County gets $34.5M in rent/utility assistance funds

WEST CHESTER — Individuals and families in Chester County who are facing challenges in paying rent and utility bills brought on by the pandemic, can receive help through the Chester County Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance Program. Earlier this year, Chester County received $34.5 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the PA Department of Human Services, to help cover emergency rental...

On Stage: Relive the music of the 60’s with Beehive: The Musical

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The second show of the 2021-2022 season of Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) has arrived and has audiences dancing in their seats, smiling and laughing. The new production is “Beehive: The 1960’s Musical.” The members of the all-female cast ask audiences to join them for this rollicking...

YWMC to establish gymnastics training center at Oscar Lasko branch

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) is expanding its gymnastics training center located in the Oscar Lasko YMCA branch in downtown West Chester. The expansion will support the rapidly growing program at the YMCA and will include a custom, full-sized spring floor, a 10-foot tumbling track with raised safety area, two full vault lanes, a permanent preschool set up, additional equipment such as balance...

Chesco Sheriff’s Office Comfort/K-9 1st in nation to achieve national police canine therapy certification

Sgt. Janis Pickell and Comfort K-9 Marley WEST CHESTER — On June 4, Comfort K-9 Marley and his handler Sgt. Janis Pickell of the Chester County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) became the nation’s first canine team to achieve Police Service Therapy/Comfort K-9 certification through the United States Police Canine Association, Inc. (USPCA). The accreditation incorporates the first national standards and...

3 Chesco legislators embarrass themselves — and us — on anti-abortion bill vote

By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa Just when you think our “great” legislature can’t get worse, it has a “here, hold my beer” moment. Such as with HB 118, one of the most ignorant, hateful and useless pieces of legislation ever passed by any political body in history. Yes, it will be vetoed and purged by Gov. Tom Wolf.  But it should never have been introduced. It should never...

County: high vaccination rates have COVID case numbers falling

Chester County Health Officials announced Thursday that 83 percent of all eligible Chester County residents (age 12 and above) are partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Taking it one step further, of those age 18 and over (which follows the Governor’s benchmark), 92 percent are partially or fully vaccinated.  According to county health officials, these figures indicate that Chester County...

What To Do: Celebrating the stars and stripes

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Betsy Ross House This a busy time of the year for the United States flag. Many Americans like to display their flags on holidays – especially Memorial Day Weekend and Independence Day. Sandwiched between the two patriotic holidays is another special day for the Stars and Stripes – Flag Day. On June 14, 1777, Congress passed the first Flag Act, adopting...

On Stage: Roth, Tuk, Levins featured in Flash Rooptop shows

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Bryan Tuk Complex This will be a big weekend for the Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) with a trio of shows featuring highly respected veteran music acts – Arlen Roth on June 11, Bryan Tuk Complex on June 12 and Levin Brothers on June 13. It will be a hometown gig for Bryan Tuk, a Bucks County...

Don;t Retire, ReFire: What have we learned?

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Now that we’re, for the most part, back into the swing of things and the hustle and bustle of the world has returned, do you, on some level, long for the quiet of a year ago, minus the threat of a fatal virus? Are you finding it difficult to jump back in and adjust to the hectic pace that has returned or are you sighing a sigh of relief that the quiet...

With Home & Garden Tour off, Friends of Kennett Library announce raffle fundraiser

In lieu of the Bayard Taylor Home & Garden Tour this year, the Friends of Kennett Library are sponsoring a community Shop & Dine Raffle, with 31 chances to win $100 (two $50 gift certificates) to local shops and restaurants. Every day in July, they will draw a raffle ticket to win $100 in gift certificates.  So, with 31 days in July, there will be 31 chances to win!! Raffle tickets are available...