Chester County Press 02-11-2026 Edition

KCSD looks at possible large tax increase

By Chris Barber Contributing Writer

With four months to go before the adoption of the final budget, Kennett Consolidated School Board treasurer Mike Finnegan announced Monday that the school district is looking at a possible tax increase that exceeds the state limit.

In Pennsylvania, if a school district wants to increase its annual tax rate beyond the Act 1 Index limit

District Attorney’s office honors prosecutors, law enforcement officials...5B

for that fiscal year, the board must either request—and be granted—relief based on special education spending or put the request on a ballot for the voters to decide via a referendum.

Finnegan said the district is currently looking at a 4.17 percent tax increase for the 2026-2027 school year.

The average tax bill for the median Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) property owner would be $5,000.

Finnegan said that he is hoping to find ways to reduce the expenditures, but this is only the second time in his long tenure on the board that he has not been able to lower that preliminary number while in the second month of calculating. He said there are still some unknown variables to the KCSD spending plan that might offer a chance to decrease expenditures or boost revenues that would reduce the size of the tax

Parking issues continue in Oxford Borough

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

Parking continues to be an issue in Oxford Borough and a lengthy discussion ensued at the Feb. 2 council meeting. The borough’s current plan to do away with free parking in the parking garage on Sundays was at the center of the discussion.

Geoff Henry, representing the Oxford Presbyterian Church said, “The church is a spiritual social center. We feel there is so much history tied to the church and that the church is tied to the borough’s development. We ask that you support a change to the parking amendment to allow free parking on Sunday.

Resident Peggy Russell said, “This was a difficult moment for me. I would say that if this was a private garage I would be standing with the people

from Oxford Presbyterian Church, but it is not. It is a government garage. I am also concerned that people who are pulling groceries across town from the malls to their homes and can’t afford a car should not be asked to have their taxes pay for the parking garage upkeep for people who can afford to buy a car.”

The Oxford Presbyterian Church pastor Scott Szabo also spoke saying, “In our letter to council, we don’t think we are owed complimentary parking, but as a nonprofit our source of income comes from our worshipping group. If we are to be sustainable, we need to grow our congregation. We have been a significant partner in the community. How do we manage communicating to folks, ‘you should come here, not another church.’ I think it presents an interesting challenge to how we

years. The Avon Grove Library is located at 117 Rosehill Avenue in West Grove. Visit avongrovelibrary.org for more information. Local author discusses new book this Saturday

increase. These variables include the state funding the school district will receive based on the state budget once it is approved, a reduction in basic education costs, special education allocations, federal allocations, and the state of facilities and technology, among others.

School board member LaToya Myers said she is sensitive to tax increases, and she wants to work to keep them down as much as possible. She said she knows

several families that lost their homes because they couldn’t afford the taxes.

Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders announced substantial numbers of programs at the kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school levels to recognize Black History Month. She said, “It teaches us that progress is built on creativity, respect and collective responsibility.”

Rizzo Saunders also listed many music honors at

the state level and beyond which had been earned by Kennett students.

The school board approved field trips to China and Europe and gave their approval to state (and world if they make it) tournaments to the robotics team.

Rebecca Vietri, the director of teaching and learning, described and received approval on the details of two new courses: Astronomy and Kennett Future Ready.

Orion presides

By Winthrop Rodgers Contributing Writer

The Longwood Fire Station is a busy place. While sitting with the Chester County Press for an interview, Fire Chief A.J. McCarthy’s phone buzzes with a notification and interrupts his flow. Firefighter Gabby Ratliff’s phone does too at the next desk. They

both look up

organization,” McCarthy explained. “We handle fire incidents. We are involved in rescue incidents. We provide all levels of emergency medical service that you can do pre-hospital.”

All of that adds up. In 2017, the three fire departments at Longwood, Kennett, and Po-Mar-Lin collectively responded to

Fire companies...

Continued from Page 1A

1,167 fire calls and 3,327 EMS calls.

There was a noticeable uptick in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, for example, there were 1,292 fire and 3,722 EMS calls. The fire companies were on a pace in 2025 to reach even higher totals of calls, and McCarthy expects this trend to continue into the future.

There are similar trends at nearby fire companies. At West Grove, for example, fire calls increased from 665 in 2017 to 863 last year, while its EMS load grew from 2,394 to 3,663.

Combined fire and EMS calls increased nationwide by 22 percent between 2017 and 2023, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

“I don’t know of any fire companies that are going backwards. I think everybody’s getting an increase,” Guy Swift, Avondale’s fire chief, said in an interview.

Yet, questions remain about what is driving this trend.

“We’ve been trying to pinpoint it to one single thing, and we don’t think it’s one single thing. We think it’s a combination,” McCarthy said.

However, the main reason for the increase in calls is likely population growth.

Between 2020 and 2024, Chester County added more than 26,000 people, the largest increase of any county in Pennsylvania.

McCarthy rattles off a list of recently opened and planned developments in the catchment of his fire-

Oxford parking...

Continued from Page 1A

can grow our numbers and be sustainable. The rest of the week, we have activities. That Sunday morning is important.”

Fred Crutchfield who lives at nearby Ware Presbyterian Village, said that people who are older can have problems even coming to the gate.

“They might trip and fall,” Crutchfield said. “There are good arguments on both sides of this. We think that, because we are an integral part of the community, you should approve this.”

As the discussion about parking continued, it was decided that the borough will form a parking committee to help facilitate the process as borough officials consider an amended parking ordinance. In other business at the meeting, Oxford Police Chief Sam Iacono informed council that by the end of the new year, the department will have new radios.

Mayor Phil Harris told council that he decided to bring the mayors in the county together for a meeting that will probably take place in West Chester. The expectation is that the

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houses, each of which adds to the stretched attention of firefighters and medics.

He wants to see more consultation between municipalities and public safety services when developments are proposed. That would help the company to plan for the future needs in terms of equipment and staffing.

“We try to talk to municipalities…to know those things are coming,” McCarthy said. “Everything requires money, so you have to start that process.”

Beyond sheer population growth, other demographic factors may be at play as well.

“Older populations typically use the services more than younger ones for the most part,” he explained. The senior residential communities in the area typically require dozens of call outs by the EMS services each month, according to publicly available statistics.

In a similar vein, Swift noted the presence of a large rehab facility in his catchment area, which he said influenced the number of EMS calls they get.

There are also lower-income parts of the

County Commissioners might be at the meeting as well.

Harris also thanked the Union Fire Company, the EMS and the Public Works Department for all of the hard work during the recent snowstorm.

Solicitor Stacey Fuller informed council that the plans for Niblock Alley are still moving forward.

Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen also provided an update about grants that the borough is currently seeking.

“We have a $109,000 grant from DCNR for the Oxford Memorial Park,” Garcia-Allen said. “We want to improve pathways in the park, perform stormwater improvements and we will install an electric gateway sign. We will also be replacing a curb-cut and infill the sidewalk. We have just under $320,000 in total for the Oxford Memorial Park.”

Garcia-Allen also mentioned the progress that has been made on adding a parking gate to the parking garage. “We will be doing the update on the parking gate this week. It will take longer to finish and will have to be done in phases. There is

community where people do not have health insurance and rely more heavily on the emergency services to receive medical care.

Beyond what full-time residents need, the area around Kennett Square is a tourist hot spot. It brings in people from around the region for the annual Mushroom Festival, concerts, sporting events, and Third Thursdays on State Street.

Tubing on the Brandywine River in the summer has become another source of call outs. In fact, it is such a factor that some of the regional fire companies now have rescue boats, with others planning to buy more in the coming years.

The crowds at Longwood Gardens also require assistance from time to time. Luckily, the Longwood Fire Company is right next door, so it can fulfill Pierre DuPont’s original mission when he established it in 1921 to protect the gardens.

“If you sat down and mapped all those factors together, at the end, you’d get a busy fire department,” McCarthy explained.

