Chester County Press 10-29-2025 Edition

Chester CountyPRESS

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

Volume 159, No. 44

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

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One shooter taken into custody and identified; investigation is underway for other potential shooters

Mass shooting at Lincon University leaves six injured, one dead

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The Lincoln University campus, which was the scene of a festive Homecoming Weekend of celebration, turned violent on Saturday night Oct. 25 when shots began to ring out in the parking lot near the university’s International Cultural Center (ICC) Building, injuring six people and killing one person.

Officials have identified one of the suspects

INSIDE

involved in the shooting as 21-year-old Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, who is currently being held in the Chester County Prison on a $25,000 bail. He has been charged with carrying a firearm without a license.

“We cannot confirm however right now at this time whether or not that the gun that was found on him was used in the shooting,” said Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe at a press conference held by on Oct. 26.

The Chester County Press held its very first “Conversation with the Candidates” in collaboration with the Kennett Library that drew a full audience at Kennett’s defense keys a the library’s auditorium on comeback win...1B Oct. 23 and over 700 online viewers. They saw an hourlong interview with current Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick and longtime Mayor Leon Spencer, who are both vying to become the borough’s next mayor in an

To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553 © 2007 The Chester County Press

Continued on Page 2A

Oct. 26, the building’s parking lot was declared a crime scene.

Chester County Press hosts ‘Conversation’ with Kennett Square mayoral candidates

By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer

Brandywine Museum of Art unveils N.C. Wyeth’s archival materials...5B

Officials also said Jujuan Jeffers, a 20-year-old man from Wilmington, Del. has been identified as the deceased victim, who reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the head and succumbed to his injuries.

All six who were injured in the shooting – and were taken to Christiana Hospital for treatment of their injuries - fall in the age range of 20 to 25 years old and Photo by Richard L. Gaw are expected to survive their A mass shooting that occurred at Lincoln University’s International Cultural Center injuries.

Building on Oct. 25 left one person dead and six people injured. By the morning of

election that will be held on Nov. 4.

“In these current times, it’s very easy to get lost in the federal, worldwide news and elections,” said Press Publisher Avery Lieberman.

“We must not forget, though, how important local leadership, community and involvement is and how important it is to stay locally informed. Tonight, I hope you take away Matt and Leon’s answers and use them to make an informed decision in this election. I hope the residents of this

remarkable town continue to stay engaged, use our voices and see the meaningful impact that we can make as a community.”

Richard L. Gaw, associate editor of the Chester County Press, served as moderator of the event and began the town hall on a positive note by asking each candidate to pay a compliment Continued on Page 4A Photo by Gabbie Burton

The Chester County Press hosted “A Conversation with the Candidates,” on Oct. 23 at the Kennett Library, that invited Kennett Square mayoral candidates Matt Fetick and Leon Spencer to respond to key issues about the borough that were posed by Associate Editor Richard L. Gaw, left.

Candidates vying for four seats on Oxford Borough Council

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer The 2025 Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. This report is intended to give voters more information about the candidates running for

seats on Oxford Borough Council.

Oxford Borough Council has four seats opening up in this election cycle. Two current council members, Luke Neidigh and Peggy Ann Russell, are not seeking re-election. Two other incumbents, Amanda Birdwell (D) and Bob Ketcham (D), are seeking

another term. New faces running council seats for the first time are Matthew Harper (R), Michael Brandt (D) and Melody Boston Griffin (D).

Here’s a look at the candidates:

be a new face in the borough council arena, but she has lived in Oxford since 1988. She attended Oxford Schools. As the mother of four children, she feels that it is time for her to make a difference in the town that she calls home. She feels Melody Boston Griffin being a council person is a great way to give back to Melody Boston might the community where she is

FROM OUR LENS Autumn’s other foliage

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Campaign signage dotted the corner of Broad Run and Saw Mill roads in Landenberg this past week, in advance of Election Day on Nov. 4. Stay tuned to the Chester County Press for complete election results. For a complete list of candidates, district maps and polling locations, visit the Chester County Voter Services’ website at www.chesco.org.

raising her children.

She loves Oxford and the giving community. She and her mother both volunteer for SILO (Serving Inspring and Loving Others). Her mother can be found cooking for the monthly meals.

She loves Oxford and hopes that she can bring a different vision and Continued on Page 2A

Kennett Township gives supporting reasons for proposed new police facility

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Following an introductory presentation on Aug. 6 and an open house event on Sept.

24, Kennett Township has continued to receive concerns and complaints from several of its residents about the proposed new home for the Kennett Township Police Department, who question whether the estimated $10 million facility is a sound investment, or if it is even necessary.

At the township’s Oct. 22 Board of Supervisors meeting, township Manager Alison Dobbins and Director of Public Works Ted Otteni addressed several of those concerns in a presentation that supported the construction of the facility, which is proposed to

be located adjacent to the Kennett Township Building at 801 Burrows Run Road in Chadds Ford.

“I have appreciated the thoughtful input that we have received – emails and phone calls and open house communication,” Dobbins said. “We’ve heard from people who support it, and from people who have concerns, so tonight what we want to do is take the concerns that we have been receiving and do our best to address them.”

Titled “Municipal Facility Expansion,” the presentation began with Dobbins providing the short history of the township’s idea to construct a new police facility, a process that began in September 2024 in the form of a feasibility Continued on Page 4A

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Continued from Page 1A

perspective to borough council. Being a mother and working at her job at Stoltzfus Statistics gives her skills she would like to use serving on borough council.

“I’ve attended council meetings and have seen first-hand the decisions I could play a part in,” she said. “I hope to address the issue of sidewalks. Many have been improved, but I’d like to see the improvements continue.”

Her interest in borough council was definitely piqued when the traumatic fire that displaced 20 families happened two years ago.

“I have a friend that lived very near to that,” she explained. “I see the effects of that fire every day, what it did to the apartments and businesses. I’d like to be a part of helping with that in any way I can. I frequently walk through the business district, and I am excited about the re-building.”

Griffin works with numbers at her current job, and she would like to bring those skills to working on the budget.

“I do the accounts payable and receivables and other accounting issues and I love that,” she said. “I will bring my experience handling financial issues to the borough if elected.”

Griffin is also happy she

lives in a town where there is 24/7 police protection.

“I love the community policing that is done by our officers. I watch them every year as they hand out toys to children. I feel safe and cared for here,” she said.

Amanda Birdwell Amanda Birdwell has served on Oxford Borough Council since 2018. During that time, she has served on a number of committees.

“I was on the local traffic committee advisory and on the finance committee.

Both were very important to me,” she said. “I am concerned that we are devoting too much money to new

projects that align with the goals of consultants, and too little focused on the things that impact day-today life in our community, such as affordable housing, relief from codes that are outdated or that interfere with residents’ property rights, and supporting public institutions.”

Birdwell feels she can help the borough residents in a number of ways.

“I would like to set a precedent that we solicit more public feedback about decisions we make,” she said. “It’s difficult because decisions are sometimes difficult to connect to dayto-day life, but I think we could do more to help everyday residents under-

stand what we are voting on so we get their input as well as that of our solicitor and borough staff.”

“I’m pretty vocal,” Birdwell said. “I guess I’m pretty literal-minded and I’m not really wired to go along with things I think are wrong or don’t make sense. I’m not afraid to be the one vote out of seven against something, and I think there is value in that.

I also really want taxes in the borough to stop going up. Honestly, in a perfect world, there would be a council person who works less and has fewer family commitments to take on this role, but I think it’s telling that even though it is a challenge to make

time and keep showing up, I’ve done that consistently through the past 7 years.”

Birdwell lists a number of accomplishments since she has been on council.

“I got the fence around the Oxford Memorial Park,” she said. “I remember that some borough council members at that time didn’t want it. They thought that parents should just watch their kids more closely and, if not, they should, I don’t know, get hit by cars? That was in my first year.”

She continued, “I worked with council members to prohibit setting up outdoor smoking areas on the sidewalks so people can go downtown without

Shooting...

Continued from Page 1A

On whether there may have been more than one shooter involved, de Barrena-Sarobe did not confirm or deny the suspicion but said, “There is evidence that leads us to believe that that is a viable theory right now. We are investigating this as if there is possibly more than one shooter, and I use the word “shooters” because this is a very real and distinct possibility.” de Barrena-Sarobe also said that the investigation may have reason to believe the suspect – or suspects did not come to the campus with the intent to commit a mass shooting.

“We are operating under the belief that the shooter or shooters in this case did not come here with the specific design to cause a mass casualty event,” he said. “We believe that they would have operated differently, and so we’re treating this is a hooting that broke out in the middle of Homecoming.”

‘Devastated’ During an early Sunday morning press conference three hours after the shootings, de Barrena-Sarobe was joined by representatives from the Chester County Detectives, the University’s police department, the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police in delivering the first statements regarding the investigation. He called the shooting “a devastating night in southern Chester County Lincoln University.”

“We don’t have a lot of answers about exactly what happened,” de BarrenaSarobe said. “What I will tell you is that today we’re operating as if this is not an incident where someone came in with the design to inflict mass damage on a college campus.”

“This was to be a joyous occasion - Homecoming, when individuals come back and give back to their

Tents from the university’s Homecoming festivities on Oct. 25 stood as reminders of the camaraderie that had washed over the campus the day before.

alma mater and relive the good memories of their time at Lincoln University, which has helped them propel into life, and this was interrupted by gunfire that should not have occurred,” said Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee at the press conference.

“We are concerned for our students who had to experience this, our alumni who had to experience this, and our visitors and friends.

“If there was a more impactful word than ‘Devastated,’ I would use it, but ‘Devastated’ is a start.”

Information from a scanner traffic report provided a timeline of the incident from 9 p.m. until 11:48 p.m. that included victims being trampled during the incident and requiring medical attention, as well as a separate incident involving several men near the university’s football stadium: 9:00 p.m. Several police and EMS units arrived on the Lincoln University campus, 1570 Baltimore Pike. Police on scene report multiple gunshot victims at the ICC Building.

