Small open space acquisition could have big impact, officials say

Natural Lands announced the permanent protection of a vulnerable section of East Branch Brandywine Creek. The acquisition and immediate transfer of the 12- acre property to East Brandywine Township ensures access to the creek for recreation and protects the scenic view along Route 282 in Downingtown, Chester County. “While it may seem like a small property, its conservation is quite significant,”...

Chesco Commissioners recognize Envirothon winners

Academy at West Fallowfield Christian School seniors earned the title of first place winners and champions of the 2021 Chester County Envirothon student competition. Pictured here, from left to right, seniors Jacob Hershey, Bryce Engle, Rose Rowe, Dustin Kauffman and Joey DellaPenna will represent Chester County at the Pennsylvania State Envirothon on May 10 and 11. Chester County Commissioners...

Ground broken on extension of Schuylkill River Trail

Chester County Commissioners and partners mark the official ground breaking of four more miles of the County’s Schuylkill River Trail. Pictured (left to right) are: Dave Stauffer, Chester County Parks + Preservation; Seyi Akinlotan, PennDOT; Commissioner Marian Moskowitz; Ryan Gallagher, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission; Elaine Schaefer, Schuylkill River Greenways; Commissioner Josh...

Letter: A vote for Lou Mincarelli

To the Editor, On May 18th, Republicans and Democrats will go to the polls for the primary election. I urge members of both parties to vote for Lou Mincarelli for the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. Yes, you read that correctly. Since judges must be fair and neutral, they may file for both parties’ primaries, so long as they find several hundred voters in each party to vouch for them. Lou...

County officials outline primary election plan

Chester County will place 13 secure ballot drop boxes at locations throughout Chester County for the May 18 Primary Election absentee and mail-in ballots. For information www.chesco.org/elections. WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Board of Elections has approved measures to ensure the eligible ballots of all county voters are counted in the May 18 Primary Election.  Those measures include the...

Chesco announces two more COVID vaccination sites: Exton Mall, Longwood Gardens

WEST CHESTER — Chester County residents can now get their COVID-19 vaccine in two, new unique ways: via a drive-thru clinic or — at the mall, as the county makes a push to get more people inoculated. There seems to be a clear indication that the vaccine is having a local impact: 60% of county residents have had at least one shot to date and new infections and hospitalizations are beginning...

Commissioners OK $50K for first time home buyers in Coatesville

WEST CHESTER — Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline recently approved a contract for $50,000 with Coatesville-based non-profit Movement Community Development Corporation (MCDC) to provide outreach and budgeting guidance for current residents seeking to buy their first home in Coatesville. Specifically, the $50,000 contract is for MCDC’s Coatesville...

Chesco gets grant to study lack of Internet access in southern portion of county

Grey metallic patch cords pluged to the switch. WEST CHESTER — The PA Department of Labor and Industry has awarded a $200,000 grant to conduct a Southern Chester County Internet Access Study, following concerns raised by community and business representatives of the region, and a successful application by the Chester County Department of Community Development. The application for funding followed...

Pa., Chesco pause use of J&J COVID vaccine

Following a recommendation from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), both the state of Pennsylvania and Chester County announced Tuesday that their respective health departments would pause vaccinations using the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, pending a study of a rare but dangerous blood clotting issue that may be related to...

Barsoum named new Director of Chesco Voter Services

Karen Barsoum WEST CHESTER — After a lengthy search, Chester County has its new leader for managing the election process. On Tuesday, Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline announced the appointment of Karen Barsoum as Director of Chester County’s Department of Voter Services.