Smucker bill to aid foster children passes U.S. House

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-16) WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-16) announced this week that his bill to make the foster care system more family-friendly by making it easier to place foster children in the home of a family member has passed the U.S. House and will move to the U.S. Senate. On Tuesday, the House passed Rep. Smucker’s bipartisan legislation that he introduced with Rep....

Meehan introduces anti-hazing bill

US. Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-7) WASHINGTON – Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-Oh.) introduced the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act, bipartisan legislation that takes on the challenge of hazing on our college campuses by requiring incidents of hazing to be reported as part of a college’s annual crime report. The University of Maine conducted...

Sheriff’s fugitive unit keeps under the radar

Members of the Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit don some of the equipment they wear on the job. WEST CHESTER — It comes as no surprise that few people know much about the Chester County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit: It often works under cover of darkness. Before most county residents have awakened, the eight members of this elite team have donned 35 pounds of equipment...

On Stage (Bonus): Reel Big Fish on a ‘Beer Run’

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Reel Big Fish A hot summer night, live music under the stars and a variety of tasty craft beers on tap is a combination that’s hard to beat. Reel Big Fish, a ska-punk band from California, is older that the legal age to drink in every state. So, it’s more than acceptable for the band from Huntington Beach to launch a national tour in celebration of America’s...

Chesco Emergency Services tabbed for awards

Chester County has received two achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for programs developed by the county’s Department of Emergency Services. The two programs – Care Under Fire and Youth First Responder’s Career Training – picked up the accolades within NACo’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety category. Both awards will be formally recognized on July 23...

Pocopson OKs regional EMS Commission plan

By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times POCOPSON – Supervisors Ricki Stumpo and Alice Balsama (Elaine DiMonte was not in attendance) quickly moved through the agenda Monday night at the Pocopson Township meeting, as only one resident – other than those employed by the township and the press – sat in the audience. The resident had much to say regarding his dissatisfaction in the formation...

KCSD Board OK’s budget, new hires

By Eliza Mohler, Staff Writer, Kennett Times Members of the KCSD Board discuss the final 2017-18 academic year budget. KENNETT SQUARE – School may be out for the students of the Kennett Consolidated School District, but there is no break for the Board, who voted to approve a budget of $84,211,359 for the 2017-18 academic year. This budget is $2.41 million more than the 2016-17 budget, and represents...

Commissioners present $25K check to Food Bank

: Commissioner Kathi Cozzone; Larry Welsh, Executive Director of the Chester County Food Bank; Norm Horn, Director of Development at the Chester County Food Bank; Commissioner Michelle Kichline and Commissioner Terence Farrell. WESTTOWN — The Chester County Commissioners presented a check for $25,000 to representatives from the Chester County Food Bank this week. The funds are part of the County’s...

Briggs named as new CEO of Brandywine Health Foundation

Vanessa Briggs COATESVILLE — The Brandywine Health Foundation Board of Directors today announced that Vanessa Briggs has been named as the foundation’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Briggs will assume her position effective July 17, 2017. She replaces long-time President and CEO Frances Sheehan, who left last year to run an non-profit in Delaware County.

Kennett supervisors OK Sinclair Springs plan

By Eliza Mohler, Staff Writer, The Times Chief of Police Lydell Nolt discusses safety issues pertaining to the lighting plan for the Sinclair Springs development project. KENNETT – Wednesday night’s meeting of the township Board of Supervisors was lit up by the Sinclair Springs project team, who came to answer questions about the development’s proposed lighting plan. Developer...