What To Do: West Chester Film Festival opens

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Spring is here with flowers in bloom everywhere. Winter is now in the rear-view mirror and, not surprisingly, the area’s schedule of special things is filled to the brim. Five of the area’s more popular events are slated for this weekend – two art shows, a film festival and a pair of dog-related activities. If you’re looking for something...

On Stage: Kennett Jazz Fest returns

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Orrin Evans This is the weekend of one of the prime music events in Chester County this spring – the 2025 Kennett Jazz Fest. The Fourth Annual Kennett Jazz Fest returns with two distinct events on April 25 and 26. First is the kickoff party on Friday night with Sharon Sable Group and the incredible Vahe Sarkissian Group. Then, on Saturday,...

Unionville, W. Chester East to represent Chester County at State Academic Competition

Finalist trophies await the top three high school academic teams for the Pennsylvania State Academic Competition at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Unionville High School, whose academic team took the county victory in March, will represent Chester County in the Pennsylvania State Academic Competition on Friday, May 2, at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. Unionville will compete with...

CCIU Names Brown as new Principal of Engle Education Center

Dr. Shannon Brown The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) has named Dr. Shannon Brown as the inaugural principal of the organization’s new Engle Education Center, marking a significant milestone in the facility’s development. The center is a cornerstone of CCIU’s campus expansion initiative, transforming the former Fred S. Engle Middle School into a state-of-the-art educational...

What To Do: Big list of holiday events this weekend

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times This is the big holiday weekend for Spring 2025. Passover concludes on April 19 – sandwiched between Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Sunday on April 20. The list of holiday events is long and varied – and the Easter Bunny is a very busy little mammal. Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com) will...

On Stage: Bryce Fox to make Philly debut at TLA

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Bryce Fox It’s been eight years since Bryce Fox released his debut album, “Heaven on Hold.” He just released his third album, “The Butterfly and The Bomb,” earlier this year. His sophomore LP, “Strength,” was released in 2022. By harnessing a mix of inspirations and diverse sonic pathways while embracing the regional touchstones...

CCIU names Leever new Director of Career, Technical & Customized Education

Dr. Steven Leever The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Board approved Dr. Steven Leever as the new Director of Career, Technical & Customized Education. Dr. Leever will officially assume his new duties on July 10, 2025. With 36 years of distinguished experience across public, private, and international education, Dr. Leever brings exceptional leadership credentials to this critical...

Commissioners take ‘Innovate Chester County’ to next level

Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe announced this week the start of projects resulting from recommendations by county citizens, generated through Innovate Chester County. The Innovate Chester County first-phase projects will support children’s mental health services, veteran resource communication, affordable housing, and the County’s community transit...

Kennett Square’s Ruiz-Rhoades wins Soldier of the Year in the PA National Guard’s 2025 Best Warrior Competition

By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith , Joint Force Headquarters – Pennsylvania National Guard Spc. Robert F. Ruiz-Rhoades FORT INDIANTOWN GAP – Twenty-three service members competed in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s state-level best warrior competition here April 3–6, 2025. Sgt. Daniel Miller, a supply specialist with the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute...

Inner Nature: Animal electricity

By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times All living organisms are electric, since it is electricity – the movement of electrons – that powers life with energy. Then that energy, obtained from light or food, can be used to move molecules around the body or join atoms to make new molecules. That, in summary, is the process of metabolism. Rather than examining metabolic processes in this article,...