Let’s be blunt about it: Russ Diamond is a jerk

By Mike McGann, Editor The Times @mikemcgannpa There are good people (lots, actually) and then — well, and unfortunately there’s no better way to put it — some people are reprehensible jerks (and yes, I wanted to use a more succinct expletive, but it seemed immature). One of the biggest in Pennsylvania is a State Representative from Lebanon County, Russ Diamond. After State Health Secretary Rachel...

Mad about the pandemic? Don’t blame Gov. Wolf

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Don’t blame Gov. Tom Wolf. With COVID-19 cases rising again in Pennsylvania, Wolf surgically put the brakes on — closing some bars and limiting restaurant capacity in the state this week. Yes, for those businesses, it stinks. But such locales proved to be the nexus of infection growth since the state partially reopened. Don’t blame Wolf. For the...

Wolf moves to shut bars, limit restaurant capacity, as COVID-19 numbers spike again

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Bar service is going to be limited again in Pennsylvania as COVID-19 cases are growing again in the state. With COVID-19 numbers starting the creep up again in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf is hitting the brakes — especially when it comes to bars and restaurants — because people within the state aren’t always wearing masks, too many people are ignoring...

Wolf extends band on foreclosures and evictions through Aug. 31

Gov. Tom Wolf Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday signed a new executive order that protects homeowners and renters from eviction or foreclosure until Aug. 31, if they have not received assistance from a new program administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) or are not already receiving relief through one of several federal foreclosure moratorium programs or judicial orders. Lenders and property...

State, local officials remind everyone to wear a mask

On Tuesday, state and federal officials — including  Chester County legislator — joined Gov. Tom Wolf in reminding Pennsylvanians to wear a mask to reduce the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. “As we increasingly resume public activities in our commonwealth, we need to remain vigilant about taking precautions, especially wearing a mask that covers our noses and mouths while around other people,”...

Wolf was right; early reopening is killing people & the economy elsewhere

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa A few weeks back, I wrote a column suggesting that the people of Chester County be careful, listen to health experts, wear a mask, wash their hands frequently and continue social distancing as we worked through the process to reopen our county and state, carefully, and slowly. And while it is clear most of the residents in the county agreed — we continue...

Wolf broadens rules for wearing masks

By Mike McGann, Editor The Times @mikemcgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf has a simple message for Pennsylvanians: if you’re not home, wear a mask. Always. Wolf expanded his order on masks Wednesday to include pretty much every activity outside of the home with an eye on slowing the spread of COVID-19, which experienced its highest rate of new cases in the US ever on Wednesday — and alarming growth in Allegheny...

Chesco goes Green; most businesses allowed to reopen

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa After more than three months of COVID-19 shutdown, Chester County is largely opening up today. While virtually no businesses will reopen at full capacity, everything beyond those that require large public gatherings (concerts, sporting events, etc) are allowed to resume operation as of today. Still, there are limits — COVID-19 is raging through many...

Wolf: Chesco to go Green, June 26

Updated, 1:20 p.m., adds Wolf comments, Levine comments By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa One more week to go. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that Chester County would be among the next counties in the state to move to Green Status on June 26 — meaning pretty much all businesses will be able to reopen — as Pennsylvania slowly reopens from locking down to fight the deadly COVID-19...

Continuing the conversation about race

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Like it or not, we need to keep talking about race. While the killing of George Floyd was the straw that broke the camel’s back, the rising level of anger over racism has been growing for years. Since Donald Trump’s election, those who hate on the basis of skin color seem to feel like they have been given a green light to openly express their racism....