9:17 p.m. EMS reporting at least three victims at this time, possibly more.

Police units from all over the western part of Chester County begin to arrive on the scene.

9:19 p.m. 12 EMS units dispatched and or on scene 9:22 p.m. Active shots being heard at this time inside the building.

9:33 p.m. Four victims reported.

9:40 p.m. A Level 2 Mass Casualty (MCI) has been declared. Multiple additional EMS units now dispatched.

9:40 p.m. Now confirmed: Five patients shot.

Unknown at this time if any more.

10:07 p.m. Several allterrain vehicles (ATVs) are dispatched to assist with transporting injured persons to the staging area.

EMS units report that they are unable to get through due to traffic.

10:23 p.m. A medical helicopter has now been requested to the scene as well.

10:29 p.m. Another possible gunshot victim just found, as well as multiple subjects that have been injured from being trampled.

10:32 p.m. A large group of approximately 20 males now fighting in front of the stadium.

10:41 p.m. Two helicopters enroute to the scene.

10:47 p.m. Another disturbance now at the McDonalds/Wawa at 1849 Baltimore Pike 11:48 p.m. Situation still ongoing Earlier, the campus was the site of a Homecoming Weekend of festivities that began on Oct. 23 with a Kick-Off pep rally and reception, followed by a Welcome Party at the Young Alumni Lounge on Oct. 24. The celebration continued on Oct. 25 with an alumni breakfast meet-and-greet event, followed by a tailgating and Yardfest event that began at 10 a.m. – all as a prelude to the Homecoming game between the Lions

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Twelve hours after the shooting, the university’s campus was nearly empty of students.

and visiting Elizabeth City State University at the university’s Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman Field. A Homecoming worship service was also scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Mary Dod Memorial Chapel.

An official statement from Lincoln University President Dr. Brenda Allen was released to the public on Oct. 26.

“What occurred last night was tragic for our students, our families and our community,” the statement began. “Gun violence happens too far often in our country, and we are heartbroken that Lincoln University and its students are the latest victims of such senseless violence. An unfortunate incident occurred on our campus, and while more information will continue to be released, we want to assure you that the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and local, state and federal law enforcement partners are all actively investigating this matter.

“The University is fully cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.

As this remains an ongoing investigation, details may evolve over the next several days We will continue to keep the Lincoln University community informed of any major updates as they become available.

“While these events

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deeply sadden us, we are committed to using all available resources to support our students, faculty and staff as we heal and move forward together.”

A private service was held for the Lincoln University community in the historic district between Vail and Amos halls on Oct. 27 “for a moment of reflection, connection and collective healing.” In addition, counseling services are being provided for students, faculty and staff.

The morning after

“At first, I didn’t hear anything but two minutes later, I saw several students running toward us, and at that point, it clicked that something had happened,” he said. “I began to make sure all of my friends were together.”

A third student recalled the chaotic scene.

“We were all just hanging out near the ICC listening to music and then we saw a crowd of people begin running, so that obviously means that you run,” he said. “We hopped over the gate as best as we could along with a crowd of people who were trying to do the same thing, but we really didn’t understand what was going on. No one did.”

On Sunday morning, at the intersection of two campus buildings, a mother stood alone. She said that she lives close enough to the university that she can hear its marching band from her back yard. Fifteen minutes after arriving, she had given ten hugs to students who were passing by her.

“My first reaction was to check in with the students that I am in regular contact with, to make sure they were safe,” he said. “When I knew they were, there was some guilt, because there were several other people who were not safe, according to the scanners I was listening to.

“I have two college students, and they were calling me to process this, because this our community that we love here. They are at different schools, and I just thought, ‘I can’t hug my own two kids who are upset today, but there are kids here who I can hug, who need their mother to hug them.

“I didn’t even know if they would let me on campus, but I just thought I would try.”

On Oct. 26, just 12 hours removed from the shooting, the picturesque and historic Lincoln University campus was stilled to near silence and nearly devoid of students, save for a few who walked mostly alone on pathways, huddled in the company of their phones. The reminders of the previous day’s festivities still lingered – large white tents where alumni had gathered to celebrate their alma mater, signage that welcomed them back to campus, and festive autumn arrangements complete with flowers, pumpkins and hay bales were still proudly standing at the university’s entrance and football stadium main gate.

Some students spoke on the condition that they would not be identified.

“It was scary and stressful,” one student said. “I didn’t really know what was going on, but when I found out what had happened, I was more shocked because of how this campus is. It’s very small and intimate and secluded, so to hear of something like that happening here is very upsetting.”

A second student said he was enjoying food from the food trucks near the postHomecoming event at the ICC, when he heard someTo contact Staff Writer one tell him that “someone Richard L. Gaw, email was shooting.” rgaw@chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Local News walking through smoke.

And I worked with Bob Ketchum and other council members to increase the Oxford Library and Oxford Area Recreation Authority funding so these institutions can remain solvent.”

She also highlighted the work of Council President Kathryn Cloyd.

“With the help of the rest of council, particularly Kathryn Cloyd, we’ve started to work toward meeting our MS4 requirements to keep the waterways around our borough clean,” she said.

Birdwell has many more plans for the future if re-elected.

“I want to facilitate more public input into some of the more esoteric decisions about spending and infrastructure,” she said. “We spend a lot of money on projects that could be put off, in an effort to make up for decades of under-investment in our infrastructure.

But I feel like we are going too far in the other direction and would benefit from more direction from the borough about what residents’ priorities are.

“I’d like to move more slowly with things like making residents repair their sidewalks, stop investing resources in telling residents what kind of signs or windows they can have in the HARB, and direct our attention to ensuring that critical services and resources—educational, recreational, and infrastructure- are met.”

She added, “I’d like to re-establish LTAC, ideally with more input from residents and board members

who are passionate about the subject. And I’d like to find a way to bring down policing costs so we can retain our current police force. I don’t think we need to go from our current situation to outsourcing it.”

Birdwell served in AmeriCorps working in early education and as a caregiver for adults with disabilities while she attended college. Later, she ran child care and educational programs in New York City. From 2014 to 2023, she worked as a nurse in hospitals, dialysis centers, and primary care clinics. Currently, she is a nurse practitioner at a local health center that aims to provide health care to residents regardless of income, ability, gender, or any other social determinant of health.

Robert Ketcham Ketcham has many thoughts on the borough and what has been done and remains to be done in Oxford.

“Pauline Garcia-Allen brought many skills to the job of borough manager,” he explained. “She is excellent at securing outside funding, so we have done very well in that regard.

Under her leadership, we have strengthened our Public Works Department and the administrative team in the Borough Hall, including the Codes Department.

The Water Department has made major progress as well.”

However, he sees two big challenges that remain.

“One is to build a Capital

Replacement Fund,” Ketcham said. “The idea here is that we set aside money regularly so that we build up the funds we need to replace capital items when they need to be replaced.

These items include everything from computers and trucks to road surfaces and the driving surface of the parking garage. We are playing catch-up here because borough councils in the past have not set aside money for these predictable expenditures.”

He also spoke about a subject on everyone’s mind: the police force.

“The second challenge is to keep our police force in good shape,” Ketcham said.

“We are the victim of market forces here. Relatively few people are going into policing careers and that means municipalities compete for the ones who do.

“Wealthier municipalities offer higher salaries and we lose people to them. We are under pressure to raise our salaries. We are looking at ways to keep the financial impact of this situation to a minimum.”

Ketcham talked about another problem facing the borough.

“We have a small revenue base and that is a fundamental problem for us,” he said. “Most of our revenue comes from property taxes.

We can raise or lower our local tax rate but distributing the burden equitably is a function of how properties are assessed, and that is not in our power. We need the state and the county to do their jobs in this area.”

Ketcham also said that the borough has to be very

careful in making financial decisions.

“This is always true, of course, but it is really critical in Oxford because of our small revenue base,” he explained. “I do not have special training in municipal finances, but I do have experience working with quantitative data and with testing ideas so I think I can make useful contributions here as a council member.”

Ketcham expressed what he felt about several other topics that will be important in the near future.

“We have pretty serious traffic congestion,” he said.

“It has worsened as new developments have been built outside town, and more are on the way. We might do one thing helpful if we can create enough space at Locust and Third Street to accommodate a turn lane.

Ideas for bigger solutions are in the Comprehensive Plan we finished last year.

We should keep holding conversations about traffic, even if we don’t have quick fixes at hand.”

Ketcham strongly believes that the borough has a great resource in the Oxford Area Recreation Authority on Locust Street.

“We should encourage people to find out about the park and use it more,” he said.

Good things are coming for the borough and one is the cooperation among current property owners along Niblock Alley to develop second storefronts.

“That is the best news I’ve heard about downtown since I’ve been on council.

I want to encourage that project. It will make down-

town more attractive and and feels that as long as everyone follows the rules enjoyable,” Ketcham said. the town will be okay.

Matthew Harper Harper feels it is time for some changes, but regionMatthew Harper alization of the police moved into Oxford from department is not one of Nottingham in 2017. He has them. very specific thoughts about One aspect he loves about the borough. the borough, he said, is that “Right now, I think the “Everyone looks out for most important thing is each other.” to save our police department,” he said. “I’d like to Michael Brandt see us do a National Night Out and continue to do the This will be Michael community policing our Brandt’s first attempt police department does. at running for a political That is very important.” office. His biggest concern Harper continued, “I is the borough’s financial would like to see more busi- situation. The second bigness in town. Oxford is now gest concern he has would the ‘Gateway to Chester be setting the town up for County.’ We have to increase commercial success going our Business Infrastructure forward. Brandt would District to include more of like to do his best to see the businesses. I want to see the town flourish and he bigger First Fridays.” strongly feels he has the He owns PA Boy’s knowledge to do so.

