The Chester County Press is reporting that the Oxford School Board unanimously approved a proposed final budget of more than $68.5 million for the 2017-2018 school year. The budget includes an increase of more than $2.8 million in spending over the current fiscal year, representing a more than four percent increase. According to the report, the biggest item affecting Oxford’s budget is the state-mandated contribution to the Public School Employees Retirement System, which is increasing by more than $1.1 million, approximately eight percent. Also, the school district plans to add one new staff position and two elementary school positions. The proposed final budget will be available for review by the public for one month, and the school board is expected to adopt a final budget at its regular meeting Tuesday, May 16. The Oxford School Board will meet again for a work session on Tuesday, May 9. Both meetings will take place at the Administration Building and will begin at 7 p.m.

Members of the House Climate Change Caucus announced Tuesday their opposition to what they say is an “overreaching and environmentally hazardous bill that would prevent Pennsylvania communities from protecting land and water from pollution caused by plastic bags.” In a statement, the caucus said that House Bill 1071 would permanently prohibit municipalities and other local authorities from banning or applying any surcharge or tax on the use of plastic grocery bags. Currently, 165 municipalities across the country have adopted some form of single-use plastic bag fee legislation or bag regulation. Following implementation of a citywide bag fee in 2010, the presence of bags in Washington, D.C., decreased by 67 percent. State Rep. Carolyn Comitta said: “Environmental stewardship and sustainability is a number one priority among the residents of my district. This bill does not align with our district values, and that is why I strongly oppose it.” If the bill is enacted, constituents would not have the opportunity to press their case for a fee before their local legislative body. City, town and county councils would need to look for alternative revenue streams to fund services such as street-cleaning, water clean-up and landfill remediation.

PennDOT announced Tuesday that Caln Township Authority and Caln Horseshoe, LP are planning weekday lane restrictions with flagging on U.S. 322 (Manor Avenue) between the U.S. 30 Bypass and Rock Raymond Road, and on Rock Raymond Road between Route 322 (Manor Avenue) and the U.S. 30 Bypass, in Caln Township starting Friday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for utility and paving work. Both weekday lane restrictions will be in effect through the end of June. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through these areas. Caln Township Authority and Caln Horseshoe, LP will complete the projects under a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.

According to East Fallowfield Township police, they were dispatched to a home along the 2100 block of Strasburg Road in East Fallowfield Township at around 2:15 Tuesday afternoon for a report of a domestic disturbance. Police Chief Chris Porter said that three people were in the house at the time, when one of them fired a shotgun. Two exited the home safely and contacted police. The man who allegedly fired the gun had barricaded himself inside the home. Police say they were on the scene until about 4 p.m., when the man exited the home on his own. Police say the County Emergency Response Team was used to help negotiate with that man. No charges are pending at this time. In addition to East Fallowfield Police and the County Emergency Response Team, Pennsylvania State Police from the Embreeville Barracks, Valley Township Police and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office also responded.

Photo Courtesy of Upper Uwchlan Township Police

According to a Facebook post on the Upper Uwchlan Township Police page, they are reporting a vehicle accident that happened about 10 a.m. Wednesday. The one-vehicle accident happened on Moore Road. It appears the driver, who was taken by Uwchlan Ambulance to the Paoli Hospital for minor injuries, lost control of the vehicle. The road was closed for approximately a half hour while police investigated the incident. The vehicle was then towed.

“We Can Do Better,” a community conversation about the critical role men play in promoting a culture of respect and equality for women, was held on Monday at Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown. Hosted by the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, in partnership with Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell, the event was meant to provide an open forum during which men and women challenged each other to explore what it means to facilitate safe environments, the importance of trust-based relationships, the impact of male privilege and its inherent responsibility, positive role modeling, and how men can advocate effectively for women. According to Michelle Legaspi Sanchez, executive director of the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls “multiple community members and leaders, including Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, offered keen insight and personal experiences, which made for a robust discussion.” Dwayne Walton, Executive Director of Parkesburg Point Youth Center, emphasized the importance of men being an example for their children. The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls created a 2016 Blueprint Report, a gender-focused research study providing data about how women and girls are faring in Chester County and nationally.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, they are investigating an incident that happened Tuesday, April 25 after 5 p.m. along the 100 block of Mark Road. Police say a suspect gained entry into the main office of a mobile home park and then took residential keys, computer equipment, currency and surveillance equipment. That suspect then left the scene by unknown means. Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call state police at 610-486-6280.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, they are investigating a burglary that occurred Tuesday, April 18 between 1:40 and 2:45 in the afternoon. Police say that a suspect entered a residence along the 2300 block of Valley Hill Road in Charlestown Township. Once inside, the suspect or suspects removed multiple pieces of jewelry, electronics. perfume and credit cards. Anyone with information pertaining to this crime is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police at the Embreeville Barracks at 610-486-6280.

