Kennett Square Borough on ‘assault’ to address recent phorid fly outbreak
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
The thousands of newcomers to this year’s Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square Borough in September were not the only first-time visitors that populated this popular hamlet in southern Chester County this fall.
During the warm weather months of early fall, borough residents began to flood the
Kennett Square Borough offices with complaints that the phorid fly – the invasive insect known to breed at the many mushroom growing and composting facilities throughout southern Chester County – had begun to proliferate in homes throughout the borough and beyond. It did not take long – by the end of August, to be precise – before Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick
and members of the Kennett Borough staff began to receive emails and phone messages complaining about the fly’s presence in their homes.
“This year by far has been the worst,” Fetick said of the phorid fly proliferation in the borough. “We have had more people reaching out than ever before and it was very clear and obvious this year that it was differ-
ent than usual. While the flies can be around in the
Courtesy photo
In response to an outbreak of phorid flies in residences throughout Kennett Square Borough earlier this fall, the borough recently issued an emergency declaration calling for “a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to eliminate the phorid fly infestation.”
First in a series: Chester County faces the climate crisis
The big drought: Watch, warning and emergency
By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer
For the past several years, in edicts ranging from warnings to an all-bulletin call for an apocalyptic catastrophe, deadlines from across the world continue to spread news about extreme weather, often painting the picture of climate change happening on a global scale. News articles right now talk about a “once in a century cyclone” in Mayotte off the eastern coast of Africa and a “rare” California tornado, but here in Chester County however, incidents of extreme weather feel far less extreme comparatively. The assuring news is that
we don’t suffer from wildfires, rising sea levels or chronic extreme heat – at least not yet.
While Chester County may not be on the front lines of the climate disaster, the ramifications of global warming continue to signal that extreme and unusual weather conditions are creeping into the county and changing the community and the lives of its residents. Most recently, the county-wide burn ban and drought watch status could potentially become a tell-tale sign of an increasingly volatile issue.
In preparation for what is likely to be on the near horizon, county stakehold-
ers have already embraced plans to combat the problem. In 2021, the Chester County Commissioners acknowledged the threat of climate change and adopted their Climate Action Plan with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emission, mitigating impacts of climate change and transitioning to sustainable energy across the county.
The plan provides a tenyear framework focusing efforts on four main sectors: buildings and energy, waste management, transportation and land use and food, agriculture and forestry.
The report also cites the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
New Garden board passes township’s 2025 budget
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
First introduced by Manager Christopher Himes as part of a State of the Township brief on Aug. 26, the 2025 New Garden Township budget went through five reviews in September, October and November.
At their Dec. 16 meeting, the Board of Supervisors gave their final sign off to a budget that will reflect next year’s expenditures, priorities and strategies for a municipality that will continue to forecast residential
and business growth that will coincide with a vision to develop its infrastructure.
As reflected in the board’s Nov. 18 meeting, the 2025 general budget will be $8,179,084, a $236,166 increase over the amended 2024 budget of 7,942.818. Of that amount, a little more than two-thirds will be spent on community development and safety; public safety in the areas of fire and EMS services; the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department; and the Public Works Department’s highway and road maintenance
and upgrade projects. The remaining third of proposed expenditures will be divided among 13 of the township’s service areas.
A key component of next year’s budget will be to focus on several of the township’s top priorities as spelled out in its 2018 Comprehensive Plan. They include creating strong financial management; stimulating economic development in the township; investing in infrastructure; addressing the rising costs of public safety; implementing technology and other
(DEP) on how Pennsylvania’s climate is changing due to human impact, and the facts are
L. Gaw Staff Writer
state and county grants, an open space tax referendum approved by the residents of Westtown Township, a local fundraising effort initiated by Natural Lands and support from the Open Space Institute’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund. Located at the intersection of Routes 202 and 926, Crebilly Farm is one of the final remaining open spaces in the township. The Robinson family expressed their wish to preserve the farm after a proposed plan by Toll Brothers to develop the property ended in 2021.
Photo by Mark Williams, courtesy of Natural Lands Westtown Township has purchased the historic Crebilly Farm for $20 million, thus preserving the 308-acre property as open space.
Phorid Fly...
Continued from Page 1A
warmer months of July and August, they typically are worse by the fall because as they breed and continue to grow, they begin to invade homes.”
Soon after the complaints began filing into the brough’s offices, so did the photographs of the insect that came in from residents that gave clear evidence that homes in the borough were being assaulted.
Fetick then doubled the efforts to draw attention to the issue when the borough hosted a public meeting in November that gathered 60 residents in attendance and another 100 who tuned in by Zoom. The big question on the minds of many area officials and local residents at that meeting was how to contain and eliminate the phorid fly, not only at mushroom farms throughout southern Chester County but also at private residences that border these farms.
In an effort to find support, Fetick reached out to State Rep. Christina Sappey, who had worked with then-State Sen. Andrew Dinniman several years ago when the phorid fly began to infiltrate homes near mushroom facilities throughout New Garden Township and beyond. In 2021, Sappey held a virtual meeting to share information about the work being done on the problem that invited several experts from the Penn State Mushroom Pest Research Team, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russ Redding and local legislators.
In August of 2022, Sappey was instrumental in acquiring state funding to Penn State in the amount of $128,718 to expand the use of new integrated pest management to control phorid flies in mushroom production.
Continued from Page 1A
Westtown Supervisor Richard Pomerantz said that the purchase saved Crebilly Farm from residential development that saw plans to construct 319 homes on the property.
“Had it not been for the years of persistent passionate commitment, focused efforts and the admirable, generous foresight of the widest range of public and private stakeholders, including especially Westtown’s residents who in a landslide winning referendum two years ago voted to Save Crebilly, Monday’s event would have remained nothing more than an unrequited pipe dream,” he said.
“Natural Lands, Westtown Township, and the Robinson family — which has called Crebilly Farm home for multiple generations — are moved by this extraordinary demonstration of conservation care,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands, the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest
“We are incredibly fortunate to have the talented team from Penn State working tirelessly on the biology and behavior of phorid flies,” she said in a statement. “They have been efficient with the dollars provided to them, squeezing everything possible out of each cent. It is encouraging to see their processes implemented in local farms, and ultimately having a positive impact for mushroom growers and residents.”
‘Significant public nuisance’
According to scientific data, the phorid fly -- Megaselia halterata -- continues to threaten the mushroom farming industry by vectoring fungal diseases and reducing the yields of the crop that has led hundreds of mushroom harvesting and producing farms to experience hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In recent years, mushroom phorid flies have also become a significant public nuisance in residential areas in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. The window to eradicate the phorid fly is sliver thin, given that its life cycle has only four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult; the last stage is very short, consisting of mating, laying eggs, and dying, but during that short time, phorid flies were taking up residence in many of the borough’s homes.
In years past, the proliferation of the phorid fly was contained and eliminated by farms through the use of Diazinon, an organophosphate that was ultimately banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2012 and is currently not available for commercial or residential use. Over the past several years, the Department of
land conservation nonprofit.
“When iconic landscapes like Crebilly Farm, which help root us in — even epitomize — our communities, are threatened, so is our essential relationship with nature. Their preservation is essential to our well-being.”
The official purchase of Crebilly Farm comes on the heels of a fundraising effort by Natural Lands’ Crebilly Campaign, an appeal to the communities within a 10-mile radius of Crebilly that promoted the protection of the farm against potential development nearby and preserving the farm as publicly accessible open space. The effort drew the support of 750 households, whose contributions were matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to a special challenge Natural Lands received from Mt. Cuba Center and an anonymous donor.
