Good Morning. Here are some of the top stories from around the region.
WEATHER
There are going to be a few showers around today as we head to a mostly cloudy Sunday. Expect the high to hit about 55 degrees.
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NEWS
Community pays respects to Pennsylvania State Trooper Branden Sisca, killed in accident on I-95
More than 1,000 people gathered outside of Perkiomen Valley High School Saturday morning to pay their respects to fallen Pennsylvania State Trooper Branden T. Sisca, 29, who was killed last month in the line of duty. A procession left an East Norriton Township funeral home around 10:30 am as police officers, firefighters and other first responders accompanied several limousines to Sisca’s alma mater, located at 509 Gravel Pike.
Chester County judge reinstates West Chester School Board members
Chester County Common Pleas Court Judge William P. Mahon vacated his order removing five West Chester Area School Board members after a hearing before a packed courtroom at the Chester County Justice Center on Friday. Mahon on Tuesday had removed the quintet of school board members after he said that attorneys for the district had not answered a petition filed by a West Chester resident seeking their removal over what she said was an improper mandate for students to wear masks in schools, two months after the state Supreme Court had rendered a decision on a separate matter in December that mask mandates were unconstitutional.
4 local financial institutions ranked among best performing for 2021
Several area financial institutions have landed on the S&P Global Market Intelligence’s ranking of best performing banks for 2021. There are four categories in S&P Global Market Intelligence’s rankings: US public banks with more than $10 billion in assets; large community banks with $3 billion to $10 billion in assets; small community banks under $3 billion in assets, and credit unions.
‘We’re so grateful’ — Montgomery County recognizes social workers
“The time is right for social work.” It’s not just the theme for this year’s National Social Work Month. It’s a message people working each day in the community strive to spread. “Let this National Social Work Month serve as a reminder of those committed to eliminating social, political and economic injustices for poor and oppressed populations. Social workers believe in advancing and advocating for the highest quality of life for all persons,” said Elliott Smith, deputy administrator for the Office of Senior Services within the Montgomery County Office of Health and Human Services.
Crozer Health staff collects, packs items donated for Ukraine
The staff across Crozer Health system has spent the past couple of weeks collecting much-needed personal items and medical supplies for the people of Ukraine. Collection sites were placed in all of the hospitals and surgery centers. Then on Friday they were all brought to Springfield Hospital where they were sorted by like items and boxed for shipment. In addition to the employee donations the hospital donated many much-needed medical supplies.
SPORTS
Brynn Anderson/ The Associated Press
Villanova’s Jermaine Samuels (23) and Collin Gillespie (2) leave the court after their loss to Kansas in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Collin Gillespie, Jermaine Samuels leave a legacy at Villanova that will be hard to match
Villanova coach Jay Wright was the first person to greet guard Collin Gillespie as he came off the floor with 35 seconds left in what ended up as an 81-65 loss to Kansas in the national semifinal at the Superdome in New Orleans Saturday night. Gillespie received an extended hug from his coach before getting the same reception from assistant coaches George Halcovage and Mike Nardi. Tears flowed down Gillespie’s face as he took his seat on the bench for the final time in a Villanova uniform. Forward Jermaine Samuels was next to leave the floor and he was greeted in the same manner as Gillespie.
Sixers Notebook: Scoring title in reach, but Joel Embiid happy to assist in other ways
Deep into the stretch of the NBA season, Joel Embiid has a chance to win the scoring title. If he does, that will be one more reason to make him the MVP. If he doesn’t, Doc Rivers figures, that will be a good reason, too. In a 144-114 victory Saturday over the Charlotte Hornets, Embiid scored 29 points, technically shaving his average by a hair. But because of the developing rout, a frenzied recent schedule and a more meaningful motive, he was OK with not even playing in the fourth quarter.
Union take advantage of mistakes by Charlotte’s sub-standard expansionists
The form guide indicated that the Union and Charlotte FC entered Saturday night each on winning streaks. The eye test quickly discerned one as a rickety expansion side and the other as one of the best teams in MLS for the last four years. A goal in the fourth minute by Julian Carranza and a howler of a mistake to gift Daniel Gazdag his fourth goal in as many games 48 seconds into the second half helped move the Union to a 2-0 victory, their fourth straight win.
Flyers’ brass benches NHL iron man Keith Yandle in ‘tough decision’
Two months ago, the Flyers honored ironman Keith Yandle. The 35-year-old veteran of 17 seasons received a special ceremony, and deservedly so, after setting the NHL record playing in his 965th straight game. On Saturday the Flyers unceremoniously ended Yandle’s streak at 989 games to roll with their new initiative — more playing time for young defensemen Cam York, Ronnie Attard and Nick Seeler.