Barbecue food truck, and “I have a strong sense of also owns the former Varsity community and the drive Grill, which he operates to cooperate with everyfrom Thursdays through one to make Oxford the Sundays. best it can be,” he said.

Harper was a former foot- “I think it is possible to ball coach at Octorara and bring more businesses into served in the Army from our town and expand our 2011 to 2016. He feels like commercial district. I think a lot of changes are coming that would be a win for to Oxford Borough, and he everyone.” would like to see a younger “I believe we can find a generation step in. common-sense solution to “I feel everyone should the police issue and other have a voice in the deci- financial concerns,” he sions that are made,” he said. “I would welcome the said. “I’m not sure they are opportunity to be a part all being heard. I would of the rebuilding after the like to be the voice for tragic fire in the center of the people and the small town.” businesses.”

Brandt works for Intuit, a He feels Oxford is a safe company known for helptown and would like to see ing small businesses, and it stay that way. He feels he would like to bring that can be done. He loves his expertise to Oxford the diversity in the town Borough Council.

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Housing affordability in the borough

to the other. Each candidate shared their mutual respect for each other, and then shared their reasons for running for reelection as mayor.

“There’s a few important projects to me that are not yet finished that I think really are important to our community, that I want to see over the finish line,” Fetick said.

Projects he shared that are top of mind are the development of the NVF site, curbing the phorid fly infestation and focusing on developing more affordable housing in the borough.

For Spencer, his reasons for running focused on his love for the Kennett Square community and eliminating divisiveness.

“Number one is an overarching love of people,” Spencer said. “Number two is the love of this community, and the third answer is that I have an affinity for unity. I sense divisiveness that, unfortunately, is driven from the federal level.

There’s no time for that.

I have a drive within me, and always have, to bring people together. That has a lot to do with why I’m doing this.”

Gaw then turned the questions towards overdevelopment in the borough and concerns of housing affordability.

“What I hear from people often, and from a lot of people, is they’re challenged by the fact that any residential projects, any developmental projects that have taken place here in the last three or four years, have all carried a label of luxury,” Spencer said. “Any future development, including the property that I know we’re going to talk about, has to be for affordable living, and not so much for luxury.”

Fetick said that in future residential development in the borough, he will not support any projects there that do not have an affordable component.

Additionally, he provided insight into the density of development in the borough and the difficulty of guaranteeing affordable housing development.

“We certainly can look at the way we do density and how that works, but keep in mind for a developer, for them to offer affordable components, they have to have a trade off,” he said.

Police facility...

police station serves as a make-shift facility and lacks adequate police functions that you would normally find at police stations.

“There’s no prisoner processing area,” he said. “The holding cell is basically a converted bathroom. There is no reception [area] in any way, shape or form for people who come to see the police.”

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study. Through a partnership with Ambler, Pa.-based GKO Architects, the township created a needs assessment analysis that evaluated current conditions and projected staffing and operational features; accumulated an inventory of existing spaces and usage in the current police department; and determined the impact of a potential new police facility on interdepartment relationships between the township’s departments.

At the Aug. 6 meeting, the board was presented with three different building options, but ultimately chose to explore the potential of constructing an 11,500-square-foot option – a facility that will include “hard areas” like a sally port, an evidence and prisoner processing area and holding cells on one side of the building, and “soft areas” that will include a front lobby, department offices and upgraded facilities for the entire police staff.

Feasibility study: ‘A tool for local officials’ Dobbins described a feasibility study as “an in-depth review that helps a township or municipality decide whether a proposed project or initiative is practical and worthwhile.”

“It really serves as a tool for local officials and the community to use when considering whether to move forward with the project,” she said, referring to images presented at the open house that compared diagrams of the concept floor plan for new facility against the current configuration of the police department offices, located on the second floor of the Township Building.

Those varying scenarios were front and center at the township’s open house – which included tours of the current offices. Otteni said the tours were “very beneficial, because they allowed people to see how a lot of the staff is sitting on top of each other, and how the

Responses to comments and concerns One of residents’ leading questions about the proposed new police facility is about whether the township needs one, said Dobbins.

The workload of police unit should not just be measured by the number of arrests it makes, but the ancillary tasks it does that are often reflected in call volume.

The township’s police unit took in 980 calls this past March, an average of 30 a day.

“What is not reflected in the call data are things like the hours of training, the paperwork, and the 73 linear miles of road that are patrolled in this township,” she said. “Another thing that happens is that a crime can occur in Kennett township, but the arrest may happen outside of the township, so just looking at the data doesn’t necessarily paint the picture of how busy our police department is.”

Because Kennett Township’s seniors make up 27 percent of its entire population – much larger than other populations - Dobbins said a lot of the department’s focus is on dealing with the increasing number of fraud incidents perpetuated against this population.

“There is also a lot of time invested in community policing such as regulating speed controls and the running of stop signs,” Otteni said. “Just their presence helps to bring down speeds in some of our neighborhoods. I don’t know how we would address that without being able to mobilize our officers to some of those concerns.”

Another option suggested by the public, Dobbins said,

“They have to make money somewhere because it costs them this amount of money so you give them the trade off by giving them density and allowing to build maybe 15 percent more so that they can afford to offer affordable homes.”

After a question on the cleanup and safety of the NVF site from Gaw, Fetick gave a quick explanation that the site is at about 85 percent cleaned up and is so far passing safety tests in the monitoring wells tracking the groundwater infiltration of the PCBs. ‘I do not support warrantless arrests’ Gaw then brought attention to ICE activity in the borough and asked the candidates for their opinions.

“In February of this year, Immigration and Customs performed a raid on Chavos tires, a business less than a mile from where we now sit,” Gaw said. “In late January, ICE conducted a series of operations in other parts of Chester County that resulted in the arrest of 44 undocumented individuals.

Half of the population of this borough continues to live in constant fear that they too will be deported.”

“I do not support the

immigration enforcement that we’re currently experiencing,” Fetick said. “I do not support warrantless arrests. I do not support racial profiling. I do not support ICE officers standing in our shopping centers and on our streets and stopping people based on the color of their skin and requiring them to provide ID. I do not support those in any way, shape or form.”

Fetick noted that in his role as mayor he has been able to build a network with other local and state representatives and officials to help aid community members in need during ICE arrests and safety concerns such as finding lost or missing community members.

Spencer responded, saying, “I think that this small town that depends upon the concentration of immigrant people needs to band together and say, ‘Hey, look here, if you want to get reelected, this is what you’re going to do.’ You’re going to make sure that for the people who want to live in the United States of America, and who already have their green card and do all the things they have to do, that you will respond to them. If the Feds aren’t going to do it then we, as a community that is so depen-

Photo by Gabbie Burton

Long-time Mayor Leon Spencer is seeking to defeat incumbent Fetick in the Nov. 4 election.

dent upon immigrants, have to form together and force the issue.

“That’s what I believe.

I’m not much of a rebel, but sometimes you have to be.”

‘I love that this happened’

but when it comes to their reasons, they don’t really understand why,” said borough resident Sean Reigel.

“I love that this happened because I think when it comes to voting for people in anything, it turns out to be a case of, ‘Oh, you’re voting for them? Sure, I’ll vote for them too,’ and they don’t really understand what they’re voting for. Whereas I think now, when you sit in here and you listen to this forum, you now have a real clear idea of who you want to vote for and why.”

Borough residents will have a chance to vote for either Fetick or Spencer in the upcoming election on Nov. 4.

After about 45 minutes of discussion, the questions were turned over to the audience and included inquiries about the remaining debt service from construction of the Genesis parking garage, truck traffic concerns, overdevelopment, ICE and police regionalization.

After the event, community members shared their reasonings for coming to the town hall.

“There were quite a few people, and they’ve been To contact Contributing talking about one candidate Writer Gabbie Burton, negatively and the other email gburton@chestercandidate more positively, county.com.

Courtesy image

On Oct. 22, two Kennett Township administrators led a presentation that supported the township’s plans to pursue the construction of an estimated $10 million new police facility, pictured here to the left of the Township Building.

is to regionalize the existing department with other area units, similar to how the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department has combined the former West Grove Borough and New Garden Township police departments.

One of the e-mails the township received about police regionalization referred to the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department in Leechburg, Pa. – a ten-member squad that patrols nearly 7,000 residents across 19 square miles in two boroughs and one township. In comparison, Dobbins said that combined, the three communities don’t total the number of residents that Kennett Township has in a smaller square milage.

“Essentially, with ten officers covering about 7,000 residents, they are not dissimilar to what Kennett Township already has,” she said.

‘Penny-wise and pound-foolish’ Another suggestion raised by residents was that the township should save money by creating a smaller footprint for its police department than the proposed 11,500-square-foot facility, a recommendation that seems ironic, given that the supervisors voted down one option to develop a 17,000-square-foot building in August.

“Kennett Township Chief Matt Gordon and I looked at the [17,000 square-foot design] and said, ‘We’re still just a rural commu-

nity. We don’t need 17,000 square feet of space for our police department,” Otteni said. “Now that we’ve gotten the size of our building down to 11,500 square feet, we’re still going to look for ways to be cost effective with our design, but we don’t want to be penny-wise and pound-foolish, so that we’re standing here in eight years and saying that the current building does not meet our needs.

“We’re building this thing for the next 25 years.”

Otteni said that the proposed new facility incorporates all the necessary requirements for a modern police department which, he said, accounts for much of its square footage: a reception area, locker rooms, prisoner processing space, evidence storage and a sally port.

“These are all areas that do not exist at Kennett Township’s police department, and by the time you build the minimum-size [additions] onto a plan like this, you’re already pushing that 11,500 square feet, so there’s not a lot of room to pare back, but there is the understanding that we’re going to try.

“This will be within the means of the township, cost-effective and yet professional and thorough.”

Otteni and Dobbins also addressed two other citizen-generated alternatives – renting space in another part of the township or occupying the historic Fussell House – also known as the “Pines” – that the township refurbished several years ago.

