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- 🚨 Teacher Faces Felony Charge | 🐕🦺 K9 Body Armor | 🕳️ Groundhog Day Celebration | 📢 Storm Prep PSA
🚨 Teacher Faces Felony Charge | 🐕🦺 K9 Body Armor | 🕳️ Groundhog Day Celebration | 📢 Storm Prep PSA
Downingtown Local Pulse Jan 22nd, 2025
Chesco Sean
22 Jan
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Coatesville Teacher Faces Felony Charge for Alleged Union Fund Misappropriation
Kathleen Elicker, Image: Facebook.com
COATESVILLE, PA — Kathleen Elicker, a 61-year-old educator from West Chester, has been arrested and charged with embezzling funds from the Coatesville Area Teachers Association, where she held leadership positions for several years. The Chester County District Attorney's Office announced the charges on Wednesday, following an investigation that began after financial discrepancies were discovered within the union's accounts.
Elicker served as both treasurer and negotiations chair for the teachers association during the 2019–2020 through 2022–2023 school years. During this time, authorities allege, she systematically diverted union funds meant to support local educators into her own bank accounts. The investigation involved a detailed examination of financial records and bank statements that reportedly showed a consistent pattern of unauthorized deposits over the four-year period.
She has been charged with felony theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, as well as misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking. District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe emphasized that the charges address a violation of trust, noting that Elicker allegedly used her position of authority within the teachers union to take money intended for her colleagues.
K9 Nitro Gets Lifesaving Body Armor Through Nonprofit Donation
WEST CHESTER, PA — K9 Nitro, a working dog with the West Chester Borough Police Department, is set to receive lifesaving body armor through a donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a national nonprofit organization committed to protecting law enforcement canines. The vest, which provides bullet and stab protection, will arrive within the next ten weeks and represents part of a broader effort to equip police dogs across the United States with essential safety gear.
Founded in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused exclusively on providing protective vests and related assistance to law enforcement dogs nationwide. Each vest is custom-fitted, manufactured in the United States, and certified by the National Institute of Justice to meet stringent protective standards. The equipment weighs between four and five pounds and carries a five-year warranty.
Upper Uwchlan Township to Host Groundhog Day Celebration
UPPER UWCHLAN TWP — Upper Uwchlan Township is inviting residents to celebrate Groundhog Day early with a community event scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31, at Upland Farm Park in Chester Springs. The family-oriented gathering will run from 1 to 3 p.m. and offer a variety of activities designed to mark the winter tradition just one day before the official holiday.
The celebration will feature children's activities, light refreshments, and an appearance by a groundhog character, providing families with an opportunity to participate in the seasonal custom in a local setting. The
Townships Urge Storm Preparations as Snow Approaches
East Caln Township has issued comprehensive winter storm guidance as public works contractors and emergency services prepare for significant snowfall in the coming days. Officials are requesting resident cooperation to ensure efficient snow removal operations and maintain public safety throughout the weather event.
The township's primary concern centers on street parking. Authorities are urging all residents to remove vehicles from roadways before the storm arrives, noting that parked cars create dangerous conditions for plow operators and significantly slow snow clearing efforts. Vehicles left on streets risk being plowed in and potentially damaged, with cascading effects that delay service restoration for entire neighborhoods. Township officials acknowledged that driveway entrances will inevitably be blocked by snow displaced during road clearing and encouraged residents to plan extra time for addressing this unavoidable consequence.
Proper snow disposal has also been highlighted as critical. The township is asking residents to place shoveled snow on their own properties—lawns and landscaped areas—rather than pushing it into streets, onto sidewalks, or across property boundaries. Officials provided visual guidance illustrating techniques to minimize repeated shoveling efforts. Additional property maintenance recommendations include keeping mailboxes clear for postal carriers, maintaining access to stormwater drains when conditions permit, and ensuring fire hydrants remain visible.
Upcoming local events…
Downingtown Farmers Market (Downingtown) - Jan 24, 10am-12pm
The Gardens at Applecross - Open House (Downingtown) - Jan 24, 12pm-2pm
West Chester Professionals Social Networking (West Chester) - Jan 28, 4:30pm-6:30pm
Monthly VRA Realty Investors Meetup (West Chester) - Feb 11, 6:45pm-8:30pm
WCU Live! presents the Sharpe Family Singers $ (West Chester) - Feb 13, 7pm
Downingtown Farmers Market (Downingtown) - Feb 14, 10am-12pm
Downingtown Repair Cafe (Chester Springs) - Feb 14, 10am-2pm
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