With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday March 15. Pipelines, newsworthy demolition, the great social media outage of 2019 and the latest list of road closures. It’s been a busy week but first, how about that weather? Here’s what people have been talking about this week:
“To call this a plan is ridiculous, and to say that they are cooperating is an insult.”
-Chester County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Michelle Kichline
That d*$&% pipeline. Chester County officials received Sunoco’s long awaited emergency management plan on Wednesday only to find that 95% of the plan had been blacked out from view. Commissioners were none to pleased with the state of the document adding to an already long line of complaints against the pipeline and Sunoco’s regard for resident safety and well-being.
The emergence of the plan was the culmination of a slew of activity this week involving local legislators. Unfortunately, the quality of the plan seems to have reinforced concerns rather than alleviate them.
AQUA’s coming back. You can now add AQUA to the list of road disruptions coming this spring. The water company will be working on a water main replacement project and closing roads several roads in the borough including S. Wayne Street between W. Union Street and Granite Alley and on Harmony Alley between N. Wayne and N. Brandywine Streets. Construction to begin March 26 and run through June.
Don’t open that email. West Chester Area School District fell victim to a phishing scheme this week causing emails from some teachers and staff to be blocked by email providers. The district is working to resolve the issue in the meantime, they would like you to know:
1) They are still receiving your emails.
2) No student or staff data was compromised
3) They will get a hold of you – if needed they will resort to phone – calls.
Low flying helicopters. News helicopters caught resident attention on Thursday. Media was apparently on hand to catch the final demolition of the Boiler Plant part of a West Chester University revitalization project known as “The Commons Project.” According to Nextdoor, the building was scheduled to come down March 14 at approximately 10 a.m. Roads around the area including Church Street and University Avenue were closed and access to several university buildings limited.
The Commons project is the latest in a series of improvement projects being undertaken by the University. The Quad reports, when completed the area will be home to “a brand new engineering, health science center and a new dining facility.”
How’s business? A couple area businesses are closing offices although fortunately, not locally. West Chester-based Qurate aka QVC said au revoir to its French TV and online presence this week. The retail group cited under-performance as their reason for leaving the market. Also, saying goodbye, Dave Magrogan, head of the West Chester-based Dave Magrogan Group, to his Sea Isle restaurant, Oyster House at the Dunes. Magrogan is reportedly consolidating his efforts to focus on his Harvest brand.
Bianca Roberson has a new foundation and a new goal. Last week Bianca’s mother discussed her goals for the Bianca Nikol Merge with Mercy Foundation. This week Bianca’s father shares his plans to honor the gun-violence victim. Rodney Roberson, Sr, is seeking to raise $25,000 for a West Philadelphia mural to “memorialize his daughter and remind passersby of the effects of gun violence.” So far the project has raised $6500 from the Mural Arts Philadelphia but is looking to the public to help raise the rest. Learn more about the campaign and how to contribute here.
Youth soccer. Maybe all those Saturday mornings won’t be in vain, they weren’t for the Morton family who can now claim two professional soccer players among their members. Henderson graduates Kyle and Todd Morton became the first brothers in America to play goalie professionally.
Speaking of, West Chester natives who play sports. Former Malvern Prep-star and current Wisconsin starting quarterback, Alex Hornibrook has announced he is leaving the Badgers and packing his bags for Florida State. He has one year of eligibility left. Moving on to basketball, the Philly Voice is reporting former Westtown basketball player, Jared Nickens and his former Maryland Terrapins teammate Jaylen Brantley are suing Epic Games, makers of ‘Fortnite’, for stealing their moves – their dance moves.
How are you budgeting for college? And no, this question is not for the parents in the audience, it’s for the kids. That’s the question behind a new Benchmark Federal Credit Union scholarship program just opened for submissions. The program will be giving out $15,000 in award money to five finance-minded Chester-County area students that can successfully answer the question, Why is it important to start budgeting while you’re in college? Submissions due April 15.
In other planning news, WCASD is hosting a Future Plan for students in grades 8-12 and their parents. Topics will include projected areas of job growth in the region and the educational background, from certificate programs to four-year degrees, students will need to seize the opportunity.
Congratulations to you! A lot of accolades and recognition going around the borough this week including for the Chester County Historical Society and its $16,000 in grants. Also, receiving praise are several area teachers, Christina Letrinko, a first-grade teacher at Fern Hill Elementary School, and Ken Fuette from Glen Acres Elementary School. Both were recognized by the Middle States Council for Social Studies for their excellence in Social Studies education. And hoping for a little recognition and the possible $1500 cash prize that goes with it, Mr. McCauley of Fugett Middle School learned this week he was a finalist for the Citadel Heart of Learning prize.
The warnings. The West Chester Borough Police Department would like to remind you to check and change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Also, Uber, people.
The freakin’ weekend. What are you up to this weekend? We are planning to swing by the Library for a Family Fun Round of golf. (Haha, sorry bad pun). Then hopefully spend the rest of it supporting the West Chester parks system, most likely, here.
If you are looking for something to do, the Grower’s Market is getting ready for spring with the return of their fresh cut flower vendor. In the evening Uptown! is playing host to what the Daily Local has billed as the most famous musician you’ve never heard of, Kenny White. White got his start in jingles and is responsible for hundreds of them including for Skittles and Chevy. He’s now playing his own music. Concert’s tonight. Tickets are $20. Wonder if he’ll play some of those jingles, by request?
Also, heard rumors outdoor seating was open downtown yesterday. Don’t know if that will continue with the weather cooling but something to look forward to soon. Or just have another Lucky Charm beer and you won’t care anyway. St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday. If you don’t want to join them. I’d advise you avoid them.
That’s it. If you want more, here is a link to last week’s Round Up and if you have an extra minute this latest innovation sweeping through the schools is pretty cool. Plus, don’t forget to follow this blog to get all the updates. See you next week!