“We did look at renting, but renting is not sustainable,” Otteni said. “We’d be paying rent every month, paying for upgrades, and if we get kicked out, we’d have to find someplace else.”

Otteni said that he measured every room at the Fussell House, but said that it was ill-equipped to host a modern-day police department.

“The Pines has allocated three parking spaces,” he said. “When I looked at it, it was too small even for the 11 staff members we have. It would not be able to house the staff in conjunction with what you would want in a professional building. You wouldn’t have conference rooms, adequate bathrooms, and no place for storage, and there is no way to get ADA access to the second floor.

“We vetted it, and it just doesn’t work as a modern-day administration building.”

The township continues to field concerns about the estimated cost of the proposed new building, and several have held the $10 million cost against the price that other townships have paid for their police stations. It’s an inaccurate comparison, he said. For instance, comparisons have been made to the Willistown Township police station, which cost $3.2 million but was constructed in 2014. Another comparison was made to the Pa. State police facility in Trevose, which cost $2.8 million but was built in 2004.

“We can’t be compar-

ing [the proposed police building] to something that was done 22 years ago,” Otteni said. “In the last six to eight years, construction costs have gone up 30 to 40 percent.”

One township resident at the meeting said that construction of the proposed new building will have “a huge burden” on township residents.

“What this police department has grown to over the lats ten or 15 years is ridiculous – totally ridiculous - and now you’re going to give them a bigger building that we’re going to have to fill with more officers and more stuff?” he asked. “Where do we draw the line?”

The estimated $10 million cost of the new facility will include design and engineering, construction, furnishings and fit outs, as well as contingency and escalation costs. In order to finance it, the township plans to use $2 million of its existing funds, establish a 25-year bond for $8 million – paid out at between $500,000-$655,000 annually - and consider raising the township’s per household property taxes by $152 a year, based on a 2025 average assessed value.

No final decisions about the proposed new building have been reached by the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors, and the township will continue to provide opportunities for township residents to offer public input.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Opinion

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.

Editorial

Opinion

Big plans for Oxford

Pa. needs more state prison boot camps

We are heartened by the plans for the King’s Cross Development that were unveiled earlier this month for downtown Oxford Borough.

All the design plans are preliminary at this point, but everyone is eager to see what will rise in place of the buildings that were destroyed by a devastating fire that ripped through the downtown in September of 2023.

The new development on Third Street will likely be a mixed-use project that will include a combination of space for commercial uses as well as for residential units.

Oxford Borough and Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. officials have long wanted to bring a theater back to the downtown, and significant funding for that project has been secured. The project was delayed as a result of the fire, but is once again moving forward, and Wilson King, the owner of the Third Street properties, wants to have a new theater as a big part of the creation of a town center for culture, food, and shopping. The buildings are expected to include a community gathering place with an area that could perhaps be used for a farmers market and another space for a cafe or small restaurant.

As part of the improvements to nearby Niblock Alley, the borough has undertaken upgrades for water lines, which makes it possible for the downtown to better supply water to a business like a brew pub or a larger restaurant.

We hope that the land-development process for the project is a smooth one, and that we all soon get to see the results of the King’s Cross Development. A lot of people worked very hard to revitalize Oxford’s downtown through the years. While there have been a lot of successes, Oxford has long needed another anchor business or two to bring more visitors to the downtown.

The King’s Cross Development could take the ongoing revitalization efforts to the next level.

Students have rights and they need to be protected The federal government is actively dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. One direct impact of this on students here in Pennsylvania is the closing of the Pennsylvania Office of Civil Rights, which was a part of the federal Department of Education. According to state lawmakers, if a student in Pennsylvania files a complaint about not receiving the resources they are legally entitled to, the case would now be handled by an office in Atlanta, if it was investigated at all.

Students have rights and those rights need to be protected. State Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), the minority chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, announced that she will introduce legislation to create an Office of Civil Rights within the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This legislation will authorize the state to investigate and enforce students’ federal civil rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other federal education laws. We hope that state lawmakers approve this legislation to ensure that all Pennsylvania students—including those who are the most vulnerable—receive the education that they are entitled to and have their rights protected.

By Michael Ohler The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) has one of the highest recidivism rates in the nation.

That’s why its decision to close the Quehanna Boot Camp last month, the state prison with the lowest rate of recidivism and the highest rate of GED graduations, continues to deserve scrutiny.

On the homepage of the DOC website, one of the first sentences the DOC uses to describe its mission is: “Through educational opportunities and treatment programs, it prepares incarcerated individuals for a successful reentry back into the community.” The boot camp program includes a regular regimen of exercise and character-building programs that hold inmates accountable for their behavior and rewards them for good behavior.

The program’s success was so widely regarded that former Corrections Secretary Martin Horn proclaimed boot camps “are here to stay” in Pennsylvania. Horn said the approach to holding inmates accountable “provide[s] as much safety — if not more safety — to the public at a better cost.”

That’s important because we’re told the decision to close Quehanna would save taxpayer money, but does it? The

DOC’s own 2022 report found that recidivism alone costs the commonwealth $3.1 billion.

Overall, nearly 65 percent of the commonwealth’s inmates returned to prison within three years.

There was a lesson to be learned by the success at Quehanna, but sadly our department ignored it. As someone who has worked inside our prisons for nearly three decades, it’s clear we no longer hold inmates accountable.

Simply put, we aren’t “correcting” anything, and our recidivism statistics prove this.

Now, we’re doubling down on this failure with the closure of the one facility that was the best at rehabilitation. Quehanna incentivized inmates for good behavior.

Rewards should be goals, not expectations. Today, inmates can walk into prison and automatically get everything they want, including access to the commissary and a television.

Sure, there are some disciplinary actions taken, but they’re relatively minor. The default approach has been to let inmates off with minimal or no punishment for poor behavior.

A prime example is corrections officers assaults by inmates. Officers can suffer brutal, life-altering injuries.

Non-physical assaults can be

just as devastating. Inmates throw bodily fluids at officers, which can lead to disease and take a tremendous mental toll on an officer and their loved ones. Such assaults used to earn someone up to a year in the prison’s restricted housing units (RHUs). Today, such behavior gets you no more than 30 days.

And going to the RHUs isn’t really a deterrent anymore, either. While some try to paint them as a Hollywood movie’s version of 20th century solitary confinement, the reality is inmates have cellmates. In fact, they even have the freedom to choose to have their own cell.

They also get a TV, snacks and outdoor recreation, hardly the “Escape from Alcatraz” setting some imagine.

If the point of corrections is to truly rehabilitate inmates for reentry into society, Quehanna’s military-style program provided actual incentives for good behavior, while building character. While the boot camp’s program lasted just six months, it created outcomes taxpayers expect for their investment. Inmates learned discipline and many walked out with a GED. In fact, Quehanna inmates received 30 percent of all GEDs earned within the system. That’s important because inmates with at least a high school degree fare bet-

Courtesy photo

Michael Ohler

ter, according to the DOC’s own report, which makes the Quehanna decision all the more short-sighted.

For some reason, this isn’t being done in other prisons.

That’s not to say Quehanna is a one-size-fits-all approach, but its main themes and approach to rehabilitation proved that it worked time and time again and was a good investment of taxpayer dollars.

That’s why closing Quehanna made no sense. In making this decision, DOC ignored years of its own data and countless personal stories of how the program helped people successfully reintegrate into society.

Closing Quehanna won’t save money. Sadly, the DOC’s own data shows it will likely only increase costs and recidivism.

Michael Ohler is the president of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association.

Autumn Sensations

By Marie-Louise Meyers Feel the delicate build-up of momentum, the energy reaching a crescendo while the mists have inundated the hoary grass with a fresh-winded embrace of leaves as if insight to gain.

Not in one jeweled tone but in many as it gathers to a kind of oozing penetration to install beauty wherever our pathway takes us; mums the word in gardens, marigolds touched with frost,

overarching trees driven to a kind of magnificence as they release their battery of yellow, purple and crimson leaves keeping time with the rapid firing of our heart strings.

Autumn subtly transforms the palette and your thinking, a fire brand of trees and bushes cross your path, the sun lowers its gaze at times into a haze but puts a nip and tuck into all languid deeds with acorns and nuts bombarding us but we’re made of sterner

stuff.

How the wood ducks put on their brakes to see me near the water’s edge not submerged within as if an undertaker to their chagrin.

Still you come across with rip-roaring energy in the enervating air with just a sprinkle of despair locked in for good measure for the even flow of summer has gone by with surprises in store till the countdown to winter begins.

All the promises we didn’t keep, reflection at a peak.

Autumn to me is like an infection, a confection, even a Mischief and Halloween maker but you can’t get enough of its inspired reflection changing the landscape with its heave ho of leaves you retrieve.

Cerebral days of exhilaration and contemplation calculated to inspire your every desire.

Climbing the last tendril of light into earth-shattering perfection.

New bus shelter installation in Phoenixville improves transit environment Partnership between Chester County and Phoenixville supports one of the borough’s busiest bus stops To strengthen Chester County’s transit options and improve amenities for bus riders, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe, together with the Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) recently partnered with SEPTA and other regional organizations to identify high-use bus stops most in need of shelters. As a result of this initiative, a new bus shelter has been installed at the bus stop near the intersection of Church and Main Streets in Phoenixville.

The stop—served by SEPTA Routes 99 and 139—was identified as one

of Chester County’s busiest boarding locations lacking a shelter. Its upgrade aligns with the goal of Chester County’s Landscapes3 Public Transportation Plan, which emphasizes improving rider experience and accessibility across the county.

Speaking on behalf of the County Commissioners, Maxwell said, “Public transportation is a lifeline for many of our residents, connecting them to jobs, healthcare, education, and other day-to-day needs. Something as simple as a bus shelter can make a big difference—providing comfort and safety for riders as they wait.”