“Saving Crebilly Farm has been a community effort and an act of persistence, and I am thrilled that we’ve persevered towards its permanent protection,”
Entomology at Penn State under the direction of Dr. Michael Wolfin has been performing laboratory and field experiments to identify alternative effective insecticides and novel control methods to manage this pest. Fetick spoke with Dr. Wolfin in the early fall and learned that despite the absence of Diazinon to mitigate the phorid fly – at either mushroom farms or in residential homes – there has been some encouraging news in the last two years.
“One hundred percent of his efforts has been focused on mitigating the phorid fly at its source, which are the mushroom farms,” Fetick said. “One of things Dr. Wolfin explained to me was that Pennsylvania went into 2023 and 2024 with no approved mitigation measures for the phorid fly, but while there were no specific plans approved, his department was testing and seeing different results on different farms, and that had some good results.”
Fetick learned, however, that while two of the four techniques require registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the remaining two do not require EPA approval, but will take full cooperation from the mushroom industry in order to get them in the hands of farmers and homeowners.
“For this issue to be solved, it will take 100 percent compliance [from mushroom farms], because if one farm is doing mitigation techniques, the flies will go to another farm for a source of food and stop at homes along the way,” he said. “Our assault has to be multi-faceted, and we have to get these issues fast-tracked, so I am asking that they accelerate these approvals because of the severity of the issue.
“Of the two [materials] that have been approved,
said State Senator Carolyn Comitta. “The people of Westtown Township and the surrounding communities have worked for years to ensure this property remains the iconic landscape we all know and love, and the fact that it was their tireless work — and now generosity — that put us over the top is a testament to our ongoing commitment to historic, ecological, and environmental conservation in Chester County.”
The township’s purchase provides a crucial link in a process that reached its first milestone in November 2022, when the residents of the township voted overwhelmingly in favor of an Open Space Fund referendum, which provided about $7.5 million for the property’s preservation and stewardship. Natural Lands raised $16.5 million in additional public and private grant funding and gifts from individual donors, and in June 2023, one-third of the property – a little more than 100 acres – was permanently protected through conservation easements held by Natural Lands.
can we get the manufacturers’ ears, in person? Can we hold several community meetings for mushroom growers and get them in the room with the manufacturers and begin to take orders in 2025?”
Fetick has also called for increased funding to allow for research applications of repellents that homeowners will be permitted to use in their homes and has been in contact with Rep. Sappey to seek that funding in Harrisburg.
Emergency declaration issued for Kennett Borough
Calling the phorid fly infestation “a true emergency in our community and the greater region,” Fetick took the borough’s largest stand against the phorid fly infestation in early December when he signed an emergency declaration calling for “a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to eliminate the phorid fly infestation” by enacting the following six initiatives:
• Pursuing additional state funding to research mitigation controls through Penn State and private entities to reduce and eliminate the fly at mushroom growing facilities and using best practices and products in private residences
• Incorporating educational tools for mushroom growers about mitigation controls
• Enacting state regulations to allow mushroom growers to implement effective and safe pest controls
• Fast-tracking the review and approval of mitigation controls by the state and other regulatory authorities
• Establishing a multiagency task force made up of representatives from the Pa. Department of Agriculture, the Pa. and U.S. Departments of
Environmental Protection and other agencies, representatives from the mushroom growing industry and private citizens, and
• Provide education and information to Kennett Square Borough and nearby municipalities regarding progress made on each the initiatives
Fetick said that the emergency will remain in effect “until we begin to see solutions.”
“Until we are satisfied that there is a plan to mitigate this issue, the emergency is staying,” he said. “I plan to bring it up
Stay
at every Borough Council meeting and renew it at every single council meeting so that it doesn’t get lost.”
The next Kennett Square Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 6. In addition, he is encouraging residents to send him their email address so that they can keep informed of any updates related to the phorid fly issue, and asked borough staff to keep them up to date on the borough’s Facebook page.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
To learn more about Dr. Wolfin’s research, visit https:// extension.psu.edu/mushroom-phorid-fly-infestationsin-mushroom-farms-and-surrounding-neighborhoods
To learn more about the phorid fly, join “Phorid Fly Community – Public” on Facebook.
To report a complaint in your home or community, contact the following agencies: Mushroom Fly Hotline: (833) 574-6743.
The Chester County Health Department: (610) 3446225. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: (610) 489-1003.
The township is making plans to undergo a master planning process for the farm that will include input from the public that has supported its preservation.
“We are truly overwhelmed with gratitude by
the response of so many who have given generously of their time, talent and resources,” said David Robinson, the farm’s owner.
“Thank you to the township, and Natural Lands’ inspiration and phenom-
enal fundraising effort. It is beyond our dream to know that the farm will be enjoyed by many for years to come.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Courtesy photo
The official closing of Chester County’s historic Crebilly Farm was held on Dec. 10 at the law office of Gawthrop Greenwood in West Chester. Seated from left to right are Westtown Township Supervisor Dick Pomerantz; Board Chairman Tom Foster; David Robinson, owner and steward of Crebilly Farm; and Ed Yost, vice chair of the Westtown Township Board of Supervisors. Standing from left to right are, Westtown Township Manager Liudmila Carter; Patrick McKenna, Westtown Township solicitor; State Senator Carolyn Comitta; and Gordon Prince, Gawthrop Business Law attorney.
Crebilly Farm...
Courtesy photo
Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick is working with State Rep. Christina Sappey and the Entomology Department at Penn State to address the phorid fly outbreak.
Chester County Press
Climate crisis...
Continued from Page 1A
by more than 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit since the early 20th century and are expected to increase by an additional 5.9 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050,” the plan reads. “Similarly, annual precipitation in Pennsylvania has increased by approximately 10 percent since the early 20th century and is expected to increase by another 8 percent by 2050, with a 14-percent increase during the winter season.”
The projected increase in statewide precipitation has not been evident yet here in Chester County over the last few months, however. On Oct. 27, the County Commissioners enacted a 30-day, county-wide burn ban before extending the ban to Dec. 26. Following recent favorable weather, the burn ban was rescinded on Dec. 9. Deputy Director for Fire Services Justin McClure said that there has not been a county wide burn ban enacted since July 2012.
“It is rare in this portion of the Commonwealth to have to enact something like that,” McClure said.
McClure shared that while the burn ban was enacted there were five structure fires in the county that were the result of open burning. Additionally, McClure stated that on any given week, the county averages about three brush fire dispatches per week, however in the week of Nov. 3-9, the county had 52 brush fire dispatches, a roughly 1,633 percent increase.
One of those brush fires, in Willistown Township, even resulted in a civilian death.
New Garden...
Continued from Page 1A
initiatives to enhance township staff operations; enhancing community services; maintaining a commitment to preserving open space; expanding the New Garden Flying Field; and improving energy efficiencies throughout the township.
Further, the township’s capital investment plan will devote more than 80 percent of its budget over the next five years toward road improvements and stormwater management projects in the township at
In the 42 days of the burn ban, there were 166 brush fires and 73 mulch and trash fires according to a news flash posted on the Chester County website.
Additionally, West Grove Fire Company Chief Eric Felker shared that while the company usually receives about 50-60 calls per month, it has been increasing up to over 100 calls per month in October and November.
