Township to enter negotiations with school district for land transfer to Kennett Trails Alliance
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors voted at the July 17 meeting to authorize the township to enter into negotiations with the school district for an easement or land transfer for the property, which is on Kennett High School property and located in the township. Situated at the corner of South Walnut and Birch streets in Kennett Square, Legacy Fields is used by the school for its soccer, field hockey and lacrosse teams, as well as by several area athletic organizations. At the edge
of the park along the Red Clay Creek, however, the property contains thick vegetation which, as was stated at the July 8 meeting, the Alliance wishes to use as a connector to its 14-mile Kennett Greenway and become the future site of a public outdoor class-
room for environmental education.
Hicks awarded township’s first medal of merit
In other township business, the board voted in favor of establishing awards that will recognize township residents for merit and valor performed for or on behalf of the township. Each medal will contain the township seal that will be suspended from a white ribbon that will contain three green vertical stripes
Storm takes out power, downs trees, closes roads throughout county
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
the whir of generators began to hum at homes and businesses in a desperate effort to turn chaos into normalcy. Tree surgeon vehicles joined public works teams from area municipalities and PECO trucks to form entire fleets of emergency
service along sloppy roads that were clogged with debris and overtaken by fallen trees that took down power lines, shut down roads and severely damaged vehicles.
With their access to the internet out, employees from Chadds Ford to Oxford drove to libraries and coffee shops far beyond the damage of the storm, where they booted up their laptops in order to keep up with their workload. Restaurants and café
owners without generators sorted through their refrigerators, determining what food could be salvaged and
Continued on Page 3A
Photos by Richard L. Gaw
Road in
was just one of several roadways that was closed after a severe storm struck Chester County on July 16, when downed trees left thousands of homes and businesses without access to power.
Braving Veracity: Creating space and support for local women writers
By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer
The six writers who were in attendance at the Hockessin BookShelf on July 20 were there for one primary reason: they have been or are about to be published in Braving Veracity, an anthology series created
Local author showcase highlights four-volume anthology by Candida “Dida” Gazoli to support local women and non-binary writers, “who have poignant truths to share about themselves and their family life.”
Gazoli started the Braving Veracity project in 2020 to create a platform for women’s voices. Braving Veracity Vol. 1 was released in July 2020, Vol. 2 in April 2021 and Vol. 3 in July 2023. The fourth installment of the anthology is currently set for release in late August to early September.
Each edition of the anthology centers on a shared theme with Vol. 3 focusing on the influence of men in the writers’ lives.
“What the anthology became is a platform for painful stories, poignant, but difficult stories to share,” Gazoli said.
Kennett resident Monica Fragale has contributed a piece entitled, “Inside the Elephant’s Shoes,” about how her life changed when her husband became quadriplegic. Heather Drake of Landenberg wrote a piece titled, “Daddy’s Girl,” about her father relapsing when she was a teen.
“What’s great is all these women sharing our truths, and it is unapologetic and just so raw and beautiful,” Fragale said. Continued on Page 2A
Photo by Chris Barber
Don’t miss the Train Show, featuring the local comings and goings of trains on the local tracks of southern Chester County. Chris Barber’s 33 photos capture scenes of trains, their workers and their environment. The show continues through the end of July at the Market at Liberty Place in Kennett Square.
Newark
Toughkenamon
Kennett Township...
Continued from Page 1A and be given to the recipient in a presentation case together with a rectangular service ribbon.
In addition, recipients of the medal will receive a diploma recognizing their act(s) of merit and valor. The medal of valor will be given for acts of heroism in or near the township, such as saving a human life or physical property, and the medal of merit will recog-
nize outstanding service to the township for a minimum of ten years.
Those eligible for the decoration will be township residents, non-uniformed and uniformed township employees, uniformed nonresidents, and non-residents providing extraordinary services to the township. No more than two awards in each category will be awarded each year.
Soon after the board adopted the installation of the awards, they announced that Diane Hicks, the direc-
know how to get them on the page.”
tor of Planning and Zoning, was the first recipient of the award for merit. Hicks, who will be retiring from her position on July 26, served in her capacity for ten years.
Paraphrasing a quote she read by the singersongwriter Arlo Guthrie, Hicks said, “A municipal employee’s shelf life may be a lot longer than a dancer or an athlete, but at some point, unless you’re incredibly fortunate or just plain whacko, it’s time to hang up the ‘Gone Fishing’
sign,” she said. “It’s my time to hang up the ‘Gone Fishing’ sign.”
In other township business:
• The board voted to table a decision on whether the township will fund the Kennett Fire & EMS Regional Commission, which is seeking funding to meet the equipment needs of firefighters and EMS personnel as mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The decision will be reached at the board’s Aug. 7 meeting,
based on the recommendation of township manager Alison Dobbins, in order to give the township more time to assess the request for funding and review the Commission’s 50-page proposal that was issued in March.
• Supervisor Patricia Muller was recognized for her long service to the township’s Planning Commission. In her remarks, she pointed to a 2016 discussion she and former Supervisor Whitney Hoffman had with local
developers that led to the township’s current zoning ordinance that reflects the need to balance growth with the importance of preserving open space in the township. She said that being on the Commission allowed her and her colleagues to “envision, imagine and make change.”
• The board voted to renew the township’s contract with Sage Intacct, an automated accounts payable firm, in the amount of $37,988.70 for the period of Aug. 15, 2024
In addition to the published works, Gazoli also organizes two retreats a year for the writers to dedicate time to their craft away from outside distractions. Gazoli also offers funding for therapy services to support the writers through the vulnerable process.