Phoenixville Borough had already developed plans for streetscape enhancements in the area, and the addition of a bus shelter complemented those improvements.

Chester County provided Phoenixville with a grant to purchase a shelter of their choosing, in return for the borough’s commitment to installation and long-term maintenance.

Phoenixville Borough Manager E. Jean Krack said, “As a continuing revitalized and growing urban downtown, Phoenixville serves as a regional civic, Courtesy photo economic and population Chester County and Phoenixville officials and staff at the new bus stop shelter in downtown Phoenixville. Pictured from left to right are Matt Edmond, Chester County center.

Chester County Press Published by - The Lieberman Family

Steve Hoffman...............................Managing Editor Richard L. Gaw...............................Associate Editor Chris Barber.............................Contributing Writer Betsy Brewer Brantner...........Contributing Writer Marcella Peyre-Ferry..............Contributing Writer Gene Pisasale...........................Contributing Writer Monica Thompson Fragale....Contributing Writer Brenda Butt.....................................Office Manager

Alan E. Turns...........................Advertising Director Teri Turns...............................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren....................Advertising Executive Tricia Hoadley........................................Art Director Sherry Hutchinson......................Graphic Designer Gabbie Burton........................ Contributing Writer, ....................Digital Marketing and Media Specialist

NO REFUNDS AFTER RECEIPT OF SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT Current and previous week's issues are $1.50 each. Older issues are $2.50 each. Periodicals postage paid at Oxford, PA 19363. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chester County Press, P.O. Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346.

Planning Commission executive director, Kelly Getzfread, Phoenixville assistant borough manager, Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe, Brian Styche, Chester County Planning Commission environment and infrastructure director; Phoenixville Borough Manager E. Jean Krack, Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell, Meghan Straut, Phoenixville community engagement coordinator, Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler, and Alexus Strunck, project coordinator and Brian Watson, public works director for the Borough of Phoenixville.

“With the grant funding from the County, we were given the opportunity to expand transit service options within the Borough in the form of a bus stop hub and improved curbside

amenities resulting in an appealing bus shelter that includes sustainable solar lighting for nighttime riders while they wait for their bus.”

This project directly sup-

ports Chester County’s Public Transportation Plan by not only enhancing rider comfort through the new shelter but also improving accessibility through Phoenixville’s existing pedestrian infrastructure.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

Kennett defense leads Blue Demons to 17-13 comeback win Rematch! Blue Demons will host Hornets in District 1 Playoff game on Oct. 31

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer As the history of Kennett High School football continues to be written, four names will forever be etched in the chapter dedicated to its 2025 season: Caleb Myers, Hayden Schumacher, Matthew Reidenberg and Croix Kise.

In all of the offensive firepower that enabled the Blue Demons to overcome a 13-0 deficit and rack up 17 consecutive points in a 17-13 comeback victory over visiting Oxford on Oct. 24 at Kennett Stadium, it was these four defenders – in consecutive order – that stopped a Hornet scoring threat in the second quarter with crucial tackles that prevented Oxford from potentially jumping out to an insurmountable 20-0 lead. Their shutdowns, combined with the effectiveness of quarterback Garrett McCracken and a solid second-half defense, gave Kennett a victory that pushed their overall record to 8-2 and paved the way for the Blue Demons to host a first-round PIAA playoff game on Oct. 31.

Coming off a 14-10 loss at the hands of Avon Grove the Friday before, Head Coach Lance Frazier’s club looked to rebound against a Hornet team that matched them with an identical 7-2 over-

all record heading into the last regular season game of the year. With the District playoff structure and the Ches-Mont American conference title at stake, the Hornets jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when Kole Patterson returned the opening kick-off for a 49-yard run that gave them great field position at Kennett’s 41-yard line.

Seven plays later – after Patterson’s carry moved the ball to the 14-yard line, quarterback Noland Neskie’s screen pass to Aiden Rochester with 7:45 left in the first quarter jumped the Hornets out to an early 7-0 lead.

While Oxford could not capitalize on a fumble by McCracken near midfield with 7:30 left in the quarter, a second McCracken fumble was recovered by Liam Bell in the end zone with 3:58 remaining in the first quarter pushed the Hornets’ lead to 13-0.

With Oxford gaining possession near midfield at the start of the second quarter and one touchdown away from breaking the game open, a carry by Jake Patterson moved the ball to the 30-yard line, a Joel McClain run took the ball to the 15-yard line and a pitch to McClain gave the Hornets the ball on the four-yard line. However, three rushing attempts by McClain were shut down

by Myers, Schumacher and Reidenberg, and with

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Kennett wide receiver Gavin Ritch watches quarterback Garrett McCracken prepare to take the snap in the third quarter of the Blue Demons’ 17-13 comeback victory over Oxford on Oct. 24 at Kennett Stadium.

6:35 left in the first half, Kise stopped Neskie from scoring on the four-yard line to end the Oxford threat.

The defensive hold “encapsulated all of the lessons I have been trying to teach this team,” Frazier said. “Our defense has been solid all year. We had a tough loss against Avon Grove last week, so they were challenged this week to become statistically the best defense we’ve had. You can’t measure the

Oxford quarterback Nolan Neskie helped guide his team to two first-half touchdown drives.

The Oxford defense performed a shut-down effort against Kennett in the first half.

effort, but you can always draw from it.”

Kennett finally got on the board with 57 seconds left in the first half on a 96-yard touchdown drive that ended with a three-yard QB keeper by McCracken that whittled Oxford’s lead to 13-7 at halftime.

With 6:05 remaining in the third quarter, Oxford’s fake punt attempt resulted in a pass that was intercepted by Hunter Taylor on the 20-yard line that later set up a 28-yard McCracken pass to Taylor that moved the ball to near midfield and eventually, a 28-yard field goal by Shay Barker with 1:09 left in the quarter that brought the Blue Demons to within three points, 13-10.

On the ensuing kick-off, Patterson took the ball from the 15-yard line to Kennett’s 16-yard line, setting up a surefire Oxford score, but a pass attempt

by Neskie was picked off

by Taylor with 19 seconds left in the third quarter.

With 10:21 remaining in the game, Kennett completed its comeback when McCracken hit Joalex Carabajal with an over-themiddle pass the 34-yard

line that Carabajal took to the house for a 66-yard go-ahead touchdown with 10:21 left in the game.

On Oxford’s next possession, Taylor’s defense again rose to the occasion.

Following Patterson’s 31-yard carry that moved the ball to Kennett’s 117=yard line, the Bue Demons’ “D” line held the rally in check, and on fourth down and five yards from the 12-yard line, Taylor stopped McClain just short of the first down.

With 1:29 left in the game, another Oxford rally fell short when Neskie’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Gavin Ritch.

In a post-game conference with his team, Frazier called his team “Warriors.”

“Avon Grove is a supremely talented football team, and much respect to them,” he said. “Our guys have gone through a maturation process all year. I know when people hear that, they say, ‘Well, you have a pretty good record,’

but it’s been about learning how to win, learning how to be successful and learning how to clean up mistakes.

“We had two starters out this week, so other guys had to step up, and they did so in multiple ways.

We had a sophomore, Caleb Myers, playing linebacker for the first time and he really stepped up.

That was just one example of the work that other guys did to do their part.”

While Oxford’s loss prevented the Hornets from capturing the Ches-Mont American Division title, they finished the regular season with a 7-3 overall record and 2-2 in division play and will again travel to Kennett Stadium on Oct. 31 for a rematch against the Blue Demons in the first round of the District 1 playoffs, beginning at 7 p.m.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Kennett Head Coach Lance Frazier speaks to his jubilant players after the Blue Demons’ victory. The team will host a first-round playoff game against Oxford on Oct. 31.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

Chester County Press

Local News An important reminder: Check your prescription plans

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer “October is the month senior citizens can review their prescription plans and find savings,” Sally Arter, the information and assistance specialist for the Oxford Senior Center explained.

This time of the year at the Senior Center, there will be individual meetings sponsored by the various insurance companies in the area such as Keystone 65, Humana, and Aetna.

It’s a good idea to make yourself available for all of these informational meetings. You will receive mailings with dates and

times. There will also be opportunities to hear about changes in Medicare and health insurance.

This information may be helpful to you if you are dissatisfied with your current carrier. If you are satisfied with your provider, Arter will be glad to assist you in filling out your renewal forms. If you have any

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questions, be sure to call the Oxford Senior Center to set up an appointment.

Arter said, “No question is too dumb or insignificant. It is not necessary to renew supplement plans.”

When coming in for any appointment, be sure to bring everything you have received regarding your needs. Bring in a list of prescriptions you are currently taking, too.

“I’d rather you bring in too much than have to send you home for more information,” After said.

Sometimes things can happen with a prescription plan that are beyond your control. For instance, if you are in a nursing home, or living somewhere other than where you normally receive your mail, you may not get information that is sent to you regarding your current prescription plan.

Sometimes the prescription plan that currently covers you may be discontinued. If you don’t receive a notice telling you it is discontinued, your prescriptions may not be covered for the next year.

Everyone who has Medicare is required to pay a $250 deductible each year before claims are paid.

Each prescription plan is different and Arter will clearly explain that to you.

It is important to check every year. Some plans will cover more than others on the cost of your prescriptions. Some plans will require you go to a different pharmacy, or may not cover one of your prescriptions at all.

Each plan has its own contract with the drug company regarding what they will pay for a prescription.

What is paid also depends

on whether your prescription is generic or not. You might also save by going to a different pharmacy.

Some people may save thousands of dollars by visiting Arter first. Each year, the payment can change, as can the cost of the plan.

It is important to sit down and talk with Arter about all of the prescriptions you take in order to get the most savings.

If this is your first year on Medicare and even if you aren’t taking regular medications, the cost of vaccinations, or antibiotics may also be a concern to you, so don’t delay. You can reach Arter at the Oxford Senior Center at (610) 932-5244. You can leave a message if she is not available. In today’s world, with prices rising on everything, it is worth it to make an appointment.

