Hundreds of homeless in county spur changes

New toll-free number proves popular addition to proactive approach  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times This makeshift housing typifies what volunteers saw during the “point-in-time” count in January that revealed 625 Chester County citizens without a permanent residence. Wielding flashlights and cartons of supplies – clothes, food and blankets – a team of volunteers sloshed...

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,...

Commissioners ax jury commissioners’ post – again

Two Republicans continue opposition to job; lone Democrat disagrees  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Democratic Jury Commissioner Martha Smith listens as Commissioners’ Chairman Ryan Costello explains why he plans to vote to eliminate the elected position Smith has held for more than 13 years. The roller-coaster ride for Chester County’s two jury commissioners continued Wednesday...

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...

County bids quasi-farewell to longtime administrator

Human services director retires but will stay on until replacement is found Although Ruth E. Kranz-Carl has retired as head of the county’s Department of Human Services, she will work part time until her replacement is found. A retirement send-off for a longtime county administrator on Thursday came off jokingly a bit half-baked. That’s because Ruth E. Kranz-Carl, who has spent more than three...

For second time, county gets top bill of health

National study puts Chesco at top of state rankings By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left), Terence Farrell, and Ryan Costello are applauding a new study that ranked county as “healthiest” in Pennsylvania. Less than two weeks before the county prepares to celebrate National Public Health Week starting on April 1, it has received...

County leader elected to regional post for statewide advocacy group

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone will represent District Five of the Pa. County Commissioners Association  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone said she is pleased and honored to represent District Five of the state County Commissioners Association. When local officials grapple with the aftershocks of state and federal mandates, the County Commissioners Association...