PHOENIXVILLE, PA – State officials including Gov. Tom Corbett will be visiting Aqua America‘s largest water treatment facility Friday for the unveiling of a 6.5-acre solar farm. According to a press release from Aqua America, Corbett will be at the Pickering water treatment facility around 11 a.m. as the company unveils the $6.5 million solar farm that powers the facility serving half a million residents of Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The panels will provide 1.5 megawatts of power.
Category Archives: Chester County
FREE Community Fun Fair At Cedarville UMC, North Coventry
A cooked hot dog garnished with mustard. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Cedarville United Methodist Church
1092 Laurelwood Road • Pottstown,PA
www.cedarvilleumc.org • 610-326-4173
FREE Community Fun Fair
Saturday, May 5th (Rain Date May 6th) 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
EVERYTHING Is Free of Charge – A Gift From Our Family To Yours
Bring The Children Out To Enjoy:
Bubbly Boo The Clown with Skooter the Juggler
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Pony Rides |
Moon Bounce |
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Face Painting |
Children’s Story Time |
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Games & Prizes |
Hot Dogs & Drinks |
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Popcorn |
DallasFries |
Door Prizes awarded every ½ hr and include donations by
Boneyard Joe’s, Coventry Café, The Milkman Lunch Shoppe and High Street Yoga.
Less than 1 mile from Coventry Mall
West from all to Left @ Light (Laurelwood Rd.) to Church on Left
Rt. 422 to Rt. 100 West (right) @ Cedarville Rd. Light, ½ mile to Church on Right
French Creek State Park Brush Fire Contained
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A huge brush fire that began Monday in southeastern Berks County and forced the evacuation of homes near French Creek State Park has been contained but is still burning, emergency officials said today.
About 450 acres burned and no structures were affected by the fire, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Firefighters will continue to look for hot spots throughout the day.
A DCNR spokesperson said helicopters and airplanes are being used to help douse the flames, and that it will take a couple of days to confirm that the fire is out.
Firefighters from several Berks and northern Chester County companies battled wind-whipped flames well into Monday night. The fire was first reported about noon near Route 345 and Hopewell Street in Union Township, just south of Birdsboro.
Brush Fire Rages At French Creek State Park
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Firefighters from several Berks and northern Chester County companies battled wind-whipped flames well into the night. The fire was first reported about noon near Route 345 and Hopewell Street in Union Township, just south of Birdsboro.
Exhausted crews had to leave to get some rest knowing that it will take at least one more day to put out all of the flames, which have spread into North Coventry Township in Chester, a county communications center supervisor said.
Residents were evacuated from homes in the area. The American Red Cross, Berks County Chapter, and the Berks County Department of Emergency Services set up a shelter at the Immaculate Conception Church social hall in Union Township. Food and beverages were available at the shelter, and the Berks sheriff’s department was providing security.
Huge Union Township Brush Fire Moves Into Chester County
Wind-whipped flames from a huge brush fire in Union Township – estimated by fire officials at more than 100 acres – have turned and moved into Chester County.
Fire crews have begun moving equipment from a staging area in Union Township to St. Peters Road in Chester County. However, six fire engines remained near the International Fireworks Manufacturing Co. on Sycamore Road in Union Township as a precaution.
PPL Plans To Upgrade Electric System
As promised after storms disabled the regional power grid three times in 2011, PPL Electric Utilities on Thursday announced the start of a $35 million project to upgrade its distribution system in southern and western Berks County and parts of Lancaster and Chester counties.
During public hearings in Harrisburg and Reading this year called by state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat, and state Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat, PPL officials promised an overall $3 billion upgrade to its electric grid, which covers parts of Berks and 29 other counties.
Electric customers in the project area are served by a network of 69-kilovolt transmission lines that are nearing their capacity, PPL officials said.
Coatesville Applies For Velodrome Grant
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
COATESVILLE, PA — City Council will once again file for county grant of up to $1 million for infrastructure including parking for the proposed Velodrome project.
Last year, the city filed for a similar grant, but did not receive it, because of the uncertainty surrounding the project at the time, City Manager Gary Rawlings said. He said now the project is closer to the beginning of construction and the feels more confident that the project will come to fruition.
In December of 2010, the Redevelopment Authority and the project developers at that time were reportedly closing in on a deal to sell the land at the corner of Lincoln Highway and Route 82 known as the Flats. Since then, the window for an agreement of sale has been extended numerous times and there have been no signs of an agreement.