“Memoir writing can trigger a lot of pain if you have a compelling story to share but you’re still living in that story,” Gazoli said.
Both Fragale and Drake also recognized the project for the community and support it has fostered.
Having not found writing groups such as this one before, many of the Braving Veracity writers were first introduced to the project through Gazoli’s writing workshops at the Kennett Library. Gazoli started hosting writers’ workshops just before the pandemic to give back to the community and help writers who had compelling stories but, “didn’t
Drake was one of those writers and said that although she has been writing all her life, this is her first time being published. Despite feeling intimidated by the caliber of the other writers around her, she described the process as a “dream come true.”
“There’s some very talented, heartfelt, honest people that are a part of this,” Drake said. “I always look forward to getting together with all of them because it’s just cool to be in the room with them.”
Others such as author Kate Braithwaite, who has published four novels and is included in Braving Veracity Vol. 2, may be no stranger to the publishing process but still emphasized the importance of having a writing community. Braithwaite shared that while she used to attend workshops and courses while living outside of Toronto, Canada, similar opportunities are hard to find here but are made
influenced the writers as women, daughters, sisters, and mothers.
that much more significant because of it.
“Here we are quieter, and there are some small groups but that’s why something like this is great,” she said.
“You meet other people that are spending time writing because it feels kind of like a weird thing to do,” she said.
Building and fostering a
supportive community of local writers is paramount to the Braving Veracity mission. While “veracity” is defined as the “power of conveying or perceiving
truth,” “braving” in the case of these writers is the process of sharing one’s raw, vulnerable and true story in a community of support.
The Braving Veracity writers emphasized that writing, as with any creative process, is an intimidating and revealing endeavor but as Drake summarized, “Once you get in and find your people, it’s amazing.”
To learn more about Braving Veracity and to purchase all three volumes of the anthology, visit www. bravingveracity.com.
The third volume of Braving Veracity, published in 2023, is centered around how men and/or boys
Photo by Gabbie Burton
Kennett resident Monica Fragale (left) and Heather Drake of Landenberg (center) – contributors to Braving Veracity – were among the many writers who gathered at the Hockessin BookShelf on July 20 to celebrate the anthology, who also included founder and editor Dida Gazoli, right.
to Aug. 14, 2025.
• In his report to the board, Public Works Director Ted Otteni said that the Public Works team has begun milling and paving Center Mill Road from Burnt Mill Road to S. Fairview Road; the entire length of Burrows Run Road; and Rosedale Road from Bayard Road to McFarlan Road. Improvements will include shoulder/swale repairs and replacement of deteriorated drainage structure. The cost of the 2024 paving contract is $469,300.
Storm...
what could not.
• The board approved the appointment of Maribeth Minella as a township representative to the Kennett Area Parks Administration Board of Directors.
• Kennett Township Police Chief Matthew Gordon invited township residents to attend the department’s National Night Out festivities on Aug. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. at 600 South Broad Street in Kennett Square.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Chester County Press
Photo by Richard L. Gaw Kennett Township manager Alison Dobbins reads from a certificate of merit that was presented to Director of Planning and Zoning Diane Hicks at the township’s July 17 Board of Supervisors meeting, in recognition of her ten years of service to the township. Hicks will be retiring on July 26. Also pictured are township supervisors Richard Leff, Geoffrey Gamble and Patricia Muller.
Continued from Page 1A Pike, Schuylkill, Wayne, Wyoming, and York counties.
In all, the fury of last Tuesday evening’s storm left more than 130,000 residents in southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and northern Delaware without power, hundreds of downed trees and extensive infrastructure damage, with the most severe damage occurring in Chester County along the Route 1 corridor beginning at Chadds Ford and extending beyond Oxford, where it was estimated that over 55,000 residents were without power – many for the next several days.
The news of the impending storm arrived when the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch through 10 p.m. on July 16 that applied to Adams, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia,
In addition, the National Weather Service also reported widespread wind damage from Upper Bucks County to Somerset and Hunterdon counties in N.J.
In a release it issued on July 18, PECO said that it anticipated that 95 percent of all customers would have their power restored sometime that day, but as of July 19, more than
1,700 PECO customers in the Delaware Valley were still without power, leading the energy supplier to add more than 400 technicians from Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Virginia to provide assistance to PECO crews in their effort to restore full power to the region.
According to a PECO outage tracker map on July 22, a total of 123 customers in Chester County – less
than five percent of the company’s 219,833 customers – were still without power. In contrast, 11 outages remain in Delaware County and in Montgomery County.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
A large tree fell across Penn Green Road in Landenberg.
A tree near the New Garden Township Building was a victim of the storm.
The storm also wreaked havoc on vehicles.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
‘Governor, the Democratic Party is on Line One’
On the heels of President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance at his June 27 debate with leading and presumed Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, the scuttlebutt of replacing him on the Democratic ticket spread like wildfire throughout the party’s on- and offthe-record communication lines. It became fodder for talk radio bloviators, and prime cuts of beef for newspaper editorials and the Sunday television news programs to feast on. Nationally, just 29 percent of Democrat and Democratic-leaning voters support Biden, while 64 percent said they would prefer the party put forward another candidate.
It was a simple message, magnified by intensity and one that has, to no one’s surprise, even been attributed to Biden’s old boss, Barack Obama, the 44th President.
Thank you, Joe. It’s time to go. Call it pride. Call it a refusal to surrender power or call it merely a case of plain old chutzpah, Biden continued to stubbornly cling to the belief that he was mentally and physical-
ly sharp enough to handle the rigors of remaining the leader of the free world well into his eighties: navigating the country through a skyrocketing immigration crisis, sorting out the United States’ definitive role in the Israeli-Palestine bloodbath, confronting the mounting atrocities of Russian President Vladimir Putin and aligning the nation with the last-ditch ideologies of other countries in tackling global warming, the most lingering crisis of our lifetime, and all of this against perhaps the most polarizing political candidate in the 248-year history of the Republic.
