Twin Valley Trims $1 Million, Approves Tentative Budget

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After weeks of closed-door discussions, the Twin Valley School Board approved a $53.35 million tentative budget Monday, closing a $1 million shortfall with a combination of staff cuts, tax hikes and even a new revenue stream for 2013-14.

The list of staff cuts, previously undisclosed, includes furloughing a business teacher; not replacing three teachers – one full-time and two part-time – who have submitted resignation letters; not renewing two temporary teachers; and reducing a full-time art teacher to part time.  Also eliminated are 14 assistant middle and high school coaching positions and four assistant high school club advisers.

“We certainly would have liked to have done it a different way,” Dr. Robert F. Pleis, superintendent, said after the meeting.  ”We don’t want to lose personnel.  That’s not our goal.”

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=477019

$2.3M Restoration Of Frick’s Lock Village Unveiled

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

EAST COVENTRY TOWNSHIP, PA — In its heyday, Frick’s Lock Village was one of dozens of stops along the Schuylkill Navigation for coal making its way from the coal regions and the river’s headwaters to energy-starved industrial cities like Philadelphia.

But it lost its economic lustre when the railroads took over the job of carrying the coal and it slipped from public view entirely in 1969, when it was purchased by PECO as part of the construction of the Limerick nuclear plant.

But it never slipped entirely from memory, at least not for people like Bill Carl, who lived in the former locktender’s house in the late 1930s, when it had no electricity and no plumbing.

“We rented this from the Reading Railroad Co. for $5 a month,” he said.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130512/NEWS01/130519819/-2-3m-restoration-of-frick-s-lock-village-unveiled#full_story

Letter May Signal Movement On Keim Street Bridge Project

Editor’s note:  Replacing this bridge won’t happen soon enough!

POTTSTOWN — After being closed to traffic for nearly three years, the Keim Street Bridge project is seeing signs of life.

A letter sent to the borough council invites it to choose a volunteer to participate on a committee that will look at the historical significance of the area surrounding the Keim Street Bridge.

The letter was sent Lansdale based CHRS Inc., a company that specializes in making sure building projects comply with state and federal laws on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

For residents and businesses on both sides of the bridge looking for an end to the waiting period, some movement on the project could finally begin.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130511/NEWS01/130519888/letter-may-signal-movement-on-keim-street-bridge-project#full_story

Judge Rules Greist Must Remain In State Hospital – Killer’s ‘Progress’ Gets Off-Site Privileges Increased

English: Historic post-card (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER, PA – Killer Richard Greist must remain committed against his will to Norristown State Hospital for another year, a Chester County Court judge has ruled, but can be given expanded off-ground privileges as he continues to progress in his psychiatric treatment.

Judge Edward Griffith filed an order recommitting Greist on Tuesday, agreeing with the recommendation of his treating psychiatrist at Norristown that he needs to remain in the secure environment of the hospital for fear that if released, he could decompensate mentally and see the psychosis that led to the killing of his wife and infant son re-emerge.

“However,” wrote the judge in his seven-page opinion and order, ”based on the progress in therapy that Mr. Greist has made during the past year, which is demonstrated by insight into his daily choices, greater self-awareness, expressions of sadness and remorse over his past conduct … as well as his conduct on and off (Norristown) grounds, we have permitted Mr. Greist additional off-ground, unsupervised privileges.”

Instead of the current quarterly, 12-hour, unsupervised, off-ground passes, beginning this year Greist will have such privileges every two months in a row, and then a 24-hour overnight pass in the third month. He is also permitted supervised, off-grounds passes overseen by Norristown staff as he has had in the past, and is once more allowed to attend Sunday church services at the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall Temple in West Norriton.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130510/NEWS01/130509266/judge-rules-greist-must–remain-in–state-hospital–killer-s-progress-gets-off-site-privileges-increased-#full_story

CEDARVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2013 FUN FAIR

On May 18^th– 19^th  Methodists around the world will unite again for “Change The World” weekend, as an effort to reach out and make a positive difference in their local communities and around the world.  In 2012, Change The World was observed by more than 1500 locations.

