorists. “As travelers rely more and more on their smartphones for real-time traffic data, this new partnership represents yet another way PennDOT is modernizing to keep up…