“The volume seemed to have been increasing even in August and September, and while our volume was elevated, it wasn’t over 100 but remained in that 70s range every month,” he said. “The burn ban and the dry conditions definitely contributed to our volume increase in October and November.”
The burn ban and increase in fires was in conjunction with the drought conditions the county has been experiencing. Chester County has been under drought watch conditions since Nov. 1 as declared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
SeungAh Byun, executive director of the Chester County Water Resources Authority, explained that drought conditions have three levels – watch, warning and emergency – and that each come with their own recommendations and requirements.
“The drought watch is basically an advisory signifying that we’re in abnormally dry conditions, that we may have some fire hazards, and that there is the potential that fire ends up being greater,” she explained. “We have less water supplies, and it’s a voluntary reduction of five
an investment of $6.9 million from 2025 to 2029. On the revenue side for 2025, the township is expected to earn $2.7 million real estate taxes, $3.6 million in earned income, transfer and local service taxes; and $1.4 million from permits and fees. As was approved by the supervisors on Nov. 18, township homeowners will be absorbing a slight increase in their property taxes in 2025. Of the 214 households who own a home valued between $50,00 and $100,000, their yearly taxes will increase $40.00, for an increase of $3.33 a month. For the 2,397
to ten percent of non-essential water uses.”
Byun explained that the last time the county reached a drought emergency was in 2002 and that while she does not expect it to reach that level this time around, she said that it will still take time to recover. The recovery needed from the present drought watch conditions includes replenishing the lost water supplies in streams, reservoirs, lakes and groundwater, which isn’t just as simple as getting a few inches of rain.
“It rained, but it’s been so dry, and everything just ends up running off,” Byun said. “For that amount of rain, you won’t see those impacts on the ground in the groundwater wells. It takes much longer for those wells to get replenished.”
Even with the recent rain across the area, Chester County remains under a drought watch as of Dec. 16. While projections into the likelihood of future similar events can be unclear, Byun shared that if these conditions return they are likely to be more severe in damage to the water supply.
“When you think about climate change impacts from a drought perspective, it’s not necessarily that we’re going to be in drought more often or it’s going to be longer periods of drought,” Byun said. “When we factor in climate change into the future, the conditions of drought end up being worse in terms of water supply.”
According to NASA, climate change’s impact includes worsening extreme weather and changes in weather patterns meaning everyone, everywhere could eventually feel impact,
households whose homes are valued between 100,000 and $250,000, their yearly taxes will increase $93.00, or $7.75 a month. The 537 residents who own a home valued between $250,000 and $400,000 will see their 2025 taxes increase $143.00 in 2025, for an increase of $11.92 a month.
The tax increase will begin to enable the township to rebound from a ten-year cycle beginning in 2014 that saw its tax base growth remain stagnant from a decision by the board not to raise taxes during that period while at the same time it continues to absorb the higher cost of deliv-
including here in Chester County.
Whether or not these drought conditions and burn bans will become the new normal and how exactly cli-
ering vital services to its residents such as police, fire and EMS. These scenarios contributed to the township absorbing a $1.83 million structural deficit as the 2024 budget was being finalized that led to the board approving a 1.05 mill property tax rate increase this year.
“Since we had a prior history establishing a structural deficit not just last year but in years prior to that, that aggregated amount had to be corrected in last year’s budget and in this year’s budget,” Himes said. “What ended up happening was that where we made some employment increases in terms of our community
mate change may impact the county is still unclear. What remains clear, however, is that the people and leadership of Chester County are prepared to do something
development and safety function, we actually had the ability to establish higher amounts of permit revenues and fees for service coming from that function, so in fiscal year 2024, we experienced an increase in revenues.”
To review the entire 2025 budget, visit the New Garden Township website at www.newgarden.org/439/ Financial-Information.
Other township business
The supervisors gave their approval to the fiscal year 2025 Fire and EMS services agreement with the Avondale Fire Company in the amount of $392,870 for fire services and $699,089 for EMS services – a total of $1,091,959. This establishes the township’s annual contribution to the fire company’s overall budget, which has finalized its budget revenues and expenditures for both fire and EMS services for the coming year.
The board also approved a request by Purolite, LLC – an emerging company developing its site at 380 Starr Road in the township – an extension of its land development an additional 439 days, that will expire on March 31, 2026.
about it.
To contact Contributing Writer Gabbie Burton, email gburton@chestercounty.com.
2024 that establishes parameters for the compensation for township supervisors, the board authorized their annual compensation to increase from $2,500 to $5,450. The Act states that supervisors in municipalities with a population from 10,000 to 14,999 may be compensated as much as $5,450 annually. (The township’s population currently stands at 11,381.) Compensation will be distributed in two payments of $2,725.
As a method of pursuing future economic opportunities in the township, the board gave their authorization to invest $45,000 in establishing a partnership with the Sports Facilities Advisory, LLC, a Clearwater, Fla.-based company that partners with communities throughout the U.S. in developing sports facilities and complexes.
The supervisors gave their approval to the estimated $99,960 that will be spent on repairs at the Quonset Hut at New Garden Township Park. The structure, which is used for storage for area sports leagues, will undergo renovation that will include the installation of new doors and siding and the re-shingling of its roof.
In accordance with the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Act 94 of
The agency’s proposals to the township will be in two independent phases that will provide the township with an economic impact and market-supportive industry analysis for potentially creating youth athletic facilities in the township. Since its founding in 2003, Sports Facilities Companies has developed projects in over 3,000 communities nationwide and overseen $15 billion in developed projects.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Courtesy image
A 90-day precipitation indicator for Chester County currently places it in the emergency zone.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Current drought conditions in Chester County are part of a growing climate change emergency that is likely to continue to impact local residents in the near future.
In a move that strengthens the administrative leadership of Chester County Government, County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe announced the restructure of the top administrative positions, naming David Byerman as Chief Executive Officer for the county, and Erik Walschburger as the county’s Chief Operating Officer.
“As we searched for a new county administrator, we saw this as a chance to take a closer look at our leadership structure and make sure it aligns with Chester County’s growth, both now and in the future,” said Maxwell. “That’s why I’m thrilled we are bringing David Byerman on as the county’s first CEO and Erik Walschburger as COO. We get two excellent, experienced leaders working together in an optimal new structure. David will focus on shaping our strategic vision and overall leadership, while Erik will concentrate on operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly day to day.”
Byerman is a nationally-recognized leader in government administration with a distinguished career managing complex organizations, fostering innovation, and advancing public services. He most recently served for a number of years as a management consultant, and primarily among his engagements led a $1.8 million cooperative agreement between a multinational association of state and local regulators (the Council on Licensing, Enforcement, and Regulation) and the
Chester County Commissioners appoint a new CEO, COO
federal government.
Previously, Byerman was Director of the Legislative Research Commission, serving as chief executive of the Kentucky Legislature’s large and centralized staff, with nearly 600 employees and a $70.4 million annual budget. From 2010 to 2015, Byerman was elected to two terms as Secretary of the Senate for the Nevada Senate, where he oversaw a $21.5 million budget and a staff of 90. In both roles, he received national recognition for his efforts to make government more efficient, more accessible, and more engaging with constituents.
He holds B.A. degrees in political science and history from the University of Redlands, and earned a Master of Governmental Administration and was a Fels Scholar at the Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
“I am honored to join Chester County as its first CEO and to work alongside the dedicated team that already makes this county a Commonwealth leader in service delivery and quality of life,” Byerman said. “I am excited to build upon a strong foundation, bringing my experience and passion for public service to bolster the county’s operations and to best meet the challenges of the future.”