Thankfully, we will never have to know what the outcome would have been.
At 2:13 p.m. this past Sunday, Biden announced on X – formerly Twitter – that he would not seek reelection this year and instead endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump, who on the heels of narrowly escaping an assassination attempt on July 13 is surging in popularity and holds the lead in polls in key battleground states like Michigan, Florida, Ohio and yes, Pennsylvania, where Trump leads in some polls by a margin of three percent. While the conservative base of the Republican Party
swoons over their convicted felon of a candidate – and while the Forever MAGAs pound their keyboards of debate and division – the Democratic Party is desperately scurrying for potential candidates to replace Biden on the ticket, and while Harris is clearly the frontrunner, new faces pop into the political zeitgeist nearly every day.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are just a few names in a rotating carousel of candidates that are here one minute and gone the next, only to reemerge on the wheel’s next spin.
Now, with Biden’s departure from the race assured, the Democratic Party is in Week One of a frantic, three-month dash to save the Republic from Project 2025, Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller, Ginni Thomas, Hillbilly Vance and Trump himself. While their leading candidates carry certain qualifications to become president, the hard truth is that none possesses enough fire of articulation or the pugnaciousness of a bull to enter the quagmire with Trump and beat him at his own game.
If the Democratic Party
wrongly chooses to cling to their anthem, “When they go low, we go high” with an air of self-righteousness that may paint them as the kinder party this fall, the strategy will destroy them in November and for many elections to come. It’s a habit that continually follows them – the failure to accept that in a presidential election year, there are no votes given for kindness. Instead, what the party needs to find is a voice who confidently owns the gift of oration, but who can also use it as a tactical weapon in the bloody ring of political battle – someone who has the temerity to point defiantly at Trump and tell Americans that Emperor Trump has no clothes. That candidate is Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Shapiro has already tossed his support toward Harris, as have many other lawmakers, but as a popular governor in the country’s most crucial swing state, his name on the ticket could better secure the 19 electoral college votes in Pennsylvania in an election that promises to be decided by a razor thin margin. Would Harris be able to do the same?
Shapiro has also proven himself to be a winner;
Letter to the Editor
twice during his runs for state Attorney General and in 2022, when he was elected Governor. In perhaps the most important litmus test of Shapiro’s political career –dealing with a Republican-led Senate and a divided House –he has earned passing grades.
Shapiro is also a superb orator, and while its definition has always been murky, he speaks and acts in a way that many observers say is “presidential,” which was exactly the word reviewers used to describe the speech Obama gave at the 2004 Democratic convention in Boston, that many believe served as the foundation for what became a two-term presidency for a then-unknown junior senator from Illinois.
Shapiro has already revealed his gift; on the day escaped murderer Danilo Cavalcante was captured on Sept. 13, 2023, Shapiro calmly arrived at the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Station, took to the podium and delivered a compelling address that thanked the investigators for their diligence and the people of Chester County for their patience.
Shapiro’s finest moment as Governor, however, came recently on the day of the assassination attempt on Trump that occurred in the
western part of the state he governs. He acted privately before speaking publicly, gathering intelligence and first making a personal call to the family of Corey Comperatore, the Trump supporter who was shot and killed in the assassination attempt.
“Corey was a girl dad,” Shapiro said in his remarks. “Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community, and most especially, Corey loved his family. Corey died a hero.” Do not think for a minute that a near-assassination attempt on his life will soften Trump; he’s a merciless cage fighter who enjoys drawing his opponents into the octagon. Shapiro is a most worthy opponent and the perfect counterbalance to Trump – an elected official who can be a clarifying voice of assurance and a pugilist who is not afraid to go mano-a-mano. In what has become the summer of our nation’s dissonance, a clarifying voice of assurance who is unafraid to use that voice to take down an opponent may save the Democratic Party and, indeed, the future of the nation.
Route 41 needs improvements. Will elected officials and PennDOT be up for the challenge?
Letter to the Editor:
The Route 41 Improvement Project appears to be a tale about how easy it is to spend other people’s money. KCI Technologies, Inc., in collaboration with Pinto Engineering, Inc. issued a Congestion Management System Analysis dated May 10, 1996, regarding PA Route 41. The same issues being faced today were noted at that time. The analysis indicates, on page one,
that since at least the 1970s “public concerns regarding safety and congestion along PA 41 have been expressed to local officials and state representatives.”
On page three of the analysis, it is noted that “heavy truck traffic contributes to the deficient capacity of PA 41, especially through Avondale Borough.”
Multiple infrastructure deficiencies all along the PA 41 study corridor were noted,
including geometric deficiencies, uncontrolled access to multiple properties, and the deficient interchange at PA 41 and Limestone Road. On page 16 of the analysis, it is noted, “Additional travel lanes are needed on the entire length of the PA 41 Transportation Improvement Study Corridor. Also, several of the intersections can be improved by adding left turn lanes or a traffic signal.”
Though some Safety and
Mobility Initiative (SAMI) projects were provided along PA 41 since the analysis by KCI Technologies in 1996, Route 41 basically remains a dangerous and outdated highway. Tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer money were spent on the Improvement Project effort at the turn-of-the-century, to no avail. The introduction of traffic circles (roundabouts) into the discussion seemed to divert the improvement effort from a public project to a lim-
ited concept that might be best utilized on rural roads. Much of Route 41 is now suburban Wilmington/New Castle County. Traffic circles do not appear a wise choice, especially considering the insights of the professional analysis from 1996. It appeared to me that what was missing with the failed, prior PA 41 Improvement Project was leadership from PennDOT and elected officials. As noted on page five of the KCI analysis,
“In general, the consensus of the public is that improvements to PA 41 are long overdue.”