The Re/Max Town & County office in West Chester Monday presented Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh and Lt. Harry McKinney, who heads the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, with a $2,275 check to help purchase bulletproof vests for the K-9s. The impetus for the gift came from agent Andrea Smith, who had sold a home to Deputy Sheriff Ryan Barr. She said when she sought suggestions from him for a thank-you gift, he said that he didn’t need anything, but he wondered if she would be interested in getting something for the K-9 Unit. Smith, whose husband is a police officer, said when she learned that the dogs didn’t have bulletproof vests, she recognized the importance of that goal. After getting enthusiastic encouragement from Alyssa, her 17-year-old daughter, as well as other members of her office, she launched a fundraising effort. Welsh said she greatly appreciated the support, adding that she holds her four-legged deputies in high esteem. The K-9 teams provide service throughout Chester County, Welsh said, frequently assisting 50 police departments in 73 municipalities. They also respond to calls from other counties.

On Monday, April 24, the Honey Brook Borough Police Department and Chester County Detectives arrested Megan Courtney Collins in connection with a bank robbery on February 22, 2017. The 31-year-old resides in the 2500 block of Conestoga Avenue, Honey Brook. On February 22, the Honey Brook Borough Police Department responded to the M&T Bank located in the 4700 block of Horseshoe Pike in the borough of Honey Brook for a bank robbery. Witnesses reported that a white female, wearing a disguise, entered the bank and presented a demand note to a bank employee. The employee of the bank complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of United States Currency. Collins then left the bank. As a result of their investigation, Honey Brook Borough Police Chief Patrick J. Ely and Chester County Detectives were able to gather evidence to link Collins to the robbery. She has been charged with Robbery, Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition, Receiving Stolen Property and Possessing Instruments of Crime. Collins was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Michael Cabry on Monday and then sent to Chester County Prison after failing to post $350,000 bail. Collins is scheduled to appear before Judge Cabry on May 4 at 9 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

A jury of Chester County residents sentenced Eric Frein to death on Wednesday for killing a Pennsylvania state trooper and wounding another in a 2014 ambush. Frein was convicted earlier this month of killing Corporal Bryon Dickson. In that September 2014 attack, he also injured Trooper Alex Douglass. The ambush occurred outside the state police barracks in Blooming Grove. After the shootings, Frein disappeared into the Pennsylvania woods, evading police for weeks until his capture in an abandoned airplane hangar seven weeks later. Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin said he was found guilty on all 12 counts, including first-degree murder and terrorism. According to Pennsylvania law, the jury decides the penalty in first-degree murder cases.

South Coatesville Police swore in a new police chief Tuesday. Chief Kevin Pierce took his oath of office at Borough Hall during Council’s meeting. Pierce follows Chief Lew Wilson who retired in December 2016. Wilson served the municipality for 27 years.  Pierce has a master’s degree in criminal justice, and council members say he’s well regarded in the law enforcement community. During the ceremony, Reggie Ward, chief of staff for state Rep. Harry Lewis Jr., presented Pierce with a certificate of honor on behalf of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Pierce was quoted in the Daily Local News saying: “I’m very happy to be a part of this community. I’ll do what I can to make this police department what it should be. It’s not a race.”

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester, announced Thursday that West Chester will receive a $40,000 state grant to develop a multi-year financial management plan.The grant comes through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Early Intervention Program. Comitta said: “I’m pleased that West Chester will be able to use this funding to look at how to best deliver services in our community. I look forward to seeing the borough develop a plan that paves the way to a bright future.” The Early Intervention Program helps communities develop comprehensive financial plans and establish short- and long-term financial objectives.