Byerman, who previously lived in Chester County in the 1990s, relocated back to the county from his current home in Kentucky, and started as Chief Executive Officer on December 9.
Moskowitz said, “We are excited to welcome David in this new role and are confident in the leadership, innovation and experience
he will bring to Chester County Government.
His ‘outside’ perspective will complement Erik Walschburger’s knowledge and experience of the day-to-day running of our County departments and the delivery of programs and services to our citizens.
“This partnership is designed to position Chester County for long-term success as we continue to grow and serve our community.”
Walschburger’s promotion to Chief Operating Officer follows seven months as acting county administrator, preceded by two years as deputy county administrator. In these roles, Walschburger provided administrative coordination, leadership, counsel and management support to the County Commissioners, the county administrator and department leaders. He currently serves as a board member of the Chester Water Authority, and is a graduate of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Excellence in County Government program.
Prior to his move to county administration, Erik served in the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, most recently as Chief Deputy District Attorney, where he prosecuted criminal defendants, approved appropriate cases for diversionary programs, wrote grants and defended convictions on appeal. He was named Chester County Prosecutor of the Year in 2018.
“Erik Walschburger has distinguished himself throughout his career with Chester County, and this promotion to
ChesPenn Health Services Announces Transition Plan for Coatesville Location
Coatesville, PA – December 10, 2024
ChesPenn’s Continued Commitment to Coatesville
Background: ChesPenn’s Partnership with the Alliance
Ongoing Efforts to Address Funding
Planning for
Moving Forward with Optimism
Chief Operating Officer is well-deserved,” said Roe. “When he stepped into the role of acting county administrator, Erik provided steady and capable leadership during a transitional period. We are grateful for his dedication and leadership over the past seven months and look forward to his contributions in this new capacity.”
Commenting on the new enhanced administrative structure, Walschburger said, “Chester County is often recognized for its award-winning programs and services, and for its initiative in creating county government and court programs that are considered worthy pilot projects for other counties to review and replicate across both the Commonwealth and the nation. Maintaining that innovation and transparency is critical alongside maintaining our high operational standards, so that we not only meet the needs of our current and growing population, but we are able to be strategic in providing for future needs. I am pleased to be part of this strengthened focus.”
Judge Mackenzie W. Smith announces candidacy for Judge of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas
Judge Mackenzie W. Smith announced her candidacy for Judge of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
“Truth and justice will prevail so long as our courts continue to fiercely safeguard them,” said Smith. “I am running to ensure that voters can choose an experienced judge who is active in standing up for our values, protecting our freedoms, and delivering equal justice for all for years to come.”
Smith currently serves as a magisterial district judge representing Malvern, East Goshen, Easttown, Willistown, and parts of Tredyffrin and Westtown.
“Whether it be for a criminal case, a landlord-tenant issue, or even a simple traffic violation, my courtroom is where most community members interact with the judicial system,” Smith said “That’s why I take pride in ensuring equal access to justice for anyone who comes before my bench, treating people with care and dignity, and delivering on our constitutional guarantees of due process and equal justice for all.”
An experienced prosecutor, Smith previously served as an assistant district attorney in Chester County, prosecuting hundreds of criminal cases from low-level offenses to violent crimes.
“Seeking justice for victims of crime while ensuring that the rights of the accused were always preserved was one of the greatest honors of my career,” Smith said. Adding
to her diverse range of legal experience, Smith is also an experienced commercial litigator representing a wide array of clients in state and federal court. Throughout her career, she has consistently volunteered her time representing those least able to advocate for themselves, including children and the elderly.
In 2021, Smith defeated a three-term incumbent to win her magisterial district court seat.
“Being an effective judge involves more than just knowing the law. It requires being an active member of the community, understanding the issues that bring people before the judicial system, and being a force for positive
change, both individually and systemically,” Smith added. “That’s how I have led in the past and how I will continue to lead as your Common Pleas Court Judge. The Courts of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania are the trial courts, hearing major criminal and civil cases. Common pleas court judges are elected to 10-year terms after which they may face a retention vote.
The 2025 Pennsylvania primary election is scheduled for May 20 and the general election is on Nov. 4.
To learn more about Judge Smith and her campaign visit her website mackenzieforjudge.com.
Erik Walschburger is the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer for Chester County government.
Courtesy photos David Byerman has been named the new Chief Executive Officer for Chester County.
Courtesy photo
Judge Mackenzie W. Smith announced her candidacy for Judge of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
Opinion
Wreaths Across America continues its tradition of honoring, remembering veterans during the holidays
At more than 4,500 locations throughout the U.S. this past weekend, volunteers and patriots helped Wreaths Across America continue its tradition of honoring and remembering veterans during the holidays. This included numerous Wreaths Across America ceremonies right here in Chester County.
Each year, millions of volunteers and patriots gather in local, state, and national cemeteries across all 50 states and abroad to pay tribute to the country’s service members and their families by placing wreaths in their honor. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to honor, to remember, and to teach—specially to teach younger generations about the need to value and defend our freedoms. Wreaths Across America has grown considerably in the last decade or so, and efforts are already underway planning for the best results yet in December of 2025.
‘Meaningful improvement’
Jesse Topper, the incoming Pennsylvania House Republican Leader, said that the recent statewide assessment results from the Pennsylvania Department of Education show that “transformational change is needed in Pennsylvania’s system of education to achieve meaningful improvement.”
Statewide assessment scores have been lagging behind pre-COVID results.
Education should always be a priority. There were obviously going to be negative impacts from the pandemic, but now it’s time to start moving in the right direction again.
We hope that Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Republicancontrolled State Senate, and Democrat-controlled State House can work together to prioritize education and do what’s necessary for students to show “meaningful improvement” on statewide assessments. The goal should be improvement each and every year.
Superintendent search in Avon Grove
The Avon Grove School District is currently in the process of conducting a search for a new superintendent. The position has been advertised nationally, and the deadline for candidates to apply for the job of leading the school district is January 22, 2025.
The successful candidate will have big shoes to fill.
Dr. M. Christopher Marchese served as Avon Grove’s superintendent for 11 years—a long tenure in that position. Avon Grove underwent quite a few significant changes during Marchese’s tenure. The district built a new high school, renovated the former high school building into a middle school, reconfigured the grade levels in each school building, and brought back many programs that had been eliminated during the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009. Marchese’s work left a lasting impact on the Avon Grove School District, and we hope that the superintendent search produces great results. While state lawmakers certainly have a role to play in education, it will always be the administrators and teachers and support staff and parents who make a real difference.
Our libraries
Congratulations to the Avon Grove Library, which recently celebrated 150 years of serving the community.
State Rep. John Lawrence, State Sen. John Kane, a representative from U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan’s office, and officials from the Chester County Library system all helped the Avon Grove Library in West Grove celebrate its important anniversary.
We’re fortunate to have some great libraries in southern Chester County. In Kennett Square, there is a new, large, state-of-the-art library. The Oxford Library is the third-oldest library in the state, and has a long and proud history of serving its community. And the Avon Grove Library has now reached an important milestone. If you’re not utilizing these community assets already, you should consider doing so in the New Year.
How pharmacy benefit managers profit from health inequities
By Amy Hinojosa
The high cost of prescription drugs isn’t just a financial burden. It’s a threat to public health. For under-served and underresourced families, many of whom are people of color, this threat is magnified.
