County working to get businesses ready to reopen

WEST CHESTER — In less than two weeks of announcing the formation of a business task force to help re-open, repair and restore Chester County’s economy affected by COVID-19, the Commissioners have brought together a team to focus on the county’s future business needs. Members of the COVID-19 Business Task Force bring a wealth of business, economic, education and government acumen to the group...
COVID-19 Update, May 15: 13 counties move to Yellow, 12 more announced for next week

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
With 13 counties moving to a more open “Yellow” status today in the fight against COVID-19, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that 12 more counties had met state criteria and would move to Yellow next Friday: Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Wayne, and York.
By next week, a total of 49 counties will...
AGSD Board holds budget hearings; taxes likely to increase due to reduced revenue

WEST GROVE — On Tuesday, May 12, Avon Grove School District’s (AGSD) Board of School Directors and administration held its fifth Committee of the Whole (COW) Budget Work Session for the 2020-2021 school year. A major topic of discussion pertained to revenues, which remain uncertain as the district prepares its 2020-2021 budget. The administration is scaling back revenue projections to be consistent...
COVID-19 Update, May 13: State officials remind shoppers to wear masks to protect essential workers

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
Although the number of new COVID-19 cases in the commonwealth — and Chester County — appears to be shrinking, state officials are reminding residents to continue to be patient as the state works through the crisis.
One area in particular is anger that seems to be being vented at workers at grocery stores and other essential retailers when employees...
Chesco extends essential-services only to June 4

WEST CHESTER — Chester County Government officials Wednesday announced the extension of the County’s essential services-only operation to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The extended period runs to Thursday, June 4.
The Commissioners will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and adjust the status of essential services-only as necessary.
The essential services identified...
COVID-19 Update, May 12: As Toomey demands reopening, Fauci warns of ‘uncontrollable’ outbreaks

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
A day after a firestorm by an apparent attempt by GOP legislative leaders to spark various county rebellions against Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency COVID-19 Stay At Home and business closure orders — and Wolf making it clear those counties would pay a price — there appeared to be an uneasy quiet with no action in the ongoing standoff.
Beyond Wolf’s...
COVID-19 Update: Wolf lays down the law with rebel counties, even as Trump Tweets support for lawlessness

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times, @mikemncgannpa
Gov. Tom Wolf
Gov. Tom Wolf laid down the law Monday, literally, making it clear that counties and states that chose to ignore his emergency pandemic business shut down orders would face consequences ranging from loss of federal COVID-19 recovery funding, loss of insurance, licenses and other civil penalties, even as President Donald Trump took to Twitter...
LCH gets COVID-19 funding

KENNETT SQUARE — Despite the closings and limitations of businesses over the past seven weeks during the pandemic, local community health center LCH (La Comunidad Hispana) has been able to offer essential health and community services at all three of its locations. “This is a very vulnerable time for the community,” said Federico Ceppa, MD, Director of Primary Care. “We have to be open...
COVID-19 Update: Wolf to move 13 more counties from Red to Yellow, May 15, but not Chesco

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
The most recent new case and testing numbers for COVID-19 from Chester County Health show a continued, gradual overall down trend line as of May 8.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that 13 more counties will move from “Red” to “Yellow” next Friday, as the first 34 counties to make that move opened up today, while extending the Stay At Home orders...