Anecdotally, there may be a more intangible explanation at play as well.

concrete work to be done. There are different options for parking depending on events. I have met with some business owners and will continue to meet with them. There will be information on the website. We to give more information to the public regarding the parking.”

Oxford Borough Council approved the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) Certificate of Appropriateness for 114/116 E. Locust Street.

Council also approved the applicant’s request for a waiver or modification

“I just think people stopped putting stuff off,” McCarthy said, trying to explain the statistical rise in calls after the COVID19 pandemic. People were forced to stay at home for long periods. Now they are out and more active, which requires more responses from the fire services.

“There’s no scientific thing to point to, it’s just people decided: ‘I’m not waiting anymore,’” he added.

All of this puts pressure on the limited resources of the fire companies and EMS technicians, who must respond to the growing number of calls with the staff and equipment that they have at hand.

“Everybody’s in the same boat,” Swift said. “When people dial 9-1-1, they want a fire truck or an ambulance there within a reasonable amount of time with a staff crew. They’re calling because they have the problem.”

of the traffic impact study requirement related to the conditional-use application for 55 S. Third Street.

Council approved the appointment of Robert Liberato and Andrew Olejnik to the Oxford Borough Planning Commission.

Oxford Borough Council approved the advertisement of an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain property interests for the construction of Oxford Borough’s Niblock Alley project. Borough Manager Garcia-Allen explained that engineers are about 31

percent through the design at this point.

Borough council approved the Sycamore Crossing deed of dedication and bill of sale for water lines and the Sycamore Crossing request for escrow release of $19,800 for water line improvements.

A police car purchase in the amount of $60,799, inclusive of $46,799 for the vehicle and up to $14,000 for vehicle up-fit work, was also approved.

Borough council also approved a GFT proposal in an amount not to exceed $140,000 to complete a

new well source study for well No. 14.

In other business, the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) discussed the determination for 260 S. Third Street. Carol Hess explained to council that the Friends Meeting House group did not come before HARB when they decided to replace windows on the property. Council agreed to double the fee for the review, but there would be no fine.

The next Oxford Borough Council meeting will be held on Feb. 16 at the Borough Hall.

Pa. Senate passes “Bell-to-Bell” bill that would restrict students’ use of cell phones in schools

The Pennsylvania Senate passed the bipartisan “Bellto-Bell” bill that would establish statewide standards to restrict the use of cell phones by students during the school day.

The State Senate’s vote

took place just hours after Gov. Josh Shapiro renewed his support for the legislation during his annual budget address on Feb. 3.

Proponents of the bill say that restricting the use of cell phones by students will create a better, safer learning environment. The legislation will now head to the State House.

State Rep. Mandy Steele, a Democrat from Allegheny County, expressed strong support for Gov. Shapiro’s renewed backing of restrictions on cell phone use in Pennsylvania schools.

“This proposal is gaining momentum -- as it should,” Steele said. “Research consistently shows the benefits of limiting cell phone use in schools, and educators regularly identify it as a key

issue. The governor’s support will be invaluable as we work to create a safer, more focused learning environment for all Pennsylvania students.”

Steele has introduced H.B. 1814, bipartisan legislation that would prohibit students in public schools from using or possessing a cell phone during the school day.

Students would be required to secure their phones in a way that prevents access until the end of the day, with exceptions for certain emergency and medical needs approved by school authorities.

While discussing education in his budget address, Shapiro urged legislators to send a bill banning cell phones in schools to his desk.

“Supporting our kids means investing more dollars in our schools and also ensuring they have a healthy, productive learning environment,” Shapiro said. “One way to do that is to get the distraction of cell phones out of their classrooms.”

After receiving a round of applause, the governor added with a smile, “If applause could vote, we’d have this thing done already.”

More than 30 states currently restrict cell phone use in schools. Twenty-three states enforce a full “bellto-bell” ban, also known as an “away for a day” policy, while eight states limit use only during instructional time, according to Education Week.

Kane announces over $7.2 million in transportation and infrastructure grants

Avondale Borough receives $700,000 for streets, sidewalks, and parks, and more than $400,000 for critical water pipe replacement

State

(D–Delaware/Chester)

than

$7.2 million in state grant funding awarded to communities across Senate District 9 through the Multimodal Transportation Fund and the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program, supporting critical investments in roads, sidewalks, pedestrian safety, stormwater systems, and water and sewer infrastructure.

“These grants represent real, tangible investments in the safety, accessibility, and quality of life of our communities,” said Kane. “From safer streets and ADAaccessible sidewalks to modernized water and sewer systems, this funding will help our municipalities make long-overdue improvements

while easing the financial burden on local taxpayers.”

Multimodal Transportation Fund awards

A total of approximately

$3.6 million was awarded to support pedestrian safety, roadway improvements, and connectivity projects, including the following:

• Avondale Borough: $700,000 for comprehensive improvements for streets, sidewalks, and parks;

• Chester Township: $500,000 for Powell Road streetscape and pedestrian improvements;

• City of Chester $750,000 for Route 291 connectivity corridor multi-use trail;

• Everest PACE Center Inc.: $71,857 for Silvercare Senior Housing, Phase I;

• Nether Providence Township: $514,000 for Walkable Wallingford, Providence Road Sidewalk (Phase VI);

• Upland Borough: $450,000 for Upland Avenue pedestrian safety and economic development improvements;

• Upper Chichester Township: $600,000 for Chichester Avenue Streetscape, Phase Four.

“These projects improve walkability, traffic safety, and economic vitality while ensuring our infrastructure works for everyone, including seniors and people with disabilities,” Kane added.

PA Small Water and Sewer Program awards

An additional approxi-

mately $3.7 million was awarded to address aging infrastructure and improve stormwater, water, and sewer systems: Nether Providence Township: $110,000 for Henry Lane Phase II; Southwest Delaware County Municipal Authority: $125,000 for open trench repairs; Chester Township: $300,000 for stormwater inlet and pipe upgrades; Kennett Square Borough: $300,000 for security and control improvements; Southwest Delaware County Municipal Authority: $153,916 for manhole rehabilitation; Upland Borough: $425,000 for Maris Run pipe relining and repairs; Upper Chichester

Township: $275,000 for Boothwyn Town Center storm sewer infrastructure (Phase I); Avondale Borough: $415,252 critical water pipe replacement; Middletown Township Sewer Authority: $500,000 for S. Heilbron Drive Pump Station upgrade; Chester Economic Development Authority: $452,653 for Parker Manor Trail Stormwater Construction; Southern Delaware County Authority: $315,000 for Naamans Creek Pump Station Improvements; Eddystone Borough: $212,500 for Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation; Lower Chichester Township: $112,367 for Morton Avenue sanitary

sewer improvements; “Reliable water, sewer, and stormwater systems are essential to public health, environmental protection, and economic growth,” Kane said. “These grants help ensure our infrastructure is resilient today and prepared for the future.”

Kane credited strong partnerships with each State Representative, local officials and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for helping secure these investments and reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for District 9 communities.

For more information on these grants or other state resources, residents are encouraged to contact each respective municipality.

Barbering program set to expand to new campuses

Success often begins with a skill, a passion, and the right opportunity. At Chester County Technical College High School (TCHS), the Brandywine campus Barbering program is transforming student interest into real-world achievement by equipping learners with industry credentials, confidence, and a clear path forward. With its strong reputation for handson learning and career readiness, this high-demand program is expanding to the TCHS Pennock’s Bridge campus in West Grove for the 2026-2027 school year, with plans to open at the TCHS Pickering campus in Phoenixville in 20272028, creating even more opportunities for students to shape their own success stories.

“Students can earn 1,250

hours of education and, by their senior year, prepare to take the Pennsylvania licensing exam for barbering and enter the workforce immediately,” said Drew Givler, TCHS Brandywine barbering program instructor.

