Chester County Press 02-10-2021 Edition

Page 1

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 155, No. 6

INSIDE

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

$1.00

Kennett Township sticks with single-service EMS provider decision Awards exclusive ambulance and EMS services to Longwood Fire Company beginning March 1 By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Conjure Jewelry...1B

Unionville Community Fair Queen takes part in state convention...6A

After several weeks of further discussions with emergency services professionals at two fire companies that serve their constituency, the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors reaffirmed at their Feb. 3 online meeting a motion made a month before that will make Longwood Fire Company the township’s single-source provider of advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) beginning on Photo by Richard L. Gaw During its Feb. 3 meeting, the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors reaffirmed March 1. This will be a one-year that the Longwood Fire Company will be the sole provider of EMS and ambulance agreement. services for the township, beginning on March 1.

Scientists announce progress against Phorid fly scourge By Chris Barber Contributing Writer

Fulton Bank donates to Oxford schools...3A

INDEX Opinion.......................7A Obituaries........2B,3B,5B

To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553

Classifieds.............6B-7B

© 2007 The Chester County Press

A team of scientists from Pennsylvania State University that is working with local mushroom growers is making progress in the battle with the Phorid fly scourge. Phorids have been aggravating homeowners and devastating mushroom crops in the southern Chester County area since the major control pesticide, diazinon, was banned for use on the fungus by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2012. On Jan 28, State Rep Christina Sappey, who represents the 158th district, held a virtual meeting to share information about recent work on the problem. During that meeting, the scientists reported results of a fairly successful advancement, which on one farm has come close to eliminating the flies entirely. Presenting during the virtual meeting were Penn State Mushroom Pest Research Team members Mike Wolfin, Tom Baker and Nina Jenkins; local legislators state Sen.

Carolyn Comitta (D-19) of West Chester, state Rep. Craig Williams (R-160) of Glen Mills, and state Rep. John Lawrence (R-13) of West Grove. Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russ Redding also presented an overview of the problem at the state level. The positive innovation was the topic of much of the meeting, that involves an electrostatic window screen infused with an approved insecticide that kills the flies as they go through the grid both coming in and going out during their life spans. Wolfin, an insect behaviorist ecologist, spoke at length about how he researched and developed the screen, as well as how it works. Wolfin has been compiling data since he began the project in 2017. He said he began the project by learning about the behavior of the flies – where they are born, what they eat, how they breed and where they travel. He referenced the behavior of the flies, noting that their numbers increased dramatically in 2012 when the Continued on page 4A

Under the guidelines of the agreement, Longwood, which is the current EMS provider for the eastern portion of the township – the area east of Bayard Road – will become the sole provider of EMS services in the area of the township that is west of Bayard Road. Longwood will be operating two advanced life support mobile intensive care unit (ALS MICU) vehicles, two BLS ambulances and one ALS chase car. In reaching the decision, the township follows the recommendation of a 2016 study created by the Regional Fire and EMS Continued on page 2A

Avon Grove grad helps take THON to new heights The Penn State Dance Marathon provides muchneeded support to children and families impacted by childhood cancer. When this year’s event takes place Feb. 19 to 21, Lindsay Traino, a graduate of Avon Grove High School, will be one of its key organizers

Courtesy photo

Lindsay Traino has volunteered with THON for four years while at Penn State.

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Lindsay Traino, a 2017 graduate of Avon Grove High School and a native of Avondale, has been making an impact in the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer through her work as a volunteer for the Penn State Dance Marathon.

Popularly known as THON, this event is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and has raised $180 million for the fight against childhood cancers through the years. Lindsay was well aware of the mission of THON and of its importance when she arrived on the Penn State campus as a freshman. “I got involved right

away,” she said. Leading up to the 2021 THON, Traino, now a college senior, is serving as an “OPPerations Director,” and has a leadership role in planning the event. Her responsibilities include supporting the 21 “OPPerations Captains” as well as its 750 committee members. Together, Continued on page 2A

Oxford police now equipped with body cameras By Betsy Brewer Brantner munity or anyone to hook Contributing Writer into.” Officer Chris Coverly Oxford Borough Police gave council a briefing on Chief Sam Iacono told the program saying, “this a Oxford Borough Council free resource available to the at the meeting on Monday Oxford community and the night, “Oxford Borough surrounding area. You can police are now equipped sign up at: www.oxfordbowith body cameras and ropd.org.” an in-car video. We have Flyers, in English and finished training for both. Spanish, were also disWhen officers hit the streets, tributed throughout the body cams will be located community. Notifications on the officer’s chest. We can be received either by will be fine-tuning it, but email or participants can expect to be 100 percent by receive mobile notifications next month.” by downloading an app. Iacono added, “We have The police department been very busy this month. also welcomed two new Our new scheduling soft- part-time police officers: ware is up and running. Our Karlianna Eller and Jacob CRIMEWATCH program, Williams. Eller was formerwhich is free, is also online ly at Lincoln University and and available for the com- Coatesville and Williams

was at Parkesburg. Both officers said they are anxious to start to work for Oxford. Oxford police also received $3,000 in grant money by working in partnership with Chester County. The money will be used to purchase drug-testing equipment. The department also received, through federal funds, $19,000 worth of COVID-19 equipment, including a standup thermometer. Iacono did report that one officer will be off for eight to twelve weeks due to an off-the-job injury. Council also approved a motion to authorize the notice for the conditional-use hearing on the application of Daniel B. Neff to operate

a physical therapy clinic at 46 S. 3rd St. Neff has purchased the building, which is the site of the former Rite Aid. The hearing is scheduled for March 1. Council member Dick Winchester questioned whether this would also have to go before the Historic Architecture Review Board and was told by the solicitor that it would. Public works director John Schaible told council that the N. 2nd Street water main project is nearly completed. Council approved a payment to B.P. Patterson in the amount of $126,972. Paving and re-trenching will be done when weather permits. Schaible explained that the current weather is wreaking

havoc on the streets. “The constant freezing and thawing causes the road surface to loosen. We will need to do paving work in the very near future,” he said. Besides the snow removal and salting that Public Works has done, Schaible told Ccuncil that Public Works has cleared nearly three-fourths of a mile of sidewalk in the borough. Council did receive clarification from the borough solicitor regarding snow emergencies. Schaible also explained that the community has been permitted to park free in the parking garage during snow emergencies or in order to allow the borough to plow parking areas and streets. Continued on page 4A


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