Chester County Press 01-29-2020 Edition

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Chester CountyPRESS

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Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas

INSIDE

Volume 154, No. 4

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Police are investigating a violent assault in West Grove Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department immediately By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The police are looking for the man responsible for a violent physical and sexual assault that took place in the 100 block of Columbine Drive in the development of West Meadows in West Grove on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 22. According to police, the suspect is a bald, white male with a heavy build who is estimated to be in his mid-fifties. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a light blue shirt with a dark blue name tag with white piping with the name “Jeff” embroidered on it. The victim, a female in her early twenties, was alone at the residence during the

time of the incident. The victim told police that at approximately 4:44 p.m., she answered her front door and saw the suspect, who was dressed as a home contractor. The suspect was let into the residence under the guise of being there to complete recent home repairs. The victim was on the phone with a relative at this time. Once the man was inside the home, he physically assaulted the victim and she lost consciousness. The relative on the phone heard the victim screaming and called 911. Within a minute of being dispatched, police arrived on the scene and located the victim inside the residence. The victim was treated and transported

‘We don’t want to be Avondale or Kennett Square’

2020 Health & Medical Guide

Toughkenamon residents balk at township’s plans to revitalize village By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Soon after adopting its 2018 Comprehensive Plan, the New Garden Township Board of Supervisors used a grant through the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to fund the development of the Streetscape and Transportation Improvement State lawmakers pass leg- Plan for the Village of islation aimed at stopping Toughkenamon. human trafficking...6A To help steer the plan, the township formed a committee of stakeholders in an effort to guide ideas to improve transportation and

mobility, create a diversity of housing opportunities, enhance aesthetics and attract investors. Because it was proposed that the plan would lean heavily on input from residents from Toughkenamon and New Garden Township, representatives from McMahon Associates and Thomas Comitta & Associates have conducted three open houses – all in Toughkenamon – that have brought these ideas and people together to evaluate existing conditions in the village and develop transportation and land-use Continued on Page 4A

to Chester County Hospital. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was physically and sexually assaulted by the perpetrator. Police are actively investigating the incident with the assistance from Chester County law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office. The police urge the public to contact the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department if they reside in the development of West Meadows and either observed unusual activity or are in possession of home video surveillance. A day after the incident, West Grove mayor Stephen Black issued the following statement: Continued on Page 3A

INDEX Opinion.......................7A Obituaries.................2B Calendar of Events....3B Classifieds............4B-5B

© 2007 The Chester County Press

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Kennett Square Borough promoted police officer Christopher Gravina to the position of corporal and also honored several other police officers for a variety of accomplishments during a council meeting on Jan. 20. Police Chief William Holdsworth led the presentation of awards. When he introduced the Officer of the Year Award winner, Holdsworth explained that, “The purpose of this award is to recognize one officer for their excellence, dedication, determination and commitment to the Kennett Square Police Department and the Kennett Square community that they serve.”

The police chief added that the Officer of the Year Award has special meaning because it is not presented based solely on one person’s nomination, but by a collective vote of the award recipients’ peers, supervisors, and the Chief of Police. “This award,” Holdsworth explained, “is not just about the officer who arrests the most people or issues the most traffic tickets.” He added that the award is presented to a police officer who demonstrates professionalism, understanding, and patience, and also shows compassion toward people and dedication to the oath of office for which they swore to uphold their duties as a police officer. Holdsworth then presented

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

This past summer, licensed professional counselor Winden Rowe officially opened The Center for Change at Kennett Square, as its director. The concept, one she had imagined for several years, was now located at the Willowdale Town Center: a collaboration of counselors and adjunct treatment professionals who support individuals, couples and families in their recovery from the effects of stress and trauma. On Jan. 3, however, Photo by Richard L. Gaw Rowe’s dream, now imag- Thanks to the generosity of a local home furnishings ined, was suddenly on hold. store, the temporary offices of The Center for Change An early-morning fire ripped in Unionville have been supplied with chairs, couches, tables and rugs.

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the 2019 Officer of the Year Award to Jacob Andress. Andress’ work with the Kennett Square Police Department was further illustrated when Holdsworth presented him with a Certificate of Merit, one of several that were handed out during the ceremony. Holdsworth explained that Andress responded five times over two weeks to calls involving a U.S. Army veteran who was struggling with both PTSD and chemical dependency. Andress was able to form a bond with this Kennett Square resident, and because of that the resident started getting help. “With the assistance of Officer Andress, during times that he was both on Continued on Page 2A

Oxford School Board tables transportation contract until next meeting

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Continued on Page 2A

A forensic sketch artist was employed by the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department and produced the following likeness of the suspect in this attack. Anyone with information about the attack is encouraged to contact the police immediately.

Kennett Square Borough promotes one police officer, honors other officers during ceremony

After fire, local home furnishings store assists The Center for Change Avon Grove basketball...1B

$1.00

The Oxford Area School District’s contract with Oxford Transportation, Inc. was tabled at the Jan. 21 school board meeting until next month. The current contract ends in June of this year. The Oxford School District provides bus transportation to almost 4,000 students within the Oxford School District boundaries, including those on regular and special needs buses, field trip buses, and athletic buses. The district transports to two Avon Grove Charter School campuses, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Bethany Christian School, West Fallowfield Christian

School, Upland Country Day School, Landerberg Christian Academy and Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania and Mt. Aviat Academy in Childs, Md. The Transportation Department consists of approximately 40 people, which includes drivers, mechanics, and supervisors. In other business, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Margaret Billings-Jones, presented a technology update to the board. She explained that the district’s Wi- Fi updates have been completed at no cost to the school district, and Shawn Mellinger has been hired as the new director of technology, starting this month. Continued on Page 3A

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