Briefs are concise stories about what’s happening in Chester County. This morning:

Deer Culling Extended for Valley Forge

Initially envisioned as a four year program, deer culling at the Valley Forge National Historical Park has now entered its sixth season.

The National Park Service said that despite the fact that the deer population has been reduced from the original 1,277 over five years ago to the target level of 185, culling is still necessary to maintain the right level of density. Officials explained that control of the deer population has to be maintained to preserve the plant life which sustains other wildlife in the park.

However, this program does not meet with approval from everyone, especially animal-rights activists.

“The hunters have, in our opinion, put a stranglehold on the wildlife in the park,” said Priscilla Feral, President of Friends of Animals. “Our question is, what is off-limits to the gun obsession America seems to have?”

The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index Adds Egalet

Starting from December 21st, Wayne based Egalet Corporation will be added to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. In order to be included in the NBI, Egalet had to meet the eligibility requirements which include among other things, a minimum market capitalization and average daily trading volume, and a certain length of time as a public company.

The index, which serves as the basis for the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index Fund, is evaluated twice a year, in May and November. It is designed to track the performance of a select group of securities that are listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and have the Industry Classification Benchmark that classifies them as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical.

Egalet, a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company which focuses on developing, manufacturing and commercializing pioneering treatments for pain and other conditions, is also included in the Russell Global 3000, Russell 2000 and Russell Global indices.

Inaugural Backpack Drive Hosted by LGBTea Dances

LGBTea Dances, the newly formed and Chester County’s only LGBTQ non-profit organization, hosted a Backpack Drive on December 14th to support Chester County foster children. The inaugural occasion unified various outreach organizations and the LGBTQ and allied communities.

The event, which was hosted at the Phoenixville Area High School, was attended by two local celebrities, Braden Lange and Rob Scheer. Lange, a 12 year old lacrosse student from Chester County was recently featured on ESPN, while Scheer has appeared with his husband and four foster children on Ellen, the View, and in various newspapers.

Shreer, who is the founder of Comfort Cases, recently spoke about his experience as a foster child, emphasizing the importance of the basic necessities.

“Imagine going to a hotel and asking the concierge to keep the old soap in the tub from the previous occupant,” he said. “That’s how it feels to many children entering foster kids. They need soap that belongs to them.”

Elected Chester County Officials will take the Oath of Office on January 3rd

Elected officials in Chester County will attend their swearing in ceremony in the new year as they take up in some cases new, and for others recurring, positions. The event will be held on Sunday, January 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall in the Philips Memorial Building of West Chester University.

Incumbent commissioners Terence Farrell, Michelle Kichline, and Kathi Cozzone were all reelected and will be among the officials taking the oath of office.

Also being sworn in at the event will be District Attorney Thomas P. Hogan, Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh, Prothonotary Matt Holliday, Register of Wills Terri Clark, Recorder of Deeds Rick Loughery, Magisterial District Judges Gregory Hines, and Marian Thayer Vito.