The barbering program equips students with the technical, professional, and business skills needed to obtain barbering licensure, start a career as a professional barber or barber stylist, and even develop a business plan for those interested in owning or operating their own barbershop. Designed for creative, hands-on learners, the program blends industry training with realworld experience, preparing students for both the craft and business sides of the profession.

Students progress through clearly defined career skill levels:

Beginner level: Focus on industry safety, sanitation, and foundational shampooing and draping techniques on real clients.

Intermediate level: Learn basic hair cutting, shaving, and facial services, and gain an introduction to running a barbershop.

Advanced level: Refine complex hair cutting, shaving, and facial techniques while preparing to complete the Pennsylvania State Licensing Exam and earn the State Board of Barbering License.

Beyond technical training, students can earn up to three college credits and explore additional credit opportunities related to bar-

bering. Students also have access to community workplace experiences, allowing them to build professional confidence, gain hands-on

experience, and develop industry connections, setting them up for a smooth transition from high school to career or further education.

ITServe Alliance presents $5,000 gift to fund STEM scholarships at DCCC

Delaware County Community College’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Division and Computer Science and Information Technology programs prepare graduates to either pursue immediate employment after graduation or continue their education at four-year institutions. To help make students’ journeys easier, the ITServe Alliance, Philadelphia Chapter has donated $5,000 to the DCCC Educational Foundation to establish the ITServe Alliance-Philadelphia Chapter STEM Scholarship.

The gift was presented by ITServe Alliance representatives Sitaram V. Mukkamala, Siva Pola and Amar Varada at DCCC’s Marple Campus. They met with DCCC STEM Division Dean, Dr.

Umadevi Garimella, and Richard McFadden, Dean of Business, Computing & Social Science—as well as DCCC Educational Foundation representatives—to explore other avenues of collaboration between the College and the organization. The partnership will include internships, co-ops and full-time job opportunities for DCCC students.

“DCCC and the Educational Foundation are grateful for ITServe Alliance-Philadelphia Chapter’s generous support of student success and their commitment to collaboration, innovation and excellence across the IT and broader STEM fields,” said Dr. Laura Chisholm, DCCC vice president of institutional advancement.

The ITServe Alliance, Philadelphia

lish the ITServe Alliance-Philadelphia

Gabrielle, DCCC’s director of student

Umadevi

and Amar Varada.

Don

“We look forward to growing this partnership through internships, experiential learning and employment opportunities.” ITServe Alliance is the

He’s 6’1”, but he still looks up to me. Adopt a teen.

Small business owner sentenced to prison for deceptive business practices

Matthew Kaplan, the owner of the furniture store M. Kaplan Interiors in Malvern, was sentenced to 6 to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to deceptive business practices and related charges. Kaplan, 37, of Rydal, Pa., owned a furniture store and defrauded dozens of victims who ordered and paid for furniture that they never received. As a part of his sentence, Kaplan is required to pay back $530,203.92 of restitution to all the victims. As of the date of sentencing

on Jan. 29, he had paid back $120,000, according to the Chester County’s District Attorney’s Office.

“The victims chose to buy from the defendant because they wanted to support a local business,” said Chester County District Attorney Christopher de BarrenaSarobe. “Instead of rewarding them with an excellent product, the defendant took money from the victims knowing his business would never be able to deliver on the furniture that they ordered.”

The line at the convenience store

“The secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful.”

Swami Vivekananda

One day last week, in the aftermath of a winter storm that dumped several inches of snow over Chester County, the Chester County Press reporter went on a scavenger hunt for ice melt salt.

His journey took him to several normally reliable sources and at each stop, he was told that the inventory had been plundered within hours of the storm, so he motored on, determined to find what his driveway and his walkway desperately needed. On his fourth visit, he entered a convenience store halfway between Landenberg and Lincoln University and there it was: a large supply of the solution contained in large containers. He grabbed three and took them to the front counter, but there was no one tending to the register. A long line of customers began to stand in line behind the reporter holding their purchases and, realizing that the line was getting longer, he poked his head over the counter and saw an attendant, a man of Indian descent, on the floor and in the act of prayer. In the sliver of space he had, between the counter and the back wall of cigarettes and betting games, the man contorted his body into a peaceful fold, his eyes were closed and for just those precious moments, the world he lives in – with all of its hurried obligations and compendium of uninspired but necessary duty –had vanished.

It was not the place of the reporter to interrupt the attendant, nor was it his place to inquire as to the ritual of the man’s chosen religion, whether it is any of the Dharmic faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism or Sikhism. Rather, he stood quietly and patiently, as did the other shoppers in line with their hot dogs and coffee and soft drinks and candy and milk, who began to see for themselves what was happening behind the counter.

For nearly two minutes – an entire lifetime in the pay-and-go world of convenience stores - the only sound that was heard in the convenience store was the white noise murmur of the refrigerators and ice slush machines.

Against the cataclysmic events of the past few weeks that have continued to conspire in a country that has been torn up in the divide of its differences, it was the most hollow, beautiful and welcome sound the reporter had heard for weeks. Everyone in the line that was forming behind him, the reporter thought, had the choice to become an agitator. Everyone in that line had the right to demand service, to request that the line continue to move, one purchase after another. No one did.

Soon, the man behind the counter lifted himself off of the floor, exhaled a quiet sigh, and completed the reporter’s transaction, and then another and another until the line that patiently waited for him to finish his prayer slowly receded.

Chester County Press

Published

by The Lieberman Family

Imagine no Social Security

By Russell Gloor

In 1971, the iconic songwriter John Lennon penned the lyrics to his famous song “Imagine,” asking us to picture a world in total peace and harmony. Although it was a call to imagine what life would be like in a utopian world, it was also, perhaps, overly optimistic given the realities of that time – realities which are largely similar today, over five decades later.

Nevertheless, it is always good to imagine life as it might be. And that goes both ways – we can and should always picture life in a better world, but we might also take pause, at times, to picture how life might be worse. How often have we lamented that “things could be much worse?” when confronting adversity in our daily lives? So, today I’d like to suggest that you picture what life would be like without Social Security.

First, some statistics: Social Security provides benefits to about 70 million Americans, senior citizens as well as those not yet old enough to be so designated. That’s about 20 percent of the entire U.S. population. The benefits offered are financial, providing usually crucial money to those fortunate enough to be eligible. That includes those who have earned benefits by working and are old enough to claim, and others – such as minor or disabled adult children –who have not personally earned a benefit but are dependent on a parent who has. Benefits are also available for dependent spouses, ex-spouses and, sometimes, dependent parents. And let’s not forget that even working Americans who become disabled often find financial relief at a younger age with the Social Security disability insurance program.

Fact is, Social Security provides a “major” source of income for a majority of senior Americans and, in most cases, those collecting say it is critical to their ability to make their financial ends meet. In a nutshell, a large majority of Social Security recipients say Social Security is critically important to their financial well-being. But what if Social Security were to go away?

Well, that’s not something we like to think about because it would negatively impact so many

millions of people. Senior citizens would suffer harshly because the poverty rate for those aged 65 and over would jump from around 10 percent to nearly 40 percent.That means another 22 million people would be added to the total 36 million who already live below the U.S. poverty line. And statistically, the ones most affected would be older women, people of color, and children (about 4 million of whom receive Social Security benefits). Another 9 million or so Americans who collect Social Security Disability Insurance benefits would also be seriously affected.

What would American life be like without Social Security? As a student of U.S. history, I can imagine what it was like in the 1930s – the decade of the socalled “Great Depression.”

The years immediately preceding the advent of FDR’s Social Security program were a time of abject poverty in the United States. Many Americans had very little money and scant resources, with men wandering from town to town to find work to provide food for their kitchen table. Many wore tattered clothing, often the only clothes they had, and minor children had to work (if they could) to help the family survive. That was the environment which gave birth to the U.S. Social Security program. And the program, funded by taxes on workers and their employers, worked well. Starting when monthly SS benefits began flowing in 1940, Social Security has continued to sustain America’s seniors and their dependents for about 90 years. In other words, Social Security is an extremely effective antipoverty program which would devastate millions if the program went away. But what are the chances that Social Security will actually go away?