The pieces seem to be coming together again to provide Southern Chester County with the PA 41 roadway it deserves. Hopefully PennDOT and our elected officials are up to the task this time.
Jim DiLuzio, Former resident of New Garden Township
As new stadium lease looms, state lawmakers look at economic benefits on local economy
Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released studies on the economic impact of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies on their respective cities.
After reviewing the reports, Reps. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/ Butler) and Jim Gregory (R-Blair) say the Pirates’ organization needs to step up to the plate to ensure that its fans and taxpayers across
the Commonwealth get the return on their investment they deserve.
In the early 2000s, the Pittsburgh Pirates received $75 million in state grant funding for the land and construction of PNC Park. Allegheny County tax funding amounted to approximately $147 million. The Pirates’ organization contributed approximately $40 million for a total cost of $260 million. In
exchange for its investment, the public is entitled to economic benefits in their local economy, the representatives said.
In 2030, the current lease on PNC Park will run out, leaving economic and lease renewal decisions to be made by both the Pirates and the Allegheny County Sports and Exhibition Authority.
While the Pirates represent some benefit to the local economy, they fall proportionately behind their cross-state counterparts, the Philadelphia Phillies, in many economic factors:
• Pirates drive $254 million in 2023 net direct spending; the Phillies drive $525 million.
• Pirates drive $546 million in direct spending; the Phillies drive $970 million.
• Pirates support approximately 3,000 jobs; the Phillies support 5,450.
• Pirates generate $22 million in tax dollars for the state; the Phillies generate $45 million.
• Even with the contrast of population size taken into consideration, the differences of financial output from the Phillies compared to the Pirates is vastly different.
As part of these reports, the IFO reviewed the rela-
tionship between team payroll, wins and attendance. Unsurprisingly, the IFO found a positive relationship between both team payroll and wins, as well as wins and fan attendance.
Over the past 30 years, the Pirates have had the worst record in the National League and the second worst record in all of baseball. They have only had four winning seasons in those 30 years. During this time, no team has spent less on free agency signings than the Pirates.
It is past time for the Pirates to become more competitive. Pirates’ ownership has seen the value of the team explode to $1.32 billion according to Forbes Magazine. Revenue sharing among the teams and from television partners has greatly increased the Pirates’ profit margins. Yet, the Pirates’ payroll regularly ranks in the bottom five in baseball.
The reports also include findings determining that if the Pirates were to increase their win total on average by just three games, the team would generate an estimated additional $76 million in total fan spending, of which $31 million would occur outside of PNC Park and directly support the local economy.
the return on their investment they deserve.
The findings of the IFO’s reports show the kind of economic impact that a sustained, reliably successful Pirates team can have on the local economy. When taxpayers are asked to invest in stadiums, the taxpayers are made a silent partner in the operations of the organization, according to Bonner and Gregory.
“I’ve waited to see this data for as long as anybody to show what we thought was true is real and now quantified for taxpayers, hospitality businesses, critics of the 1999 stadium funding deal and supporters,” Gregory said. “Philly will be pleased, and
Yinzers will point out the Bucs need to do better.”
“If the taxpayers are going to put money into the stadium, the Pirates need to also invest in PNC Park, as well as put a worthy product on the field,” said Bonner. “Taxpayers deserve more than the bare minimum, and the report demonstrates how sustained on-field success can increase fan attendance, which is how a stadium drives the local economy.”
To read the IFO’s reports for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies, visit http://www.ifo.state. pa.us/
Courtesy photo
State Representatives Tim Bonner and Jim Gregory say the Pirates’ organization needs to step up to the plate to ensure that its fans and taxpayers across the Commonwealth get
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently made another dream come true when they delivered a play-set to Kristy Thompson for her beloved daughter, London.
Kristy was 42 years old when she had London. London spent 481 days in the NICU after her birth. Kristy calls her a blessing, and her little blessing has CCMS— Cerebrocostomandibular syndrome. This is a disorder that involves a small chin (micrognathia), an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), a narrow chest, missing ribs, gaps between ribs, and breathing and feeding difficulties.
Kristy gets help from her mother, Delores Thompson, as they provide the around-the-clock care that London needs.
Kristy admitted, “I don’t know what I would do without my mom and my
In the Spotlight
The Make-A-Wish Foundation visits a local child
other children.”
Maddy Gilligan and her mother, Joanne Everhart, Make-A-Wish volunteers, visited the Thompson family and were very pleased with the support each member of the Thompson family has for London—and each other.
“I was totally amazed how supportive this family is of London and for one another,” Gilligan said. “They are such big fighters for each other. It is awesome to see that. Older sister Charlie is such an advocate for her sister.”
Charlie was quick to say, “When my sister needs help, I run to help her. When her vent comes undone, I know how to fix that, too.”
The gift the family received from Make-AWish was welcomed for many reasons.
“I am glad my daughters can play together. That is something I’ve always wanted to see,” Kristy said. “I also think it is good for the neighbor kids
to see that London likes to play outside, too.”
Everhart and Gilligan both volunteer for MakeA-Wish Delaware and the Susquehanna Valley Chapter and, yes, they enjoy their job.
“It is great for my mom and me to do this together. It feels awesome to see how this group works to make something happen for a family,” Gilligan said. “I think it is something London and her sister can enjoy in the future.”
