Lies, damn lies and our legislative Republicans

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa If you or I left work early for vacation with a ton of work undone, we’d probably be in trouble — me with readers and advertisers, you with your boss. Yet, our beloved state House of Representatives bailed on their work in Harrisburg, with a stack of work undone, so they can go home and campaign for to keep the job so many of them seem unwilling...

How dental offices are working to keep you safe

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times It’s been a complicated year for everyone. In the dental world we have faced full business shutdowns, treating only emergency patients while scrambling for overpriced and undelivered PPE and taking care of our patients during a time of overall uncertainty. Dentists and dental employees alike were weighing the pros and cons of returning...

Commissioners announce COVID grants to county school districts

Chester County Commissioners allocate $10 million in CARES funds to support public schools in Chester County impacted by COVID-19. Pictured with a check for $10 million presented to the Chester County Intermediate Unit are (from left to right): Dr. Emilie Lonardi, District Superintendent, Downingtown Area School District; Dr. George Fiore, Executive Director, Chester County Intermediate Unit; Chester...

The going is about to get tough again, but hang in there, there is an end in sight

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa With slightly more than two weeks until the election, you’re probably tired of hearing about it, tired of wondering when we’re going to beat this pandemic, tired of working from home, tired of teaching your kids and frankly, just tired of it all. I don’t blame you, it’s been an exhausting year. You can’t make plans — who knows what’s...

Commissioners announce $10M for childcare subsidies and $5M for childcare providers hurt by COVID-19

Chester County Commissioners announce $15 million in childcare grants for families and childcare businesses impacted by COVID-19. Pictured left to right are Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Josh Maxwell, Downingtown Area School District Superintendent Dr. Emilie Lonardi, Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Marion Moskowitz and Chester County Intermediate Unit Executive Director...

Will new COVID spike tamp down in-person voting, leading to a GOP disaster?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa On Saturday, The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 1,742 new cases of COVID-19, the highest number reported in the state since April. National sources reported about 55,000 new cases — without Florida numbers — and nearly 1,000 deaths. Since there appear to be no new restrictions to limit the spread of the virus on the horizon, we’re...

Commissioners launch ‘Simple Ask: Wear A Mask’ campaign to battle COVID

Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Marian Moskowitz, Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell and Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline launch the public health campaign called “Simple Ask: Wear a Mask” to support local businesses and protect the public as COVID-19 converges with the start of the flu season. During this most critical time when COVID-19 is converging with the start...

Chesco Prison inmates charged with COVID-related benefits fraud

PHILADELPHIA – First Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that twelve Chester County Prison inmates and their accomplices were charged federally with fraudulently applying for and obtaining emergency unemployment benefits related to COVID-19.  The defendants are charged with submitting false applications claiming that the prison inmates lost jobs as a result...

Pa. legislative Republicans show irresponsibility — again — in new COVID outbreak

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa It’s been a long year, considering it’s just been a week. I can’t list the entire magnum of chaos that happened this past week in D.C., so I’m going to focus on the ones that immediately impact voting in Pennsylvania and Chester County. Keeping it local, it looks like the Republicans in the legislature were saved from themselves when State...

West Chester declares emergency after COVID spike

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa WEST CHESTER — Facing a spike in COVID-19 cases, especially among college-age residents, the borough declared a state of emergency, Friday. The emergency limits the size of gatherings in the borough — indoor and outdoors — to 10 people. It also expands the state’s mandate for mask wearing, basically requiring it anywhere outside the home —...