Longwood FC continues to adapt to COVID-19 needs

EAST MARLBOROUGH  — To continue to provide vital services to the community, Longwood Fire Company has adapted to adverse conditions caused by the Coronavirus.  “Our volunteers and career members are navigating this serious crisis,” said Chief A. J. McCarthy. “No doubt about it, COVID has had a negative financial impact on Longwood. Despite the obstacles, all of the members of Longwood...

COVID Update, Nov. 23: Wolf issues stay at home advisory, new limits on schools, gatherings

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf warned Monday that the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen seriously in commonwealth with today’s peak cases that average more than 6,000 per day could spike to more than 22,000 per day by December and overwhelm the state’s hospital system, asking — but not ordering – residents to stay home as much as possible. Wolf did announce some...

Families urged to apply for COVID-19 childcare grants from county

WEST CHESTER — As families struggle to cover the cost of childcare during COVID-19, the Chester County Commissioners are urging them to apply for financial relief before the December 30, 2020 deadline. The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), which administers Chester County’s childcare grant program, says as of Wednesday, 639 families representing 1,135 children have been approved for...

We will remember who is backing this coup

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa This madness is not just on President Donald Trump, who continues to to make ridiculously false claims about the election. This is not about Rudolph Giuliani, who went into federal court this week, literally seeking to set aside your vote in Pennsylvania, with crazed conspiracy claims untethered from reality. Yes, they spew ridiculous conspiracy theories...

On Stage: COVID spike means brief run of live shows coming to an end

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Pete Davidson The old saying, “If you snooze, you lose,” is valid for a wide variety of situations. If you don’t take advantage of watermelon and fresh-picked corn on the market shelves during the summer and early fall, don’t be disappointed when you look for it now and it’s long gone. The signs were there. Growing seasons only last so...

COVID 19 Update, Nov. 18: State sets records for cases, hospitalizations, state tightens some rules, no changes for Chesco as yet

Editor’s Note: After nearly daily updates from late March through June, the pandemic eased enough for use to reduce coverage. The recent explosion of cases, hospitalizations and deaths nationally and in state have prompted a return to semi-regular reports again. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The Wolf Administration moved to boost COVID-19 mitigation efforts, as case numbers...

As pandemic rages, we can’t give up the fight

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The election is over — Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States. You know what’s not over? The COVID-19 pandemic. More than 180,000 new cases were reported Friday, some 5,500 in Pennsylvania. Over the last week, Chester County is averaging 100 new cases a day — and generally speaking, we’re doing better than average, But still...

Even with overwhelming Biden win in Chesco, Democrats have concerns down ballot in coming elections

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa To be blunt: what the @#$% was that? Looking over the Chester County election results there were a couple of head scratchers — and races that defied the polling and conventional wisdom (especially mine). While Joe Biden winning Chester County by a remarkable 17 points was a bit of a surprise, he had virtually no coattails. Typically, such a blow...

Commissioners announce $2.5M COVID-19 emergency responder organization support program

Chester County fire, EMS and law enforcement organizations to receive $2.5 million in grants to cover equipment needs and to offset unplanned expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured left is Lieutenant Pat Griffin, firefighter/EMT and, right, Rob Castaldi, firefighter/paramedic of Paoli Fire Station, cleaning equipment to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. WEST CHESTER — Chester...

If you haven’t voted yet, you can vote safely Tuesday if you use a little caution

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa On Tuesday, many of us will vote. Of course, here in Chester County, more than 100,000 people have returned their mail-in ballots (that number is probably low — I assume many more ballots will have shown up, maybe 40,000 more, by the time you read this — if you have a ballot, please take it to a drop off box right away). Still, it is safe to assume...