County Democrats kick off fall campaign for row offices

Clockwise: United Chesco candidates Alita Rovito, Tony Verwey, Margaret Reif, Yolanda Van de Krol, Sophia Garcia-Jackson, and Patricia Maisano. WEST CHESTER — United Chesco, the Democratic PAC for six countywide candidates for this year’s Court Of Common Pleas and Row Office elections, kick off the final stretch to Election Day with the launch of their new website, unitedchesco.org. The six...

Chesco’s McSwain announces run for governor

Bill McSwain WEST CHESTER — Bill McSwain announced his candidacy Monday for Governor of Pennsylvania at an event in his hometown of West Chester. Surrounded by supporters and joined by his wife Stephanie and their children, McSwain pointed to his experience as US Attorney and his time in the US Marine Corps to describe himself as a tough-on-crime candidate who will do whatever necessary to ensure...

Rabid GOP now feeding on their own

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa If they held a local competition for “off the rails” in politics, Chester County Republican Chair Gordon Eck would win by a landslide.  His — I won’t dignify it by calling it an Op/Ed — recently published screed attacking a fellow Republican and local Board of Education president over the fake issue of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in our...

Chesco officials announce Federal Disaster status following Ida

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners and County Emergency Service officials announced Saturday the confirmation of federal disaster funding assistance for county residents devastated by the impact of Hurricane Ida when the storm hit Chester County on September 1 and 2. The announcement follows the directive to FEMA by President Biden to make federal funding available to affected individuals...

County provides update on donation support for victims of Ida

WEST CHESTER — Chester County Officials have coordinated with key communities in the county impacted by Hurricane Ida, to announce donation opportunities that will meet the most urgent initial, and longer-term needs of the families displaced by Hurricane Ida. “We are so grateful for everyone across the county who are giving time, resources, material goods, and financial donations for those...

What To Do: Kennett Mushroom Festival tops busy weekend of events

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  The Mushroom Festival This weekend marks the start of the late summer/early fall festival season. Not surprisingly, many of the festivals focus on food and beverage – mushrooms, beer, ethnic food and even honey. One statement that always applies in Kennett Square is — “There’s a fungus among us” – and it’s never more evident than...

On Stage: Updated Uptown! set to reopen, Friday night

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center It’s time for West Chester to start rocking again. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, a chic, 300-plus seat music and entertainment venue located in the heart of West Chester (226 North High Street, West Chester, uptownwestchester.org) is ready to reopen its doors after a shutdown caused by the pandemic. The...

County sets up center to help flood victims

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Flood victims line up outside of United Sports Wednesday waiting to meet up with county resources and community group to get help following Hurricane Ida. DOWNINGTOWN — If you’ve been flooded out of your home, or suffered serious damage, Chester County officials are there for you and have set up an emergency center to find you the help you need...

Bids coming due to build Coatesville train station

A rendering of the planned new train station in Coatesville. COATESVILLE — As the September 16th due date quickly approaches for contract bids to build the new Coatesville Train Station, the City is poised to mark another milestone for one of its most anticipated projects. According to a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) news advisory, the selected contractor will build the...

Don’t retire, ReFire: Making peace in our world

By Gail Suplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Does this sound like a tall order to you? It shouldn’t be a tall order but alas, it is. For centuries we’ve fought for peace and in the fighting, many casualties occurred and still do, to this day. Many songs have been written and many prayers have been prayed for the hope of peace. Is it possible to make peace in a world so divided and with so many...