County convenes reentry coalition to help those returning to the community

Melanie Snyder, Consultant for Reentry, Trauma, Resilience and Trauma-Informed Care, leads Chester County’s Reentry Coalition kick-off meeting.
The Chester County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) held a kickoff meeting of the Chester County Reentry Coalition on June 1 to develop a strategic plan that supports those reintegrating into the community after being in prison. In addition to...
Houlahan celebrates opening of Piasecki in Valley

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan at the Piasecki ribbon cutting ceremony.
On Wednesday, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-6) celebrated the opening of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC)’s new Heliplex facility in Coatesville. Houlahan had the opportunity to view several models of vertical lift aircraft manufactured by Piasecki and learn of others to be produced at the state-of-the-art research and development...
Hibernia Park gets new wildflower meadow

Chester County Parks and Trails Manager Owen Prusack in one of the County Parks’ established native wildflower and warm season grass meadows.
With the planting of a new five-acre native wildflower and warm season grass meadow at Hibernia County Park, the Chester County Department of Parks + Preservation is adding to the sustainable ecosystems that already exist at Hibernia as well as Nottingham...
DASD hires three new administrators

(left to right) Board President LeeAnn Wisdo m, Lauren Raines, Dr. Matt Barr and Superintendent Dr. Robert O’Donnell. Not pictured: Jarvin Williams.
The Downingtown Area School District (DASD) Board of School Directors approved the appointment of three school administrators on May 10, 2023.
Dr. Matt Barr was named the next principal of Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center, and Lauren Raines and Jarvin...
County OKs $2.5M in open space grants

Site of the adaptive kayak launch and boat ramp rehabilitation project at Riverside Park in North Coventry Township,one of the recipients of a park improvement grant through the Chester County Preservation Partnership Program.
The Chester County Commissioners approved the awarding of $2.5 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants today at the public Commissioners’ meeting....
On Stage: Chesco resident Giddings made the journey from the UK and to the stage

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Some years ago, Susan Giddings made the 3,500-mile journey from the London area of England to the Philadelphia area – more specifically from Hartfordshire to Chester County.
Once in America, Giddings became involved with theater.
Now, she is playing one of the major roles in the production of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” which is running...
15 graduate from county firefighter training program

Fifteen Firefighter Cadets graduated from Chester County’s Firefighter I Training Program on May 17, earning National and State Firefighting Certifications.
Fifteen Firefighter Cadets graduated from Chester County’s Department of Emergency Services Firefighter I Training Program on Wednesday, May 17. The graduates are from East Brandywine Fire Company, First West Chester Fire Company, Glenmoore...
County to hold first Veterans Resource Fair on June 10

The Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs and the County’s Veterans Advisory Council announce the county’s first Veterans Resource Fair, providing valuable information for veterans on programs and services that benefit them and their families. Scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the event takes place at the offices of Greencastle Consulting, 400...
Simpson steps down from Coatesville City Council

Ed Simpson
Leaving big shoes to fill, Councilman Ed Simpson announced his retirement from Coatesville City Council after serving the City’s residents for more than two decades. During a City Council meeting on April 24, 2023, Simpson shared his decision to resign due to a move to be closer to family members. While they remain Chester County residents, he and his wife Terry moved outside of the...
On Stage: Jesse Ruben comes home for show at World Cafe Live

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Jesse Ruben
For Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Jesse Ruben, his show on May 12 at the World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com) is a much-anticipated homecoming.
Ruben, who moved to New York 12 years ago, grew up in Maple Glen and graduated from Upper Dublin High School. He went on to earn a degree in songwriting...