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Federal Judge ends 20-year Receivership of Chester Housing Authority

(Chester, PA-January 5, 2015)- Citing a dramatic improvement in performance in recent years, U. S. Judge Norma L. Shapiro has issued an order ending the federal court’s oversight of the Chester Housing Authority (CHA) after 20 years. CHA had been the only remaining housing authority in the nation overseen by a federal judge. 

 

CHA tenants filed suit in the late 1980’s against the deplorable conditions under which many public housing residents lived. The suit led to a takeover of the authority by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). When HUD was unsuccessful in producing needed changes, it asked Judge Shapiro to assume oversight herself in June 1994. 

"The court finds that the Receivership should terminate, and the governance of CHA returned to a duly constituted Board of Commissioners according to law,” writes Judge Shapiro. 

Chester PA's 2nd murder victim from out of state

A second person was shot dead on New Years Day near 6th and Highland Ave. in Chester while sitting behind the wheel of his car. The 25 year old victim is reported to be from just down the road in Claymont, Delaware. 

The Daily Times also report guns popping off at 6th and Kerlin on Friday where a man was shot twice in the chest. Let's hope he pulls through. 

Chester PA church fighting for its life

The historic Third Presbyterian Church could face the wrecking ball - unless a local preservation group is able to save it and raise enough money to restore it.

To the Presbytery of Philadelphia, the building is a crumbling liability. To the Chester Historical Preservation Committee, it is a local landmark that must be restored. And to some Chester officials, it is a wake-up call that the city should consider protecting its oldest buildings.

Read more 

Chester City Blog covering crime in 2015

Expect to see some huge changes to the Chester Blog in the coming months. I had promised that if we reached 1,000,000 page views, I would change things up from this basic look & feel to a more contemporary blog format. At the pace we're going, we'll reach a million around mid-Spring. 

With the new design will come a lot of new content. It will not just be Chester focused and include stuff important across multiple interest. 

No more Mr. Nice guy. I will start posting crime stories as they appear in the press. I'm not a reporter, so don't expect me out there gathering evidence. I'll simply be posting and commenting on Chester crime. 

What better time to start than now with a New Years Day murder. Less than 2-hours into 2015, Chester got to popping off claiming its first murder of the year. The victim's mom said her son turned his life around and the bad guys need to watch out for God. 

This could have easily been the front page story but thankfully the Daily Times would rather we support cops than be reminded of murder in Chester. 

Click HERE for more

Chester boys basketball loses to Plymouth Whitemarsh

The Clippers win streak was snapped at five games by the Colonials 72-70 in the 10th Annual Pete/Jameer Nelson Holiday Classic on the campus of Widener University. Chester (5-2) trailed from the start overcoming a 15 point deficit to finally take the lead in the 4th quarter 66-65 when junior Stanley Davis banked in a trey at the 2:17 mark. The Clippers relinquished the lead for good when Jimmy Murray drained a trey for a 68-66 Whitemarsh (9-0) lead. The leg injury to Chester's junior point guard  was the bigger loss for the Clippers. Khaleeq Campbell who scored 7 of Chester's 19 first quarter points was enable to return to action in the 2nd quarter. Despite scoring 19 points, the Clippers found themselves in a hole as the red hot Colonials put 28 points on the board in the opening quarter. Sophomores Ahrod Carter and Jamar Sudan helped the Clippers play even in the 2nd scoring 5 and 4 points respectively as Chester trailed 41-32 at the half.  Trailing 49-34 with 6:24 in the 3rd quarter, the Clippers responded after their timeout with a 19-8 run to end the quarter now trailing by only four at 57-53. Junior Marquis Collins led the charge scoring 9 of his 16 points and Maurice Henry dropped in 5 of his 7. Chester inability to knocked down free throws cost them the opportunity to take the lead in the period. The Clippers connected on only 7 of 13 attempts in the 3rd. Senior Keyonte Watkins keep the Clippers in striking range scoring 7 of his team high 20 points in the 4th. And again, Chester's woes at the charity stripe continued as they went 2 of 6 in the period missing on opportunities to increase their lead. Junior Jahmi Bailey's layup as time expired was Chester's final points. 

