What To Do: Tired of being stuck inside? Go trout fishing

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times With “stay at home” orders from state and local governments affecting a large portion of the population, people around the area have been housebound for several weeks. Many of us are feeling a need “to get out.” And, there are many who are feeling a need “to get out – to get trout.” April is traditionally the month that Pennsylvania’s...

COVID-19 Update, April 10: Cases, deaths spike again in Pa., Chester County

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Some parts of the country may be seeing an apex in COVID-19 cases, it appears both Pennsylvania and Chester County are not there yet, as both new cases and deaths spiked again on Thursday. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) said there were 1,751 new cases reported, bringing the state’s total to 19,979; deaths also increased to 78, boosting the statewide...

COVID-19 Update, April 9: Wolf moves to close schools for remainder of the year

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Gov. Tom Wolf moved Thursday to end all in person school instruction for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, as the state added nearly 2,000 new positive COVID-19 cases, although the number of deaths dropped to 29 on Wednesday after having been in the 70s the previous two days. Wolf announced the extension of the schools closure, noting he made the decision...

Kick away the homebound blues: local ATA school offers free online class

Two young students work with their peers online, as part of live video training with ATA West Chester Martial Arts. EAST BRADFORD – By now, after weeks of staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking for new ways both to pass the time, but also help with physical and mental wellness — and a local martial arts school has a special free option for community members. A local...

Music Spotlight: Chesco’s Mascherino leads move for live music online

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times This is a strange time for music fans who want to hear their favorite acts perform live. Because of the restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, attending a live event is a “thing of the past.” But that doesn’t mean that listeners no longer have access to “live” music. Many artists are performing alone and streaming their performances...

Don’t Retire, ReFire: What a difference a month makes

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times My last article was about “going into the desert”, figuratively speaking, to realign myself and focus on guarding and protecting from the distractions that were and still are affecting who I truly am, the “Real Me”. That meant disconnecting myself from what was making my heart heavy. It meant to still my mind and to reconnect with myself and my...

COVID-19 Update, April 8: Cases, deaths continue to rise in Pennsylvania

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A map of Chester County showing the percent of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 8. Courtesy Chester County Health Department. Pennsylvania continues to add positive COVID-19 test results and had another difficult day in terms of fatalities, according to the state Department of Health (DOH). DOH said there were 1,680 new positive tests,...

COVID-19 Update, April 7: Pa. deaths spike; Wolf denounces racism

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Deaths related to COVID-19 spiked sharply Monday, as the state Department of Health reported 78 new fatalities caused by the virus in the state, as additional positive tests grew by 1,579. So, far, according to DOH, 240 Pennsylvanians have died in the pandemic and more than 12,000 Americans have died, according to Centers for Disease Control. DOH reports 14,449...

Chesco to start antibody testing for COVID-19 for key personnel

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Chester County will be the first county in Pennsylvania to start testing essential personnel for COVID-19 with a blood antibody test, county health officials announced Monday afternoon, during a video community conference. County Commissioner Chair Marian Moskowitz announced the testing initiative at the end of the teleconference — noting that testing will be...

COVID-19 Update, April 6: Cases, deaths continue to rise

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A map of the cases — by percentage of population — as of April 6 in Chester County. Courtesy, Chester County Health Department. The rate of COVID-19 infections continue to grow in the state and in Chester County, based on new numbers released Monday. The State Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,470 new positive tests and 12 fatalities in 65 of the state’s...