Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1918:

With nature providing a ledge of solid rock, Chester, which is seeking one of the giant dry docks planned by the United States Shipping Board, is likely to have the first natural dry dock in the world. Engineers familiar with the problem of selecting a proper site for such a dock said that a dock basin could be blasted out of the solid rock at a comparatively small cost.

75 Years Ago – 1943:

Working in her Victory Garden with her husband during the electrical storm about 8 p.m. Saturday, Mrs. Ann Huff, 39, was struck by lightning and instantly killed. Residents of Parkside for about six years, Mrs. Huff and her husband, A.F. Huff, were working side by side when the bolt struck. When resuscitation efforts by members of the Franklin Rescue Squad failed to bring any sign of life to the woman’s body, she was removed in the squad ambulance to Chester Hospital.

50 Years Ago – 1968:

Standard reading achievement test administered the past two years to elementary school pupils weren’t valid, Chester school officials said. School Superintendent John J. Vaul said the district is using a new test form this week to screen reading and other abilities of elementary pupils. He said the district has discarded the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, which showed the average public school sixth-grader here almost two years behind national norms in reading.

25 Years Ago – 1993:

Concerns raised by Haverford official have prompted PECO to halt, at least temporarily, the tree trimming and chemical growth retardant program in the township. PECO will work with the township shade tree commission to determine the most appropriate method of line clearance on a tree-by-tree basis. At the heart of the controversy is the Shigo trimming method adopted by PECO. Utility representatives stated the Shigo method, accepted nationwide, focuses on the natural healing points of the trees as opposed to the old rounding method. Many residents, how refer the old method as it has a much more esthetically pleasing effect.

10 Years Ago – 2008:

The state Senate passed a bill April 30 that would create a do-not-call list for automated political “robo-calls,” but still allow live calls. Senate Bill 820, which passed 48-1, would make it illegal for political candidates or organizations to call any Pennsylvania resident on the do-not-call list, with penalties up to $1,000 per violation.