To that end, on Saturday, May 18^th (Rain Date: May 19^th), Cedarville United Methodist Church of Pottstown is holding another FREE Fun Fair for local residents.  Last year we enjoyed welcoming many new faces to explore the grounds of our facility and share some good times with many of our friendly members.

We look forward to seeing local families come to enjoy pony rides, a moon bounce, Rainbow the Clown, puppet shows, story time, games, prizes, food and so much more.   It is all FREE.  This is a gift to your family from ours.

The Fair is from 1p.m. – 5p.m. at Cedarville United Methodist Church, 1092 Laurelwood Road.  Less than 1 mile from Coventry Mall.  For more information visit www.cedarvilleumc.org or call 610-326-4173.

Four Area High Schools Make Newsweek’s Top 2,000

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Four local schools made Newsweek’s list of the top 2,000 public high schools in the country.

Newsweek’s list ranked schools based on different measures  such as average college-entrance test scores, AP scores and available classes, as well as graduation rates.  Such criteria that would indicate college readiness of outgoing students.

Topping the quartet of area schools that made it was Phoenixville Area High School, which came in at 839.

“In all honesty, it’s an honor for Phoenixville to be recognized as one of the top high schools in the nation,” said Phoenixville Principal Craig Parkinson.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130508/NEWS01/130509318/four-area-high-schools-make-newsweek-s-top-2-000#full_story

Pottstown, Phoenixville Split By Court-Approved Re-Districting Plan

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Both Pottstown and Phoenixville will be split into two different legislative districts under the legislative re-districting approved Wednesday by the state Supreme Court.

The new districts will take effect in the 2014 election cycle and shift legislative lines for the state House and Senate seats throughout Southeast Pennsylvania and may change who is representing you in Harrisburg.

In Pottstown, the plan unanimously approved by the court, puts the first, second and part of the seventh wards of Pottstown into the 26th District, currently represented by longtime Chester County Republican Tim Hennessey.

The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and other half of the seventh wards will continue to be represented by the 146th District, a seat currently held by freshman Democrat Mark Painter according to the plan.

Read m0re:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130508/NEWS01/130509321/pottstown-phoenixville-split-by-court-approved-redistricting-plan#full_story

Woman Found Dead In North Coventry House Fire

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORTH COVENTRY TOWNSHIP — Officials believe the fire in a Mount Zion Avenue home where a woman was found dead Tuesday morning was accidental in nature.

Township Fire Marshal Ron Comtois said there was nothing suspicious about the fire, though its cause and origins are not yet being released.

Comtois said the patrolman who came upon the fire around 3:58 a.m. attempted to enter the home but could not and called the fire department.

Responding firefighters discovered a deceased woman, whom officials were not identifying, on the kitchen floor of the home.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130507/NEWS01/130509506/breaking-woman-found-dead-in-north-coventry-house-fire-(video)#full_story

Major Road Projects In The Region

US 422 west near Pottstown. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note: To see the complete list of projects for the Delaware Valley, click on the link below!

Montgomery County

Markley Street: Work began in February in Norristown on the first of two construction contracts to improve Markley Street from Main Street to Johnson Highway in Norristown. The initial $20.8 million project will rebuild and improve 1.1 miles of Markley Street between Elm Street and Johnson Highway, and a half-mile stretch of Johnson Highway between Markley and DeKalb Streets. Work is to end in fall 2016.

U.S. 422/Route 363: Work will start in August or September to complete the interchange of U.S. 422 and Route 363 (Trooper Road) in West Norriton and Lower Providence.

Montgomery and Chester

U.S. 422. A $73.3 million project to rebuild 1.6 miles of U.S. 422 from about a mile east of the Armand Hammer Blvd. interchange to the Route 724 interchange in Lower Pottsgrove and North Coventry Townships. Construction started in fall 2012 and is to last five years, involving new bridges and pavement.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20130415_Major_Road_Projects_in_the_Region.html#ixzz2QYIJbQQX 
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Wawa vs. Sheetz: Fast-Food Chains Mark Their Own Territories

English: Interior of a Super Sheetz in Altoona, PA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pennsylvania divides a few ways: Phillies vs. Pirates. Democratic ex-factory towns vs. Republican ex-farming townships. Nittany Lions fans vs. everyone else.