Despite only scoring 7 points, Maurice Henry filled the stat sheet with 13 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Collins also contributed 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists and was named the team's MVP. Watkins added 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist to the stat sheet. 

The Clippers won't have long to dwell on tonight's results as the Neumann-Goretti Saints await them tomorrow in the nightcap of the 10th Annual Pete/Jameer Nelson Holiday Classic. Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m.

Terry Thomas

Homeless lady found nearly dead on Chester, PA streets was loved

The Delaware County Daily Times is always accused of giving Chester a bad shake with its abundant coverage of the city's crime, murder, and malfeasance. Today's story on Elva, the omnipresent homeless lady who trolled the downtown section of the city, demonstrates an extraordinary dose of compassion and reverence for one of Chester's residents that nearly everyone else saw as a lady not deserving of a full 3-page memorial cover story.

We may not have known her name, but there is hardly anyone who spends time in downtown Chester who doesn't know Elva. Why? Because the lady walks around cursing and screaming to herself all day long. 

We may not have known where she came from, what made her so angry, why she chose Chester's downtown as her stage, what she ate or how she managed at night, but prior to reading today's beautiful, heart wrenching article by Kathleen Carey, we would never know that there were a number of people who truly cared for Elva right in our midst. 

Even the people who cared for Elva are often scorned by the locals. City Team Ministries is well known for their drug and alcohol recovery residency. The men in their program aren't considered by many to be our model citizens. City Team feeds the poor daily, but in so doing, the long line of hungry folks seeking a meal stretches down 7th Street and is an eye sore for passersby coming in or out of the Chester business district. Yet, today's article shows us the love and care City Team staff and residents had for Elva by talking to her and looking out for her. 

Who knew Elva could sing like a bird or regularly attended services at St. Paul's church? Who knew she gave away her money to people more needy than herself, or that she lost her husband and twin children at birth? Who knew that Elva slept on the street every night in the same location amongst piles of trash and rubble? Who knew anything about Elva except that she was the lady who cursed and screamed at herself all day long?

How precious is it that St. Paul's and City Team refuse to let this homeless lady go out as a Jane Doe and have arranged a going home service for Elva?

For all the bad news, scandal, misinformation, and horror stories the Daily Times has written this year about the city of Chester, they absolutely come clean, in my book, for this compelling story about a human being that appeared to contribute to all that is wrong with Chester. Yet, without this story, we learned that the love shown by City Team and St. Paul's contributes to all that is right with Chester. 

Thanks Daily Times. Awesome work. 

Click HERE for the article

Chester politics getting messier

If crime in Chester, Pennsylvania doesn’t find its way on the front page of the local paper, politics and education surly will. 

Today’s front page features budgets, community policing, police commissioners, do nothing politicians, and ‘chumps’ which were the topics of discussion at the final Chester City Council meeting of 2014. 

Sometimes you wish reporters would ignore the petty little infighting that goes on between grown men and women leading our city. In reality, these skirmishes aren’t petty and only reinforce how fractious the majority political party is that’s leading our city. 

As an outsider looking in, it must seem so dysfunctional and would certainly discourage any sensible business interest from wanting to set up shop here. Residents are probably confused as they’ve rallied behind the democrats in recent years only to read that the Mayor and City Council aren’t on the same page, the State Rep and the Mayor don’t seem to respect one another, the police commissioner only has the support of the mayor, the police commissioner's buddy from Philadelphia is tagged to community police the city. It’s all a hot mess. 

It’s good to know that the Mayor is critical of the $50 million budget and I hope he continues to try to get a budget that he feels is more correct. 

Council’s urging for everyone to create more revenue to make the budget work is an empty request since they've never been charged to be accountable for new revenue in the past. Didn't they say that parking kiosk was the answer?

Why would State Rep Kirkland give up that position to become the mayor of Chester with its never ending problems and bleak future? Isn't that a demotion into depression?

And, if you are serious about community policing, no one did it better than Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Give him a call. If he can clean up Times Square, Chester is a cinch. 

