With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday, January 11. Snow (flurries) in the forecast, Eagles’ chances against the Saints and is the Borough ever going to get these Christmas trees? Here is what people are talking about this week.
The missing 8th grader – has been found. Fugett Middle School eighth grader Colin Vaughn was reported missing Thursday night triggering police, news, and social media alerts across the region. Fortunately the teen has been located. West Goshen Police reported the boy found around 8:30 this morning.
When exactly is the Christmas tree collection? The Borough’s designated two week window for collecting fresh cut evergreen’s is nearing its end, yet, numerous trees continue to line the streets and alleyways. Do not worry, your tree will be collected. I spoke to a public works official this morning and he reported collection efforts are still underway. “We had a truck go down this week,” he said. Putting the department a few days behind.
Update: Trees in the Southwest quadrant near Everhart Park have now been picked up.
Parking (always). Changes to the parking code may be underway reports the Daily Local. The Parking Commission has recommended lifting the moratorium that limited new permitted areas. The recommendation came after residents of the 200 block of North Franklin Street asked to be considered for permitting. No word yet on any other areas under consideration. The Committee also discuss limiting residential parking from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. to permit holders. Feel strongly about these issues? – the Parking Committee meets the second Tuesday of the month.
The dogs of West Chester: Now add 16 more to the list. Patch is reporting 16 rescued German Shepherds have been claimed by the Brandywine Valley SPCA after being removed from “deplorable” conditions in Georgia. In total 165 dogs were rescued from the puppy mill.
Schools. Several education updates coming out this week, an anonymous tip line has been set up the West Chester Area School District to allow “students, parents, and community member to report suspicious or concerning behavior.” This is in conjunction with a new state law. The reporting system goes live January 14. A information session on the tip line will be held January 23 at 6:30 p.m. via live stream or in person at the Spellman Building.
New proposed state legislation reports to improve pipeline safety especially near schools. The bill has bipartisan support and is sponsored by local State Senators Tom Killion and Andy Dinniman. In a write up in the West Chester Patch, Killion calls the effort, “long overdue.”
Praise out for all area middle schools as they ranked among the top 100 in the state for Eighth grade PSSAs. Way to go, guys!
The warnings. Watch out for your wallets and phones. A vehicle break-in at the Audubon Manor apartments on Everhart Street and a theft at Chester County Hospital were reported by local police outlets this week. Fortunately, the suspect in the hospital theft has been identified. The search for the man behind the vehicle break-in continues.
Investigation is underway into a New Year’s Eve altercation at Kildare’s. Anyone with info on the fight that left two men celebrating the new year in the hospital is asked to contact West Chester Police.
In happier policing news, West Chester wishes a well-earned retirement one of its finest. Officer Reinaldo Melendez ended his 28 year career on Wednesday with a salute from his fellow officers the Daily Local reports. Thank you, sir, for your service.
The freakin’ weekend. Still trying to muster through Dryuary? West Chester has a new way to kill multiple hours of your life. Plus, go Birds!
Thank you for another fun week West Chester. I’ll be back next Friday. In the meantime, you can find last week’s round up here and some great local feature writing here. And if you are the kind of person that has to be the first one to know – sign up to get our latest posts.