And Wawa vs. Sheetz – though that might be the least bitter rivalry:  The state’s two big gas-and-milk, Cokes-and-smokes, Tastykakes-and-store-built sandwich chains try not to fight.  They’re not like Ford vs. GM. Instead, they have mostly drawn lines and split the land between them.  Like Comcast and TimeWarner Cable.

Which you prefer depends on where you were raised:

Wawa is Philly and the Shore from Jersey to Virginia Beach.  Also Florida, since last year.

Sheetz is Pittsburgh and the valley highways below the green ridges, all the way to Greensboro, N.C.

English: Wawa gas station located along Pennsylvania Route 611 (Easton Road) in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Read more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20130331_Wawa_vs__Sheetz__Fast-food_chains_mark_their_own_territories.html

Stalled Owen J Roberts Contract Talks Lead To Teacher Slowdown

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SOUTH COVENTRY — The stalled contract negotiations between the Owen J. Roberts School District and its teachers union has gone public.

The teachers have been working without a contract since June 30 and the two sides have been negotiating, quietly for the most part, for 15 months.

However the failure to reach an agreement about wages has raised the stakes and the rhetoric in the matter and the teachers union have instructed their members to work only to the specific language of the expired contract and cease all extra and voluntary activities.

School Board President Douglas K. Hughes reacted by issuing a letter to the district Tuesday, which was also   posted on the district web site, announcing that the teachers union had decided to “work to contract,” explaining they would “work only to the contractually obligated hours” and informing residents and taxpayers the union had asked their members “not to participate in any unpaid activities.”

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130328/NEWS01/130329308/stalled-ojr-contract-talks-lead-to-teacher-slowdown#full_story

$63.3M Project Will Expand Route 202 To Six Lanes

Southbound U.S. Route 202 past the interchange with U.S. Route 422 in Tredyffrin Township, Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

EAST WHITELAND — A $63.3 million project to expand 2.6 miles of U.S. Route 202 to six lanes to improve travel and reduce congestion will begin Monday night, April 1.

The project is the final one in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s program to expand 6.2 miles of Route 202 to six lanes from just south of the Chesterbrook Interchange in Tredyffrin Township to the Route 30 Interchange.

“The start of this second Main Line contract is another positive step forward in our plan to transform Route 202 into a modern highway capable of moving travelers smoothly and safely through the Great Valley area of Chester County,” PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso said.

Allan A. Myers LP, of Worcester, was chosen as the project contractor and will reconstruct and widen Route 202 from four lanes to six between the Route 401 and Route 30 interchanges. This project is scheduled to finish in May 2016.

Read more:   http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130326/NEWS01/130329515/-63-3m-project-will-expand-route-202-to-six-lanes#full_story

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Chesco D.A.: Norco Murder Scene Was ‘Doorway Into Hell’

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER — Two weeks after the grisly discovery of a body inside a burning North Coventry apartment, authorities announced an arrest in the murder of 17-year-old Kevin Allen.

Shakeem Carter, 20, of Norristown, was arraigned Wednesday morning after an investigation concluded he was responsible for the brutal stabbing death of the Norristown High School student inside his father’s home at the Hanover Garden Apartments, officials said.

Allen’s body was discovered on Feb. 12 after a neighbor dialed 911 to report a “terrible struggle,” according to Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, who announced Carter’s arrest at a Wednesday morning new conference.

Officers from the North Coventry Police Department were the first to enter the apartment, but they had to retreat when they discovered the apartment was on fire.  Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, but when they returned, they told police there was a body inside.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130228/NEWS01/130229413/chesco-d-a–norco-murder-scene-was-doorway-into-hell-(video)?nstrack=sid:387506|met:300|cat:0|order:2#full_story\

North Coventry Homicide: Chester County D.A. Says Investigators ‘Going All Out’

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORTH COVENTRY — The Chester County Detectives and the North Coventry Police continued Friday investigating the murder of Kevin Allen, 17, of Norristown.

“The investigation is going all out,” Thomas P. Hogan, Chester Country district attorney, said Friday.

An autopsy on Allen’s body was preformed Wednesday night, but the cause of death is not being released, Hogan said.