Click HERE for more

Chester boys basketball (5-1) defeats Reading

The return to the Clip Joint is just what the Clippers needed as they breezed past the Reading Red Knights 67-36.  

Chester started with an energy level that had been missing in the first five games of this young season. Khaleeg Campbell, Marquis Collins and Keyonte Watkins each knocked down a trey and a bucket and Chester made a 15-3 run to start the contest. Jamar Sudan and Stanley Davis each contributed a first quarter basket and the Clippers lead was 19-5 at the end of the 1st quarter. The Clippers stayed in cruise control with a 6-0 run to start the 2nd quarter forcing the third Reading timeout of the first half at the 5:44 mark. Chester - 25, Reading - 5. The Red Knight seemed to find their mark the remainder of the quarter as they cut into the margin. Halftime: Chester 33, Reading - 16. The Clippers regained their focus in the third led by Watkins who scored 7 of his game/season high of 19 points. Campbell drained another trey to complete his scoring at 11 points and Collins connected on two pull-ups for his final 9 points of the contest. In all Chester outscored their opponents 21-11 to double-up Reading 54-27 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Sophomore Jordan Camper got the crowd excited with a thunderous two-handed dunk as he finished with a season high of 9 points. Junior Juanir Moore also joined the dunk party and added four points to the team's total and hauled in a season high of 9 rebounds. Sophomore Ahrod Carter knocked down a short jumper and Davis connected on 1 of 2 free throws to finish with 5 points. 

Junior Khaleeq Campbell matched his season high with 5 of the team's 15 assists on 28 made baskets.

The Clippers will return to action on Monday, December 29th when they take on the Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials in the feature game of the Pete/Jameer Nelson Holiday Classic on the campus of Widener. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 pm.

On Tuesday, December 30th, Chester will take on the Neumann-Goretti Saints to close out the Pete/Jameer Nelson Classic. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 pm.

Merry Christmas!

Terry Thomas

What is Community Policing?

Mayor John Linder is considering a new approach to battling the scourge of crime in the city and wants to focus on community policing as a way to improve the quality of life for Chester residents.

I think of community policing as actions as simple as establishing neighborhood watches to extreme measures like arming every citizen with pistols and handcuffs. I was surprised with what the mayor actually came up with to launch a community police initiative. 

• Pursuing quality-of-life crimes
• Higher visibility from police officers
• More exchanges regarding complaints about police service
• Resolve residents issues with police service.
• Secure grants to patrol city neighborhoods and put surveillance systems in the business district. 

I don't see how these initiatives engage the community to battle the scourge of crime. Maybe they're not meant to. 

Click HERE for more

Chester's Shep Garner off to good start with Penn State Basketball

Shep Garner is a freshman, only months removed from high school. But you'd never know it. His 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists a game are impressive and essential additions to Penn State's offensive equation. What really makes Garner's performances turn heads though; the little things about how he plays.

Click HERE for more

Dog vacations in Chester, PA now deported

A dog from North Carolina found its way to Chester, Pennsylvania but will soon be deported back to North Carolina because of a microchip.

This story is as confusing as it is heartwarming. The owners expressed great joy knowing their doggie will be home for Christmas but I wasn't aware that dogs came with microchips. Pardon my ignorance but I have never been a pet owner other than a few Oscars that scared my daughter so badly I had to trade them in for Gold Fish. 

VIDEO: Chester boys basketball (4-1) defeat William Penn at buzzer

The aftermath of Chester's 49-48 win Saturday night at William Penn Senior High School split into two tones in the teams' locker rooms.

On one side, the Clippers (4-1) celebrated. Their coach, Larry Yarbray Sr., smiled. The long two-hour bus ride back to Chester would be an easier one.

Down the nearby hallway, past the court where they met last season's District 3 Class AAAA champions, heads sunk low. William Penn (5-2) had just taken one of Pennsylvania's most storied basketball programs down to the final seconds.