You might have heard that Social Security is now having some financial difficulties – and that is true. But is it in danger of ever going away completely?

The answer to that is a resounding “No.” Despite its current financial dilemma, Social Security will never go away completely. As long as Americans are working and contributing to the program, it will always be here to provide some benefits. But the more

important question is, will Social Security be able to pay for all of its benefit obligations in the future? And the answer to that is “No, unless Congress acts soon to reform the program.” You see, right now Social Security revenue (mainly income from working Americans) is less than needed to pay all benefit obligations. Social Security revenue in 2024 was about $1.418 trillion, but SS expenses were about $1.485 trillion – a deficit of about $67 billion. And that shortfall has been taken from Social Security’s Trust Fund reserves in order for full benefits to be paid to everyone.

The Social Security Trust Funds have supplemented the money needed to pay full benefits since 2021, which means the reserves in the Trust Funds have gone from about $2.9 trillion in 2020 to about $2.7 trillion today – a trend that will result in the reserves being completely depleted in about the year 2033 (this according to the Trustees of the Social Security program). If the Trust Fund reserves are fully depleted, Social Security can only pay out in benefits what it receives in revenue, which would mean about a 23 percent cut in benefits for every Social Security recipient.

Since so many Americans rely on Social Security as a major contributor to their financial well-being, the result of a 23 percent cut to everyone’s Social Security income would be devastating. It likely wouldn’t make things as bad as they were in the 1930s preceding Social Security’s birth, but it would nevertheless present a very serious problem which would thrust many more Americans into poverty. And that is the crux of the Social Security dilemma – cutting everyone’s Social Security benefit to only 77 percent of what is now received would mean a return to high levels of American poverty.

Congress has been aware of this looming Social Security issue for several decades but has chosen to “kick the can down the road.” Now, there is little time remaining to fix the problem. We are only a short 7 years away from when the Social Security Trust Funds will no longer have money to supplement Social Security benefit pay-

ments. Therefore, Congress must act soon to restore this crucial program to financial solvency. And the longer it waits, the more difficult the problem will be to solve. Indeed, Congress, instead, recently exacerbated Social Security’s financial dilemma by passing legislation which provided additional benefits to a segment of beneficiaries (see H.R. 82 – The Social Security Fairness Act). Regardless of the merits of that recent legislation, it added about $200 billion to Social Security’s expenses over the coming decade, at a time when Congress should be seeking ways to reduce Social Security’s costs.

For its part, the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) recognized this looming Social Security issue years ago and developed a potential Social Security reform proposal. AMAC has promoted (and continues to promote) its Social Security Guarantee to Congress and, in fact, also to the new Commissioner of Social Security. AMAC’s proposal provides common sense adjustments to the Social Security program –program adjustments which retain the poverty-reduction aspects of Social Security while still providing the full benefits all have earned from a lifetime of working. In any event, now is the time to mobilize by contacting your Congressional representatives to demand that Congress take action to reform the Social Security program and restore it to financial solvency. The year 2033, when everyone’s Social Security benefit will be cut by almost 25 percent, is just around the corner. Just imagine the consequences of that.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation. org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

New Pa. law ends 100% tax on those who die without a will or heirs

Thanks to Act 50 of 2025, Pennsylvania ended what many have described as a “100% tax” on dying without family or a will. Instead of assets going to Harrisburg, those estates now remain in the communities where those individuals lived, support-

ing local charities and the public good, forever.

The fact is, some Pennsylvanians die without family or a valid will. They may have worked their entire lives, paid taxes, volunteered, and contributed to their communities. Until now, when they passed

away, the fruits of that lifetime disappeared into the Commonwealth’s general fund, disconnected from the place they once called home.

The award winning Chester County Press

Act 50 updates Pennsylvania’s Intestate Succession Law to provide a better outcome. When no heirs can be found, the estate will now be placed into an endowed community fund at the community foundation serving the decedent’s county of residence. These funds are designed to exist in perpetuity, providing annual grants and support to local nonprofit charitable causes forever. That statewide impact is

possible by the reach of Pennsylvania’s community foundations. Every county is served by a community foundation with an endowed community fund, ensuring no matter where someone lived, their final gift stays close to home.

Located in West Chester, the Chester County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter so their legacy philanthropy makes a difference now and forever. The Community Foundation holds over $140 million in trust and annually awards $6 million in grants and scholarships. Visit www.chescocf.org.

In the Spotlight

2026 Octoraro Watershed Association Photography Contest seeks entries

The 2026 Octoraro Watershed Association

Photography Contest is now underway and local photographers and residents can submit their entries.

This contest is open to photographers of any age. There are three age categories – Adults (18 years of age and above), Youth (13 to 17 years of age), and Youth 2 (12 years of age and under).

All photographs must be taken in the Octoraro Watershed, which encompasses the following townships: Eden, Bart, Sadsbury (in both Lancaster and Chester counties), West Sadsbury, Highland, West Fallowfield, Upper Oxford, Lower Oxford, East Nottingham, Colerain, Little Britain, Fulton, East Drumore, and West Nottingham, and the boroughs of Atglen and Christiana, Pennsylvania and Cecil County, Maryland. All photographs must be identified with their location in the watershed (county, township, borough.

Photographs may be color or black and white. Photos will be entered and judged in four categories:

Wildlife: Plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates, or fungi (please, no domestic animals).

Landscapes: Sites, scen-

ery, or historic buildings.

Agriculture: Farmrelated activities and/or farm landscapes.

Trailcam: Interesting photographs captured on your trailcam.

All photographs will be submitted in printed format of 8” X 11” or larger, and the hard copy will be mounted on foam or hard cardboard. Please know that all photographs after judging will be part of a traveling show to local libraries and venues. Very large photographs may be difficult to mount and transport.

Only mounted hard copies will be accepted at the Octoraro Watershed Association office located inside the West Fallowfield Township Building at Suite 7, 3095 Limestone Road in Cochranville. Photos may be dropped off on March 16 and 17 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. each evening. If you are unable to make those dates, please contact Chotty Sprenkle for alternate arrangements.

Required information should be on the back side of the mounted photo: 1.) photo category 2.) name 3.) address 4.) phone number 5.) email 6.) where the photo was taken in the watershed. All photos must be received by March 17. No virtual submittals— hard copy only.

All entries will be displayed, and the winners

will be recognized at the Octoraro Watershed Association’s annual membership meeting at 6 p.m. on March 26 at Britain Hill Winery at 790 Little Britain Road N in Quarryville. After the annual meeting, the collection of photos will be featured in a traveling show in Lancaster, Chester, and Cecil counties to various institutions like libraries, historical societ-

ies, banks, or schools in the watershed. Winning photographs will also be featured in the newsletter and on the website.

The organization asks that no photo entries be created with photoshop or AI. For this contest, the definition of “created” is putting something in the photograph that was not present when you took the photograph. For exam-

ple, you cannot place a moon in the photograph if it was not present when you took the photograph. Programs that allow you to enhance a photo for color, clarity, exposure, etc. are acceptable.

Prizes

First Place, All categories: Ribbon and Monetary Prize ($15)

Second Place, All categories: Ribbon and Monetary

Prize ($10) Third Place, All categories: Ribbon and Monetary Prize ($5) Best of Show: Ribbon and Monetary Prize ($50) People’s Choice: Ribbon and recognition

For more information, please contact Chotty Sprenkle directly at rcsprenkle@aol.com or visit the website at www.theowa.net.

Sniffing out cancer: Trained dogs can detect hemangiosarcoma by scent

Cancer is a leading cause of death in both humans and pets. Studies suggest that between one-third and one-half of all dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime.

Hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive, malignant cancer of blood vessel cells, is especially devastating. Often not diagnosed until a seemingly healthy dog collapses, it has been described as a “silent killer.”

Currently, there are no diagnostic measures or tools to detect it early, and the prognosis once diagnosed is poor.

To address this challenge, Cynthia M. Otto of the School of Veterinary Medicine and her colleagues have evaluated whether hemangiosarcoma has a distinct “signature” scent or pattern of volatile organic compounds that dogs can detect. Their findings are published in The Veterinary Journal.

Volatile organic compounds are what we are actually smelling, explained Clara Wilson, a postdoctoral research fellow at Penn Vet’s Working Dog Center. “We’re picking up on volatile organic compounds every time we smell something,” she said. “The dogs have an ability to detect them at much lower levels than we can. These compounds are important

because they seem to be the key to how dogs are able to smell things like cancer.”

Five bio-detection dogs previously trained to recognize odors associated with other diseases, including chronic wasting disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, human ovarian cancer, and human pancreatic cancer, participated in double-blinded tests that included blood serum samples from dogs with confirmed hemangiosarcoma, dogs with non-cancerous diseases other than hemangiosarcoma (diseased controls), and healthy controls; each dog evaluated 12 matched sample sets across seven trials per set. Notably, none of the samples had been used during the initial training sessions.

“We used olfactometers, which are very hightech—they actually have a little infrared laser beam going across the top,” said Wilson. “When that beam is broken, it will register that the dog is interrogating the sample. And if they then stay in that beam for long enough—and it’s the correct sample—they’ll hear a tone, and they’ll know to come and get their treat.”

On average across all trials, the dogs correctly identified the hemangiosarcoma samples 70 percent

of the time, a rate that, Wilson noted, falls within the range seen in studies of dogs detecting human cancer, a more-established approach.

“This is very encouraging,” she said. “Detecting cancer is incredibly hard— it’s a very complex smell.”

Importantly, these results indicate that hemangiosarcoma does have a detectable scent profile, which is what this proof-of-concept study aimed to determine. Now, said Wilson, effort could

be put into developing a machine or a test to detect it. The results are encouraging, as early detection could lead to better outcomes. Wilson suggested the scent test could potentially be used as an annual screening. “It could flag a potential issue so that the owner could get further testing, such as ultrasound or CT scans,” she said. “It could really help catch it early for these dogs where we’re just finding it far too

late.” Detected early, said Otto, “we could prevent the disease from spreading, because it’s the spread that’s really devastating.” She notes veterinarians could then consider removing the spleen before it ruptures or starting chemotherapy sooner to save lives.

Early detection of hemangiosarcoma would also allow researchers to test different therapies in clinical trials, said Wilson.

“This is an initial kernel of hope.” Future research that could translate these findings into a helpful screening tool, Wilson and Otto said, might not only help veterinarians better treat dogs now but could also give researchers the ability to test more treatments. The story, distributed by the University of Pennsylvania, was written by Deborah Stull and the image was taken by Shelby Wise.

EILEEN FOGARTY

Eileen Fogarty (née Galloni), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026 at the age of 88 at The Summit in Hockessin, Del.

Eileen is survived by her devoted husband, Eugene P. Fogarty, and her six children, Kevin (Susan) Fogarty, Julie (Jim) Hahn, David (Dianne) Fogarty, Keith (Laura) Fogarty, Megan (John) Murray, and Jenna (Seth) Goodman. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Born on Dec. 8, 1937, in Framingham, MA, to proud Italian immigrant parents, Eileen moved with her family to Phoenixville, Pa. in search of closer family ties. She attended St. Mary’s School in Phoenixville and later graduated from Phoenixville High School. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary for Phoenix Steel Company and later served as senior secretary to the president of Lincoln University.

Eileen was an active member of Assumption BVM Catholic Church in West Grove, where she chaired the parish’s inaugural community senior citizen Christmas dinner—an effort that reflected her generosity and commitment to service.

You are invited to visit with Eileen’s family and friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church at 300 State Road in West Grove. Her funeral mass will begin at 1 p.m. Interment will be held privately. Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home. To read her full obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

WILLIAM E. MATTSON, JR.

William E. Mattson, Jr., of Cochranville, passed away on January 29, 2026 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. He was 73.

He was born in West Grove on Oct. 15, 1952 to William E. Mattson, Sr. and Billie Ruth Mattson. William was the oldest of five siblings.

He had many different names that he was called including William, Bill, Billy, Eddie, Moose, and Dad. The name that brought him the most joy was pop-pop, whether by his two grandchildren, or the many others that called him pop-pop over the years. He enjoyed spending time with his family at the beach, Saturday lunches with the lunch crew, and Sunday family get-togethers that would last all through the day.

William was a great husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, and he taught those around him so much about life. He will be greatly missed by everyone left behind.

He is survived by Sue Mattson, his wife of 52 years, a son, Kevin Mattson, a daughter-in-law, Joanna Mattson, a granddaughter, Victoria Mattson, a grandson, Austin Mattson, and four siblings, Patty Barker, David Mattson (Jean), Darlene Ianni (Art), and Richie Mattson (Jeanie). Also surviving are a brother-in-law, Doug King (Debbie), an aunt, Kathleen Hendrickson, and five nieces, Sandy, Kelly, Brandy, Amber and Cassie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Rhonda Mattson, and a brother-in-law, Wayne Barker.

According to William’s wishes there will be no services. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

ROY LEE ROTEN

Roy L. Roten, of Oxford, died at Ware Presbyterian Village after a brief illness on February 3, 2026. He was 92. He was the husband of the late Jane F. Roten.

Roy was born in Lancaster, Pa. and was the son of the late Edward and Lula Inscore Roten.

He was a graduate of Oxford Area High School’s Class of 1953. He served in the U.S. Army.

Roy worked at Lukens Steel Company for more than 37 years until his retirement in 1993. He started and was Club Master of Pack 39 and then the scoutmaster for Troop 13 of Oxford and went on many trips to Philmont with the scouts. He also coached in Oxford Little League for many years, and he also coached with the Golden Bears football organization. He enjoyed camping and going to the mountains. Roy really enjoyed all of his grandchildren—Andrew, Lee, Tabitha, Samuel, Mercedes, Noah (deceased) and Josh, as well as all of his great-grandchildren, Max, Victoria, Tommy, Claire, Cole, Jenna and Abel.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oxford where he served on many boards.

He is survived by three sons, John E. Roten (married to Pyong Choe Roten) of Winter Springs, Fla., Donald L. Roten (married to Kathy Dorety Roten) of Oxford, and Thomas J. Roten (married to Donna Patrick Roten) of Nottingham; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane F. Roten, his grandson, Noah D. Roten, and by his sisters, Carrie Mitten and Edna McGlothlin, and brothers, Edward Jr. Charles L., William, Oscar and Ralph.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 6 at the First Baptist Church of Oxford. Interment with military honors was in the Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Oxford.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

CCIU to host cybersecurity training for K-12 Leaders

As schools and public-sector systems face a sharp rise in cyber incidents, municipal and education leaders are invited to strengthen their knowledge at the Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity

Governance for K-12

Leaders’ training hosted by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU).

Professionals working in K-12 environments

with technology, including superintendents, business officials, facility and IT directors, network administrators, and security coordinators, are encouraged to register for this executive-level cybersecurity training. This professional development program is facilitated by UnRavl instructors Andrew Murray, a principal consulting engineer, and Steven

Long, a chief risk officer.