However, in late 2011, new developers signed onto the project and the former developers left the group.
Thousands Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In Phoenixville
Editor’s note: Can you say cha-ching for downtown Phoenixville merchants. These kinds of regular events are essential for revitalization. So what happened in downtown Pottstown for St. Patrick’s Day? Were there hundreds of people celebrating, dozens or just the usual suspects loitering at the clock tower watching the crickets and tumbleweeds roll down High Street? You say, “But we don’t have an Irish Pub?” I say, “We could if someone actively recruited more restaurants and stores to fill High Street.” Marketing, marketing, marketing!
PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. — The streets of Phoenixville were filled with the spirit of the Irish Saturday as thousands donned their green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
The festive mood continued inside of Bridge Street favorite Molly Maguire’s Irish Restaurant & Pub.
General Manager Neil Bonner said his favorite part of St. Patrick’s Day is being surrounded by good people.
“Everyone comes out just to have a good time and they all get to be just a little bit Irish for a day,” he explained.
Police Standoff With Caln Township Resident Ends In Tragedy
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CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A three-hour police standoff in the first block of Brighton Court in the Wedgewood Estates Development ended Monday evening with a township man reportedly committing suicide, police said.
Caln Police Lt. Jeffrey Nash said police went to the residence to interview a suspect on a criminal matter about 3 p.m. and failed to contact him. At that point a crisis management team was called and they, too, failed to contact him. About 6 p.m., a SWAT team entered the home and found Gerald Redden, 39, dead in the basement with a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Foot Traffic Draws New Business To Kennett Square
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A store owner has moved his store from Delaware to Kennett Square because he likes how vibrant the downtown business community has become.
Mystique, a store that offers men’s and women’s clothing, opened this week at 11 E. State St.
A grand opening is planned for March 2.
“Kennett Square is one of the top 10 small towns in the nation, and they have monthly events, which is wonderful,” said Bill McClane, owner of the store. “I really like the mix here with the variety of stores and all the people walking around.”
Read more:: http://business-news.thestreet.com/daily-local-news/story/foot-traffic-draws-new-business-kennett-square-4/1
Nude Man Tasered At Exton Walmart
Only at Walmart 
WEST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP, PA— Police were called to the scene of the Exton Walmart Wednesday evening after a man entered the store fully nude, according to police reports.
Police say Verdon Lamont Taylor, 32, of Downingtown, parked his vehicle outside the store and then stripped off all his clothing before he entered the store and approached the customer service desk. Taylor allegedly stole a pair of socks and put them on before walking deeper into the store, police said.
Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120217/NEWS03/120219694/1007/NEWS
Killer Greist Wants Case Shifted To Federal Court
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Killer Richard Greist has for many years wanted a change of scenery — a release from his involuntary commitment to Norristown State Hospital for mental health treatment. Now, he wants a change of venue.
In December, Greist filed a petition to remove his civil commitment case from the Common Pleas Court in Chester County to U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. He said, acting as his own attorney, that his confinement at Norristown violated his constitutional rights, as well as the American with Disabilities Act.
He contends that his case should be moved to federal court because authorities have altered his commitment status from civil to criminal; have refused to order his annual commitment hearings closed to the public; have not considered a “trial release plan” for him into the community; and have failed to consider what the “least restrictive setting” for him would be.
In response, the county District Attorney’s Office, acting as an intervener in the commitment proceedings, asked the court to dismiss Greist’s petition, calling his assertions “patently false,” “nonsensical,” and delusional.
Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2012/01/23/news/srv0000016988163.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Yet Another Copper Thief – Caught Stealing From Amtrak
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WEST CHESTER, PA — A father of four who struggles with a heroin addiction told a Common Pleas Court judge that he planned to pay back thousands of dollars he owes Amtrak for stealing copper wire from the railroad’s Philadelphia to Harrisburg line, but he did not say how.
William James Stauffer, 29, of Honey Brook pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of theft by unlawful taking and criminal mischief for the December 2010 theft about 800 pounds of copper electrical wire. In addition to a prison term of six to 23 months in Chester County prison and three years of probation, he was ordered to pay $28,650 to the railroad for the cost of the wire and the considerable disruption its loss caused operations along the line.
“As soon as I get back home, I’d like to get back to work,” Stauffer told Jude William Mahon, who accepted the plea agreement between the prosecution and Stauffer’s attorney. “I want to give it 100 percent to pay my restitution, and to keep my nose clean.
Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2012/01/23/news/srv0000016938238.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Course
North Coventry Police Department is hosting a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Course being offered from Tuesday March 6 – Friday March 9, 2012 at North Coventry Fire Department in Pottstown, PA. The class will run from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm each day. The cost to participants is $75.00.
Anyone interested in attending will have to log onto www.cert.safekids.org to register to attend. Interested parties will have to complete a profile in order to register.
Once you have completed your profile on the website you will be allowed to register to attend this course. The course ID #PA201112191065, if you have any questions please contact Ofc. Machese from North Coventry Police Department at vmachese@norcopd.org or Y’vette Gayle from PA Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics at ygayle@paaap.org.
Giant Food Stores To Acquire 16 Genuardi’s Family Markets In Philadelphia Area
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Giant Food Stores, LLC, is making a competitive push into the suburban Philadelphia market.
The Carlisle-based chain announced Thursday it has entered into an agreement to acquire 16 Genuardi’s Family Markets in the Philadelphia area for $106 million.
The transaction is expected to close over the next six months at which point the ownership will be transferred from Safeway Inc. and the stores converted into Giant Food Stores.
Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/01/giant_food_stores_to_acquire_1.html
RELATED STORY
Royersford, Norristown and Exton Genuardi’s closing!
http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120105/NEWS01/120109752
Cedarville UMC Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner January 1, 2012
With so many natural disasters continuing to occur around the world and the need for assistance ever-increasing, Cedarville United Methodist Church has chosen to reach out to an area that has slipped out of the current headlines but continues to be in need.
The Central Gulf Coastof the United States was devastated in 2005 by the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Today, the people in that area are still hurting and there continues to be much work that needs to be done. Gulfport, Mississippi will be the destination of Cedarville’s 2012 Adult Mission Trip. In Gulfport alone there were 29,970 homes that were destroyed, 3,600 sustained major damage and 1,800 had minor damage.
To help in our mission of sharing the love of God in ways that make a Christian difference, we are raising funds thru a Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner on January 1, 2012. Worship service will be at 10:00 a.m. on January 1st. The meal will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and all are welcomed to either or both. Dinner tickets for Adults are $8.00 and Children under 10 are $4.00. Advanced dinner reservations are being taken by contacting (484) 944-4751 and tickets will be sold at the door.
GOP Gobbling Up Berks Political Map
The lone Democrat representing Berks County in Congress would be pushed outside Berks borders, allowing three Republican congressmen to take larger chunks of Berks and a fourth to extend his district into the county.
That picture became clear Wednesday when maps and district descriptions began circulating in advance of an expected vote on them by the state Senate.
Dr. G. Terry Madonna, a political analyst and professor of politics and public affairs at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, described the plan as artful and skillfully drawn to protect incumbents.
Phoenixville 2012 Property Taxes Skyrocket 19 Percent
Phoenixville’s 2012 $7.6 million budget includes a 19 percent tax increase. Part of the reason for the tax increase is the debt service on an $8 million bond to build a new borough hall. Many residents oppose this measure stating bad timing due to the economy.
LOCAL FOUNDATIONS RECEIVE $10,000 FROM LL BEAN TO PROMOTE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES TO AREA STUDENTS
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LL Bean commemorates the opening of their new retail store in King of Prussia by partnering with the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation and the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation. Each foundation received $5,000 to fund a mini-grant program which will benefit local students within their respective service areas. The purpose of this program is to encourage outdoor experiences through field trips and programs that are specifically related to physical activity and environmental education.
The mini-grant funds are designated to benefit kindergarten through middle-school aged students in local public schools. Qualifying programs may include field trips to local parks or arboretums, or hiking and biking outings on trails such as the Schuylkill River Trail. In addition to using grant dollars to access local and free resources, funds can also be used toward the field trip’s transportation costs. There is no deadline for submission, and grants up to $300 will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
For questions, application and a list of local outdoor experience resources contact: Anna Brendle, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, ABrendle@pottstownfoundation.org; or Lynn Pike Hartman, Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, LPHartman@pchf1.org.
Downingtown Christmas Parade And Coatesville Historic District House Tours This Weekend
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The Downingtown Christmas Parade will start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 10th and will run along Lancaster Avenue. For more information, call 610-269-4203 or visit their website www.dtownchristmas.com
The Coatesville Lukens Historic District Holiday House Tour will take place today, December 9th from 4pm to 7pm. The event is free. Donations are requested. For more information, call 610-384-9282 or check out their website www.lukensnhd.org.
