After 4 painful years, mystery still unsolved

Family urging public to circulate missing daughter’s photo By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Toni Lee Sharpless, 33, of West Brandywine Township, was last seen in Philadelphia on Aug. 23, 2009. The sudden disappearance of a Chester County nurse and mother four years ago continues to be shrouded in mystery. Toni Lee Sharpless, 33, of West Brandywine Township, was last seen...

West Grove gets boost from county

$1.11 million grant will help fund street, sewer, stormwater upgrades By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The county commissioners approved a $1.11 million grant for public improvement in the Borough of West Grove. Wider streets, affordable homes, and storm water improvement are on the horizon for West Grove after the Chester County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a $1.11 million...

385 acres of prime Pocono wildlife habitat protected

Bald Mountain Preserve to be managed by Natural Lands Trust Bald Mountain Preserve in Bear Creek Township will eventually be open to visitors for passive recreation. Photo courtesy of Joe Vinton A boon for area Pocono visitors:  A 385-acre property now known as Bald Mountain, located in the Pocono Plateau, will remain an unspoiled mecca for migratory songbirds, black bears, and bald eagles, thanks...

Charges multiply against former foster parent

D.A. calls defendant, a former URA coach, ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A 1995 photo of Leroy K. Mitchell at age 42 may help identify other potential child sex-abuse victims, District Attorney Tom Hogan said. Five additional child victims have surfaced in the sexual-abuse case against a former coach, foster parent, and corrections officer,...

Repeat drunk-driver’s mother faces charges

Police say 85-year-old lied on insurance forms about son’s driving  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Louise Landis , 85, of West Chester, faces charges after police investigating a fatal motorcycle accident involving her son, a repeat drunk driver, determined that she lied about her son’s driving to her insurance company. The 85-year-old mother of a 50-year-old repeat drunk-driver...

Area 18-year-old seeks votes in national contest

2013 Unionville High grad is one 20 finalists in Microsoft challenge By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Unionville grad Meghan Shea is one of 20 national finalists in the Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change, where young people are encouraged to use the company’s products to help people in their community. BIRMINGHAM — A recent Unionville High School grad is one of 20 finalists in the...

Commissioners ‘Road Show’ a big hit

More than 100  attend meeting in South Coatesville By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The Chester County Commissioners honored those involved with a series of Western Chester County planning and growth initiatives — sparked in part by the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce as well as the creation of Council of Governments — Coatesville, the boroughs of Atglen, Parkesburg, Modena,...

Fire-police couple recognized for decades of service

Pair can be seen directing traffic together at all hours Ron Miller, president of the Chester County Fire Police Association, congratulates Louise and Bob Massey, the Fire Police Officers of the Year for 2012. At all hours of the day and night, this duo has teamed up to serve the community as fire police, logging a combined 89 years of directing traffic at both emergency and non-emergency events...

Police: Wrong number leads to arrest

Nottingham man accused of illicit communication with teenage girl Gadiel “Gady” Agosto-Diaz, 40, of Nottingham, is accused of illicit communication with a teenage girl. State police from the Avondale barracks took a 40-year-old Nottingham man accused of illicit communication with a West Goshen teen into custody on Wednesday, police said. Gadiel “Gady” Agosto-Diaz had been under investigation...

Art bash draws hundreds to Pocopson ‘castle’

Painting frenzy prompts Bam Margera to open his gates to appreciative crowd By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Bam Margera sits on a couch and belts out vocals during a jam session at his art show Tuesday night. The nattily-dressed government leader looked a tad out of place in the mainly heavy-metaled, multi-pierced crowd. But the presence of Chester County Commissioners’ Chairman...