According to a post on the Patch.com, police in Phoenixville are investigating a theft from a vehicle that was captured on video. The incident occurred in a parking lot in the borough on Friday, May 12. The surveillance footage from the parking lot shows a white male in a white, hooded sweatshirt and a beard approaching the vehicle and opening its door, which appears to be unlocked. He explores the inside before fleeing the scene. To view the video, go to https://patch.com/pennsylvania/westchester/s/g4jpn/watch-phoenixville-authorities-investigating-theft-from-vehicle-caught-on-tape.
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Police Investigating Theft from Vehicle
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Several Chester County Restaurants Out of Compliance
According to recent Pennsylvania Department of Health inspections, several Chester County restaurants are out of compliance. Chipotle Mexican Grill in West Whiteland Township had 14 violations, which included improperly cooking meat, employees not wearing proper hair restraints and unsanitary conditions in the bathrooms. Bonu Cafe Express, located at 320 East Lincoln Highway in Exton, had 19 violations. Those violations included improper food storage, prepared foods lacking proper labeling and employees not wearing hair restraints. In addition, Famous Toastery at 120 Woodcutter Street in Exton had 12 violations, and Han Dynasty at 260 North Pottstown Pike in Exton had 22 violations. For a complete list of inspection results, go to https://www.pafoodsafety.pa.gov/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx
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Chester County High Schools Recognized by U.S. News and World Report
U.S. News and World Report has included several Chester County high schools on its “Best of” list for 2017. In Pennsylvania, Conestoga High School was ranked the third best high school, Unionville HIgh School was ranked fifth, and Great Valley was ranked tenth. Avon Grove High School, all three of West Chester’s high schools and all three Downingtown Area School District high schools were ranked in the top 50 in Pennsylvania. Downingtown East and Downingtown West scored a silver recognition, earning high scores for AP participation.
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Six-Year-Old on Bike Hit By Vehicle
According to Coatesville Police, a six-year-old was struck on Tuesday evening in the 500 block of Cedar Ave. Police say the boy entered the roadway and was struck by a passing vehicle. That vehicle was driven by 21-year-old Brandon Robinson of West Chester. The boy was transported to Paoli Memorial Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. Robinson’s vehicle sustained minor damage.
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The Sheriff’s Office Holding K-9 Graduation Friday
The Chester County Sheriff’s Office invites the public to its K-9 Graduation on Friday May 19, at 11:30 a.m. It will be held in Courtroom One of the Chester County Justice Center. There will be five teams graduating in the following specialties: Chester County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Sarro and K9 Dexter (PATROL); Chester County Sheriff’s Deputy September Spencer and K9 Luke (NARCOTICS); Ridley Township Police Officer Brian Judge and K9 Zork (PATROL and NARCOTICS); Ridley Township Police Officer Matthew Rowan and K9 Hannes (PATROL and NARCOTICS); SEPTA Police Officer Jackie Trower and K9 Jagger (PATROL); and Chester County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Bolt will receive his certification as a K-9 trainer. The Sheriff’s Office will also be honoring and remembering K-9 Buster and his partner, retired Chester County Sheriff Lieutenant John Freas.
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Bell Tavern Park in East Caln Closed Because of Vandalism
Bell Tavern Park is closed until further notice due to a vandalism incident Wednesday night. Township officials are asking if you saw or heard anything Wednesday evening to please call East Caln Township office at 610-269-1989
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Chester County Commissioners name Douglas Waegel Director of Chester County Department of Children Youth and Families
Douglas Waegel has been appointed by the Chester County Commissioners as the new Director of Chester County’s Department of Children Youth and Families. Waegel has served as deputy director of the department for nearly nine years and during this time he has been responsible for the provision of all public child welfare program services for Chester County residents including in-home and placement services. In addition, Waegel has served as part of a leadership team to implement legislative and regulatory changes within the Department of Children Youth and Families, promoting Chester County’s collaborative System of Care approach to programs and services. Waegel has held various roles within the Department of Children Youth and Families for nearly 30 years.