Healthcare policy experts at the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 61 percent of Black patients and 69 percent of Latinos worry about affording their prescription medications, compared to half of White adults.
These findings provide yet more proof that America’s prescription drug delivery system is broken and unjust. A small group of powerful corporations known as pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, deserve the lion’s share of the blame. Lawmakers in Washington need to address their abuses by demanding greater transparency, accountability, and fairness.
PBMs don’t invent lifesaving medicines, nor do they prescribe them or administer them to patients. They don’t pay for them, either. Rather, their job is to negotiate with drug companies to secure lower prices on behalf of the insurance firms who hire them – the biggest three of which are locked in ownership structures with their respective PBM. Last year alone, drug companies offered $334 billion in discounts and rebates off the nominal “list” price of medicines, with most of those savings flowing through PBMs.
Unfortunately, few of those savings get passed on to patients in the form of lower out-of-pocket costs. That’s because PBMs and insurers pocket the rebates and discounts for themselves – even as they routinely charge patients coinsurance based on the list price of the drugs, not the price they actually pay drug makers.
It’s no wonder our nation’s worst health inequities are getting more and more entrenched.
PBMs, meanwhile, are getting rich. The industry has gotten so good at extracting money from the drug supply chain and driving up costs for patients that between 2012 and 2022, the three largest PBMs saw their profits more than quadruple to $27.6 billion a year. This kind of exploitation needs to end. And for that to happen, lawmakers in Washington will need to take action.
Fortunately, a number of bipartisan reform bills are already before Congress. One would de-link drug prices from PBM profits under the Medicare Part D program. In doing so, it would help make sure that PBMs can’t boost their bottom lines by steering patients towards more expensive drugs.
Lawmakers are also con-
Financial Focus
sidering legislation that, among other reforms, would force PBMs and insurers to base cost-sharing on a drug’s discounted price –allowing patients to benefit from any rebates provided by drug firms. Both pieces of reform legislation deserve swift passage during this “lame duck” session of Congress. In the meantime, advocates will continue to educate the public about the $27.6 billion in profits our healthcare system allocates to the three largest PBMs in exchange for zero health care provided. We simply cannot allow profiteering to determine life or death for patients in need of medications.
Amy Hinojosa is the president and CEO of MANA, a national Latina organization, the oldest and largest Latina membership organization in the United States, and founding member of the Health Equity Collaborative.
Consider these year-end financial moves
As we enter the holiday season, your life may well become busier. Still, you might want to take the time to consider some financial moves before we turn the calendar to 2025. Here are a few suggestions:
• Review your investment portfolio. As you look at your portfolio, ask these questions: Has its performance met my expectations this year? Does it still reflect my goals, risk tolerance and time horizon? Do I need to rebalance? You might find that working with a financial professional can help you answer these and other questions you may have about your investments.
• Add to your 401(k) and HSA. If you can afford it, and your employer allows it, consider putting more money into your 401(k)
before the year ends — including “catch-up” contributions if you’re 50 or older. You might also want to add to your health savings account (HSA) by the tax-filing deadline in April.
• Use your FSA dollars. Unlike an HSA, a flexible spending account (FSA) works on a “use-it-or-loseit” basis, meaning you lose any unspent funds at the end of the year. So, if you still have funds left in your account, try to use them up in 2024. (Employers may grant a 2½ month extension, so check with your human resources area to see if this is the case where you work.)
• Contribute to a 529 plan. If you haven’t opened a 529 education savings plan for your children, think about doing so this year. With a 529 plan, your earn-
ings can grow tax deferred, and your withdrawals are federally tax-free when used for qualified education expenses — tuition, fees, books and so on. And if you invest in your own state’s 529 plan, you might be able to deduct your contributions from your state income tax or receive a state tax credit.
• Build your emergency fund. It’s generally a good idea to keep up to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund, with the money held in a liquid, low-risk account. Without such a fund in place, you might be forced to dip into your retirement funds to pay for short-term needs, such as a major car or home repair.
• Review your estate plans. If you’ve experienced any changes in your family situation this year, such as marriage, remarriage or the birth of a child, you may want to update your estate-planning documents to reflect your new situation. It’s also important to look at the beneficiary designations on your investment accounts, retirement plans, IRAs and insurance policies, as these designations can sometimes even supersede the instructions you’ve left in your will. And if you haven’t started estate planning, there’s no time like the present.
• Take your RMDs. If you’re 73 or older, you will likely need to take withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — from some of your
retirement accounts, such as your traditional IRA. If you don’t take these withdrawals each year, you could be subject to penalties. These aren’t the only moves you can make, but they may prove helpful not only for 2025 but in the years to come.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Joe Oliver.
Joe Oliver is a lifelong Oxfordian, husband, father, and financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments. Joe services business owners and individual investors by helping them accomplish their financial goals. For a complimentary financial consultation, connect with Joe at Joe.Oliver@ Edwardjones.com.
Joe Oliver, CFP,AAMS Financial Advisor 2250 Baltimore Pike Oxford, Pa. 19363 484-702-9311 www.edwardjones.com/ joe-oliver Edward Jones, Member SIPC
Joe Oliver
Reynolds named CEO of Kennett Area Community Service
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) executive director Leah Reynolds – who has led the agency through a debilitating pandemic, facilitated emergency housing efforts for displaced residents and is helping to steer what will become KACS’ new facility in Kennett Square – has been named KACS’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The shift from executive director to CEO signifies KACS’ evolution as a regional leader in addressing food insecu-
rity, housing instability, and poverty and acknowledges the expanding scope of the agency’s mission and operations under her leadership. Since joining KACS, Reynolds has brought visionary guidance to the organization, strengthening its programs, expanding community partnerships, and addressing the increasingly complex challenges facing families in Southern Chester County. In addition, KACS has undertaken significant initiatives, including the development of a new facility on Cypress Street, which will enable the
organization to expand services and better serve the growing needs of the community. As CEO, she will continue to lead KACS in building partnerships, securing resources, and developing innovative solutions to meet the challenges facing the community.
“I’m honored to continue leading KACS as we work to meet the needs of our neighbors and strengthen the fabric of our community,” Reynolds said. “This title change reflects not only the incredible work of our team and volunteers but also the growing role KACS plays in addressing system-
ic issues and empowering families in our region.”
“Leah’s impact has been transformative,” said Ana Amarante-Craig, president of the KACS Board of Directors. “This new title reflects her strategic leadership and the critical role she plays in advancing KACS’ mission to support those in need and build a stronger, more equitable community.”
For more information about KACS, visit www. KACSImpact.org.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Magical experiences await at Kennett Square’s Tinsel on the Town
Kennett Collaborative announces extended holiday-themed Third Thursday event
Kennett Collaborative announced exciting updates for this year’s Tinsel on the Town.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, State Street will be closed for an evening full of festive fun at Kennett Square’s Tinsel on the Town. Guests can enjoy extended shopping hours, browse street vendors, and discover unique holiday gifts at local shops—celebrating the season under the gold tinsel garlands strung across State Street.
Corien Siepelinga, of the Square Pear Fine Art Gallery said, “Tinsel on the Town is one of my favorite events! It’s so much fun watching the kids dive into Bingo with such focus and excitement. Plus, it’s free to play and a great activity for the whole family. It’s the perfect way to explore the shops in Kennett Square while enjoying quality time with your kids.”
For seven years, the event has featured an interactive game of Bingo. To play, families visit participating stores and receive a stamp on their Bingo card.
