Better days are coming, hang in there

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa It’s not hard to see that the majority of frustration of folks around Chester County right now is difficulty in scheduling to get a COVID-19 vaccine — if you read social media, it’s everywhere and it is understandable. We’re hitting a wall, annoyed and tired of the pandemic and everything required to keep people safe. It’s been a long year...

Elected officials reach out to schedule vaccine appointments

Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline (right) making phone calls to county residents to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments, Saturday. Also pictured are (background left to right) State Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19), and State Rep. Dan Williams (D-74. WEST CHESTER — All three Chester County Commissioners, and a number of state elected officials joined Chester County Health Department staff...

Coroner says 7 deaths due to cold weather

The Chester County Coroner’s Office has investigated seven winter weather-related fatalities so far this year. Hypothermia caused or contributed to the deaths of six Chester County residents. Four persons were found outdoors and two died inside homes with inadequate or no heat. Ages of these decedents ranged from 59 to 87, and all but one were male. Alcohol intoxication played a role in one death,...

County officials push state on vaccine numbers, explain guidance for schools reopening

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Chester County Commissioners’ chair Marian Moskowitz updates the public on the current status of COVID-19 vaccine in the county, Thursday. WESTTOWN — The leaders of Chester County’s government expressed frustration at low supplies of COVID-19 vaccine — and pledged to keep pushing state officials to boost supplies locally, specifically...

Chesco FOP donates scholarship funds to boost police diversity

President Steve Plaugher (Left) and Vice President Bob McCarron, Chester County FOP, announce a donation of scholarship funds for a student of color to attend the Municipal Police Academy. WEST CHESTER — During Black History Month, the Chester County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) provided $6,800 for tuition and stipend toward diversifying local law enforcement. The donation contributed to an...

WCU clinic demonstrates potential model for large county vaccine events

Chester County residents in Phase 1A received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Saturday, at the large-scale clinic established through a partnership between Chester County Hospital and the Chester County Health Department. WEST CHESTER — Two of Chester County’s leading COVID-19 vaccine providers came together on Saturday for a one-day clinic that vaccinated close to 1,500 individuals...

A tale of two political parties

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa With apologies to Charles Dickens, it is a tale of two political parties. In one party, a long-serving U.S. Senator is under attack for voting his conscience — the party rejecting the idea that said senator can hold a former President responsible for sparking an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The local county committee draws up a resolution condemning...

County Health, Chester Co. Hospital partner for one-day vaccine clinic to help appointment backlog

The vaccine clinic site at West Chester University WEST CHESTER — Two of Chester County’s leading COVID-19 vaccine providers have come together to create a one-day mass vaccination clinic this Saturday, Feb. 20, for 1,500 individuals in Phase 1A who live and work in Chester County. The clinic is by appointment only, and the Chester County Health Department has contacted individuals who are...

Taming the robber barons of the Internet: Facebook and Google

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Let’s take a week off from politics and talk about….The Internet! (foreboding music plays). Well, actually not the whole Internet (do not ask me about being a cat on Zoom, I have no clue — I consider Zoom to be an insecure platform and only use it very reluctantly to watch county commission meetings), just Facebook and Google, who are the two...

County officials hit state DOH over vaccine distribution

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Graphic courtesy Chester County Chester County officials addressed public frustration with the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, issuing a statement Friday afternoon, expressing frustration with the state Department of Health’s (DOH) inability to meet the county’s needs. The statement makes clear that Chester County officials feel the county is not getting...