Kristy is a champion for all of her children, especially London. She also is a support for other mothers facing challenges such as hers.
“I know how challenging this can be and I do all I can to help other mothers,” she said.
Watching her and her family for an hour, it is clear to see that not only are they helping London, London is also teaching
many lessons to her loved ones.
Kristy’s oldest son, Chris, has become a police officer because, in his words, “the police have helped us so much when we needed help.”
Watching Charlie tending to her sister and speaking with reporters and photographers so eloquently, it is no stretch to imagine that she will be serving others in some capacity in her future.
Her mom, who always has a smile on her face, is certainly teaching all of her children the importance of family, and Kristy’s mom helps in absolutely any way possible. Even Aunt Irene is never far away, if the need arises.
What would have divided most families has made this family stronger and for a fragile daughter, her world has improved and so has every person who meets her.
Savage appointed as new principal of Pocopson Elementary School
The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District has appointed Dr. Gabriel Savage as Principal of Pocopson Elementary School.
“Dr. Savage quickly rose to the top of a highly competitive pool after demonstrating the many leadership qualities our community desired of a successful candidate,” said John Sanville, the school district’s Superintendent.
Sanville added, “Gabriel comes highly recommended by those who know him as being invested in what happens both inside the classroom and across the school community.”
Savage brings nearly a decade of administrative experience, joining the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District after most recently serving as the principal of the
Wallingford Elementary School. Previously, he held appointments in the Radnor Township School District as an assistant principal and music teacher.
“I am proud to be the new principal of Pocopson Elementary School,” said Savage. “With a legacy of over 100 years of service to the community as a district, a thriving school culture at Pocopson with great students,
passionate teachers and parent support, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. It is a privilege to come after a great leader like former Principal Dr. Clif Beaver, and I hope to continue building on the great work he has done.”
Savage earned an undergraduate degree in music education from the West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in education media design &
technology from Full Sail University and an Ed.D. in K-12 school leadership from Wilkes University.
His official start date is Sept. 16.
Pocopson Patriots are invited to meet Savage at a welcome party on Tuesday, July 30 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for staff and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for staff, students and families. Registration is requested.
Local volunteer EMT graduates from medical school
From her youngest days, Lauren Mazur knew she wanted to help people. Several health challenges as a young child drove her desire to give back and help other children.
At the age of 15, she saw her opportunity to begin that journey by enrolling in an EMT class at the Good Fellowship EMS Training Institute. After completing her training shortly after turning 16, she put her new skills to work and volunteered at the West Grove
Fire Company. With each call, it became clear that she wanted to dedicate her life to caring for children. She recalled one day when she responded to a motor vehicle accident that involved an injured child. While the rest of the crew treated the victims in the front seats, Mazur treated the child in the back. The EMS crew transported the child to Christiana Care Trauma Center. As they arrived in the trauma bay,
she was in awe of how the doctors worked as a team to treat the injured child. It was then that her sights turned to becoming a physician.
Mazur graduated from Unionville High School in 2016. She received the Alma Newlin Scholarship for students pursuing careers in healthcare. She then attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. During her tenure at William and Mary, she published several scientific papers in cancer research.
For her outstanding contributions to research, Mazur was named a Beckman scholar and received her bachelor of science degree in chemistry and graduated with honors in 2020.
Upon graduation, Mazur was accepted into the Penn State Milton S. Hershey School of Medicine, which she entered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While taking on the rigorous curriculum of medical school, she published several research
papers in the field of pediatrics. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society for her achievements while in medical school, and received the Andrew Creasy and Savino Family grant.
Upon graduation, Lauren will complete her medical training as a resident physician in pediatrics at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Afterward, she plans to pursue a Pediatric Critical Care fellowship.
Courtesy photo Gabriel Savage
Courtesy photo Lauren Mazur
Kristy Thompson is pictured with her daughter, London. The child requires around-the-clock care. Fortunately, the family has a fantastic support group, including Kristy’s mother Delores, her aunt Irene, and London’s siblings, Chris and Charlie, as well as a host of nurses.
Charlie is a big help to her mom. She is shown here doing a treatment on her sister, London, to clear her lungs.
Courtesy photos
London enjoys swinging in the great outdoors with the help of one of her many loving nurses, Ashley Powell, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
LINDA A. BROWN
Linda Ann (McVey) Brown passed away quietly while at home after an extended illness on July 11, 2024. She was 84. She was born to parents Roman and Ethel McVey on April 13, 1940 at the family farm in Little Britain, and she was the youngest of 10 children.
She was married to Charles D. Brown until his death in 1980. She had two children, a son Charles A. Brown, with whom she resided, and a daughter, Lisa C. Brown, who passed away in March 2024.
Over the years, she worked for Herr Foods in Nottingham, Kendal-Crosslands in Kennett Square and the U.S. Postal Service in Nottingham.
A special thank you to the Brandywine River Valley Hospice for their care and support.
A graveside service was held at the Oxford Cemetery on July 17.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.
For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10
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Newark Food and Brew Festival celebrates 20 years
A favorite summer tradition returns this Saturday, July 27, when the Downtown Newark Food and Brew Festival returns for its 20th year with offerings at 10 venues scattered around Newark’s central business district.
The festival takes place from noon to 7 p.m. The Newark Partnership (TNP) collaborates with Out & About Magazine on this event. The presenting sponsor for the 20th year is Chase Bank.
