Octorara school president killed in plane crash in W. Caln

Sam Ganow The President of the Octorara Area School District, Sam Ganow, was killed Thursday when his the plane he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff from Chester County Airport. Ganow, 65, a long-time member of the OASD board, died when the Grumman GA-7 Cougar twin-engine plane he was flying crashed two minutes after takeoff in a wooded area in West Caln, near Old Wilmington Road. Investigators...

Groundhog sees his shadow; early Spring coming?

Although generally a mild winter so far for Chester County, the Commonwealth’s most famous groundhog predicted Friday that an early Spring would come this year. Pennsylvania’s very own world-famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring after not seeing his shadow this morning at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney — marking the 21st time Phil has not seen his shadow during the...

Lionville Middle School’s Kirby named outstanding PA Asst. Principal for 2024

Andrew W. Kirby Andrew W. Kirby, Assistant Principal of Lionville Middle School (LMS) in the Downingtown Area School District, was selected as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Principals Association. As a state winner in the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Outstanding Assistant Principal (NOAP) of the Year Program,...

County’s 9-1-1 Center moves to New emergency call infrastructure

Chester County Telecommunicator Mike Arganetto in the Chester County 9-1-1 Center. Chester County has transitioned to the new Next Generation 9-1-1 Statewide Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network, a faster and more efficient way for the 9-1-1 call center to receive emergency calls. The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) transitioned today its Emergency Communications Center...

Penn Medicine opts out of deal to acquire Brandywine Hospital site

Brandywine Hospital. File photo. Citing construction costs and building issues, Penn Medicine has opted out of an agreement to purchase the old Brandywine Hospital, Friday. Penn is expected to look for another facility in the area, which would be used for VA medical services and potentially emergency and acute care for the Coatesville area. Tower Health, which owns the facility an operated it until...

County Democrats announce 2024 endorsements

Chester County’s Democratic Party incumbents for state Senate and House seats were all endorsed at Wednesday night’s endorsement convention leading up to the April 23 Primary Election. Only two of the General Assembly races were contested, with the 155th District’s incumbent Danielle Friel Otten receiving endorsement, and Elizabeth Moro receiving endorsement for the 160th District...

Commissioners OK new water resource plan

Chambers Lake, a water supply reservoir and regional flood control facility of the Chester County Water Resources Authority, features in the County’s new Watersheds 2045 water resources plan. Following a public hearing this week, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe approved the Chester County Water Resources Authority’s (CCWRA) Watersheds 2045, a plan that...

DASD to move to later start times in 2024-25

Downingtown Area School District is the latest Chester County school district to move to later start times. Downingtown Area School District (DASD) is taking a major step towards improving student health and academic success by implementing a 20-minute later start time for its secondary schools (grades 9-12) starting in the 2024-25 school year. Currently, all DASD seventh- through twelfth-grade schools...

Pielli announces run for reelction

State Rep. Chris Pielli (D-156) State Representative Chris Pielli has announced his candidacy for re­election as State Representative for House District 156. “Serving as your State Representative for PA 156 is one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life” stated Chris. “When I first ran, I promised that I would give everything I could for every constituent i n my district, regardless of...

WCU awarded $60K grant through PA Hunger-free Campus grant

  West Chester University Resource Pantry The Governor’s Office and the Pennsylvania Department of Education have announced that West Chester University has been selected to receive state grant funding in the amount of $60,000 from the 2023-2024 PA Hunger-Free Campus grant, as part of the Governor’s PA Hunger-Free Campus program. Now in its second year, the grant is designed to combat student...