Chester Blog Has Moved

We have moved.

ChesterPaBlog.WordPress.com 

to find the new blog.

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