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WCASD Superintendent Urges Community to Oppose House Bill that Threatens School Funding
West Chester Area School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon is urging parents, staff and community members to contact their state representatives to oppose PA House Bill 1213 that enables significant property tax reductions for commercial properties. In a letter dated May 18, Scanlon said the bill jeopardizes funding for school districts. He wrote: “the impact on our school district’s revenue is significant. If this bill passes, the West Chester Area School District could potentially lose more than $8 million in tax revenue from commercial properties next year alone.” Scanlon further wrote that such a loss would mean cuts to programs and services, higher taxes for homeowners, and possibly prevent the district’s ability to complete renovations to its elementary schools. House Bill 1213 is sponsored by Representative Warren Kampf. The bill, if passed, would not allow school districts to appeal an assessed value of a commercial property when it is sold at a much higher value. For a list of legislators, go to: http://home.wcasd.net/files/_cFCFe_/c89ca51fed120e7a3745a49013852ec4/Contact_your_local_representatives.pdf
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Senate Education Committee to Hold Hearing on Keystone Exams at West Chester University
State Senator Andy Dinniman’s Office announced that the Senate Education Committee will hold a committee hearing on Friday, June 2, 2017, at 12:30 P.M. at the Business and Public Management Center of West Chester University to examine the value of the Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement and the need to replace these exams with more appropriate and cost-effective assessments, such as the PSAT and SAT exams. The meeting will be held at 50 Sharpless Street, West Chester, at the corner of South Church Street and Sharpless, in Room 101. The hearing is is open the public. A livestream will be available at www.pasenate.com. For more information contact Adam Cirucci at acirucci@pasenate.com.
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West Whiteland Police Investigating Counterfeit Incident at Target
Photo Courtesy of West Whiteland Township Police
The West Whiteland Police Department is investigating the passing of counterfeit currency that occurred on May 29, 2017 at the Target Store, located at 201 Sunrise Blvd. in Exton. The alleged female suspect passed a $100 counterfeit bill to purchase two items of clothing. She then left the store, and there is no vehicle description at this time. Her photo is posted here. Anyone with information or who can identify the suspect pictured above is asked to contact Detective Jeffrey McCloskey at 484-875-6023 or jmccloskey@westwhiteland.org.
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Caln Police Investigating Home Invasion, Robbery of Local Businesses
Caln Township police have requested the public’s help with any information about a home invasion robbery on Monday in which four suspects assaulted two men, kidnapping one. The crime began with a home invasion in Caln, and ended with the four suspects robbing the two Coatesville stores where the two male victims, both 52-years-old are employed. Police say that the suspects confronted the two store owners at their home on Toth Ave. around 8 p.m. Monday, assaulting the victims, detaining them and then searching their residence for valuables and cash. Police say that the suspects then put one of the male victims inside the trunk of the victim’s car while they forced the other victim to help the suspects gain entry into both stores, located in Coatesville, where those suspects stole additional items before leaving the victim in his car in Coatesville. One victim suffered a broken jaw and a severe laceration to the head and the other victim suffered minor injuries. The victims told police that the suspects were dressed in all black and wore gloves and facial coverings. At least three suspects came armed, which included a handgun and two shotguns. The Chester County Detectives assisted in the investigation, along with detectives from the Caln Police Department and Coatesville Police Department. Police ask that anyone with information contact the Caln Police Criminal Investigation Division at 610-383-1821 or 610-383-7000.
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East Brandywine Police Hold Active Warrant for Man Accused of Fraud
Photo Courtesy of East Brandywine Township Police
East Brandywine Township Police Department is holding an active warrant for Richard E. Ferrara for fraud. Ferrara failed to appear for a hearing regarding his alleged involvement in defrauding a 92-year-old resident of $2,000. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Richard Ferrara is asked to call: 610-269-4300.
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Teen Shot in Pottstown
According to Pottstown Police, a teen was shot in Pottstown’s borough Friday evening around 7:30. The male teen was reportedly shot in the neck near the intersection of Beech and North Evans streets, outside of the Beech Street Factory apartments. He was then transported to the hospital by Goodwill ambulance and medics. He was released the following day. No arrests have been made in this investigation. Anyone with information can contact the Pottstown Police Department at 610.970.6570.
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Chester County Fund for Women and Girls to Host Healthcare Panel
The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls will be hosting a panel June 21 on the changing landscape in healthcare and its impact on women’s health. This public event will be held at 1025 Andrew Drive, Suite 200, in West Chester from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The event will feature a light breakfast. The goal of this moderated discussion is to educate about women’s health, proposed legislation impacting women’s health, and how constituents can be informed advocates. Panelists are experts in the field. Christina Sappey, Chief of Staff for Representative Carolyn Comitta, will be moderating the panel. To register for this event, email bszerenyi@ccfwg.org or call 484-356-0940.
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Revised School District Policy Makes Timelines for Proving Immunizations Stricter
At an Avon Grove School District school board meeting last Thursday, changes to the district’s policy on communicable diseases and immunizations were announced. Essentially what that means is that starting in the fall, there will only be a five-day window in which students will have to provide documentation they’ve received immunizations.On the sixth day, those without that proof will not be allowed to attend classes. Avon Grove Superintendent Christopher Marchese said: “It’s a big change in how we do business.” A full list of immunizations required upon entry to school, as well as entering seventh and 12th grades is available on the district website at www.avongrove.org.