This year, Kennett Collaborative is introducing the new Kennett Express, an ADAcompliant electric passenger train that will provide free rides for both adults and children from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Carolers from Calabrese Arts will add to the festive atmosphere as they stroll through the streets singing holiday songs. Local merchants will be selling hot chocolate and mulled wine. The evening will also feature a visit from Santa and the announcement of the winner for the Holiday Window Tour. Local businesses decorated their storefronts and the public has been voting for their favorite displays.
For more information, visit kennettcollaborative.
org.
Courtesy photo
Leah Reynolds
State Street will be closed for an evening full of festive fun at Kennett Square’s Tinsel on the Town.
Photo by Chris Barber
Kennett Square is a great place to enjoy delightful Christmas activities. Tinsel on the Town will take place on Thursday, Dec. 19.
YONSHENG CHO
Yonsheng Steven Cho, of Cochranville, passed away at home on Dec. 9, 2024. He was 60. Born in Taiwan, China, he was the eldest son of the late Chen-De Cho and Su-mei Ko Cho. Yonsheng came with his parents to the U.S. at age 12, and graduated as valedictorian in 1983 from Avon Grove High School in West Grove. He then attended Tai-Da University Medical School, in Taiwan, China.
Yonsheng was an active member of the Oxford Rotary Club and was also an officer of the Rotary Club.
He is survived by his brother, Michael M. Cho, M.D., his sisters Su-Shien Cho, MFA, Jennifer J. Cho, MSW, and Elizabeth Cho, Esq.
Yonsheng is noted for his lively imaginations and curiosities. He loved spending time with his family, especially his nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held on December 14 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.
Interment was in Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on December 15.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.
WILLIAM HENRY HARPE, SR.
William “Bill” Henry Harpe, Sr., born in Toughkenamon on April 6, 1937, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024 at Pocopson Home. A devoted husband to Annie Laura Harpe, they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage filled with love and companionship.
William was a skilled welder in the mushroom industry, known for his hard work and dedication. He had a deep passion for country music, often finding joy in the melodies and lyrics that spoke to his heart. An avid sports fan, he cherished moments spent cheering on his favorite team, the Philadelphia Phillies and following NASCAR races. He enjoyed sharing his love for his favorite sports with family and friends.
William was predeceased by his beloved sons, William “Bill” H. Harpe, Jr. and Michael “Mike” A. Harpe, Sr. He is survived by his son, Daniel “Danny” D. Harpe, and nine cherished grandchildren who will carry on his legacy.
William will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
No services will be held, as that was his request.
To view Bill’s online tribute please visit http://www. kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.
RAYMOND S. TWADDELL
Raymond S. Twaddell, of Oxford, passed away on December 11, 2024 at the Christiana Hospital. He was 97. He was the husband of Mary Leonard Twaddell, who passed away in 2016, and with whom he shared 37 years of marriage. His first wife Frances Poore Twaddell, with whom he shared 29 years of marriage, passed away in 1976.
Born in Twin Oaks, Pa., he was the son of the late John Twaddell and the late Alice Guild Twaddell. Raymond was a press operator and worked for NVF Co. in Yorklyn, Del. He retired in 1987 after 25 years of service.
He enjoyed, going to the casinos, watching horse racing and baseball, and being with his family and friends. He enjoyed traveling to Florida and Niagara Falls.
He is survived by two sons, Raymond S. Twaddell, Jr. and his wife of Ruth of Newark, Del. and Jerry E. Twaddell and his wife Mary of Newark, Del., one daughter, Sharon L. Walraven and her husband Harry of Kirkwood, Pa., four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Ware Presbyterian Living Resident Enrichment Program, One Trinity Drive E., Suite 201, Dillsburg, Pa. 17019.
To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh. com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.
Additional Obituaries on 5B
MARIA D. HAMILTON
Maria D. Hamilton, 64, a cherished member of the Kennett Square community, passed away at the Chester County Hospital on December 8, 2024.
She was the wife of Warner Hamilton, Jr., who passed away in 2021, and with whom she shared 36 years of marriage.
Born on September 24, 1960, Maria was the beloved daughter of the late Louise Irace DiBartolomeo and the late Louis DiBartolomeo, Sr.
Maria’s educational journey began at St. Patrick’s School, followed by her graduation from Bishop Shanahan School. She pursued further studies in cosmetology, reflecting her passion for beauty and creativity. Her professional life was dedicated to nurturing young minds as a teacher’s assistant at the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Downingtown, where she made a lasting impact on many students’ lives.
Maria’s life was filled with love and joy, especially when surrounded by family and friends. She cherished vacations in Ocean City, Maryland, and treasured moments spent poolside with her family.
Her grand-dogs held a special place in her heart, and she found great joy in their company. Sunday dinners at her parents’ house were a beloved tradition, where laughter and love were always abundant.
Maria’s warmth, kindness, and dedication to her family and community will be deeply missed. Her legacy of love and compassion will continue to inspire those who knew her. She will be remembered fondly by all whose lives she touched.
Maria was predeceased by four sisters and one brother.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Jacalyn Hamilton, and Jacalyn’s boyfriend, Michael Hearty, Jr. Maria also leaves behind one sister and numerous nieces and nephews who adored her
You are invited to visit with Maria’s family and friends form 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, and again from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Dec. 21 at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square.
Her funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, Dec. 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square.
Burial will be in St, Patrick’s Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square.
To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
KEVIN J. GAULT, JR.
Kevin J. Gault, 69, of Landenberg, passed away peacefully and entered into the arms of his loving Savior on December 11, 2024.
Born in Darby, Pa., he was the son of the late John and Helen (nee Kitzinger) Gault.
Kevin was the beloved husband of Judith (nee Walters), a father to son Colin Gault, and a brother to John Gault (Debra) and Kathleen Dolphin (Tom).
He was the dear uncle of Ryan Gault, Katie Dolphin, Mark Dolphin (Emily), and Jennifer Dolphin. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Barbara Walters and Betty Salik (Tim), a great-nephew, many cousins and friends.
A graduate of Monsignor Bonner, Ursinus College, and University of Pennsylvania, Kevin was a freelance writer for corporations. He wrote business and communication pieces.
His proudest professional accomplishment was fulfilling his dream of being a published book writer, ghostwriting for executives and writing memoirs.
What Kevin was most proud of was his family. He loved his wife and was the most patient and caring father to his son on the autism spectrum.
He was a man of God. He loved reading and studying his Bible and enjoyed sharing in his Bible study group at Willowdale Chapel in Kennett Square. He believed salvation was through faith alone and enjoyed a personal relationship with his Savior that now continues
Obituary submissions
The Chester County Press publishes obituaries free of charge for funeral homes with active advertising accounts only. Others with a connection to southern Chester County are charged a modest fee. Obituaries appear on the Wednesday after they are received with a Monday 5 p.m. deadline. They are also posted on www.chestercounty.com. Photos should be sent as .jpeg attachments to the obituary text. To submit an obituary to the Chester County Press or for a rate quote, email the information to editor@chestercounty.com.
face-to-face in Heaven.
He would tell you food does not motivate him but he’d never pass up Irish breakfast tea, blueberry pancakes, pizzelles or Ritz crackers.
He was a gifted athlete and an extraordinary golfer. Kevin also enjoyed grabbing his skates, stick, and puck and heading to the rink. He was a devoted Philadelphia sports fan.
Kevin relaxed by watching documentaries, independent films, and animated features. He enjoyed collecting typewriters and it was not uncommon to hear the tapping and clicking of keys coming from his home office.