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CHURCH DIRECTORY AVONDALE Avondale Presbyterian Church 420 Pennsylvania Avenue 610.268.2919 www.avondalepc.org St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother 8910 Gap Newport Pike 610.268.0296 www.stgabrielavondalepa.org

Unionville Presbyterian Church 815 Wollaston Road 610.347.2327 www.unionvillepresbyterianchurch.org

KENNETT SQUARE

WEST GROVE and SURROUNDING AREAS

Willowdale Chapel 675 Unionville Road 610.444.2670 www.willowdalechapel.org

Bethel AME Church 300 E. Linden Street 610.444.2974 www.bethelameckennsq.org Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square 500 E. Cypress Street 610.467.1081 www.bibleevangelicalchurch.org Episcopal Church of the Advent 401 N. Union Street 610.444.4624 www.adventks.org First Baptist Church of Kennett Square 415 W. State Street 610.444.5320 www.firstbaptistkennettsquare.com Greater Works Ministries 553 Rosedale Road 610.444.5581 www.gwministries.net Kennett Square Missionary Church 408 Bayard Road 610.444.0867 www.kennettsquarebaptist.com Kennett Square Presbyterian Church 211 S. Broad Street 610.444.5255 www.pcks.org New Garden Memorial U.A.M.E 309 E. Linden Street 610.444.3357 www.uamechurch.org Second Baptist Church of Kennett Square 132 S. Willow Street 610.444.0885 St. Patrick Catholic Church 212 Meredith Street 610.444.4364 www.stpatrickkennettsquare.org

Assumption BVM Church 300 State Road 610.869.2722 www.assumptionbvmwestgrove.org Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene 240 State Road 610.869.9500 www.avongrove.church West Grove Presbyterian Church 139 W. Evergreen Street 610.869.9458 www.westgrovepres.org West Grove United Methodist Church 300 N. Guernsey Road 610.869.9334 www.westgroveumc.org Willowdale Chapel – Jennersville 111 Vineyard Way, Jennrsville 610.444.2670 www.willowdalechapel.org Landenberg United Methodist Church 205 Penn Green Road, Landenberg 610.274.8384 www.landenbergchurch.com Christian Life Center 125 Saginaw Road, New London 610.869.2140 www.CLCFamily.church New London United Methodist Church 1010 State Road, New London 610.869.8129 www.umc.org

Alleluia When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.

Psalm 34:17 The Chester County Press features a dedicated church/religious page that can help you advertise your house of worship and/or business. The page is updated weekly with new scripture. Only $10 Weekly for this space.

We are offering a special discount of 25% off each and every help wanted/ classified advertisement to any business that advertises on the PRESS church page.

For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10

St. Michael Lutheran Church 109 E. Doe Run Road, Unionville 610.347.1696 www.stmichaelpa.com

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P.O. Box 270 Oxford, PA 19363 Meets First and Third Thursday at 6:30p.m.

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610-274-8384 Services Every Sunday • 9:00 am

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Calendar of Events October 30 Oxford Halloween Parade The Oxford Halloween Parade will take place on Thursday, Oct. 30 starting at 6:30 p.m. It’s one of the biggest and spookiest and fun nights of the year as the parade route travels through downtown Oxford. There is no cost to participate.

The event is planned by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.

OxfordPA.org to down‑ load registration or register online.

November 1 Author’s history talk On Saturday, November 1, from noon to 1:30 p.m., there will be a hybrid pre‑ sentation (on site at the Brandywine Battlefield Park in Chadds Ford and via Zoom) of a talk by Dr. Gregory J.W. Urwin, pro‑ fessor of history at Temple University and a prize‑win‑ ning author. His talk will be entitled, “Say Their Names: Virginia’s Black British Allies, 1781.” Dr. Urwin will explore the stories of enslaved Virginians who sought freedom by joining British forces during the Revolutionary War—voices often overlooked in tradi‑ tional narratives. Tickets can be purchased at https:// www.zeffy.com/en-US/ ticketing/revolutionaryspeaker-series-featuringdr-gregory-jw-urwin. The Brandywine Battlefield Park is a National Historic Landmark on 52 acres in Chadds Ford, and is stew‑ arded by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission with sup‑ port from the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates.

For updates, visit www.

brandywinebattlefield.org by making purchases at or follow them on Facebook different stores and restau‑ and Instagram. rants. The bingo cards can be picked up at the Oxford November 2 Mainstreet Inc. office and Free live concert businesses like Ashanti The Brandywine Baptist Naturals, Lola’s, Jackson & Church will present a free Haines, or Flowers Cafe. live concert of gospel, blue‑ Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. is grass and contemporary also looking for holiday Christian music on Sunday, makers, crafters, and jewel‑ November 2 at 6 p.m. ry makers to be a part of the The Brandywine Baptist Holiday Makers Lane for the Church is located at 1463 Oxford Country Christmas Baltimore Pike in Chadds on Friday, December 5.

Ford. Admission is free and the concert is open to the November 14 public. Brandywine Baptist “Curtains!”

Church, founded in 1692, The annual fall produc‑ invites the community to tion of the Immaculata an inspiring evening of live University Cue & Curtain music and fellowship. The theater group is Curtains! concert will feature The a play by David Sodaro.

Rock Dale Boys performing Performances start on gospel bluegrass favor‑ Friday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. ites, and the Brandywine and 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. Heritage Revival Band 15, at 7 p.m., and a final performing contemporary matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Christian music. Guests Nov. 16 in Alumnae Hall will enjoy heartfelt perfor‑ Theater. The Depressionmances in one of the area’s era play centers around a most historic and welcom‑ hapless newlywed (Charlie) ing settings. who buys a decrepit the‑ ater to scam insurance November 7 money, only to be roped First Friday in Oxford into starring in a disastrous Oxford’s First Friday on avant-garde Frankenstein November 7 will feature production. The role of plenty of food, fun, and live Charlie is played by Patrick music in downtown Oxford. Walton ’28, a cybersecu‑ Nate Smythe will be per‑ rity major, and the role of forming in the Neff parking Charlie’s new bride, Cheri, lot. Another highlight will is played by Mackenzie be the hayrides that will Fillion ’28, a criminol‑ be available to First Friday ogy major. Cue & Curtain attendees. This First Friday Theatre is Immaculata’s also kicks off the holiday oldest student organization, shopping season in down‑ showcasing the talent of town Oxford. One initiative students as cast and crew to encourage shopping and for two productions a year. dining in downtown Oxford General admission tick‑ is a game of business bingo ets for Curtains! are $15, throughout the month of tickets for senior citizens November, with participants and children under 18 are completing their bingo cards $8 and can be purchased

Courtesy photo

The annual fall production of the Immaculata University Cue & Curtain theater group is “Curtains!” a play by David Sodaro. Performances start on Friday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., and a final matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 in Alumnae Hall Theater.

online, at the door, or by calling 484-323-3731. For more information, email cctheatre@immaculata.edu.

November 15 Thanksgiving meal Oxford Silo is planning a community Thanksgiving meal event for Saturday, Nov. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Thanksgiving meal includes turkey breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, creamed corn and pie at 301 S. 5th Street in Oxford.

November 15 Jive Turkey Cranksgving Cyclocross Race The Friends of Anson B. Nixon presents The Jive Turkey Cranksgving Cyclocross Race. Join in for an exciting day of rac‑ ing and community fun in the park. Whether you’re a competitive rider or just want to enjoy the action, there’s something for every‑ one. This event is part of the PA Cyclocross series, with

a dynamic course designed

by Blake Tart. The race will include men’s, wom‑ en’s and kids categories.

Licensed by USA Cycling.

Prizes for category winners.

To register, visit https:// www.ansonbnixonpark.org/ events/jive-turkey-cranks‑ giving-cyclocross. Contact sharon@ansonbnixonpark. org for more information on the race or how to become a sponsor.

November 22 Holiday Maker’s Market and photo op with Santa Artisan & Hive Collective presents the 6th Annual Holiday Maker’s Market at Redman’s Hall on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get ready for a merry little market day filled with over 40 hand-picked local makers, artisans, and craft‑ ers – all showcasing their one-of-a-kind goods. This year, there will also be food trucks galore – BBQ, grilled cheese, gourmet hot dogs and smash-burgers, soft

pretzels, and even crème brulee. Redmans Hall is located at 114 Brick Road in Oxford.

November 22 Kennett Square Holiday Light Parade Kennett Square’s annual Holiday Light Parade and tree lighting takes place on Nov. 22 this year. Come meet Santa and Mrs. Claus as Kennett Square wel‑ comes in the holiday season and light up the town. The festivities begin at 6 p.m.

Parade sign-up and vol‑ unteer or participation info is available at https:// kennettcollaborative. o rg / i n i t i a t i v e s / e v e n t s / holiday-light-parade.

December 20 Community meal On Saturday, Dec. 20, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., a community meal will be held by SILO at 301 S. 5th Street in Oxford. What to expect: pizza, fall salad, chips and holiday cookies.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

Chester County Press

Legals/Classifieds Nottingham, PA 19362,Co- EXECUTORS, Or to their Attorney: ANITA M. D’AMICO, D’AMICO LAW, P.C., 65 S. Third St., Oxford, PA 19363

PUBLIC NOTICE

A Land Patent in Chester County, PA is being perfected upon Rural Route 25 Bills Way in Landenberg. Anyone interested in challenging this claim by November 10, 2025, do so at AmericanMeetingGroup.com/ mccaffrey 9p-10-8t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Mildred G. Becke, Late of: Malvern, 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: Stephen M. Asbel, Executor.

Reger Rizzo & Darnall, 2929 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 10p-15-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Board of Directors of Christiana Care Hospital d/b/a West Grove will hold a public meeting from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025. We are offering a conference call for participation. To register for the meeting and to receive the dial-in information, please submit your request to genevieve. mccormick@emerus.com by Monday, December 1, 2025.

