Mourning a state trooper slain in West Caln | Inquirer Chester County

Chester County’s former CEO, David Byerman, said the reason he was removed from the job last week was because he had allowed county employees to access sports betting and fantasy sports websites from the county’s network, a decision that only commissioners can make. “Did I occasionally update my fantasy baseball team and put bets on the Sixers and Eagles using the county’s WiFi? Yes, that is true, but it’s also true that I regularly ate lunch at my desk,” Byerman told The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz.

Chester County Prison Warden Howard Holland was appointed as acting deputy county administrator for operations last week. He is the third person in a new leadership team who will helm the county, including Byerman’s replacement, Erik Walschburger.

Chester County is aiming to add more public electric vehicle charging stations, including at workplaces and businesses, through the federally funded National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The county has among the highest number of EVs, with more than 9,000 registered, according to the most recent data.

Gas prices across the country have been climbing amid the war in Iran. As of Tuesday, the average cost of a gallon in Pennsylvania was $3.64, compared to a national average of $3.54. Chester County averaged $3.57.

A proposal to make a data center in East Whiteland 60% bigger will be considered by the township’s board of supervisors after the planning commission stopped short Monday of recommending it for approval or denial. The vote followed hours of charged testimony from residents, hundreds of whom joined the meeting to voice their opposition to the amended plan, which would increase the data center’s footprint to more than 1.6 million square feet.

East Vincent Township’s board of supervisors will hold a public hearing Monday at 6:30 p.m. on the proposed development of a data center at the former Pennhurst site. The planning commission voted last month to recommend the supervisors deny it. Monday’s meeting will be held at East Vincent Elementary School, or you can register to attend virtually here.

A woman died Sunday after she was shot while driving her car in what appears to be a random attack on Contention Lane in Berwyn. The man arrested and charged with her murder, Steven Jahn, had shown “frantic behavior” during a police interaction earlier that day, according to a criminal complaint.

After an NBC10 investigation found that Honey Brook Constable David Jones signed a 287(g) agreement with ICE, Jones says the agreement is no longer active. In a statement this week, the borough underscored that neither it nor its police department have agreements with ICE and that Jones is not an employee of either.

A “milky white” substance found in Goose Creek in West Chester was toxic to aquatic life and resulted in the death of fish, eels, and worms, authorities said. The leak was traced back to Atmos Technologies in West Goshen Township and plugged.

The mother of 20-year-old Ju’Juan Jeffers, one of seven shot during Lincoln University’s homecoming in Lower Oxford Township last fall, is suing the school for prioritizing the “college experience” over safety. In a lawsuit, Marchelle Hargroves, whose son died in the shootoing, alleges that Lincoln fostered a campus culture that permitted violent and sometimes fatal acts.

East Pikeland Township is hosting a public input meeting tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kimberton Fire Company about the township’s parks, recreation, open space, and trails.

Comcast is expanding its network to cover 3,400 additional homes and businesses in Oxford Borough and Lower Oxford Township, where it will provide internet, mobile, entertainment, and security services for the first time.

Heads up for drivers: Aqua Pennsylvania is scheduled to begin a monthslong project this week to install 7,100 feet of water main in Uwchlan Township. Work on the $2.5 million project will take place weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is expected to last into the summer. And in Birmingham Township, roadwork at the intersection of Routes 202 and 926 will continue, with a weekday lane closure planned through March 27. Work will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as PennDot works to improve traffic flow at the busy intersection. Peco is planning to begin upgrading the electrical distribution system in Caln Township. Work is expected to last until December or early 2027 and may cause temporary electrical outages.

Discount grocery chain Grocery Outlet is planning to close a number of stores in the region, including at 345 Scarlet Road in Kennett Square.

Kennett Square’s new boutique hotel, The Francis, is hosting a community preview tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. The Francis is the latest project from the Square Roots Collective, the same group behind The Creamery. The hotel at 205 S. Union St. will have eight rooms, each dedicated to the history of the town.

A Glenmoore man has been charged with unlawful contact with a child at a West Sadsbury Township Walmart. Joseph Gerard Bouffard, 26, allegedly inappropriately touched an 11-year-old girl in January. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Monday.

Coatesville Area School District released its latest comprehensive plan last week, which will guide the district through 2029. The plan includes four major goals: communications and community engagement; leadership development and stakeholder voice; teaching, learning, and academic excellence; and school safety, climate, belonging, equity, and access. Among the priorities is establishing at least 20 mentorship or internship partnerships for students. See the full plan here.

CASD has appointed three new assistant principals. Kristin Kotler, who is new to the district, and Pete Altland, who transferred from Scott Middle School, have taken on the roles at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School. Cynthia Roulhac has been named assistant principal at Scott Middle School.

Octorara Area School District Athletic Director Greg Fantazzi was recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame after serving as a PIAA wrestling official for 30 years.

Highland Orchards Farm and Market is reopening its market for the season this Saturday. Located at 1000 Marshallton-Thorndale Road in West Bradford Township, it’s known for its apple cider donuts, pies, and cider.

Saladworks and Frutta Bowls opened a combined eatery last week in the Shoppes of Dilworthtown Crossing in Thornbury Township. Both offer build-your-own bowls, with Saladworks specializing in salads, wraps, and sandwiches, and Frutta Bowls offering açai and pitaya bowls, smoothies, and juices.

Median listing price: $559,000 (down $2,400 from December) 📉

Median sold price: $511,500 (down $43,500 from December) 📉

Median days on the market: 48 (down 13 days from December) 📉

Flyers fight coach and bareknuckle brawler Johnny ‘Cannoli’ Garbarino sparked a melee outside Barstool Sansom. It was caught on video.

How Jaelan Phillips’ and Alec Pierce’s obscene paydays affect A.J. Brown’s future with the Eagles

John Fetterman is the only Democrat to vote against curbing Trump’s power to order strikes in Iran