When Kevin wasn’t working or relaxing at home, he was hatching new ways to have fun and create memories. The family will never forget the ride to Ocean City on National Donut Day when he pulled into every Dunkin’ Donut location on the two-hour drive to get free donuts and coffee.
He will be missed and celebrated by his family, relatives, friends, and his church family.
A private celebration of life service will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kevin’s memory would be appreciated and can be made to DEVEREUX CARES PTO, ℅ Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health - CARES School, 600 Boot Road, Downingtown, Pa. 19335.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome. com.
Never too late: Returning to college transformed Cecil College grad's future
James Brindley embodies the spirit of resilience and determination, having embarked on a new chapter of his life while balancing family responsibilities and academic pursuits. As a nontraditional college student, married with two young children, he faced unique challenges that many traditional students do not, but his journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
Brindley graduated in May of 2024 with an associate of applied science from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Cecil College, but his journey was the less traveled path.
“At 29, I couldn’t see myself going to school for six years and accumulating a huge debt. The PTA program offered a great salary and only took a couple of years to complete,” said Brindley.
His story began in 2019
while he lived in North East, Md., and worked as an automotive service advisor. One day, his wife came home with a lucrative traveling nursing opportunity, which they seized upon and it opened Brindley’s eyes to new possibilities.
“We had our house here and planned to return,” he reflected. “We were just trying to take advantage of an opportunity for my wife.”
This decision allowed Brindley to return to school remotely, often while caring for their children.
Throughout his research into academic programs, his path to becoming a PTA was motivated by personal experiences with physical therapy. He underwent treatment twice: once for a broken arm in 2009 and again for a torn ACL a few years later. These experiences ignited a passion for the field.
“I always found physical therapy very interesting. I am good at science, and I love sports. It felt like the perfect blend of my interests,” he shared.
However, the journey was not without its challenges. Balancing family life and school required incredible time management and support.
“There weren’t many hours in the day, so it was tough. My wife was incredible, ensuring I had time to study and even serving as a patient for my practice techniques,” he explained. The couple’s strong family support network was crucial, allowing Brindley to focus on his studies while managing parenting duties.
Despite the obstacles, Brindley thrived in the PTA program, which has achieved a remarkable 100 percent first-time pass rate on the national licensing exam for
seven of the past nine years.
“It wasn’t easy, but we (his classmates) supported one another,” Brindley recalled. His dedication paid off, and he looks forward to giving back to the community through his work.
Financially, he benefited as the proud recipient of the McCormick Memorial Scholarship for PTA students from the Cecil College Foundation. It played a pivotal role in Brindley’s educational journey.
“This scholarship alleviated some of the financial burden that school can carry,” he said gratefully.
“I want to personally thank those who have contributed to the scholarship fund and those who awarded me this scholarship. It has truly contributed to my education, and I look forward to caring for others and giving back to my patients in the future.”
As community colleges
Legals
disability and require special accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Township at 610-255-0634 no later than 3 working days before the meeting.
12p-18-1t
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
The Auditors of Elk Township will hold their Organization Meeting on January 7th, 2024 at 6 PM in the Elk Township Building located at 952 Chesterville Rd. Lewisville, PA. If you are a person with a disability and require special accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Township at 610-255-0634 no later than 3 working days prior to the meeting.
12p-18-1t
ESTATE
NOTICE
ESTATE OF Charlotte C. Wrigley, late of Londonderry Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the abovenamed Charlotte C. Wrigley, having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Thomas W. Wrigley, CoExecutor, Richard C. Wrigley, Co-Executor, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, 208 E. Locust St., P.O. Box 381, Oxford, PA 19363 Phone: 610-932-3838
ESTATE NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary were
granted November 4, 2024 in the Estate of Edward Gallagher, Late of West Chester, Chester County, PA, who died October 1, 2024, all persons indebted to the said Estate are required to make payment and those having claims or demands are to present the same and without delay unto the Executor, Marce Gallagher Readler, 29 Chestnut Lane, Wapwallopen, PA. 18660. Attorney: Partick J. Aregood, Esq., 1218 South Main St., Wilkes- Barre, PA 18706 12p-11-3t
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
The Elk Township Board of Supervisors will meet on January 6th, 2025 at 7:00 PM to hold their Organization Meeting, with the Regular meeting immediately following, in the Elk Township Building located at 952 Chesterville Rd. Lewisville, PA. If you are a person with a
NOTICE
PENNSBURY TOWNSHIP ZONING HEARING BOARD
NOTICE is hereby given that the Zoning Hearing Board of Pennsbury Township will hold a Public Hearing at the Pennsbury Township Building, 702 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, on January 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at which time the Board will hear the following matter: In RE: Application of Thomas and Riya Chacko seeking a variance from the fifteen percent (15%) maximum impervious coverage allowed under Section 162-503.C(1) to allow 23.8% coverage so as to permit the addition of a residential swimming pool, coping, pool patio and pool equipment pad on property located at 6 Colonial Drive, West Chester, PA (UPI #64-1-94) in the Township’s R-2 (Open Space Design)
Residential Zoning District. If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend the public meeting scheduled above and require an auxiliary aide, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, please contact Kathy Howley at 610-388-7323 to discuss how Pennsbury Township may best accommodate your needs. Edward M. Foley, Solicitor Brutscher, Foley, Milliner, Land & Kelly, LLP, 213 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 12p-18-2t
Notice of Self Storage Sale
Please take notice Storage First Downingtown located at 3925 Hazelwood Ave Downingtown, PA 19335 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.com on 1/7/2025 at 10:00AM. Amber Trimble unit #312. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. 12p-18-2t
TRAVEL/VACATION: OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of full/partial week rentals. FREE Color Brochure. Holiday Real Estate, Inc: 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations: www.
gain recognition for their affordability and effectiveness in addressing student debt, stories like Brindley’s highlight their vital role in transforming lives.
“The Cecil College PTA program serves the needs of the county and surrounding region by educating the next generation of rehabilitation professionals who improve the quality of life
for residents,” said Deanna Smith, assistant professor and director of the PTA Program.
Brindley’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, family support, and education opportunities. He is already serving the community by working in a local outpatient clinic rehabilitating patients with a variety of conditions.
Miscellaneous:
New windows from Window Nation. Special money saving offer – zero down, zero payments, zero interest for TWO years AND buy 2 windows and get 2 FREE! Offer is valid for select models. Labor not included. Other restrictions apply. Call Window Nation today! 844-513-2646
We buy 8,000 cars a week. Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-833-926-47259
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855569-3087
DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855-335-6094 Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection!
Group, LLC
Over $50,000,000 in
and
cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-402-5341 Home: The bathroom of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many
Quality materials &
Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-855-504-4710 Prepare for power outages with
& Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby
- the most powerful
standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-888-605-4028 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Courtesy photo
As community colleges gain recognition for their affordability and effectiveness in addressing student debt, stories like James Brindley’s highlight their vital role in transforming lives.
Fla. man arrested for attempting to have sex with a child
Defendant traveled to Chester County with purpose of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Chester County Detectives recently announced the arrest of James Richards, 53, of Satellite Beach, Florida, as part of a sting operation where the defendant allegedly solicited sexual contact with a child from an undercover police officer. The defendant was charged with attempted rape of a child, trafficking in persons, and related offenses.