The two-day workshop will be held at the CCIU’s Educational Service Center, located at 455 Boot Road in Downingtown on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participants are encouraged to register early to secure their spot and learn more about registration and pric-

ing at the CCIU website. Designed for K-12 leaders, the training focuses on protecting OT systems that schools rely on every day, including HVAC controls, surveillance cameras, access control systems, transportation infrastructure, and smart-room classroom technologies. Participants will gain a better understanding of OT cybersecurity governance, risk management,

Obituaries

JOYCE H. DORAZIO

Joyce H. Dorazio was born in Coatesville on July 22, 1937 and passed away peacefully at Chester County Hospital on January 27, 2026. She was the daughter of the late James C. and Hazel M. Haney. Joyce was 88 years old. She was the loving wife of Dominic Dorazio, Jr., who passed away in 1998. Joyce and Jockey shared 39 years of marriage together.

A lifelong resident of West Grove, she graduated from Avon Grove High School, Class of 1955. She retired from DDM Energy Heating and Air Conditioning in 2014 after 40 years of service.

In addition to enjoying her work and her co-workers, Joyce took great pleasure in hosting and opening her home to her family and dear friends. She especially enjoyed preparing holiday family meals, lunch for her girlfriends, refreshments for her Monday night Bible study friends and hosting the annual Haney reunion.

She is survived by her son, James D. Dorazio (Lisa), two daughters, Susan D. Hogg (Charles) of West Grove, and Sandra D. Young (Barry) of Kennett Square, a brother, J. Latta Haney of Kirkwood, and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by two sisters, Lillian Groff and Helen Tice, and six brothers, J. Coulson Haney, George L. Haney, W. Robert Haney, Harry A. Haney, D. Ralph Haney and Franklin E. Haney.

The funeral service took place on Feb. 7 at West Grove Presbyterian Church. A luncheon immediately followed the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Interment then followed the luncheon at Faggs Manor Cemetery in Cochranville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the special needs ministry, “Joyfully Made Fellowship,” and can be sent to 1089 Noble Road Christiana, PA 17509, or to the West Grove Fire Company, PO Box 201, West Grove, PA 19390.

and strategies to safeguard critical systems in an increasingly connected environment.

“In today’s schools, Operational Technology isn’t just behind-the-scenes equipment; it’s the backbone of a safe and modern learning environment,” said Long. “From HVAC and access controls to smart classrooms, every connected system plays a role

in protecting students and keeping schools running. In this course, we empower K-12 leaders to understand these systems, strengthen resilience, and build a culture where cybersecurity and student safety go hand in hand.”

For more information and to register, please visit www. cciu.org/OTcybersecurity or contact Nicole Reffner at NicoleR@cciu.org.

ALICE JEANETTE LEONARD

Alice Jeanette “Jean” Leonard, 75, of Nottingham, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by her loved ones on February 1, 2026.

She was the wife of the late Gary Lee Leonard of Nottingham. Born in Crow, WV, she was the daughter of the late Robert Williamson, Sr. and Helen Rucker McCarter.

Alice enjoyed sewing, cooking and puzzles. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Brian Leonard of Nottingham and Johnathan “Scott” Leonard (Heather) of Nottingham; one daughter, Kellie Leonard of Nottingham; eight grandchildren, Kaytlynn Leonard, Brooke Campbell, Liam Campbell, Nathaniel Campbell, Aidan Campbell, Carter McGarvey, Morgan McGarvey and Kimberly Leonard; and one great-grandson, Christopher Calderon. Also surviving are 13 siblings, Doris Pope of Pennsylvania, Robert Williamson of Utah, Roger Williamson of Maryland, Dennis Williamson of Maryland, Lorraine McCutcheon of Colorado, Lori Jo Townsend of Maryland, Patricia Williamson Webb of Virginia, Linda Tawes of Maryland, Terry Dickens of Pennsylvania, Barbara Farmer of Delaware, Robert Williamson of Maryland, Ginger Williamson of Virginia and Elsie Schissler of Virginia. She was preceded in death by two siblings, Nina Cullen and Michael Williamson. Services will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

NOTICE: DEStorage.com Newgarden

Located at 710 Newark Rd Landenberg, PA 19350

Will be holding a Public ONLINE Auction at www.ibid4storage.com

Closing on March 18, 2026 at 10 AM.

The following units will be sold because of nonpayment of rent pursuant to the Pennsylvania Self Service Storage Facilities Act. Auction bidding and additional information about the contents, including photographs, is available on www.ibid4storage.com. Sale and payment will take place at the storage facility. Containing: Furniture, household items, totes, clothing, and boxes Unit # 3204 Torrin Davis

Unit # D117 & 1014 Ashley Pullin Unit # 1271 Jennifer Opio Unit # 4227 Ulysses Villagomez Unit # D126 Pamela Williams Unit # 4247 Rebecca Bramble

DEStorage.com Newgarden reserves the right to withdraw any storage unit from sale or cancel the sale without prior notice.

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of CAROLYN ANN

PARK, a/k/a CAROLYN A. PARK, late of Chester Springs, Chester County, PA. LETTERS TES -

TAMENTARY 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 JOHN J. PARK, as Executor, of 894 Mount Eyre Road, Newtown, PA 18940

c/o William D. Brick, Esq. Brick & Patel LLP 600 Fifth Ave., 14th Floor, New York, New York 1020.

2p-4-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF HAZEL L. PROPST, DECEASED. Late of Oxford Borough, Chester County, PA

LETTERS of ADMINISTRA -

TION CTA 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 KAREN M. PROPST, ADMINISTRATRIX

CTA, c/o Carolina R. Heinle, Esq., 724 Yorklyn Rd., Ste. 100, Hockessin, DE 19707, Or to her Attorney: CAROLINA R. HEINLE MacELREE HARVEY, LTD. 724 Yorklyn Rd., Ste. 100 Hockessin, DE 19707

2p-4-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Letters Testamentary have been granted in the Estate of ANNE E. REEDER, late of Downingtown Borough. 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.

JOSEPH G. BORST, 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. 2p-4-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Letters Testamentary have been granted in the Estate of ELAINE

J. TYSON, late of Caln Township. 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.

RONALD T. TYSON & CAROLE L. TURANSKY, c/o The Law Firm of Barry S. Rabin, 797 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 13, Downingtown PA 19335, Personal Representatives. Barry S. Rabin, 797 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 13, Downingtown PA 19335, Attorney. 2p-4-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

PENN TOWNSHIP BUILDING GROUNDS MOWING AND LAWN CARE SEASON TERM: APRIL 1, 2026 THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2026

General Specifications Penn Township intends to receive proposals for Mowing and Lawn Care for the Season Term: APRIL 1, 2026 through November 15, 2026 with an optional addendum of Seasonal Mulching and Planting. All bids shall be submitted on the official form provided by Penn Township. All bidders must walk the sites included in the grounds mowing and lawn care contract with Penn Township Senior Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Technician, Danny Peters, prior to bidding. Danny Peters can be reached at 610-869-9620 or 484-753-2081 or by email at danny.peters@penntownship. us. Each proposal shall be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope as such and shall be addressed to the Board of Supervisors, Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390. The name of the item for which the proposal is submitted must also be indicated on the outside of the envelope in the lower lefthand corner.

Proof of insurance and proof of workman’s compensation to be provided with proposal. A list of references and recent projects including name and telephone numbers of current and prior clients for whom they have done work must be included.

Prices shall be quoted without Federal Excise or Transportation Taxes or Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania Sales Tax as the Township is exempt from taxes. The Township reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or any part thereof or to waive any minor discrepancies in the proposals or specifications when deemed to be in the interest of the Township.

Failure of the bidder to sign the proposal or have the signatures of an authorized representative or Agent on the proposal in the space provided may be cause for rejection. By submitting its proposal, the bidder agrees to enter into a contract with the Township to furnish the quantity of materials or services listed at the unit price or prices quoted.

Items bid shall meet specifications prepared by the Township, and upon request, the bidder shall make available to the Township samples, technical specifications and information in regard to their materials. A complete proposal package is available at the Penn Township Municipal Building at 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA during regular business hours 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday or by calling the office at 610-869-9620. Bid packets are also available on the township website which is www.penntownship.us.