You will receive confirmation and the dial-in information on Sunday, December 7, 2025 10p-22-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Letters Testamentary have been granted in the Estate of NORA M. HARTMAN, late of Coatesville. All persons having claims or demands on the Estate are requested to make them known, and all persons indebted to the

said decedent are requested to make payment without delay to EDWARD J. HANNUM JR., c/o The Law Firm of Barry S. Rabin, 797 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 13, Downingtown PA 19335, Personal Representative. Barry S. Rabin, 797 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 13, Downingtown PA 19335, Attorney.

10p-22-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF SUSAN MICHELLE BOWAR a/k /a SUSAN M. BOWAR and SUE BOWAR, DECEASED. Late of West Brandywine 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 TRISTAN M. MULLIKIN, EXECUTRIX, 15 Patterdale Place, Downingtown, PA 19335, or to her Attorney: ANITA M. D’AMICO, D’AMICO LAW, P.C., 65 S. Third St., Oxford, PA 19363 10p-22-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF ROBERT K. TUMOLO, DECEASED. Late of East Nottingham 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 CHRISTOPHER A. TUMOLO, 360 Chrome Rd., Oxford, PA 19363 and BRYAN E. TUMOLO, 192 Pine Grove Rd.,

ters Testamentary have been granted to Albert Leo Jezyk Jr. for the Estate of Albert Leo Jezyk whose last address was Landenberg, Chester County, 10p-22-3t Pennsylvania. Any person hava claim to this Estate is ADVERTISEMENT ing asked to make same c/o R. FOR GRANT OF Samuel McMichael, Esquire, P.O. Box 296, Oxford, PA 19363 LETTERS 10p-29-3t ESTATE OF Mary Margaret Tomlinson, LATE OF Elk FICTITIOUS NAME Township, Chester County, Notice is hereby given that a Pennsylvania. LETTERS TES- registration of Fictitious Name TAMENTARY on the above was filed with the PA DepartEstate have been granted to ment of State on October 10, the undersigned, who request 2025 for Fresh Coast Foods all persons having claims or de- with a principal place of busimands against the estate of the ness at 2464 Lewisville Road, decedent to make known the Oxford PA 19363. The indisame and all persons indebted vidual and entity interested in to the decedent to make pay- this business is Abel Gamboa, ment without delay to Executrix: AGA Mushroom Sales LLC, Desiree Smith, C/O Attorney: 2464 Lewisville Road, Oxford Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, PA. Filed in compliance with Oxford, PA 19363 54 Pa.C.S.301. R Samuel Mc10p-22-3t Michael, Esquire, PO Box 296, ESTATE NOTICE Oxford PA 19363 10-29-1t Estate of Michael Gregory Grogan Late of Westtown Township, FOREIGN Chester County, PA, REGISTRATION LETTERS TESTAMENTARY STATEMENT on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, Notice is hereby given that AGA who request all persons having Mushroom Sales LLC, a foreign claims or demands against the corporation formed under the estate of the decedent to make laws of the State of Maryland, known the same and all persons where its principal office is loindebted to the decedent to cated at 627 Ebenezer Church make payment without delay to Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911 Kelly Ann Dreyer Executrix, 115 has registered to do business Saratoga Lane, Woolwich Twp., in Pennsylvania with the PA Department of State on October NJ 08085 10p-22-3t 10, 2025 under the provisions of Pennsylvania Corporation PUBLIC NOTICE the Law of 1988. The registered The Supervisors of Penn Town- office in Pennsylvania is 2464 ship, Chester County, Penn- Lewisville Road Oxford PA sylvania have prepared the 19363, R Samuel McMichael, proposed budget for 2026. Esquire PO Box 296, Oxford This budget will be available PA 19363 for public review beginning on 10p-29-1t October 27, 2025 at the Penn Sheriff Sale Township Municipal Building.

The proposed budget will be of Real Estate adopted on November 18, 2025 By virtue of the within mentioned at the Penn Township Municipal writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Dykes, the herein-described Grove, PA 19390. Caitlin A. real estate will be sold at public Ianni, Township Secretary on-line auction via Bid4Assets, 10p-29-1t by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffNON-PROFIT on Thursday, November INCORPORATION sales, 20th , 2025 at 11AM. Notice is NOTICE given to all parties in interest Mother of Nations Ministry has and claimants that the Sheriff been incorporated under the will file with the Prothonotary provisions of the Pennsylvania and in the Sheriff’s Office, both Nonprofit Corporation Law of located in the Chester County 1988, as amended. John A. Justice Center, 201 W Market Novello, Esquire, 221 North Street, West Chester, PennsylOlive Street, Media, PA 19063 vania, Schedules of Distribution 10p-29-1t on Monday, December 22nd, ESTATE NOTICE 2025. Distribution will be made Letters Testamentary have in accordance with the Schedbeen granted in the Estate of ules unless exceptions are filed ROBERT T. KOZURA, late of in the Sheriff’s Office within ten West Brandywine Township. (10) days thereafter.

All persons having claims or Sale No.: 25-11-295 demands on the Estate are Writ of Execution requested to make them known, No. 2024-06253 and all persons indebted to the DEBT $159,722.34 said decedent are requested to make payment without delay.

KATHRYN A. KOZURA, c/o The BEING the same premises Law Firm of Barry S. Rabin, which Jeffrey E. Barker A/K/A 797 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite Jeffrey Barker, Karen E. Barker 13, Downingtown PA 19335, A/K/A Karen E. Kinsman A/K/A Personal Representative. Barry Karen Barker by Deed dated S. Rabin, 797 E. Lancaster January 12, 2007 and recorded Avenue Suite 13, Downingtown in the Office of Recorder of Deeds of Chester County on PA 19335, Attorney.

10p-29-3t July 2, 2012 at Book 8460, Page l5 Instrument#l1191787granted ESTATE NOTICE and conveyed unto H&R Block Notice is hereby given that Let-

Mortgage Corporation, A Massachusetts Corporation.

Tax Parcel # 69050006 PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association at Trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 2007-4, Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 2007-4 VS DEFENDANT: Jeffrey Barker and Jeffrey E. Barker A/K/A Jeffrey Barker and Karen E. Barker A/K/A Karen E. Kinsman A/K/A Karen Barker and United States of America SALE ADDRESS: 2855 Forge Road, Oxford, PA 19363- 4006

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10p-29-3t Guaranteed! LeafFilter is backed Sheriff Sale by a no-clog guarantee and lifetime transferrable warranty. of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned Call today 1-855-569-3087 to writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. schedule a FREE inspection Dykes, the herein-described and no obligation estimate. real estate will be sold at public Get 15% off your entire order. on-line auction via Bid4Assets, Plus, Military & Seniors get an by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriff- additional 10% off. Limited time sales, on Thursday, November only. Restrictions apply, see 20th , 2025 at 11AM. Notice is representative for warranty and given to all parties in interest offer details. and claimants that the Sheriff Prepare for power outages will file with the Prothonotary today with a Generac Home and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Standby Generator. Act now Justice Center, 201 W Market to receive a FREE 5-Year with qualifying Street, West Chester, Pennsyl- warranty vania, Schedules of Distribution purchase. Call 1-888-605-4028 on Monday, December 22nd, today to schedule a free quote.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Local News Brandywine Museum of Art announces public launch of N.C. Wyeth’s archival materials In celebration of National Archives Month, the Brandywine Museum of Art’s Walter & Leonore Annenberg Research Center announced the public launch of the N.C. Wyeth Correspondence Collection of Betsy James Wyeth.

Never fully inventoried and publicized until now, this collection is comprised of original letters and photographs created by N.C. and archived by his daughter-in-law Betsy as part of her work toward the 1971 publication of The Wyeths: The Letters of N.C. Wyeth, 1901-1945.

The finding aid for the first installment of this collection, encompassing the years of 1881–1907, is now published on the Research Center’s online database, ArchivesSpace, allowing researchers to discover these unique materials from the prolific artist’s life.

The full collection contains both personal and business correspondence written to and by N.C. Wyeth. The personal correspondence primarily consists of letters written to his mother, Henriette Zirngiebel Wyeth, up until her death in 1925. These letters read like a private diary, not just in terms of their frequency, but also in the level of detail of daily life and the confessional nature of his innermost thoughts and emotions.

Letters to his brothers, and later, letters to his children,

often read in a philosophical tone, where N.C. expounds at length on his personal views of the world and advice on how to better their lives and careers. These narratives not only provide a detailed look at this monumental artist’s career and daily life, but they also show the mental and personal struggles of a man who often felt conflicted by his professional identity and legacy.

“This collection is incredibly important, not only in documenting N.C. Wyeth’s life and art, but also in how it documents the lives of his children,” said Lillian Kinney, manager of the Brandywine’s Walter & Leonore Annenberg Research Center. “Major events, both in early twentieth-century American and world history, are also documented with first-person experience and observation, such as presidential inaugurations, both World Wars, the Spanish flu epidemic, polio, the Great Depression, and many technological advancements.”

Besides manuscripts, additional items and artifacts can be found in the collection, such as the doctor’s bill for N.C.’s birth, a notarized copy of his death certificate, and the comb, with hair remnants left on his dresser on the day of his death, preserved in an envelope.

The most prominent nonmanuscript items though

are photographs. Dispersed throughout the volumes of the collection by Betsy, these photographs provide visual context for certain people, places, and subjects discussed within N.C.’s letters. A large majority of the photographs were taken by N.C. himself, such as those from his trips “out West” and of his wife and children, proving his skill at another art form.

Due to the incredible number of materials in this collection, the Research Center’s inventory will be published in installments, with future additions made to its online database as the work progresses. The first portion of this finding aid alone contains records for approximately 575 letters and 570 photographs that span N.C.’s childhood and early career as a young adult. These records can be viewed by visiting the “Archives and Special Collections” section of the Research Center’s website at www.brandywine.org/ research-center.

