Parents angered over E. Fallowfield school water outage

Slated to reopen Thursday after county health department mandated Wednesday closure By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times EAST FALLOWFIELD — East Fallowfield Elementary School is scheduled to reopen Thursday morning, after a failed water pump closed the school Wednesday — but a number of the school’s parents expressed anger over the district’s handling of the matter. The pump broke at about...

Free children vaccines on August 22

Parents can register their children now for the free vaccine Free vaccines will be available at the Coatesville Center for Community Health on August 22. Free back to school vaccines for children will be provided by the Chester County Health Department on Thursday, August 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Coatesville Center for Community Health, located at 1001 E. Lincoln Highway. All children must...

County health launches RoadMAPP Website

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Health Department announced that the Chester County Health Assessment: RoadMAPP to Health website was launched yesterday. This project is a collaborative effort involving many health agencies and community organizations in Chester County who will assess the health of our community, identify the major issues, and develop a Community Health Improvement Plan to address...

County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile

Five townships produce first local evidence of virus in 2013, says Health Dept. A Southern House Mosquito, one of a number of breeds of mosquitos known to carry the West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes trapped in Birmingham Township have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), the Chester County Health Department reported Thursday. Tests on mosquitoes collected in Birmingham, Schuylkill, Thornbury, Upper...

County working to help residents beat heat

Shelters will double as cooling stations, transportation for seniors will increase Fans for seniors who qualify will be available through the Chester County Office of Aging Services. Call 610-344-6350 for information. In response to the excessive heat warning issued Monday by the National Weather Service – in effect through 8 p.m. on Wednesday – the Chester County Health Department and the Chester...

County finally gets new Health Dept. head

Ga. woman with local ties will replace director who resigned in Dec. By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Jeanne Casner will start Aug. 26 as director of the Chester County Health Department, the commissioners said Thursday. After months of searching, Chester County has a new director for its acclaimed Health Department, the county commissioners said Thursday. At their regular meeting,...

Tips to avoid ticks, mosquitos, summer woes

County Health Department urges residents to take safety precautions The Chester County Health Department recommends creating a barrier of mulch or wood chips between woods and yards to reduce the risk of ticks. With summer in full swing, the Chester County Health Department wants to remind residents to take precautions inside and outside the home to avoid injuries and insect-borne diseases. West...

Federal test: County well-prepared for disaster

For third consecutive year, it earned perfect score on readiness assessment By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times For the third year in a row, Chester County received a perfect score in emergency readiness from federal evaluators. For the third consecutive year, Chester County has received a perfect score of 100 on the 2013 Federal Technical Assistance Review (TAR), an annual assessment...

Warmer weather brings West Nile threat

County’s Health Department urges precautions to avoid breeding, bites This Pro-Mist electric ULV sprayer is one of the tools used by the state to control adult mosquitoes that could spread West Nile virus. The Chester County Health Department reminds Chester residents that along with warmer weather comes mosquito season and the threat of West Nile virus, which first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2000. In...

County to observe National Public Health Week

Variety of public events will provide Rx for community well-being National Public Health Week is designed to help raise awareness about healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. Even before a national survey last week deemed Chester County the healthiest county in the state for the second time, its Health Department had planned numerous events to celebrate National Public Health Week starting on...