Click HERE for Recap and Video

Pimp gets life in prision

I'm all about punishing the bad guy. I also believe that some people can, and do, change. I can't buy into a punishment that gives no consideration for redemption.

Christian Dior "Gucci Prada" Womack should go to jail for that name alone, but his actual crime is as heinous as they come - pimping young girls with guns and drugs. But to be sentenced for life seems a tad extreme when you consider that many murderers are back on the streets within 5 years.

There's got to be more to the story than this.

Click HERE

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Moves into New Office in Upper Darby

Dec. 19, 2014 (Upper Darby, Pa) – The Delaware County WIC Program’s Upper Darby Clinic through Crozer-Keystone recently moved to the Barclay Square Shopping Center at 1500 Garrett Road, Suite 20, Upper Darby, Pa 19082. The clinic is now located behind the Crozer-Keystone Outpatient Center for Therapy and Sports Medicine within the Shopping Center. The clinic was previously located at One South State Road, Upper Darby.

The clinic is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m., and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30-5:30 p.m. Appointments are required. The new office phone number is (610) 394-4821.  

2015 MLK Day in Chester

December 19, 2014 (Chester, PA) – The MLK Commemorative Committee of Chester & Vicinity has been the local organizing group for the MLK Day of Service in Chester for the past two decades, and for the past several years the theme has been ‘Pieces of Peace.’ On Jan. 19 the regional community is invited to participate in a much larger Day of Service than recent years with an increase of volunteer opportunities and family engagement activities planned for all ages to create more ‘Pieces’ for a city that continues its march towards Peace. 

Fare & Square Gives Away 50 Holiday Meals to Shoppers

In an effort to make the holidays a little brighter for those on a budget, Fare & Square is giving away 50 holiday meals to Fare & Square shoppers on Monday, December 22. Mayor John Linder and Controller Edith Blackwell will provide remarks and distribute meals to winners.

Shoppers were able to enter the raffle earlier this months for a chance to win a full holiday meal consisting of a turkey, all of the fixings and sides, oranges, ginger ale and the choice of an apple or sweet potato pie. This is the second holiday meal giveaway. In an effort to further support the community, Fare & Square gave away 50 meals right before Thanksgiving. 

Monday, December 22, 2014, 10 am

Fare & Square. 9^th & Trainer Streets, Chester, PA

8 STEM Websites To Excite Kids About Tech

As much as I dislike the acronym STEM, and as doubtful that these websites will excite all kids, I do find these site to be excellent sources for fun and knowledgable activities for young people willing to learn. 

Click HERE for the sites

Low cost computers for Christmas

Click to ENLARGE

Scammer Alert: Fraud Rampant in Holiday Season

PHILADELPHIA - December is a time to make merry, and scammers have their own ideas for how to celebrate at others' expense.

Mary Bach, who chairs AARP's Consumer Issues Task Force in Pennsylvania, said the organization has initiated a Fraud Watch Network to counteract them.

"There are lots and lots of scam artists out there that are trying to get their hands into our wallets, our pocketbooks, our bank accounts," she said.

Whether it's through phone calls, mail or the Internet, consumers must be ever-vigilant, she said, and going to aarp.org/holidayscams or calling 800.732.0999 can help.

Bach noted that December is the biggest month for charitable giving.

"Scammers are taking care of the generosity and the hard-earned dollars of so many people," she said, "by creating fake charities or falsely representing themselves as being part of a well-known group."

She said Americans spend an estimated $615 billion on all kinds of gifts, and a substantial portion - as much as $40 billion to $50 billion - will be lost to a variety of scam artists.

Melinda Tuhus

Get Your Flu Shot at work

Chester Boys Basketball defeats Frankford (3-1)

The Clippers started fast in this contest scoring 25 first quarter points enroute to an easy 63-51 triumph over Philadelphia's Frankford Pioneers. 