“The Newark Partnership is thrilled to sponsor Newark Food & Brew,” said Mark Arehart, executive director of The Newark Partnership. “The event is one of Newark’s most loved
summer events. From classic neighborhood staples to new Delaware favorites, you’ll find surprises up and down Main Street and beyond. Make sure to stop by and do some shopping at our local retailers, too.”
Food and Brew showcases more than 45 craft and imported beers paired with creative food offerings from Newark restaurants. Unlike most beer festivals, this is a pay-as-you-go event that takes place at the restaurants. In addition to food and drink, a collection of Newark retailers will be offering exclusive discounts during the festival as part of the Hops & Shops Sidewalk Sale. A commemorative mug will be given free to
the first 2,000 attendees.
“The Newark Food & Brew has become a rite of summer,” said Jerry duPhily, publisher of Out & About Magazine. “When we partnered with the City of Newark to create this event more than 19 years ago, craft-beer focused events were a novelty. Today, they’re commonplace. But the beauty of this event is that it encourages guests to explore Newark and visit the many participating restaurants. It’s an ideal showcase for the city’s dining scene.”
For a full list of participating restaurants, featured brews and menus please visit NewarkFoodandBrewFest. com.
Williams’ legislation would protect deployed military parents
House Bill 82, introduced by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware/Chester County), passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee.
Known as the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act, the bill will update and standardize the custody and visitation rights for deployed military parents, ensuring they
are treated fairly in custody proceedings. It aligns Pennsylvania with 16 other states which have enacted similar measures.
As a retired Marine Corps Colonel and legislator, Williams has been a staunch advocate for the rights of military personnel, recognizing the unique challenges faced by service members and their families particu-
larly on deployment.
“Military parents make countless sacrifices for our nation, and it is paramount that we safeguard their family rights, even when they are overseas protecting us,” said Rep. Williams. “The passage of House Bill 82 out of the Judiciary Committee is a significant step in extending legal clarity and fairness for
our military families. This bill not only supports our service members but also serves the best interests of their children, ensuring the parent-child bond remains strong for parents away serving our country.”
House Bill 82 addresses the hardships deployed military parents encounter in custody and visitation matters by preventing per-
manent custody changes during deployment and ensuring deployment cannot be used against them in custody decisions. The bill also facilitates consistent contact between deployed parents and their children through modern communication means, such as video and phone calls.
This legislation has garnered widespread support,
including endorsements from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the American Bar Association reflecting a broad consensus for these measures. The Uniform Law Commission has been a leader in standardizing this law across the states. House Bill 82 moves to the full House for consideration.
Photo courtesy Out & About Magazine
The Downtown Newark Food and Brew Festival, a popular annual event, takes place this Saturday in downtown Newark.
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Marie E. Amole, late of 382 Hopewell Road, Borough of Elverson, County of Chester, PA, 19520, Deceased. Letters testamentary on the above estate having been granted to the undersigned, all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make payment, and those having claims to present the same, without delay, to Sheila Amole, 1 May Ann Hill, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, or to her Attorney, Larry W. Miller, Jr., Esq., Miller Law Group, PLLC, 25 Stevens Avenue, West Lawn, PA, 19609-1425. 7p-17-3t
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Oxford Borough Council, Chester County, Pennsylvania, at a public meeting scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2024 commencing at 7:00 p.m., to be held at the Borough Building, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, Pennsylvania, to consider and enact an Ordinance amending the Code of the Borough of Oxford, a caption and summary of which follows, regarding maximum building height in the PD-1 and R-1 Zoning Districts. The complete text of the ordinance can be examined at the offices of the Chester County Law Library, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, or at the Borough Building, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, during regular business hours. Copies of the ordinance can be obtained at a charge not greater than the cost thereof at the Borough Building during normal business hours.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF OXFORD, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 27, ZONING, OF THE BOROUGH OF OXFORD CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT IN THE PD-1 AND R-1 ZONING DISTRICTS FOR LOT CLUSTERING.
SECTION 1. Amends Part 15, Development Design Options, §27-1502, Lot Clustering, Paragraph 3 Area and Bulk Requirements to state the following limits for maximum building height: PD-1 District R-1 District Maximum building height (feet)
35 35 SECTION 2. Provides for the severability of unconstitutional or invalid provisions of the ordinance. SECTION 3. Repeals ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with any provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Provides that the amendment shall be effective as by law provided. OXFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL, GAWTHROP GREENWOOD, PC, Stacey L. Fuller, Solicitor 7p-17-2t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of David T. Choate late of, Chester County, Pennsylvania, deceased. Letters Testamentary on the above estate having been granted to the undersigned, all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make payment, and those having claims to present the same, without delay to Johanna
Pauciulo (Executrix), 22 Hickory Lane,Malvern, PA 19355 C/O Michael L. Daiello, Esq. 2 W. Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382
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ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Karen Lee Topolski, Late of Oxford Township, Chester County, PA, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Michael Topolski Jr, Executor, PO Box 6, Lincoln University, PA 19352 7p-17-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Kenneth Meyle, Jr. Late of Spring City, East Coventry Township, Chester County PA, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Carolyn Cott, Executrix, 597 Porters Mill Road, Spring City, PA 19475.
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NON-PROFIT INCORPORATION
NOTICE
Steady Hands, 171 Cowan Road, Parkesburg PA 19365 has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988, as amended. The intent to incorporate as a NonProfit Corporation was filed by: Jonathan H Damon, 171 Cowan Road, Parkesburg PA 19365. 7p-24-1t
NOTICE
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR IN VOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF VEHICLE TITLE
Court of Common Pleas, Chester County, PA. Docket Number 2024-05961-MJ. RE: 2004 Harley Davidson, VIN# IHDIBLY174Y053104. A hearing is scheduled for August 08, 2024 at 9:30am before the Honorable Nicole Forzato, in courtroom 11, Justice Center, 201West Market Street, West Chester, PA. , in consideration of petition and upon motion of Martha Denise Prewitt.