Any bidder may withdraw their proposal at any time. PENN TOWNSHIP RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY BIDS OR ANY PART THEREOF.

Proposals will be OPENED by the Township Secretary on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m. for possible consideration by the Supervisors at the Board of Supervisors Meeting at the Township Building at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. 2p-4-2t

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

KENNETT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

NOTICE IS HEREEBY GIVEN THAT Bids for Contract No. 1, Asbestos Abatement and Related Work at the Kennett Consolidated School District’s Greenwood Elementary School will be received by the Designated Person for the Board of Education, Environmental Control Systems, Inc. at the Kennett Consolidated School District Administrative Offices located at 300 East South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 by 2:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time), on March 13, 2026. Bids will be opened and evaluated for the Public-School Board Meeting. The Board of Education and/or the Engineers assume no responsibility for bids that are mailed or misdirected in the delivery process. Bidders must be pre-qualified by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and have Certifications to perform any type of asbestos work in accordance with the provisions of the ASBESTOS OCCUPATIONS ACCREDITATIONS and CERTIFICATION ACT. ACT 194-1990. Drawings, Specifications and other contract Documents for the proposed work are on file in the office of Environmental Control Systems, Inc, at 950 Sussex Blvd, Broomall, PA 19008, (Voice 610-328-2880). Drawings and Specifications will be furnished for a fee of $50.00 US upon application to Environmental Control Sys-

tems, Inc. at the MANDATORY

PREBID to be held at 4:00 PM on March 5, 2026, at the Greenwood Elementary School, 420 Greenwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Meet at the Main Entrance. Directions can be found on the internet.

All bidding shall be in conformance with Pennsylvania State Laws, pertaining to “Public School Contracts Law” and are required to comply with all requirements of Federal, State, Local and current Applicable EPA/DEP regulations. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids or to waive informality in the bidding process if it is in the interest of the Board of Directors to do so.

By order of the Kennett Consolidated School District Board of Directors, Chester County, PA. Wayne R. Pistoia, MSE, NSPE Designated Person for the Kennett Consolidated School District

Project #KCSD/GES2026 2p-11-3t

NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Borough of Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania, at a public meeting scheduled on Monday, February 23, 2026, commencing at 7:00 p.m., to be held at the Borough Building, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, Pennsylvania, will conduct a public hearing to consider and possibly enact an ordinance authorizing the exercise of the power of eminent domain to acquire certain property interests for the construction of the Oxford Borough Niblock Alley Project, the caption and summary of which follow. The full text of the ordinance may be examined at the Chester County Law Library, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania and the Borough Building at the above address during regular business hours. Copies of the ordinance may be obtained at a charge not greater than the cost thereof.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF OXFORD, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY INTERESTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OXFORD BOROUGH NIBLOCK ALLEY PROJECT. SECTION 1. Authorizes and directs the Borough Solicitor to take all actions required to acquire and effectuate the Necessary Property Acquisitions, pursuant to the power of eminent domain, to acquire fee title to, or leasehold or easement interests in, the properties (or any portions thereof) listed on Exhibit “A” to the ordinance, which include 1017 S.F. +/- of UPI #6-4-230, 63 S.F. +/- of UPI #6-4-231, 323 S,F. +/- of UPI #6-4-232, 795 S.F. +/- of UPI #6-4-234, 1599 S.F. +/- of UPI #6-4-235, 1621 S.F. +/- of UPI #6-4-236, and 6557 S.F. +/- of UPI #6-4-254, for the construction of the Oxford Borough Niblock Alley Project which will benefit the public and the Borough’s citizens by supporting economic development including providing potable water infrastructure, making stormwater improvements, improving Niblock Alley, a Borough road, and other public improvements.

SECTION 2. Authorizes and directs the Borough Solicitor and Borough staff to take all such action as may be necessary and appropriate to implement

the ordinance.

SECTION 3. Provides for the severability of unconstitutional or invalid provisions of the ordinance.

SECTION 4. Repeals ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with any provisions of this ordinance.

SECTION 5. Provides for the renumbering of ordinance sections as part of codification of the ordinance.

SECTION 6. Provides that the amendment shall be effective as by law provided. OXFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL GAWTHROP GREENWOOD, PC

Stacey L. Fuller, Solicitor 2p-11-1t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF ELWOOD J. BALDWIN a/k/a ELWOOD J. BALDWIN, III, DECEASED. Late of Londonderry Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION 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 LISA BALDWIN REYNOLDS, 50 W. Belmont Dr., Hockessin, DE 19797 and KRISTEN R. MATTHEWS, 14 E. Welsh Pool Rd., Exton, PA 19341, ADMINISTRATRICES, Or to their Attorney:KRISTEN R. MATTHEWS KRISTEN MATTHEWS LAW 14 E. Welsh Pool Rd. Exton, PA 19341 2p-11-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF JOAN DELANEY, DECEASED. Late of East Whiteland 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 PAUL DELANEY, EXECUTOR, 425 Dartmouth Ln., West Grove, PA 19380, Or to his Attorney: ANITA D’AMICO D’AMICO LAW, P.C. 65 S. Third St. Oxford, PA 19363 2p-11-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, March 23RD , 2026. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 26-2-37

Writ of Execution No. 2025-06424

DEBT $229,059.44

Property situate in the BOROUGH OF WEST GROVE, CHESTER County, Pennsylva-

nia, being BLR # 05-07-0125

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A, QUICKEN LOANS, LLC VS

DEFENDANT: JASON WEAVER A/K/A JASON H. WEAVER

SALE ADDRESS: 13 Winterset Court, West Grove, PA 19390

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 844856-6646

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets.

KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 1p-28-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, March 23RD , 2026. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 26-2-39 Writ of Execution No. 2024-06096 DEBT $291,611.09

ALL THOSE CERTAIN LOTS OR PIECES OF GROUND SITUATE IN THE BOROUGH OF AVONDALE, COUNTY OF CHESTER AND COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: Tax Parcel # 04-01-0182

PLAINTIFF: LONGBRIDGE FINANCIAL, LLC VS

DEFENDANT: EARL ATLEY, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF ELEANOR V. ATLEY A/K/A ELEANOR ATKLEY; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS, OR ASSOCIATIONS, CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER ELEANOR V. ATLEY A/K/A ELEANOR ATLEY

SALE ADDRESS: 203 New Street, Avondale, PA 19311

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 855-225-6906

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets.

KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 1p-28-3t

Chester County District Attorney’s office honors prosecutors, law enforcement officials for helping to keep county residents safe

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office recently held its annual award ceremony that honors prosecutors, law enforcement, and other stakeholders whose dedication and service play a critical role in keeping Chester County safe and protected.

The Chester County Drug Court Team was presented with a Commendation Award for their partnership and outstanding commitment to addressing substance use disorders through a treatment-focused approach in the criminal justice system. Through the dedicated efforts of President Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, and Adult Probation and Pretrial Services, the drug court team helps non-violent offenders suffering from drug addiction. The program was founded in 1997. Since its inception,1,652 people have completed the program—a 62 percent completion rate. Approximately 95 percent of those who completed the program were employed at the time that they graduat-

ed, and 87 percent of those that completed the program were arrest-free for at least the next two years of their life.

Three teams of prosecutors and investigators were recognized for their work in solving and successfully prosecuting several murder cases. In 2023, defendant Quinzell Mickey fatally shot William Stafford outside of a car in West Vincent Township. After a hung jury at the beginning of 2025, the team of investigators and trial attorneys retried the defendant in June of 2025. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Defendant Raheem Pinder pled guilty to third-degree murder and other related charges and was sentenced to 25 years in prison as a result. Investigators used modern cell phone mapping technology and other investigative tools to tie the defendant and his accomplices to the crime scene in Phoenixville Borough and solve the 2020 murder of Ira Solomon.