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Cheyney University Interim President Announced
The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Wednesday appointed Aaron Walton to serve as interim president of Cheyney University. Walton, who is 70-years-old, is a former senior vice president of Highmark, Inc. and longtime member of both the Board of Governors and on the California University of Pennsylvania’s Council of Trustees. He will be paid $248,000 per year. Enrollment at Cheyney has been declining for years. A special task force appointed by the board of governors already has approved a conceptual framework for a new business model for Cheney including the creation of an Institute for the Contemporary African-American Experience. Walton has served on more than 35 community boards.
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Route 926 (Street Road) Lane Closures Scheduled Next Week for Tree Removal in Birmingham Township
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Friday that single lane closures are scheduled at the intersection of Route 926 (Street Road) and Creek Road on Monday, June 5, through Friday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for tree removal operations related to an $8.6 million project to replace the structurally-deficient Route 926 (Street Road) bridge over the Brandywine Creek in Birmingham and Pocopson townships. The new bridge is scheduled to reopen by September 1, 2017. Motorists are advised to allow additional time when traveling through the work area.
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West Whiteland Police Announce Arrests of Men Charged with Robbing Area Wawas
Steven Crews
Milton Hearns
Shawn King
According to West Whiteland Township Police, Steven Crews Jr. of Coatesville, Shawn King of Exton, and Milton Hearns of Downingtown were charged with Robbery and related theft offenses after several events that started on the evening of Thursday, May 25. That night, shortly before 10 p.m, Downingtown Police responded to the Turkey Hill located in the 100 block of West Lancaster Avenue for a robbery. Officers were told a black male entered the store with a handgun and ordered employees to remove money from the night deposit safe. They told him they couldn’t open the safe, so he then fled. At 10:41 p.m., West Whiteland Police responded to the Wawa on West Boot Road for a robbery. Officers there were told that a black male entered the store with a handgun and ordered employees to turn over money from the cash register and the safe. The suspect took approximately $1,300 in cash and fled on foot. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Upper Providence Police in Montgomery County responded to a Wawa for a reported robbery. While investigating, officers initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle observed in the area of the robbery and detained four suspects as a result. After joint police investigation, Crews was identified as the suspect from the Turkey Hill and Wawa robberies. Charges were also filed against 22-year-old Hearns after it was determined he was allegedly present at those robberies. Hearns allegedly drove Crews and King, who is 18, to and from the Wawa store in West Whiteland Township.
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Chester County Coroner Reverses Cause of Death to Homicide for Phoenixville Man
The Chester County Coroner has ruled that the August 2007 death of a Phoenixville should be classified as a homicide. That man, 20-year-old Brett Katzenmoyer, died just three days after a violent confrontation with Camden, N.J., police outside a concert. During that altercation, the young man suffered a broken nose and a concussion while being arrested by Camden Police. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Coroner Gordon R. Eck began reexamining the case last year, at the request of Katzenmoyer’s family. Eck said Thursday he had issued a new death certificate after reviewing Katzenmoyer’s medical records. The previous Coroner, Robert Satriale, had ruled Katzenmoyer’s death “could not be determined” after finding morphine and sleeping pills in the man’s system. Katzenmoyer got a CT scan at Pottstown Hospital two days following that arrest because he had bloody fluid leaking from his ears. That test showed nothing conclusive. The following evening he went to sleep, and his mother found him unconscious in his bed the next day. The Katzenmoyers have been fighting the cause of death ruling for nearly 10 years, saying their son’s death was directly caused by injuries he received from two former Camden police officers, not drugs.
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Hearing Held to Discuss Value of Keystone Exams
The Senate Education Committee held a committee hearing Friday at West Chester University to examine the value of the Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement. The event was held because many parents, including West Chester Area School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon, have argued that the tests are not an effective measure for students and create unnecessary stress. Speakers at the event included school administrators, students, parents, test givers and elected officials. Scanlon has fought graduation tests on the state and federal levels saying: “I understand that the intent is accountability, but this is just not a good way to measure student progress.” He added: “Even a straight ‘A’ student who doesn’t do well on the Keystones won’t receive a diploma, under state law.” State Sen. Andy Dinniman, a member of the Senate Education Committee, supports the abolishment of the Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement and supports proposed legislation to do just that. He said: “We are trying to restore the rights of parents to participate in their children’s education.” As far as a replacement, those in attendance said the PSAT and SAT tests are more appropriate.
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