On Stage Spotlight: Ryan Tennis is home for the holidays

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Ryan Tennis Ryan Tennis is a Philadelphia musician — a globe-trotting Philly musician. He is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who in last two years has mounted successful tours through Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Colombia, and Argentina.  He spent February 2017 doing a massive tour in Colombia from Bogota to Barranquilla and from Cali to Cartagena. Tennis...

What To Do: Good Neighbor Christmas in Downingtown

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Downingtown’s Good Neighbor Christmas. Downingtown has changed a lot over the years but is still a neighborly town. It always been a neighborly town – so neighborly that it has an annual event schedule that includes Good Neighbor Day each summer and Good Neighbor Christmas (downtown Downingtown, http://www.dtownchristmas.com)...

Two charged in infants’ deaths

Jamal Bailey (left) and William Gardner (right) were charged Thursday in the deaths of two infants under their care. Two county men have been charged in the deaths of infants under their care — one earlier this year and another exactly one year ago —  Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced Thursday. Jamal Bailey, 41 of Downingtown, has been charged with homicide for administering...

On Stage: Nothing like The Nutcracker to make it feel like Christmas

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Nutcracker by the Pennsylvania Ballet. The Pennsylvania Ballet’s annual production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” is one of the most cherished—and longest running—family holiday traditions for families in the region. For many, a visit to Philadelphia to enjoy the lavish presentation by the world-famous Pennsylvania Ballet is a integral...

George withdraws from 16th District race

John George The crowded field to take on freshman Congressman Lloyd Smucker got a little less crowded Wednesday after John George announced he would withdraw from the race, saying he didn’t think he would be able to mount a competitive race. “I have informed the Democratic Committee that I am suspending my campaign for Congress in the 16th District for 2018,” george said in a statement,...

On Stage: Ventura fire forces cancellation of Phillips’ show

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Veteran rock and jazz drummer Simon Phillips was forced to cancel his tour — including a local stop tonight — after his Venture County, Cal. home burned in a wildfire. Two British musicians who first arrived on the scene in the late 1970s and have been going strong ever since have concerts scheduled in the area at different venues on December 6 – Gary...

Coatesville knocked off as St. Joe’s mounts late comeback

By Chris Sheehan, Correspondent, The Times St. Joseph’s Prep’s James Cherry celebrates a score en route to a come from behind victory over Coatesville, Friday, in the state 6A football semi final. DOWNINGTOWN — Coatesville was one of the last two teams from Chester County remaining alive in the state football playoffs — and unlike their downcounty neighbors from Unionville (which lost...

Lewis announces plans to retire from the House after 2018

State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-74) today announced that his second term in office, which will end with the 2017-18 session, will be his final one as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. His retirement will follow 56 years of public service. “Because of the citizens of the 74th District, I proudly worked in Harrisburg – despite the inevitable bureaucratic limitations...

What To Do: The Coatesville Christmas Parade

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Coatesville Christmas Parade The Coatesville Christmas Parade, a holiday classic that is Chester County’s largest hometown parade, will be held on December 2 in downtown Coatesville. The festive annual parade will get underway at 10 a.m. with Strode Avenue and Lincoln Highway as its starting point. The parade will conclude at the performing and judging...

On Stage: Kick off the holidays with the Kennett Symphony

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Kennett Symphony invites you to join with its musicians and special guests for a festive holiday celebration this weekend. On December 2, the Kennett Symphony (http://kennettsymphony.org/) is presenting “Pops Goes the Holiday with Special Guest Philadanco” at 7:30 p.m. at Unionville High School (750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square).