Magisterial District Judge Timothy Arndt arraigned
the defendant on December 1, and set a cash bail of $2,000,000. He is currently being held at Chester County prison.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, “The defendant traveled to Chester County with the express purpose of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl for $300. I am grateful to team of detectives who worked over the Thanksgiving weekend to catch this child predator.” The criminal complaint filed by the Chester County
Detectives details how, on November 25, a witness reported to police information concerning the alleged rape of an unknown 10-yearold child in the state of Florida. The witness reported that in discussions with Richards on November 25, Richards detailed how he recently sexually assaulted a 10-year-old child in the presence of the child’s mother. Acting upon information that Richards traveled to Pennsylvania for the holiday and intended to be in Chester County during his stay, a
Chester County Detective, acting in an undercover role, scheduled a meeting with the defendant after the defendant solicited sexual contact from a fictional 9-year old child in the undercover officer’s care. Richards confirmed the meeting date and time and agreed to pay $300 for sexual contact with the child.
On November 30, investigators arrested Richards when he arrived at the prearranged meeting point with the $300 and other agreedupon items, including lubrication jelly and Skittles
candy for the child.
de Barrena-Sarobe also stated, “We believe there is at least one child victim who we have yet to identify. If you have any information about this investigation, please immediately contact the Chester County Detectives at 610-344- 6866.”
The Chester County Detectives Office is the lead investigating agency and received substantial assistance from the Phoenixville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia.
First Assistant District Attorney Erin O’Brien is the assigned prosecutor. As a reminder, if you have concerns about the safety of a child, you should say something. Call 911. Call Childline at 1- 800-932-0313. Childline reports can be anonymous.
LCH Health and Community Services resumes providing dental services
LCH Health and Community Services recently announced the return of its dental services, and will bring its high-quality oral health care back to the local community. After a temporary pause to build a fully staffed and highly skilled team, the LCH dental practice is now open and ready to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. The decision to temporarily pause services allowed LCH to recruit exceptional professionals who share the organization’s mission of delivering compassionate, accessible, and
bilingual care. With the new team in place, LCH is well-positioned to meet the oral health needs of the community.
“Our dental program is a vital part of our comprehensive health services, and we’re excited to resume providing this essential care to our community,” said Ronan W. Gannon, CEO of LCH. “With a bilingual team in place, we are breaking down language barriers to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every patient feels valued, respected, and supported.”
The LCH dental program
addresses the critical need for affordable oral health care in the region, offering services such as preventive care, restorative treatments, and patient education.
All services are provided in English and Spanish to ensure effective communication and exceptional care for a diverse population.
Equipped with state-ofthe-art tools and technology, the experienced dental team is committed to delivering the highest standard of care.
The reopening also includes evening hours to better serve patients with busy schedules. LCH accepts Medicaid, Medicare,
and most private insurance plans. For uninsured patients, discounted services may be available based on income and family size.
For more than 50 years, LCH Health and Community Services has been a trusted partner in the community, offering a broad range of health and social services. The resumption of its dental program reflects LCH’s unwavering dedication to meeting the needs of its community with care that is compassionate, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive.
For more informa-
Technical College High School student wins first place in Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition
Technical College High School (TCHS) Pennock’s Bridge student John Smoker has earned first place in the Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition, hosted by Philly Shipyard Inc. and Rhoads Industries in Philadelphia.
Smoker’s exceptional welding skills and dedication to manufacturing trades have distinguished him as a top competitor, and he has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship to support his continued educational pursuits.
“It was a great day when my students John Smoker and Sam Oscar competed in the welding competition,” said TCHS welding and fab-
rication instructor Robert Melascaglia. “Twenty-seven students from around 20 schools participated, with John taking first place. The competition was challenging, requiring precise specifications and technical skills.”
Melascaglia added, “John particularly impressed the judges. He’s an outstanding student - a team player who always helps others and maintains a positive attitude. His hard work paid off: he won $600 worth of welding supplies, including a new welding helmet and grinder, along with a $1,500 American Welding Society Welding Scholarship.”
Ethel Kay (Thompson) Yates, of Lincoln University, Pa., passed away in Newark, Del. on December 4, 2024. She was 87. She was the beloved wife of the late Walter Larry Yates, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage. Born in Upland, Pa., she was the daughter of the late John Thompson and the late Elizabeth (Ingram) Thompson.
Kay treasured her family and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her most prized possession was a canvas photograph which captured all her children and grandchildren.
She met Larry during high school on a bus trip to a basketball game. They became fast friends and were married a couple years after she graduated. They raised their family in rural Chester County, referred to as “The Sticks” by their family and friends.
Kay, along with her husband, Larry, was a member of West Grove United Methodist Church for over 60
This achievement aligns with the TCHS vision of fostering technical expertise and career-readiness in its students, contributing to a pipeline of skilled, capable individuals for the manufacturing industry. The Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition has served as an exceptional platform for students to demonstrate their potential and for communities to celebrate the value of Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Now in his senior year at Oxford Area High School, John is looking forward to a co-op opportunity at M. Davis & Sons, Inc. in Kennett Square.
The TCHS welding program prepares students for high-paying careers in the welding industry. Graduates gain skills and certifications for roles like welding technicians or welder fabricators and can advance to specialized positions such as pipeliners or welding inspectors. The program also supports pathways to engineering careers, including welding engineer roles. Salaries in the industry range from $51,000 to $85,000, offering strong earning potential.
For more information about TCHS and to apply, please visit technicalcollegehighschool.org.
KAY YATES
years. She enjoyed volunteering for church events and had many treasured friends there. She worked at her children’s elementary school while they attended there and later as a banker at Commonwealth Federal Savings in Oxford.
Kay took joy in attending family gatherings. She never missed a holiday or birthday celebration. She was the glue that bound the family together. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing clothes for her children, wedding parties, and baby quilts for her grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and passed down many cherished recipes to her family. She made a great pot of meatballs and sauce and loved sharing cheesecake and pretzel salad at gatherings.
She shared lifelong friendships and enjoyed going antique hunting. She also liked to go to yard sales and craft fairs. She loved playing cards, participating in her church’s sewing circle, and shopping with the family.
Following Larry’s death, her dog, Hope, was a great companion. She kept Kay active with her daily walks and fostered great fellowship with the other dog owners in the neighborhood.
Kay is survived by her family, whom she adored, includ-
ing one son, Dale Yates (Nancy) of New London, Pa.; two daughters, Nancy Yates Narvell (Todd) of Hockessin, Del. and Shelly Ciafre (Rodney) of West Grove; ten grandchildren, Matthew, Megan, Kristine, Ashley, Amanda, Steven, Eric, Eleazar, Ezekiel and Lydia; and twelve great-grandchildren, Hailey, Matthew, Jaime, Jack, John, Christopher, Sloane, Nancy Ann, Makenzie, Travis, Eric James, and Benjamin; and one little dog, Hope.
In addition to her parents and husband, Kay was predeceased by her brother, John Thompson and granddaughter-in-law, Samantha Luff.
Memorial services were held on December 12 at West Grove United Methodist Church in West Grove.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to West Grove United Methodist Church, 300 North Guernsey Road, West Grove.
Arrangements are being handled by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-7348100) of Kennett Square. To view Kay’s online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
Courtesy photo James Richards
Courtesy photo
LCH Health and Community Services announced the return of its dental services, and will bring its highquality oral health care back to the local community.
Courtesy photo
Instructor Robert Melascaglia is pictured with TCHS student John Smoker, the recipient of a first-place award in the Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition.