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Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the
Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter,
Sale No. 24-8-223
Writ of Execution No. 2023-06785
DEBT $330,083.35
Property situate in the TOWNSHIP OF WEST NOTTINGHAM, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania, being BLR # 68-6-145.3A
IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling
PLAINTIFF: ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC VS
DEFENDANT: BRIDGET SULLIVAN
SALE ADDRESS: 82 Aarons Lane, Nottingham, PA 19362
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 7p-24-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter
Sale No. 24-8-229
Writ of Execution No. 2022-07831
DEBT $175,217.90
All that certain piece or parcel or Tract of land situate in the TOWNHSIP OF EAST NOTTINGHAM, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and being known as 187 Barnsley Road, Oxford, Pennsylvania 19363.
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF
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Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter
Sale No. 24-8-231
Writ of Execution No. 2018-11548
DEBT $367,144.70
PROPERTY SITUTATE IN NEW GARDEN TOWNSHIP
Tax Parcel # 60-040-171
IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling
PLAINTIFF: M&T BANK VS DEFENDANT: BOUBACAR TOURE
SALE ADDRESS: 106 Birkdale Circle, Avondale, PA 19311
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML
LAW GROUP, P.C. 215-6271322
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF
7p-24-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions
are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter Sale No. 24-8-240 Writ of Execution No. 2019-11735 DEBT $349,561.43
ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of Woodland, Situate in the Township of West Marlborough aforesaid, bounded and described as follows, viz:
BEGINNING at a stone in the public road leading from Leonard to Clonmell; THENCE by other lands of the said William Jones, North 1 degree West, 400 feet to a stone; THENCE the same course continued 587.3 feet; THENCE by land of W. Plunkett Stewart, North 89 degrees West 211.54 feet; THENCE by land of Anna M. Brosius Estate, South 3 degrees East, 987.3 feet to a stone; THENCE along the public road from Clonmell to Leonard, South 89 degrees East 211.54 feet to the place of beginning.
CONTAINING 5 acres of land, more or less.
BEING the same premises which Barbarann J. Evans and John W. Evans, Wife and Husband, and Mary Rose Balch, by Indenture dated 11-24-99 and recorded 1201-99 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Chester in Deed Book 4676 Page 185, granted and conveyed unto Daniel Garrison Thomforde.
Tax Parcel # 48-7-9
PLAINTIFF: US Bank Trust National Association, Not In Its Individual Capacity But Solely As Owner Trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust VS
DEFENDANT: Daniel G. Thomforde a/k/a Daniel Garrison Thomforde
SALE ADDRESS: 238 Clonmell Upland Road, West Grove, PA 19390
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PARKER MCCAY PA 856596-8900
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 7p-24-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester,
Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter
Sale No. 24-8-249 Writ of Execution No. 2024-00456 DEBT $306,937.65
Property to be sold is situated in the borough/township of Kennett, County of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Tax Parcel # 6203 00060000
IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling or lot (if applicable)
PLAINTIFF: Civic Real Estate Holdings III, LLC VS DEFENDANT: North Mill Holdings, LLC
SALE ADDRESS: 491 North Mill Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: FRIEDMAN VARTOLO 212471-5100
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 7p-24-3t
Notice of Self Storage Sale
Please take notice Storage First Downington located at 3925 Hazelwood Ave Downington PA 19335 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.com on 8/6/2024 at 10:00AM. Lynnee Wilson-Smith units #124 & #191; Julie Kadingo unit #192. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. 7p-172t
Help Wanted Caretaker/ Assistant for disabled veteran. 10-12 Hrs. per week. $30.00/ hr., Laundry, Errands and Light Cleaning, Must have a valid driver’s license, Call- 610609-6319 7p-17-3t
Auto Auctions
The auction is being held at 2001 Limestone Rd Cochranville, PA 19330. The auction will be held on Thursday July 25th, 2024 at 9:00 AM. 2009 BMW X3 VIN - WBXPC934X9WJ24797 7p-24-1t
Pa. Senate approves promotion of local airman to Brigadier General
An airman from Upper Oxford Township is one step closer to becoming a Brigadier General in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard following the State Senate’s approval of his nomination.
Recently, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously
approved the confirmation of Colonel Jaime E. Ramirez, who currently serves as the 193rd Special Operation Maintenance Group Commander in Middletown, Pa.
“Col. Ramirez has served in the military for more than three decades. I was proud to support his nomination and
State Sen. Carolyn Comitta met with Col. Ramirez and his family prior to introducing him before the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee.
A look at animal abuse data in Pa. since Libre’s Law took effect
see it progress,” Comitta said. “It was a pleasure to get to know him and his family and I thank them for all of the sacrifices they and so many other military families make to defend our nation and our freedoms.”
“I’ve had the honor of serving alongside remarkable individuals throughout my career, including recent command of the Maintenance Group at the 193rd Special Operations Wing,” Ramirez said. “Their contributions have been invaluable to my growth as a leader. I can’t thank them enough for helping grow this Colonel. “Military service presents significant challenges, made easier with unwavering family support, which I’ve been fortunate to have throughout my career. I encourage individuals of all backgrounds and ages who are seeking challenges to explore the opportunities that military service offers. Our nation relies on your dedication and service.”
