Don’t Retire, ReFire: Pivoting to cope with changing times

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times No matter what age we are, there comes a time in our lives, or many times in our lives, when we must take stock of where we’ve been, where we are now and where we want to go. We currently have the gift of time to ponder such introspection. It is essential to take stock of our lives and ask those questions in order to assess and reevaluate if we’re...

COVID-19 Update, May 5: New cases look to be edging downward, statewide

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Pennsylvania is clearly either seeing a plateau or gradual decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, but the toll of the virus becomes clear as the state Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday it discovered an additional 554 new deaths over the last two weeks as new data was compiled statewide. DOH reported 865 new cases Tuesday, bringing the total...

Commissioners announce small business grant program

WEST CHESTER — A grant program created at the request of the Chester County Commissioners provides funding for small businesses and agricultural enterprises in the county that were unable to take advantage of any federal and commonwealth existing COVID-19 response programs.  Grants of up to $25,000 will be available to all eligible businesses through the Chester County Main Street Preservation...

Coroner: COVID-19 deaths appear to be declining

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Coroner’s Office released data Monday showing that the number of new COVID-19 deaths reported for the past week was 39, down from a high of 56 in the week ending April 19, 2020. The first confirmed COVID-19 death in Chester County occurred on March 28, 2020, with rapid increases in the number of deaths reported weekly thereafter. As of midnight May 3, 2020,...

COVID-19 Update, May 4: States announce deal to work together for medical supplies; new cases appear to be trending down

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The chart of new cases, blue and negative tests, in aqua, from the Chester County Health Department as of May 4. As the state Department of Health (DOH) continues to report a gradual slowing of new COVID-19 cases, residents in 24 counties prepare to enjoy a bit more of an open life later this week — as health officials cautioned the importance of...

So…how many people are you willing to let die?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa We’d like it to be over, but it’s not. The news that some 24 Pennsylvania counties will move a more open “yellow” stage next week naturally has folks in Chester County asking when will things open up here? The honest answer: not that soon. June, maybe. The numbers tell the story: new case numbers are not declining, if anything, they’ve been...

What To Do: Visit the world’s great gardens, virtually

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Longwood Gardens “April Showers” are done and now it’s time for “May Flowers.” Garden sites and horticultural attractions all over the Northern Hemisphere usually are a bustle of activity with visitors arriving to check out this year’s spring flowers in an attractive live setting. But COVID-19 has forced everyone to stay at home in order...

COVID-19 Update, May 1: Wolf to start reopening in 22 counties; Chester likely to among last to open

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf began the slow process of reopening the state Friday by saying 22 counties will shift from from fully closed — or red status — to partially open — or yellow status — on next Friday, May 8. The 24 counties that will move from red to yellow on May 8 are: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie,...

Storms knock out power for thousands; many won’t see restoration until late Saturday

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Folks all over Chester County are cleaning up and some are still dealing with power outages after a wind/rain storm passed through Chester County, Thursday. While thousands of customers in the county lost power, Thursday, many have seen their power restored, according to PECO. Still, others have been told not to expect power restoration until late...

COVID-19 Update, April 30: State case load stabilizes, county cases continue to grow

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa New cases of the COVID-19 virus continued bounce up and down statewide — up slightly on Wednesday — as Pennsylvania seems to be more in a plateau than a true decline — although Chester County has seen four straight days of higher numbers; meanwhile, state Labor and Industry Department officials are offering tips for those trying to navigate...