COVID-19 Update, April 13: Mid-Atlantic states to work together to plan ‘reopening’

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Better numbers and a process to create a plan to reopen the region, Monday, may be the first signs that the tide is turning in the battle against the deadly COVID-19 virus.
New case and fatality numbers in Pennsylvania and Chester County fell Sunday, as the governors of a number of Mid-Atlantic states announced process to jointly create a plan to slowly reopen...
Wolf’s conduct on the pipeline is impossible to explain

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
It runs like a scar across Chester County, a tear far more than a flesh wound, winding across the middle of the county as a reminder that the rich and the powerful can always buy off government at the expense of the people.
It is, of course, the Mariner East II pipeline. It is appears to be back under construction because of a waiver from the Wolf Administration...
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...