Chester County is holding its first Crisis Intervention Team training program this week. The program serves to bring together law enforcement personnel and mental health educators to improve community response and reduce the number of individuals with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders in jail. Twenty law enforcement officers from different municipalities across Chester County are participating in the County’s first CIT program. The intensive five-day, 40-hour training will connect law enforcement with mental health educators and treatment providers, hospital emergency rooms, and individuals who have experienced a mental health crisis. The curriculum emphasizes verbal de-escalation skills and gives officers a greater understanding of mental health conditions, risk assessment, suicide prevention and Pennsylvania’s mental health law. Gary Entrekin, Administrator of the Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities said that “as the contacts between law enforcement and those needing mental health care become more frequent and involved, there’s an increased need for collaboration and cooperation between the systems.”

According to a report on the Malvern Patch, Malvern-based Immaculata University made PayScale’s 2017 College ROI Report. The private, catholic university ranked 21st as the best college in Pennsylvania for returns on investment. PayScale says Immaculata has a $314,000 20-year net ROI; a $199,000 total four-year cost; a 61 percent graduation rate; a typical four year attendance to graduation; and a $45,300 average loan amount.

According to a letter to parents, staff and the community of the Coatesville Area School District from Superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner, several initiatives were discussed at an April 20 School Board meeting. Among those was the board’s update on the proposed budget. Business Manager Ron Kabonick provided an update, which was the third update in a series of monthly updates that the Board says is “aimed at ensuring that the public has an opportunity to understand the financial position of the District.” The District will be holding three town hall meetings on May 2nd, 3rd and 4th that will provide an opportunity for public comment and discussion on the proposed budget. They will be held at the following locations: On Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m.at East Fallowfield Elementary; on Wednesday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at Rainbow Elementary; and on Thursday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at North Brandywine Middle School. In addition to the budget discussion, the secondary administrators provided a presentation and proposal to revise the grading scales at the secondary level. According to Taschner’s letter, the presentation included a review of the grading scales of every Chester County public school as well as grading scales from private and charter schools. The principals have asked for the use of a grading scale that is more closely aligned to those used across Chester County as, they say, it creates a more equitable opportunity for students. Some key personnel changes were also announced, as the Board approved Rita Perez as the Director of Pupil Services; Dr. Cynthia Ajemian as the Director of Special Education; and Frank Galbraith as a school police officer. The next CASD School Board of Directors meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. in the CASH auditorium.

A former pastor at Calvary Fellowship Church in Downingtown, pleaded guilty to charges associated with his impregnating a teen who lived with him and his family. Jacob Malone of Exton pleaded guilty Friday to charges of institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children. The 35-year-old was sentenced to three to six years in state prison.  Malone has been held on bail in Chester County Prison since his arrest in January 2016. Police say the victim, who is now 20 and resides in Arizona, first met Malone there when she was 12-years-old. Several years later, in June of 2014, Malone contacted the then 17-year-old victim and invited her to stay with him and his family in Minnesota, where he had become a pastor at a local church. While in Minnesota, police say, the victim alleged that Malone began initiating inappropriate contact with her. In July 2014, Malone moved his family to Chester County, where he was hired as a pastor at Calvary. Malone allegedly began sexually assaulting the victim in the fall of 2014, while she was living at his residence in the unit block of Atherton Drive in Exton and attending Calvary. The victim also reported that Malone gave her alcohol on two occasions, one in which she became intoxicated and was molested by Malone. Calvary parishoners encouraged the victim to come forward about the crimes and terminated Malone from his pastor role.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers took nine people into custody last Wednesday in Kennett Square. The nine individuals were employees of a mushroom processing plant located on Starr Road. The facility, located on private property, is owned by South Mill Mushrooms. According to a report on NBC.com, the ICE officers told supervisors at the facility that they were looking for four undocumented immigrants. The report says that whether the federal agents had a warrant was yet unclear. Witnesses told NBC affiliate Telemundo62 that the scene was chaotic, with many scattering when they recognized the agents.

For the third consecutive time, Chester County Hospital has received an A grade for patient safety. A nonprofit organization, The Leapfrog Group, gave Chester County Hospital and 30 others in Pennsylvania the top grade.  The group examines publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. The grades are calculated by top patient safety experts.

In the early morning hours of April 23, Coatesville City police were dispatched to the 600 block of East Lincoln Highway for the report of an assault/robbery. Upon their arrival, police made contact with a female victim who told them that a black male she did not know had followed her, assaulted her and stole money from her. Upon their investigation, it was determined that 46-year-old Duane Spriggs was that offender. Spriggs was arrested on April 26 and remanded to Chester County prison on $50,000 cash bail.