If you haven’t voted yet, you can vote safely Tuesday if you use a little caution

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa On Tuesday, many of us will vote. Of course, here in Chester County, more than 100,000 people have returned their mail-in ballots (that number is probably low — I assume many more ballots will have shown up, maybe 40,000 more, by the time you read this — if you have a ballot, please take it to a drop off box right away). Still, it is safe to assume...

What To Do: Dia de Los Muertos, Halloween celebrations across the region

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times November 1 is a special day in Mexico and in Mexican American communities throughout the states. It is the day known as “Dia de Los Muertos” — the Day of the Dead. It is a festive day when families remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away. In Mexico, every ranch, town and city have special ways to commemorate this day. Casa...

DA announces Conviction Integrity Review Protocol

WEST CHESTER — The county’s convicted felons will have a new avenue to prove their conviction was in error, after District Attorney Deb Ryan announced Thursday a new last-resort process for those who argue they were unfairly convicted. Citing the office’s mission statement – “to do the right thing with integrity and fairness”  Ryan announced that the Chester County District...

On Stage: Venues cautiously move to indoor shows as weather gets colder

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Queen COVID-19 has almost completely erased the live music scene in the area for eight months as venues have been prohibited from holding indoor shows by government mandate. Fortunately, there has been a thread of a lifeline to live music locally in late summer and early autumn. Restaurants, wineries, theaters and clubs have been hosting low-key...

LCH moving annual fundraiser to virtual event for 2020

LCH Direct service staff pose in front of LCH Kennett Square KENNETT SQUARE — La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) will host their fourth annual Amigos and Amigas of LCH event this year on Friday, November 13th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Like many other nonprofits, LCH is choosing to hold their event in a virtual format this year. “Every part of LCH has had to make adjustments in the pandemic, including...

Wolf: drop off ballots in person, do not mail them

Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar reminded Pennsylvanians that today is the deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot for the Nov.3 election. Voters who still have their mail ballot are strongly encouraged to immediately hand-deliver their voted ballot to their county election office or other officially designated site, including drop boxes. “If you haven’t already,...

Lies, damn lies and our legislative Republicans

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa If you or I left work early for vacation with a ton of work undone, we’d probably be in trouble — me with readers and advertisers, you with your boss. Yet, our beloved state House of Representatives bailed on their work in Harrisburg, with a stack of work undone, so they can go home and campaign for to keep the job so many of them seem unwilling...

What To Do: Even a scary time, it’s still Halloween

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Longwood Gardens This weekend, there is a wide variety of activities that can keep people of all interests occupied. Not surprisingly, the schedule is top-heavy with Halloween-related attractions and events. Fortunately, for those who don’t care about Halloween – or have already reached a saturation point with the marketing for the holiday...

On Stage: Vanessa Collier keeps busy close to Chadds Ford home

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Vanessa Collier The COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the spring and the music industry went into freeze frame. As a result, Vanessa Collier’s touring schedule has been decimated – in the real meaning of the word. Since the spring, she has performed about one-tenth of the shows she normally would have. For Collier, a resident of Chadds Ford, the pandemic...

CCIU hires Gerhard as Asst. Ex. Director

Dr. Steve Gerhard DOWNINGTOWN — The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Board of Directors appointed Dr. Steve Gerhard as its assistant executive director at a virtual Board meeting held on Wednesday. “We are extremely excited for Dr. Gerhard to join our team at the IU,” said CCIU Executive Director, Dr. George F. Fiore. “Dr. Gerhard’s proven leadership and extensive experience in...