County, state continue to clash over vaccine distribution
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
While President Joe Biden announced that states will have to allow universal scheduling of COVID-19 vaccine appointments after May 1 for everyone over age 18, local officials continue to express worry that the state Department of Health is still not sending the county its fair share of vaccine, leading to widespread frustration by those in the first phase...
Chester County wins award for excellence in financial reporting
WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Controller’s Office received notification recently of an award bestowed upon them by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting was presented to County Controller Margaret Reif and her staff for the 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which was...
Sheriff: demand for concealed firearm carry permits spiked in second half of 2020
WEST CHESTER – In the third and fourth quarters of 2020, the demand for permits to carry concealed firearms skyrocketed in Chester County. The demand continues and the Chester County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has taken steps to double the number of applications processed.
To keep up with the increased demand for License-to-Carry (LTC) permits, the CCSO has added weekend hours to allow more applications...
Local officials blast Wolf Admin. over ‘shortchanging’ SE counties on COVID-19 vaccine
A Sunday meeting between local elected officials and officials from the state Department of Health (DOH) did little to convince officials from Chester, Montgomery, Delaware and Bucks county that DOH has not shortchanged the region when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine — and that the state will continue to shortchange the counties surrounding Philadelphia.
The meeting — with county commissioners, county...
Better days are coming, hang in there
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
It’s not hard to see that the majority of frustration of folks around Chester County right now is difficulty in scheduling to get a COVID-19 vaccine — if you read social media, it’s everywhere and it is understandable. We’re hitting a wall, annoyed and tired of the pandemic and everything required to keep people safe.
It’s been a long year since...
Elected officials reach out to schedule vaccine appointments
Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline (right) making phone calls to county residents to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments, Saturday. Also pictured are (background left to right) State Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19), and State Rep. Dan Williams (D-74.
WEST CHESTER — All three Chester County Commissioners, and a number of state elected officials joined Chester County Health Department staff and...
Coroner says 7 deaths due to cold weather
The Chester County Coroner’s Office has investigated seven winter weather-related fatalities so far this year. Hypothermia caused or contributed to the deaths of six Chester County residents. Four persons were found outdoors and two died inside homes with inadequate or no heat. Ages of these decedents ranged from 59 to 87, and all but one were male. Alcohol intoxication played a role in one death,...
County officials push state on vaccine numbers, explain guidance for schools reopening
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
Chester County Commissioners’ chair Marian Moskowitz updates the public on the current status of COVID-19 vaccine in the county, Thursday.
WESTTOWN — The leaders of Chester County’s government expressed frustration at low supplies of COVID-19 vaccine — and pledged to keep pushing state officials to boost supplies locally, specifically to the...
Chesco FOP donates scholarship funds to boost police diversity
President Steve Plaugher (Left) and Vice President Bob McCarron, Chester County FOP, announce a donation of scholarship funds for a student of color to attend the Municipal Police Academy.
WEST CHESTER — During Black History Month, the Chester County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) provided $6,800 for tuition and stipend toward diversifying local law enforcement. The donation contributed to an initiative...
WCU clinic demonstrates potential model for large county vaccine events
Chester County residents in Phase 1A received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Saturday, at the large-scale clinic established through a partnership between Chester County Hospital and the Chester County Health Department.
WEST CHESTER — Two of Chester County’s leading COVID-19 vaccine providers came together on Saturday for a one-day clinic that vaccinated close to 1,500 individuals in...