A large team of state and local law enforcement officers were recognized as part of the prosecution of Mamadou Kallie. The defendant was convicted of

three counts of first-degree murder for killing two women—one of whom who was pregnant with the defendant’s unborn child. The defendant was arrested in 2022 after a gunpoint standoff with law enforcement.

Detective Joseph Nangle was the recipient of the Chester County Detective of the Year Award. Although many of Det. Nangle’s cases are worked in partnership with, and prosecuted in, other jurisdictions, he was recognized for his commitment to investigating drug trafficking and other violent crimes while ensuring that

the County Detectives have access to the latest technologies in their investigations.

Phoenixville Borough Detective Sergeant Nicholas Natale was announced as the recipient of this year’s award for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. This award was given not only to recognize Sgt. Natale’s work in the homicide investigation and prosecution of Raheem Pinder, but also because he is a key contributor to Chester County’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigations. Matthew Waxler received the Administrative Professional of the Year Award for his daily efforts and dedication to keeping the District Attorney’s Office running efficiently. Matt has spent his 13-year career in the pretrial unit, ensuring that cases are properly prepared for attorneys and coordinating with the prison and other counties for inmate exchanges. His friendliness and attention to

details are just a few of the many reasons as to why he is a silent hero in the office.

Deputy District Attorney Renee Merion received the award for Prosecutor of the Year. Merion retired in June of 2025 after over 30 years of service with the District Attorney’s Office. Merion was an expert in Juvenile Justice, and a prosecutor of juvenile cases in the District Attorney’s Office for over two decades. She was tapped by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve on its Juvenile Rules Committee and became a go-to advisor for prosecutors across the Commonwealth. While presenting the award, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe discussed how Renee’s cases almost always happen outside of the limelight and thanked her for her years of selfless service.

The award recipients:

“I actually

February 11

Calendar of Events

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

On Feb. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science will honor the trailblazing women shaping science for International Day of Women and Girls in Science—past, present, and future. Explore stories of inspiration, creativity, and achievement in STEAM, and celebrate the women and girls who are inspiring discovery and advancing the world of nature and science. Visit www.delmns.org.

February 12

Kennett Flash Jazz Jam

The Jazz Jam is back at The Kennett Flash. This event features a jazz concert from stellar local jazz artists followed by a jam session where the host invites musicians in the audience to join them on stage. It is an all-ages show that starts at 7 p.m. The doors open at 6 p.m. More information is available at kennettflash.org.

February 13 to March 8— each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only Longwood Gardens presents Garden Glow Longwood Gardens is offering visitors a chance to see the gardens come to life in a way never seen before with this new, luminous evening experience. With Garden Glow, visitors can follow glowing paths of luminaria as they guide you through an evening of discovery. Explore floral masterworks bathed in colors that reveal plants’ hidden details. See the intricate details of bonsai take on an otherworldly dimension as they glow with captivating intensity. Step into a West Conservatory transformed into an ethereal dreamscape. Outside, thousands of shimmering, biodegradable sparks float like fireflies dancing at dusk or stars drifting within reach. Garden Glow takes place each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. More information and tickets available at longwoodgardens.org.

February 20

Frogs in Milk perform in Kennett Square

The Kennett Flash presents Frogs in Milk, a psychedelic rock band based in Newark, Del. Frogs formed playing Grateful Dead cover sets, but the chemistry between the members quickly evolved into a force capable of its own creative output. A studio album is upcoming, and live releases will be posted for hopefully every show as they happen. The group will perform at the Kennett Flash on Friday, Feb. 20. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. More information is available at kennettflash.org.

February 20

Watch Together: ‘The American Revolution’

A watch party to celebrate America’s 250th birthday will take place at the Chester County Community Foundation

on Friday, Feb. 20 from noon to 1:15 p.m. at The Lincoln Building, 28 West Market Street, West Chester. More than a film screening, the watch party offers a chance for community members to come together to explore shared history and reflect on the values that continue to shape American democracy. The event will feature a 45-minute general overview screening from “The American Revolution, followed by light refreshments and an engaging group discussion. Admission is free and open to the public. RSVPs are appreciated at 610-696-8211 or CCCF250@chescocf. org, though walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit cccf250.org/americanrevolution.

February 24

The life and art of Horace Pippin

The Chester County History Center will present a program on the life and art of Horace Pippin on Feb. 24. Whether discussing his art or his life, Horace Pippin defies definition. Born in West Chester in 1888 before growing up in New York, Horace Pippin returned to the town of his birth when he married Jennie Wade Giles in 1920. The course of his life was deeply influenced by grievous emotional and physical wounds he received during service in World War I, which inspired him to express his pain through his self-taught art. Between 1938 and his death in 1946, Pippin earned worldwide recognition for his folk art style and powerful use of color, leading art critic Alain Locke to describe this Chester County artist as “a real and rare genius.” The speaker for the event is Jennifer Green, who serves as director of education for the Chester County History Center. She has conducted research and written for websites like ExplorePAHistory. com and the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, and is the author of two books about the dark history of southeastern Pennsylvania.

February 27

Cecil County Arts Council offers fine art and fine dining

Join the Cecil County Arts Council to sample some of Cecil County’s best food and support the arts at the monthly Wine and Dine for the Arts events. On the fourth Friday of February and March, the Arts Council will be hosting four-course dinners with wine pairings at a series of Cecil County restaurants. Each event will feature a local artist exhibiting and selling their artwork. Featured artists at Wine and Dine events keep 100 percent of the profits of their sales that evening. The Feb. 27 Wine and Dine will be at White Oak Manor in North East and feature photographer Christina Peters. Wine and Dine for the Arts tickets cost $65 and can be purchased online through our website. All Wine and Dine dinners start at 6 p.m. For more information about the 2026 Wine and Dine for the Arts dinners, and to buy tickets, visit the Arts Council’s website, follow them on Facebook or call 410-392-5740.

February 28 Kennett Winterfest

The 14th annual Kennett Winterfest returns on Saturday, Feb. 28 with a full day of music, craft beverages, and community celebration in Kennett Square. This year’s musical lineup offers a range of styles from indie rock and pop-rock to crowd-pleasing covers, appealing to a broad audience. The Tisburys, Blank Pages, and Delco Donny are performing. Attendees can enjoy a full day of live music alongside craft beverage offerings from over 50 breweries, cideries, and meaderies. Kennett Winterfest takes place from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 600 S. Broad Street in Kennett Square. Ticket proceeds support Kennett Collaborative’s community programming.

Tickets for regular admission are $60. For more information on tickets, schedules, and festival details, visit www. kennettbrewfest.com.

February 28

Riot Act, a tribute to Pearl Jam

Riot Act, a tribute to Pearl Jam, presents a special twoset evening featuring a full acoustic set followed by a full electric set on Sunday, Feb. 28. Since coming together in 2023, Riot Act, Philadelphia’s premier tribute to Pearl Jam, has continued to bring the raw energy and passionate performances of the grunge icon to audiences all across the East Coast, including a sold-out show at The Kennett Flash last year. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. More information is available at kennettflash.org.

March 3

Sweet Charity

The Chester County Community Foundation is holding its Sweet Charity fundraiser at the Downingtown Country Club on Tuesday, March 3 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy appetizers, a wine and beer bar, and sample some of the best desserts Chester County has to offer. Tickets and more information can be found at chescocf.org. The Downingtown Country Club is located at 93 Country Club Drive in Downingtown.

March 7

Program on property research with Jane Dorchester

The Chester County History Center will host an engaging, hands-on program with Jane E. Dorchester, who will guide participants on how to conduct property research. Dorchester will talk about the rich collections of the Chester County History Center and beyond. Drawing on decades of experience in architectural and property research, she will share practical tips, proven strategies, and memorable anecdotes from the field —especially what to do when your research hits a dreaded brick wall. The program takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 7. The cost is $10 for adults, $7.00 for seniors (65 and over), $5 for students with ID. More information is available at mycchc.org.