Pennsylvania launches new designated-driver initiative

Inspired by young ensign’s death, campaign aims to prevent similar tragedies State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan was one of the speakers at a news conference announcing Pennsylvania’s participation in a designated-driver campaign to prevent tragedies on state roadways. On July 22, 2000, U.S. Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, just two months out of the Naval Academy, was killed in Salem County,...

Hogan announces new prescription drug drop off boxes

10 locations around Chester County make it easier dispose of unwanted prescriptions Various county officials inspect the medication drop box located in the Sheriff’s Office at the Chester County Justice Center, including (from left to right): Cathy Dugan from Kacie’s Cause, Lt. Kevin Dykes of the Chester County Detectives, Sheriff Carolyn B. Welsh, District Attorney Tom Hogan, State Representative...

The winery tasting room – what exactly is that?

Note to readers: this is the first installment of what we expect to be a monthly column on wine — focusing on Chester County wineries, their products and offering a little guidance about wines, how they’re made, sold and differences between varieties. By Lele Galer and Alicia Lyons, Special to The Times Most wineries around the world have tasting rooms which are designed for you to try a...

Kennett Square New Year’s event mushrooming

Officials report efforts to ensure fun, family-friendly entertainment The giant borough icon, sponsored by ToJo Mushrooms, is ready to be adorned with lights. Not surprisingly, Kennett’s Square’s inaugural New Year’s Eve extravaganza, which will include the lowering of a 700-pound, lighted steel shroom from a crane, is continuing to evolve, and borough officials said they are working with...

West Brandywine dog-fighting kingpin sentenced

Judge orders 34-year-old to spend 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison Updated at 10:45 a.m. with quote from prosecutor By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Shane Santiago, 34, of West Brandywine Township, was ordered to spend 7½ to 15 years in prison for his role in a dog-fighting operation. A West Brandywine Township man, accused by Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan of operating ...

Visiting judge denies ex-jurist’s plea for clemency

Rita A. Arnold ordered to return to state prison on Dec. 27 By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A visiting senior judge denied a defense request to reconsider the state prison term imposed two months ago on Rita A. Arnold, a former magisterial district judge A visiting judge rejected a motion for reconsideration for a former magisterial district justice in Chester County Court on...

Don’t ‘Should’ on yourself

Making overly hard judgments about yourself isn’t productive By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times As another year end quickly approaches, this is a great time to take a moment away from the rush of the holidays and reflect on the past year. Many of us started the year with resolutions, goals, and intentions about how 2013 would unfold.  For some people, life may have happened exactly as...

Walker announces bid for 158th seat

Long-time supervisor hopes to follow the retiring Ross By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Cuyler Walker EAST MARLBOROUGH — A long-time township supervisor formally announced his bid to succeed State Rep. Chris Ross Monday — Cuyler Walker will seek the Republican nomination for the 158th District. Walker, currently the chair of the township’s Board of Supervisor, has been active in the community...

Art Watch: Glasslight

By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times This week’s ArtWatch focuses on the beautiful hand blown glass work of Glasslight Studios in St. Peters Pennsylvania. Joel Bless found his passion for glass back in the 1970s when he was a student at Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of American Craftsmen.  From the start, he was drawn to making lighting art , which won many awards and was exhibited...

For ex-NFL star, funding tumor research comes from heart

Garo Yepremian seeking support for foundation honoring daughter-in-law By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Between 100,000 and 170,000 people across the country will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor this year, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. Reversing that disturbing statistic has been the goal of Garo Yepremian, a former NFL star and Avondale...