Chester County schedules tree seedling giveaway

WEST CHESTER — COVID-19 may have forced the cancelation of Earth Day celebrations back in April, but taking care of the environment and preserving the planet is a year-round goal in Chester County. As a result, Earth Day celebrations are continuing into the fall, as the Chester County Conservation District and Chester County Parks & Preservation give away seedling trees to County residents.
Tree...
Chesco recognized for performance management leadership

Chester County Government has added a consecutive national recognition for performance management leadership to its list of accolades. The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) last week bestowed a second Certificate of Achievement to the county, recognizing Chester County’s use of performance data in local government management, including training, verification and public...
You named them! Meet Zeeke and Moose, Chesco’s newest K-9 officers

WEST CHESTER — The two young K-9s in training to become four-legged deputies in the Chester County Sheriff’s Office now have their names – selected from more than 600 suggestions sent in by Chester County residents of all ages. Zeeke and Moose were chosen because they are short, powerful and easy for the dogs to understand.
Zeeke is expected to join his new partner, Deputy Matthew Moyer,...
Op/Ed: Industry partnerships the collective business solution to restoring SE PA’s economic resilience

By Carrie Anne Amann, Special to The Times
Carrie Anne Amann
Like the ants in Aesop’s fable, hundreds of area businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies have been working diligently for years to build a strong economic and workforce development system, which is serving the region well during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Guided by the powerful combo of the Chester County Economic Development...
Chester County announces steps for November election support

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Board of Elections approved this week a number of measures to ensure the eligible ballots of all county voters are counted in the November 2020 Election. Those measures include the placement of 11 locations for secure drop-off of mail-in and absentee ballots, and the addition of two satellite election offices.
From Tuesday, Oct. 13, drop-off locations will be...
Op/Ed: Gerrymandering, who it affects and what you can do

By Nadya Dato, Special to The Times
Nadya Dato
I’ve always taken an interest in government. The rules and regulations of our society help us coexist, and I’ve always believed following these rules brought fairness and equality to everyone. As I’ve gotten older though, I’ve come to realize that isn’t true – not only are the rules unfair, but some choose not to...
County OKs $1.8M in home rental assistance

WEST CHESTER — To combat an anticipated increase in evictions due to COVID-19, the Chester County Commissioners approved this week $1.8 million in CARES funding to help cover rental payments and additional services for those with job and income losses.
“Previous programs have provided up to $750 in rental assistance, but that’s simply not enough to cover the cost of housing in Chester County,”...
County to investigate COVID-19 testing program, may seek to recover payments

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners announced this week an investigation would begin into what appear to be failed antibody tests the county rolled out this spring in the battle to contain COVID-19 — and may attempt to claw back some of the $13 million of CARES Act funds the county spent on the tests.
In a statement issued this week, the Commissioners explained why they opted...
County unveils interactive map to show 1777 property ownership, battle damage

WEST CHESTER — Just in time for the anniversary of the Battle of the Brandywine this past week, Chester County Archives and Records Services has released a new interactive tool that helps you discover who lived on your property in September 1777.
The 1777 Chester County Property Atlas is an interactive map that allows researchers to easily see who owned properties in 1777, and if those owners...
Despite good motivations, county’s antibody test plan was an expensive screw up

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
There are times you hate to be right, and this is one of them.
Way back in May, I questioned the decision by Chester County Health to use untested and likely inaccurate antibody testing (https://chescotimes.com/?p=31851) — and to use it only on a limited population, those with symptoms. I argued that broad diagnostic testing and contact tracing...