Junior Marquis Collins got the scoring started with a trey and would end the quarter with another for 6 of his game high 16 points. Senior guard Keyonte Watkins also drained two opening quarter treys, added a short jumper and was 1 of 2 from the line for 9 of his season high 11 points. Junior guard Khaleeq Campbell added a trey as Chester was feeling it from deep with 5 treys in the 1st quarter. Sophomore forward Jamar Sudan made his presence felt in the paints with 5 of his 15 points. Sudan finished the night with his second double-double of the young season by hauling in 14 rebounds establishing himself a new career high. In the second quarter, the Clippers focused their offense in the paint where they scored 11 of their 16 second quarter point. Sophomore Jordan Camper got the Clippers started scoring three the old fashioned way, followed by a bucket by junior Juanir Moore. After a bucket from Campbell and three free throws, two from Sudan and one by junior Jahmi Bailey; the Pioneers found themselves on the short end of a Chester 10-0 run. A trey from Frankford at the 4:40 mark made the score Chester 35, Frankford 20. The teams broke at the intermission with Chester leading 41-28. The third period was a march to the free throw line for both teams; Chester  connected on 6 of 6 while Frankford knocked down 6 of 7. With one additional basket, the Clippers pushed their margin back to 15 points for a 53-38 score to end the quarter. Neither team could find their mark at the line in the final period as the contest came to a close with a floater by junior Stanley Davis and two free throws from Watkins.

Both Collins and Henry each collected 8 rebounds and Watkins added 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds to the stat sheet.

Chester will take to the highway as they travel to York, PA on Saturday, December 20th for a 6:00 pm JV tip-off with the Varsity to follow. They will return to the Clip Joint on Tuesday, December 23rd as they host the Reading Red Knights.

Terry Thomas

Male Achievers Program - Saturday Dec 20

Click to Enlarge

Another FIRST for Chester - Billboard #1 Song by Avery Sunshine

Adult R&B Songs
*** No. 1 (1 week)*** "Call My Name" Avery Sunshine
Singer/songwriter Avery Sunshine brightens Adult R&B Songs with her first No. 1 on the ranking, elegant love song "Call My Name." "This is so surreal. My breath has been taken away," she beams. "What a great way to celebrate this holiday season. Thanks to my fans for believing in us. The best is yet to come.

Sunshine says that the song's success began in an organic way. "There is something magical and spiritual that happens when my partner Dana [Johnson] and I work together. This song was derived from a very honest space. I believe that when you work from a place of truth, the music finds a way to connect. Most of our career, we have been told to be something other than who we are. This No. 1 shows us that trusting your own voice is the answer."

The Chester City Blog Lost Videos

When uploading the latest 5 videos in my normal auto-pilot mode, I seemed to be traveling on the wrong runway. The videos landed on my personal YouTube Channel (which I didn't know I had) instead of on the CCityBlogger YouTube Channel which has all the subscribers. It was only when I tried to find one of the videos to send out the link to someone did I notice the videos were not where they belonged (after an anguishing search and destroy mission).

For those of you who didn't see these videos, the links are posted below.  

Rodney Bradley ‘One Step’ CD Release Concert 
Click HERE

Rodney Bradley ‘One Step’ Long Version feat. Tracy Harris
Click HERE

Chester Panthers Midget Division Championship 2014
Click HERE

Sisters in Song - Side A - Click HERE

Sisters in Song - Side B - Click HERE

Chester Boys Basketball beats Berks Catholic Saints (2-1)

Chester improved their record to 2-1 with a 69-62 decision over the Berks Catholic Saints. The team traveled to Reading High to participate in the Hoop Group Event held at the Geigle Complex.

Junior Marquis Collins led the way matching his career high of 17 points and establishing a new career high with 4 steals. Fellow junior Khaleeq Campbell set a new career high of 15 points on 5 treys, also a career high. Senior Keyonte Watkins added 8 points in the contest but filled the stat sheet with career highs of 5 assists and 7 steals. He was also responsible for creating 7 of the Saints 17 turnovers. After trailing 10-11 after the first quarter, the Clippers found themselves offensively connecting on three treys and hitting 8 of 10 free throws to take a 31-28 lead into intermission. Untimely miscues allow the Saints to stay close despite Chester's 18 point third period. Again, the Clippers would knock down three treys and would connect of 5 of 6 shots from the line. Entering the final quarter Chester would lead 49-45. The final period was determined at the foul line as Chester would have 4 field goals and the Saints would have 3. With the lead changing hands several time during the period, sophomore Jamar Sudan went 2 for 2 from the line after an offensive goal tending call  to tie the game at 61 with 1:29 remaining in the contest. Berks Catholic had their final lead at 62-61 after going 1 of 2 from the line. A short jump shot by Watkins gave the Clippers the go ahead lead 63-62 with 1:21 on the clock. Chester would go 6 of 8 from the line to close out the contest 69-62.

