Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 156, No. 17
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
$1.00
INSIDE Apparent double homicide
and suicide in East Marlborough Township
Landenberg Life
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the East Marlborough Township Police Department announced that three people are dead after an apparent double homicide and suicide on April 25. Two adults and a child were found dead at the scene at a home on Federal Walk in Kennett Square. East Marlborough
Township Police responded to a well-being check at a residence on Federal Walk in Kennett Square. When they arrived, police found a 55-year-old man, a 50-yearold woman, and their 12-year-old child dead of apparent gunshot wounds. Multiple cartridge casings were found at the scene. A semi-automatic handgun was observed on the floor
near the male. Detectives learned that there was a history of domestic violence. Continued on Page 4A Photo by Richard L. Gaw
This home on Federal Walk in Kennett Square was the scene of a double homicide and suicide on April 25 that took the lives of a 55-year-old man, a 50-year-old woman and their 12-year-old child.
Former New Garden supervisor charged with child sexual abuse Chester County achieves milestone in preserved open space...5A
Warren Reynolds’ offenses include multiple counts of aggravated indecent assault and endangering the welfare of a child By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced on April 21 Please be advised that that they had arrested forthe following story contains mer New Garden Township sensitive wording regarding Supervisor and Avondale sexual abuse. resident Warren Reynolds for the sexual abuse of a
An interview with General Washington...1B
INDEX Opinion.......................5A Obituaries.............2B-3B
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Classifieds..................4B
© 2007 The Chester County Press
female child over a five-year period that began in 1999, when the child was between eight and 13 years old. Reynolds, 60, is being charged with multiple counts of aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent
assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and other charges. He is being held at Chester County Prison on $2 million bail set by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Seavey. The allegations state that
in September 2020, Chester County Detectives interviewed a victim who detailed being sexually abused by Reynolds when he was between 38 and 43 years old. The abuse occurred several Continued on page 2A
Lawrence, Comitta announce $2 million for Oxford theater project A decades-long dream to bring a performing arts space to downtown Oxford is one step closer to reality. State Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) and State Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) announced this week that $2 million in state funding was awarded to Oxford Mainstreet Inc. for the reconstruction of the historic Oxford Theater on Third Street in the heart of the borough. “This is an exciting day for Oxford,” said Lawrence, a longtime supporter of the project. “Today’s news is the next step in the continued revitalization of the downtown core, and a recognition of the hard work that so many have been a part of over the last few
years.” Originally constructed in 1922, the Oxford Theater was one of three movie theaters in Oxford over the years. After closing in 1956, the facility was partially converted into retail space. Much of the old theater infrastructure remains behind the retail area. “The performing arts can be a powerful catalyst for recreation, education and economic revitalization in our communities. I’m proud to support this project and excited to see the historic theater returned to its former glory,” said Comitta. “As we emerge from the pandemic, places for neighbors and visitors to come together to watch a film, enjoy a concert or take in a
lecture will be more important than ever. The theater will be a welcome addition to Oxford, and I look forward to its completion and opening.” Oxford Mainstreet will lead efforts to completely renovate the old theater building into a 12,000square-foot multipurpose facility. Plans include a state-of-the-art auditorium for films and live performances. Classrooms and studio spaces will be available for rehearsals, classes and community use. Work has already begun on The Shoebox, a smaller, secondary theater within a theater that will open shortly. Plans also include a small café to cater to theatergoers and other patrons.
Legendary coach helps special children
A rendering of the planned theater on Third Street in Oxford.
“On behalf of the board of directors of Oxford Mainstreet, and the vision we share with the borough and the great spirit and culture of Oxford, we are most appreciative of this opportunity to use this grant and work hard to bring this project to reality.” said Ed
Herr, chairman of Oxford Mainstreet. “What a blessing this will be for our beautiful town.” This is the latest in a series of grants from federal, state, county and private sources supporting the continued revitalization of the Continued on Page 4A
Editor’s Notebook
By Gene Pisasale Contributing Writer On April 24, a very special event brought together a man renowned in professional football and people whose passion is to help children with disabilities. The Barn at Spring Brook Farm in West Chester held the spring fundraiser wine tasting with legendary Eagles Coach Dick Vermeil. Well known to many in the Philadelphia area, Vermeil was a National Football League head coach for 15 seasons, including stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, the St. Louis Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs. He guided the Eagles to Super Bowl XV in 1981 and later successfully steered the St. Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl victory Photo by Phyllis Recca in Super Bowl XXXIV in Coach Dick Vermeil (middle) is pictured with the Barn 2000. Vermeil has the rare at Spring Brook Farm Executive Director Nan Latona Continued on page 4A
(left) and Board President Sharon Cichocki (right).
County warns about unsolicited voting mailings
Based on information received from the Pennsylvania Department of State, Chester County Voter Services is notifying residents that two political advocacy groups, the Voter Participation Center (VPC) and the Center for Voter Information (CVI), will be conducting unsolicited direct mailings to Pennsylvania residents consisting of voter registration applications and/or vote-by-mail applications. These mailings reportedly were expected to arrive on or about Monday, April 25, and are NOT endorsed by, or affiliated with, the Chester County Board of Elections or Chester County Voter Services. The VPC and CVI organizations bear all responsibility for the mailings, including any mailings that Continued on page 3A