Free Quit Smoking Kits Available as Part of Today’s Great American Smokeout

In an attempt to reduce the cause of nearly 1 in 5 deaths across the nation, the American Cancer Society and the Chester County Health Department are inviting smokers to participate in today’s Great American Smokeout event, by making a strong effort to quit, or at least forego cigarettes for the day.

As part of the event, the Chester County Tobacco-free Coalition has made close to 1,000 free “quit kits” available throughout the County. The quit kits come in gallon-sized bags that contain free tobacco cessation resources and various small items which can help ease cravings and promote a healthy first day going nicotine-free.

These kits are not only for regular cigarette smokers but also for people who vape or chew and are ready to go nicotine-free.

See here for the locations where free quit kits are available.

Bear Season Underway

While the statewide whitetail deer hunting season is now over, apart from in Wildlife Management Units 5C, 5D and 2B in western Pennsylvania which still permit bowmen to hunt until November 28. Hunters can now sling their arrows at much bigger game as the archery season on black bears opened on Monday.

After the end of five-day archery season for the bruins this Friday, hunters who are properly licensed and still in pursuit of a bear can take part in the four-day general season that opens on Saturday and ends on November 25.

Extended opportunities for bear hunting during all or a portion of the deer hunting seasons also exist in much of Pennsylvania.

Hunter’s also have no need to worry about a shortage of bears as the Commonwealth’s black bear population continue to thrive, with the numbers stable at record levels with around 18,000 bears residing across the State.

Chester County Sports Hall of Fame’s Jack McClellan Made West Chester Home

The former West Chester (and in later years Henderson) High School basketball coach, Jack McClellan, has been inducted posthumously into the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame to the joy of his family, friends, and many fans who admired him throughout his career.

McClellan started his 30 year long coaching and teaching career in West Chester in 1951, with the teams that played under his guidance winning 498 games and eight Ches-Mont titles. He spent his final years living in a Bradenton area retirement community, where he passed away at the age of 88.

“I respected and loved Jack a lot. He was one of the instrumental forces in pushing me, and a lot of others, to greater lengths,” said Leon Bell, a star player during the late 1960s and early ’70s. “He was a real stickler for detail.”

‘Operation Safe Holiday’ Focuses on Seat-Belt Use and Impaired Driving

PennDOT, State Police, and the Liquor Control Board are joining forces to make this holiday season a safer one by combining enforcement, education and smartphone technology through “Operation Safe Holiday” and the SaferRide app.

The operation will begin with the statewide ‘Click It or Ticket’ seat-belt enforcement program, scheduled from November 23 to November 30. Additional sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and regular traffic safety patrols will also be implemented on Thanksgiving Eve and from November 28 through the New Year’s holiday.

The SaferRide app allows people to arrange for a taxi or contact a friend for a safe ride home after drinking.

“Unfortunately, the holiday season turns tragic for many families due to crashes and deaths on our roadways,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “We urge the public to do their part to keep the season safe – always buckle up and never drive impaired.”  

Longwood Fire Company Kicks off Ambulance Subscription Campaign

Longwood Fire Company began its annual ambulance subscription campaign this week, with subscription materials already sent out to area residents.

People who take part in the subscription campaign also become eligible for an additional benefit, as if they end up in the unfortunate situation where they need the service, and their insurance company does not cover the full cost, the Fire Company will discount or waive the remaining balance.  

This is an important benefit as an ambulance call can cost in excess of $1,000, depending on what the type of services that are provided.

“Supporting the Longwood ambulance subscription campaign helps everyone in the community” says Longwood Fire Chief A. J. McCarthy. “Running the ambulance service is very expensive. Life-saving equipment and the expense of training our responders is very costly. Donations offset costs for the operation of our 24-hour a day service for those in need.”

Malvern Holiday Shopping Tour Starts Today

Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping and at the same time show support for local businesses by participating in the Malvern Holiday Shopping Tour.

The Tour, which starts today, includes the participation of select Malvern businesses throughout Downtown Malvern and will run until Saturday. A key part of the tour is the raffle giveaway with a winning prize of over $400 in gift cards to local businesses.

To take part, stop by any participating business to get a shopping pamphlet which includes a map showing the location of all other businesses in the tour. After completing all the boxes on the back, simply drop it off at Restaurant Alba to enter the raffle. All submitted pamphlets will be collected with the raffle winner announced shortly after.