In a letter recommending Col. Ramirez’s nomination to Governor Josh Shapiro, Major General Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, noted that Ramirez was selected from a field of 24 eligible candidates as the best-qualified officer due to his vast experience in command and leadership
“Colonel Ramirez is a proven leader and an exceptional officer who possesses unlimited potential to serve and excel in positions of greater authority,” Maj. Gen. Schindler wrote.
Born in south Texas, Col. Ramirez entered the Air Force in October 1993 as an Aerospace Equipment Apprentice. He became a commissioned officer in 2005. He has been assigned to several squadron, group, and headquarters positions
throughout the Regular Air Force and Air National Guard and has been deployed in support of numerous contingencies, including Operations Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom.
Col. Ramirez studied at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. Prior to graduating from Senior Development Education, he previously served as the Chief, Mobility Aircraft Branch, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, MD. In his previous role, he supported 55 field units, managed aircraft conversions, modernization, and unit mobilization efforts for 10 Weapon Systems, with over 440 total aircraft across the Air National Guard.
Col. Ramirez previously served in a key position within the White House Military Office as the Presidential Contingency Training and Evaluation Officer.
His awards and decorations include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters),
the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
In the civilian sector, Col. Ramirez has held numerous positions in the Operations and Maintenance fields since 2002.
National Guard officers simultaneously hold two distinct entities: a state-level one in their state’s Guard, and one in the reserves of their respective federal military branches. That means they must be approved for promotion at both the state and federal levels.
With Senate approval, Col. Ramirez’s nomination, along with that of eight others, cleared the Pennsylvania process. Now, he must also have his nomination processed through the Pentagon and Congress, via a process called “federal recognition,” which can take months or longer. Recently, he was assigned to report for federal active-duty military service as the Senior Air National Guard Advisor to the Reserve Forces Policy Board.
CCIU delivers cutting-edge cybersecurity services to educational organizations
The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), a leading educational service agency in southeastern Pennsylvania, has forged an innovative partnership with Rubrik, a pioneering cloud data management company, and ePlus, a leading consultative technology solutions provider, to offer a managed immutable backup service to educational organizations. This groundbreaking service enables schools and educational institutions to secure their critical data using state-of-the-art technology, managed by CCIU’s expert cybersecurity team, at an affordable price. CCIU technicians work
closely with school IT staff to seamlessly connect to the service, configure backup jobs, and perform thorough test restores. By offloading the day-to-day maintenance and support of the system to CCIU, overworked school staff can focus on their core responsibilities, confident in the knowledge that their data is being safeguarded by professionals. This service’s most significant advantage is CCIU’s role as an integral part of the organization’s incident response team, providing invaluable assistance in recovering from ransomware attacks and other data-destroying incidents. Since launching
this service in 2020, CCIU has successfully helped two organizations recover from ransomware incidents, minimizing instructional time loss and averting the need to pay hefty ransoms.
With over 20 organizations already benefiting from this service, and more school leaders recognizing the near impossibility of recovering alone from cyber attacks, CCIU’s cybersecurity offering is rapidly gaining traction.
Bryan Ruzenski, a certified education technology leader and director of external technology services at CCIU, said, “Cybersecurity is a vast and complex subject,
and educational organizations need support to handle it effectively. Educational service agencies (ESAs) are uniquely positioned to deliver the expertise, guidance, and technology that schools need to protect their data and quickly recover so their students are still able to learn, even if technology is compromised.”
Across the nation, other ESAs are following suit, offering similar cybersecurity services and technologies to support educational institutions in their efforts to protect student and staff data and ensure continuity of operations. As technology continues
to evolve and become more specialized, more consortiums and services are expected to launch in the coming months and years,
providing educational organizations with the resources they need to leverage technology while mitigating associated risks.
Courtesy photo
State Sen. Carolyn Comitta with Colonel Jaime E. Ramirez of Upper Oxford Township and his family, wife Kate, son Jackson, and daughter Margaret. Col. Ramirez’s nomination to serve as Brigadier General in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania Senate. His nomination now must move through the federal process.
Courtesy photo
The Chester County Intermediate Unit is offering a managed immutable backup service to educational organizations. Pictured are Bryan Ruzenski, Kristina Young, Laurel Di Fonzo, Tim Haas, and Walter Snyder. and (back from left) Mike Martinez and Larry Konig.
Libre’s Law, the anticruelty law (Act 10) that strengthened the protection of animals, went into effect in late August of 2017. Since then, over 52,000 animal abuse offenses have been filed statewide – 61 percent of which were for neglect of animal(s).
This infographic highlights key data about animal abuse cases and offenses committed statewide since the law took effect.
Kohler Crushed Stone Showers By Home Smart
Home Smart Industries is the areas only Authorized Dealer of Kohler’s LuxStone shower wall system made of 70% real crushed marble and professionally installed at prices comparable to acrylic showers. When you have our Kohler LuxStone Design Consultants to your home for a Design Consultation, you will be given an exact, to the penny price including all labor, materials, removal, haul away, installation and permits. No surprise costs AND we honor that price for 1 year GUARANTEED.
All of the design and product selection is done in your home, saving you time and ensuring the choices work perfectly with your space. We offer senior & military discounts as well as other discounts plus financing so a shower remodel is affordable on any budget.Don’t cover your problem up with a tub or shower liner. Design your bathtub or shower replacement with our trained and certified Specialists at a price you can afford.
“Great experience with Home Smart. I collected a couple quotes for a bathtub/surround replacement. Home Smart offered the most aesthetically pleasing option at a competitive price. They also beat the installation lead time estimate by ~4 weeks. Ken and Tony came and efficiently completed the install. My house is old and there were challenges to work with, but they worked through them and in the end, product looks really great. Thanks!”
