Toomey talks economy, odds of federal shutdown during Chesco visit

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R) gets a tour of the facility from Lord’s Pantry Executive Director Jan Leaf, Monday in Downingtown. U.S. Senator said he thinks shutdown is doubtful; seeks new policies to get economy moving By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times DOWNINGTOWN — U.S Sen. Pat Toomey spent much of Monday morning in Chester County, visiting a local food bank and attending a Veterans’ Administration...

What To Do: Pops Goes The Holiday

Also: West Chester Christmas Parade and more get holiday season going By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Kennett Symphony has just the thing to get you into the holiday mood, it annual holiday concert at Unionville High School, Dec. 5. While many of the holiday attractions are treats for the eyes and the taste buds, there is an ongoing holiday tradition in Kennett Square that is a treat...

On Stage: Mame is the perfect antidote for holiday stress

Also, Rusted Root comes home to Pennsylvania; Forbert at Flash By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Rosemary Benson stars in the title role in “Mame” at the Candlelight Theater. For a small portion of the population — mostly computer geeks — “Mame” is an acronym for an emulator application designed to recreate the hardware of arcade game systems in software on modern...

Commissioners OK 2016 budget, no tax hike

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2016 budget Thursday, resulting in no tax increase for county residents. The 2016 budget aligns with the priorities and goals of Chester County’s Strategic Plan which were updated this year. Seven years of development and implementation of the Plan have led Chester County to the achievement of a very high percentage of...

Commissioners OK halt of payments to state due to budget impasse

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Board of Commissioners said Thursday they would stop sending funds to the state — about $4 million a month on average — collected by county row offices, in light of the ongoing state budget impasse, which has cut state funds to county services. The three commissioners, chair Terence Farrell, vie Kathi Cozzone and Commissioner Michelle Kitchline issued the...

Local congressmen applaud passage of bipartisan education bill

Expected to be signed by Pres. Obama, law would return local control to states By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Chester County Congressmen Pat Meehan (Left, R-7) and Ryan Costello (Right, R-6) backed revisions to federal education laws, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Two Chester County Congressman praised the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives, Wednesday, of legislation...

QVC, West Chester gear up for holiday parade, Friday

QVC Program Host Nancy Hornback celebrates at last year’s parade in downtown West Chester. WEST CHESTER — The 36th annual Mars Drinks Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade Presented by QVC will be shared with millions of homes across the country as QVC, Inc. broadcasts it live from downtown West Chester on Friday, Dec. 4, beginning at 7:15pm. QVC program hosts, including Masters of Ceremonies Carolyn...

Legion, Sheriff’s Office & A. Duie Pyle to host wreath laying for fallen Vets

Community is encouraged to donate and attend December 12 ceremony By Kim Chiomento, News Editor, The Times OXFORD – The Oxford American Legion Post and Wreaths Across America (WAA) invites the Chester County Community to consider supporting the purchase of wreaths to be placed at the headstones of 1,200 fallen veterans and honor them with a wreath laying ceremony scheduled for December 12, at...

All About Connecting: Five rules for online dating

Be realistic, have a plan and know who you are and what you want By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Ladies, it’s that time of year again. It’s the season of cocktail parties, mistletoe, and Victoria Secret underwear hot enough to warm up anyone, even on the coldest of nights. It’s also that time of year when after a few drinks, friends and strangers begin begging me to divulge my best-kept...

On Your Table: Holiday food traditions

From cookies to meals, what we cook at the holidays helps define the time of year By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times Recently, friends came to my house to share holiday treats and stories of their family food traditions.  Their recipes hold long-treasured memories kept alive by us for the next generation. While we come from different places — Hungary, Italy, the Ukraine,...