Allen was found dead at his father’s burning apartment on Tuesday Feb.12, at Hanover Garden Apartments in the 200 block of East Schuylkill Road after a neighbor called the fire department.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130216/NEWS01/130219570/north-coventry-homicide-chester-county-d-a-says-investigators-going-all-out-#full_story

Record Numbers Return For 6th Annual Polar Plunge

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POCOPSON — You would think the drop in temperature from all this snowstorm business would stop people from jumping into frigid waters.

But you would be wrong.  Because over 250 people with that very mindset thrashed about in the 38 degree Brandywine Creek on Saturday morning, and all in the name of a good cause.

A quick check of the hourly breakdown on weather.com at around 9:30 in the morning said the air temperature for splashdown at the Brandywine Valley Association’s annual Polar Plunge – usually around 11:30 – would be a brisk 29 degrees.

Of course with the wind chill factor, that drops to 15 degrees.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20130209/NEWS01/130209597/record-numbers-return-for-6th-annual-polar-plunge#full_story

Baseball: Piazza Coming To Collegeville In Support Of Autobiography ‘Long Shot’

English: baseball legend Mike Piazza (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

COLLEGEVILLE — The book is appropriately named.

This week, when “Long Shot” is officially released, a lot of the questions baseball fans have had about Mike Piazza and, of course, all the questions the media has asked Mike Piazza as well as the controversial stories they’ve written about the former Major League star, will be addressed in it.

And the Phoenixville High School graduate — a 62nd round draft choice of the Los Angeles Dodgers who became the greatest hitting catcher in the game before retiring just over five years ago — will be putting his signature on the autobiography during a book signing 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Towne Book Center and Café just off Route 29.

It will be Piazza’s only appearance in Pennsylvania during the publisher’s media tour.

Read more:  http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130210/SPORTS03/130219996/baseball-piazza-coming-to-collegeville-in-support-of-autobiography-long-shot-#full_story

Property Taxes To Rise Across Philadelphia Suburbs

English: Pennsylvania county map (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hundreds of thousands of property owners in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties are getting something they probably don’t want in the new year – higher real estate taxes.

Countywide increases, approved in December, affect the owners of all 382,304 real estate parcels in Chester and Delaware Counties.  Some people are taking a double hit, as at least 27 towns in those counties also have increased taxes.

Bucks and Montgomery Counties kept their rates the same, but at least 28 municipalities raised real estate levies.

While the reasons vary, officials say the overarching reason is basic: Revenue is down; costs aren’t.

Read more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/suburban_pa/20130128_Property_taxes_to_rise_across_Philadelphia_suburbs.html

OJR School Enrollments Predicted Down Over Next 10 Years

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SOUTH COVENTRY — Enrollments in the Owen J. Roberts School District are expected to remain flat or even decrease over the next ten years, according to new enrollment projections presented to the board at a recent committee of the whole meeting.

Projections show the overall student population rising slightly through 2016, from the current 5,121 students to 5,240. If the projections prove true, the numbers will begin dropping in 2017, when 5,233 students are expected to be registered, rising and falling in some years, but hitting 5,218 students in 2022.

Those predictions, presented by Director of Pupil Services Holly W. Acosta, are based on a new study by Decision Insite, an enrollment impact firm which looks at kindergarten enrollments, planned residential developments, and student cohorts through each grade level.

The numbers are a far cry from the steady growth the district had been experiencing in the past, with district wide enrollments climbing by over 1,000 students in 10 years, from 4,050 in 2002 to 5,121 in 2012.  That’s a reflection of the economy and the dip in the housing market which has put a number of large scale development projects on hold, according to Superintendent Michael Christian.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130118/NEWS01/130119426/ojr-school-enrollments-predicted-down-over-next-10-years-#full_story

Doorstep Dairy Revives Lost Service With Home Deliveries Of Milk, Other Staples

Nostalgia knocks on Margie Haile’s door every Wednesday night.

That’s the evening the Wyomissing Park mother gets a delivery from Doorstep Dairy.

“It’s modern convenience meets something old-fashioned,” she said of the service that brings milk, eggs and more to her porch, “and my kids love the taste of the milk.”

Doorstep Dairy is the brainchild of Daryl Mast.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/799486_Doorstep-Dairy-revives-lost-service-with-home-deliveries-of-milk–other-staples.html#ixzz2HKRYneNR