The finding aid for the first installment of the collection can also be accessed directly at bit.ly/ncw-correspondence. Researchers can make an appointment to view the collection in person by filling out an appointment scheduling form through Brandywine’s Research Center website or by contacting the Research Center Manager at research@brandywine.org.

WINTER CAN BE A LITTLE

Courtesy photo

The Brandywine Museum of Art’s Walter & Leonore Annenberg Research Center announced the public launch of the N.C. Wyeth Correspondence Collection of Betsy James Wyeth. Pictured is N.C. Wyeth’s writing desk.

About the Brandywine Museum of Art The Brandywine Museum of Art features an outstanding collection of American art housed in a 19th-century Mill building with a dramatic steel and glass addition overlooking the banks of the Brandywine Creek. The museum is located on Route 1 in Chadds Ford. Current admission rates and hours of operation can be found at www.brandywine.org/hours.

Guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, N. C. Wyeth House & Studio and the Kuerner Farm—all National Historic Landmarks—are available seasonally for an

additional fee, and advance reservations are recommended. For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit brandywine.org/museum.

The museum is one of the two programs of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. About the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art preserves and promotes the natural and cultural connections between the area’s beautiful landscape, historic sites and important artists. The Conservancy

protects the lands and waters throughout the Brandywine Valley and other priority conservation areas, developing sustainable approaches to emerging needs and assuring preservation of majestic open spaces and protection of natural resources for generations to come. The Museum of Art presents and collects historic and contemporary works of American art, engaging and exciting visitors of all ages through an array of exhibitions and programs. The Brandywine unites the inspiring experiences of art and nature, enhancing the quality of life in its community and among its diverse audiences.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025

Chester County Press

Local News Social media comment made by Oxford school board member receives criticism

By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer Oxford Area School Board member Mike Blessington is receiving backlash over a social media comment he recently wrote that has been deemed offensive by some community members.

Blessington’s comment was left on a post from Facebook user Connie Marie titled: “Niki Bulger: Oxford’s gossip queen spreading vile lies in OASD school board fights!” and was shared in the Oxford Pulse group on Oct. 18.

Referring to Bulger, Blessington wrote: “She is a special short Bud rider,” with some community members presuming “bud” was a typo for “bus.” At the time of writing, the post could no longer be found on the Oxford Pulse page.

Bulger is known to Blessington and other members of the board and

community for her vocal support for Democratic candidates on Facebook - of which Blessington is not and for her attendance at school board meetings.

Bulger shared that to her, Blessington’s comments are just the latest instance of inappropriate online behavior from a school board member.

“I don’t really care what he says about me. He’s said worse,” Bulger said of Blessington’s comments.

“They can say whatever they want about me. It’s not going to bother me, but they shouldn’t be using our students themselves as an insult.”

For those who may feel that Blessington’s comment was trivial or not what the board or community should be focusing on, Bulger countered that with an election so close, these issues are a matter of importance.

“It’s important to hold our

elected officials to a higher standard and to be outspoken when they’re doing inappropriate things,” Bulger said. “I hope the community gets out and votes and really looks into the candidates that are running and looks at their social media pages and speaks to them and sends them questions, so that they can make educated decisions and not vote on party lines, because school boards should be nonpartisan.”

While Bulger did not attend the most recent school board meeting on Oct. 21 to make her feelings known, other members of the community did, and they addressed their concerns about Blessington’s comment directly to the board.

“It is my opinion that this board member is allegedly trying to bully this stakeholder into submission by insulting not only her, but also the very students that he purports to put first,” said

Amy Carbonara during the open comment portion of the school board meeting.

Carbonara also filed a report form for complaints of discrimination to the board, which she accessed under Policy 5510: Nondiscrimination in School and Classroom Policy.

Public comment also included Charles Steckel, who shared that he has cared for individuals with special needs for the past 45 years.

“The field hasn’t changed much in 45 years, and part of that is because of the ongoing stigma of folks mistreating people, or treating people as if this is something they’ve chosen, or something that’s wrong with them instead of something they received,” Steckel said.

“As a member of this community, I want to be a part of helping those people who think bullying and belittling special needs people is acceptable.”

Steckel elaborated on his decision to speak to the board after the meeting.

“I have seen how people are affected by bullying, especially people who do not have the cognitive abilities we have,” he said. “I can’t understand why people aren’t screaming their heads off about this.”

While Carbonara and Steckel addressed the board with their thoughts, others had more to say outside of the meeting. Brittany Washburn, the parent of a sixth grader who receives special education services, sent an email to the board ahead of the Oct. 21 meeting about her concerns on the comments made by Blessington.

“This [comment] is not just uncalled for from a board member. It is absolutely and incredibly inappropriate,” she wrote.

“To use a slur like that to someone, anyone, while

also being a sitting member of a school board who represents exactly those students he is making slurs about is vile and revolting.”

Washburn also called on Blessington to issue an apology on the matter. However, Blessington did not address the email or public comments made during the Oct. 21 meeting.

The meeting also included the election of a new board president following Mark Patterson’s resignation from the board in September. Bill Kloss was nominated and elected to serve in the role with Jenifer Warren remaining as vice president and Tenille Dewees as treasurer.

The next regular meeting for the Oxford Area School Board will be held on Nov. 18, after the Nov. 4 election.

To contact Contributing Writer Gabbie Burton, email gburton@chestercounty.com.

Chester County United Way raises $150,000 at its annual Live United in Music event Chester County United Way’s annual Live United in Music event hit a high note recently, raising $150,000 to support local programs that strengthen the community.

The sold-out evening brought together community leaders, sponsors, and supporters for incredible live music, celebration, and giving. The night, presented

by Di and Dallas Krapf and CTDI, captivated attendees with a lively performance

by Lights Out, a tribute band to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Proceeds from the event will directly support Chester County United Way’s Community Impact & Innovation Fund, which provides grants that address

issues related to financial stability and self-sufficiency for individuals and families.

Chester County United Way remains focused on serving ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households and addressing the needs of disadvantaged and at-risk individuals and families in Chester County by funding effective and targeted programs and services.

“This event truly showcases the power of our community coming together,” said Christopher Saello, president and CEO of Chester County United Way. “We extend a special thank you to Di and Dallas Krapf and CTDI for returning as co-presenting

sponsors. Their continued support makes this event a highlight of the year and ensures our programs have the resources needed to support our neighbors who need us most.”

The lead sponsors for the event included Penn Oaks Golf Club, CCRES, Legacy Planning Partners, and Bentley Systems, all of whom played a significant role in the night’s success.

Attendees enjoyed an unforgettable evening featuring Lights Out’s lively performance, delicious food and beverages, and an exciting live auction.

Chester County United Way extends its heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and sponsors whose gen-

Courtesy photo

A lively performance by Lights Out, a tribute band to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, was a highlight of Chester County United Way’s annual Live United in Music event.

erosity helps create lasting For more information Way or to get involved, visit impact in the community. about Chester County United ChescoUnitedWay.org.

‘Here, There & Delaware’ brings Erick Sahler’s nostalgic Delaware posters to Historic Odessa The Historic Odessa Foundation’s final exhibition of the year features hand-printed serigraphs that capture the spirit and beauty of Delaware’s landscapes.

The Historic Odessa Foundation will present “Here, There & Delaware: Travel Poster Prints & Illustrations of Erick Sahler.” The exhibition will be on view now through December 31, 2025 at the Historic Odessa Visitors Center Gallery at 201 Main Street in Odessa, Del. An artist reception will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., offering guests the opportunity to meet Sahler and view his nostalgic and colorful works inspired by Delaware’s landscapes and landmarks. The event is free and open to the public.

Sahler’s instantly recognizable scenes of Delaware evoke a sense of nostalgia

for locals and visitors alike.

His designs draw inspiration from the WPA (Works Progress Administration) posters of the 1930s and the mid-20th century American travel posters, blending vintage charm with contemporary artistry. His works are part of collections held by the National Park Service, universities, corporations, and numerous private collectors.

A native of Salisbury, Maryland, Erick Sahler has been creating and publishing illustrations, graphics, and cartoons across the mid-Atlantic region since 1983. He apprenticed under a Salisbury screen printer as a teenager and studied with renowned Chesapeake Bay painter C. Keith Whitelock, who inspired his lifelong love for the Eastern Shore.

Sahler earned his bachelor’s degree in visual arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

He is a member of New York’s Society of Illustrators and a certified graphic artist and screen printer with the American Screen Printing Association. His clients have included the National Park Service, NASA, Perdue Farms, Salisbury University, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, among many others.

Sahler’s artwork can be found in the collections of Sen. Chris Coons, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, and the University of Delaware Library Special Collections & Museum, among others. His work has also been exhibited at the National Folk Festival, Franklin College, and the Chambers Gallery in Minneapolis.

Each of Sahler’s serigraphs—fine art silkscreen prints—is created by hand

or digitally reproduced in his Salisbury studio using eco-friendly archival inks on acid-free paper. His work is available in shops throughout the Delmarva region and online at www. ericksahler.com.

For more information, visit www.historicodessa. org or call (302) 378-4119.

A member of the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, Historic Odessa is open to the public March through December, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Monday by reservation.

General tour admission is free for members and children under six, $15 for adults, and $10 for groups, seniors, and students.

Through the end of December, the Historic Odessa Foundation offers regular tours of its landmark Delaware museum properties that house the

Courtesy photo

Erick Sahler’s instantly recognizable scenes of Delaware evoke a sense of nostalgia for locals and visitors alike.

foundation’s collection of more than 7,000 objects and furnishings that span an interpretive period in regional decorative arts from 1760 through 1850.

The houses and the foundation’s collections provide

a background for a variety of events and educational programs for the public and schools throughout the season, including exhibits, lectures, entertainment, community, and fundraising events.