After Maurice Henry fouled out, junior Juanir Moore stepped in with 4 fourth quarter rebounds and 3 points to keep the Clipper ship afloat. Jamar Sudan added 8 points while Ahrod Carter, Jahmi Bailey, Maurice Henry and Jordan Camper each contributed 4 points for Chester.

Chester will return to the Clip Joint on Tuesday, December 16th to host Philadelphia Public League's Frankford High School.  

Holiday Concert Monday at Chester Community Charter

Chester, PA, December 11, 2014 – On Monday, December 15, more than 300 students, parents and community supporters of Chester Community Charter School (CCCS), Pennsylvania’s largest K-8 charter school, are expected to attend, on the school’s West Campus, its first-ever Holiday Concert. Students will host an art exhibition, and showcase holiday-themed dance and musical performances by the school’s newly formed choirs, bands and dance troupes.

CCCS’ Holiday Concert series will take place over a four-day period, on East, West and Upland campuses.

Kindergarten and first graders will also perform Monday, December 15, on the school’s East campus; students in grades third-through-fifth will host their programs on Wednesday, December 17; and nighttime concerts, which include student performances from all three campuses, will wake place on CCCS’ East and West campuses, on December 17 and December 18, respectively.

This year, CCCS introduced new creative arts courses that include drawing, music theory, vocal technique, filmmaking, and music production, among others. Many of these programs are funded through grants awarded by 21^st Century Community Learning Centers and the Barbara Berry Foundation.

Ferguson & Our Boys - MALE ACHIEVERS PROGRAM

Get Your Boys Ages 12-17

Up & Out of Bed

FOR THE RETURN OF 

Chester City & Delaware County's

MALE ACHIEVERS PROGRAM

Saturday, December 20, 2014

From 9am-1:00pm 

FREE Lunch Included

St. Luke's Christian Community Church

320 Tilghman Street

Chester, PA 19013

Morning of Sports & Fun  

(wear sports/athletic attire)

An Introduction to Kwanzaa

Plus

A Special Open Discussion:  "Ferguson & Our Boys "

WE ARE OPENING ENROLLMENT FOR NEW DELAWARE COUNTY BOYS TO JOIN US BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

Fathers-Husbands-Uncles-Coaches-Teachers-Mentors-Adult Male Neighbors-Come Help Us Provide A Safe Place For Our Young Black & Latino Males to Learn, Engage, & Develop.

SPREAD THE WORD PLEASE!!!

Interested Parents & Boys Should RSVP 

Call (610) 499-1390 or email Julani Ghana- julani@collegeaccessdelco.org

What's wrong with this picture?

I find two things wrong with this picture (a screen shot from Delcotimes.com). First, both suspects have masks on but they're both described as black males. Maybe the guy in the dark top forgot to don his gloves.

Next, an ad slips in with President Obama offering '3 Reasons to never open another bank account'. 

I realize those ads pop in according to the subject of the story, but someone needs to use a little discretion. 

Crozer-Keystone Turns Community Service Focus to Annual Holiday Toy Drive

Dec. 5, 2014 (Springfield, Pa) – Crozer-Keystone Health System employees have a long-standing tradition of helping their neighbors in need through numerous community outreach efforts, including the health system’s annual food drive and toy drive. This year’s food drive wrapped up on Nov. 24 with the toy drive starting on the same date and will continue through Dec. 19. The Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC) is the primary beneficiary for both the food drive and toy drive, and Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Prospect Park was the beneficiary of the food drive at Taylor Hospital.