County provides update on donation support for victims of Ida

WEST CHESTER — Chester County Officials have coordinated with key communities in the county impacted by Hurricane Ida, to announce donation opportunities that will meet the most urgent initial, and longer-term needs of the families displaced by Hurricane Ida. “We are so grateful for everyone across the county who are giving time, resources, material goods, and financial donations for those...

What To Do: Kennett Mushroom Festival tops busy weekend of events

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  The Mushroom Festival This weekend marks the start of the late summer/early fall festival season. Not surprisingly, many of the festivals focus on food and beverage – mushrooms, beer, ethnic food and even honey. One statement that always applies in Kennett Square is — “There’s a fungus among us” – and it’s never more evident than...

On Stage: Updated Uptown! set to reopen, Friday night

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center It’s time for West Chester to start rocking again. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, a chic, 300-plus seat music and entertainment venue located in the heart of West Chester (226 North High Street, West Chester, uptownwestchester.org) is ready to reopen its doors after a shutdown caused by the pandemic. The...

County sets up center to help flood victims

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Flood victims line up outside of United Sports Wednesday waiting to meet up with county resources and community group to get help following Hurricane Ida. DOWNINGTOWN — If you’ve been flooded out of your home, or suffered serious damage, Chester County officials are there for you and have set up an emergency center to find you the help you need...

Bids coming due to build Coatesville train station

A rendering of the planned new train station in Coatesville. COATESVILLE — As the September 16th due date quickly approaches for contract bids to build the new Coatesville Train Station, the City is poised to mark another milestone for one of its most anticipated projects. According to a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) news advisory, the selected contractor will build the...

Don’t retire, ReFire: Making peace in our world

By Gail Suplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Does this sound like a tall order to you? It shouldn’t be a tall order but alas, it is. For centuries we’ve fought for peace and in the fighting, many casualties occurred and still do, to this day. Many songs have been written and many prayers have been prayed for the hope of peace. Is it possible to make peace in a world so divided and with so many...

County established resource center for Ida recovery

Chester County officials and the Department of Emergency Services announce the operation of a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for all individuals and families in Chester County affected by Hurricane Ida. The Chester County MARC is a “one stop shop” that provides assistance to all impacted residents by bringing together staff from many agencies who can help with the services needed to address...

Community steps up to help flooded out Brandywine Ace

By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa Local residents help to clear debris in the parking of Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm in Pocopson. POCOPSON — From a distance, with cars parked everywhere and people everywhere despite looming rain clouds, it looked a lot like a normal Sunday afternoon at Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm. It was anything but. Flood water raged through the store late...

What To Do: Summer fun bursting from Labor Day events

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Ludwigs Corner Hard as it is to believe, we’ve arrived at Labor Day Weekend — the weekend when summer unofficially draws to a close. The official end of summer arrives later in the month but for some, summer is already over because the new school year has already begun. One thing that will never change about the Labor Day Weekend is the...

Ida brings massive floods, damage, tornados to Chester County

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Just one of the dozens of flooded areas in Chester County from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which dumped 6-8 inches of rain on the county, Wednesday. Photo: courtesy Chester County Emergency Services. A vicious storm – the remnants of Hurricane Ida — ripped through Chester County Wednesday, causing widespread flooding, power outages and...