Brandywine Picnic Park leads collection for Harvey victims

By JP Phillips, Correspondent, The Times People dropping off donations on a rainy Saturday at Brandywine Picnic Park to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey. EAST BRADFORD — The owners of Brandywine Picnic Park and Hickory House Catering are no strangers to dealing with floods. Gripping the banks of Brandywine Creek just outside of West Chester, the park floods at least once per year. A three-inch...

Local mushroom grower to hold Harvey donation collection

KENNETT SQUARE — The area’s mushroom growers are working to give back to the community, especially those impacted by Hurricane Harvey — starting with a pair of community drives next week. South Mill, one of the largest mushroom growers and distributors in the area, has opened their Cypress Street facility for donations going to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. In addition to a financial...

Chesco planning launches photo contest

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Planning Commission launched a Landscapes3 photo contest at noon today to highlight the county’s greatest asset: people. The Planning Commission is seeking photos of people as they live, work, visit, or play in Chester County. The photos can focus on people in different settings, including businesses, homes, downtowns, public community events, and outdoors,...

Two face charges of seeking ‘murder for hire’

Christopher Pickard Two people from State College are facing charges that they engaged in a murder for hire scheme to silence a potential witness in a drug bust earlier this year in Charlestown. District Attorney Tom Hogan said that Christopher Pickard and Latrice Harrington attempted to arrange the death of another person — presumably a person who was in the car with Pickard when he was arrested...

Costello announces $2.4M grant for Schuylkill Highlands

Rep. Ryan Costello receives a tour of Hopewell Furnace from National Historic Site Manager David Blackburn in August of 2017 Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6) Thursday announced the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has received an award in the amount of $2,420,000 for land acquisition in the Schuylkill Highlands Project Area. The grant is through the federal Highlands Conservation...

Chesco’s Kichline and Cozzone elected as officers for Pa. County Commissioners Association

Chester County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (left) and Michelle Kichline (center) were recently elected as 2018 officers of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). Commissioner Terence Farrell (right) will serve as CCAP District 5 representative. WEST CHESTER — Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Kathi Cozzone were recently elected as officers of the County...

Police make arrest in hate gaffiti

COATESVILLE – City police say they’ve arrested a city man in connection with a series of Neo-Nazi inspired hate graffiti incidents in the city and in neighboring Valley. George F. Rissell, 24, was taken into custody after police received an anonymous tip via a smart phone app, combined with images from various surveillance cameras near where the incidents took place. With that information,...

Van de Krol to replace Crossan as Clerk of Courts candidate

Yolanda Van de Krol WEST CHESTER – The county’s Democratic Party announced formally on Wednesday that Yolanda de Krol will replace Maria Crossan on the fall ballot for Clerk of Courts. Crossan withdrew from the race, citing family concerns, earlier this month. The party’s Executive Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to back Van de Krol. She will face Republican Robin Marcello,...

Officials denounce Neo-Nazi graffiti in Coatesville, Valley

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Police are looking for information about who tagged walls, signs, pavement and a car with racist graffiti in Coatesville’s West End and neighboring Valley Township, late Tuesday evening. According to police, a person or persons spray painted swastikas and racial epithets on walls garage doors and a Mercedes Benz, along with Neo-Nazi/White Supremacists codes....

Cozzone pledges to continue bipartisan work in bid for Lt. Gov.

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times State Rep. Carolyn Comitta speaks during Tuesday’s formal announcement by County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone that she would run for Lt. Gov. WEST CHESTER — County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone formally announced her candidacy for Lt. Governor, Tuesday, surrounded by supporters, friends and family on the steps of the historic old courthouse. The formal decision...