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The Delaware County Digest
Your source for the latest news from Delaware County | June 19, 2025
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Juneteenth Update! Despite the weather forecast, Delaware County’s Juneteenth Celebration is still on tonight at Rose Tree Park. While vendors will not be participating, food trucks will begin serving at 5:00 p.m. The County’s official ceremony will take place on the Rose Tree stage at 5:30 p.m., followed by a performance by Philly Gumbo at 7:30 p.m.
So, bring your umbrella and join us for an evening of reflection, celebration, and great music! More info below...
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Delaware County Executive Director Delivers 2025 State of the County Address; Highlights Progress, Challenges, Community Partnerships, & Vision for the Future
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During Wednesday evening’s County Council Public Meeting at the Government Center Building in Media, Delaware County Executive Director Barbara O’Malley presented the 2025 State of the County, offering a comprehensive look at the County’s strategic progress, core investments, and emerging challenges.
The annual update reflected a coordinated effort across County departments to strengthen services, improve infrastructure, and promote health, safety, and sustainability for all Delaware County residents.
Public Safety and Criminal Justice
The presentation detailed Delaware County’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, including becoming the first county in Pennsylvania to ban ghost guns and machine gun conversion devices. The success of a multiyear anti-violence initiative in Chester—which has helped reduce gun crime by 54% since 2020—was highlighted as a model for data-driven, community-based public safety strategies.
The George W. Hill Correctional Facility continues to see a decline in daily population, alongside expanded mental health treatment, drug and alcohol services, and educational programming. Major capital upgrades are underway to improve security systems, kitchen operations, and core infrastructure—while employing local labor and vendors wherever possible.
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Health, Emergency Services, and the Crozer Response
The Delaware County Health Department, now in its third year, is implementing a Community Health Improvement Plan focused on mental health, chronic disease prevention, maternal and infant care, and emergency preparedness. O’Malley emphasized that over 72% of the Health Department’s budget is grant-funded, with the remainder supported by ARPA funds—meaning no impact to County tax dollars to date.
The presentation also addressed the lasting impact of the Crozer Health System closure, which continues to affect emergency care access and organ donation coordination. The County has partnered with ChristianaCare and other providers to reestablish care infrastructure.
In response to gaps in emergency coverage, the County deployed a 90-day EMS contingency plan in underserved areas, supported by state and private funding. The County also completed a $40 million upgrade to the public safety radio system, its first overhaul in decades.
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Fiscal Responsibility and Strategic Planning
The presentation highlighted the County’s strong fiscal posture, with a general fund budget of $321 million and a total operating budget approaching $900 million. To promote transparency and improve efficiency, the County launched a Community Budget Task Force made up of more than 60 residents and subject-matter experts, focused on developing capital strategies, identifying revenue opportunities, and proposing cost-saving measures for the 2026 budget.
The County continues to pursue grant funding and has seen success at Fair Acres, which increased its net revenue by 10.8% and maintained a five-star CMS rating, while being recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s best nursing homes.
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Quality of Life, Housing, and Community Investment
The presentation also emphasized continued growth in Delaware County’s trail network, park system, and digital services. The County has invested in trailhead expansions, native meadow conversions, and improvements at Rose Tree Park, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025.
The County’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity through the Whole Home Repair Program has received over 1,300 inquiries, with funding available to assist more than 200 households with essential repairs.
As the County prepares for large-scale regional events—including the World Cup, America250, and the All-Star Game—O’Malley reiterated the importance of long-term planning and continued resident engagement.
“This presentation is only a glimpse of what’s being done every day,” noted Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Across departments, our team is working hard to improve the lives of residents throughout Delaware County—whether it’s investing in infrastructure, expanding access to health and human services, supporting public safety, or planning for the future through transparency and community engagement. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we remain committed to building a better future for Delaware County.”
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“The goals of this Council, and by extension, our county team, are nothing less than what is described… to build a better future, “ summarized Executive Director Barbara O’Malley. “There has been an enormous amount of work that has gone into that mission over the past year, and a great deal of progress that has already been made.”
The full presentation is available the County’s website at DelcoPA.Gov and can be watched on the Delaware County YouTube channel.
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Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office Highlights Innovation, Public Health Advances, Strategic Partnerships, and Cost Savings in 2024 Annual Report
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During Wednesday evening’s County Council Public Meeting at the Government Center Building in Media, Delaware County Office of the Medical Examiner (DCOME) Administrator Jeffrey Lange presented the department’s 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a year of innovation, enhanced public health partnerships, and continued fiscal responsibility.
Lange’s presentation detailed strategic updates to operations, staffing, technology, and interagency collaboration—all part of DCOME’s efforts to strengthen forensic services and position the office for future accreditation.
Operational Efficiency and Budget Discipline
DCOME operated on a $2.15 million budget in 2024, down from $2.42 million in 2023, achieving over $268,000 in savings through improved hiring practices and vendor negotiations. Although the proposed 2025 budget includes a modest increase to $2.33 million due to salary adjustments, the office is still operating 3.6% below its 2023 level.
The department also avoided capital expenditures for two consecutive years, relying instead on strategic partnerships and grant funding. In 2024, DCOME secured $375,000 in external funding, including:
- $151,000 from opioid settlement funds for expanded toxicology testing
- $95,000 from the Department of Justice to support the new Psychological Autopsy Initiative
- $130,000 in state funding for training and continuing education
- A recent recommendation for an additional $86,000 from the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant
In partnership with the Southeast PA Healthcare Coalition, the office also acquired a $45,000 digital X-ray machine at no cost, to support mass fatality response across the region.
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Staffing, Structure, and Accreditation Progress
The department is now fully staffed, with a leadership team comprising a Chief Medical Examiner, Chief of Forensic Investigations, and Chief of Forensic Psychology. All pathologists are board-certified, and four of seven investigators are now nationally certified, with others progressing toward certification.
DCOME has adopted cloud-based case management, PowerDMS for policy tracking, and SOPs aligned with National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) standards, all key milestones on the path to national accreditation.
Pioneering Public Health Initiatives
DCOME launched the region’s first Psychological Autopsy Initiative, designed to differentiate between overdose and suicide deaths by analyzing behavioral patterns. The office is also partnering with a university to build an AI-powered platform that synthesizes case data to uncover mental health and substance use trends—marking a national first in medicolegal death investigation.
Educational partnerships with the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology and other local institutions have expanded student exposure to careers in forensic science, while DCOME has deepened its participation in regional death review teams and bereavement support services.
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Tracking Trends and Addressing Systemic Impacts
In 2024, DCOME conducted 511 autopsies, reviewed 133 records, and processed over 1,800 cremation approvals. Notably, drug-related deaths decreased by over 20%, aligning with national trends. However, a drop in tissue and organ donations—due in part to the closure of Crozer Health—was flagged as an emerging concern with life-saving implications.
County officials expressed appreciation for the department’s transparency, compassion, and leadership during a challenging time.
“The Medical Examiner’s Office is not one that any of us want our families to need,” said Delaware County Council Member Kevin Madden. “But when they do, it makes a tremendous difference to be met with professionalism, compassion, and timely service. We’re grateful for the leadership, innovation, and transparency this department continues to bring to its work.”
The full 2024 Annual Report and a monthly performance metrics and case statistics are available at DelcoPA.Gov/MEO.
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Delaware County to Hold 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Featuring Music, Culture, Community Resources, and Free Family-Friendly Activities
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Today, Delaware County Council will hold its 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Rose Tree Park from 4 PM-9 PM. Juneteenth—also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day—is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19th in the United States. The holiday commemorates the day when enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Declaration. On June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that the Civil War was over and that all slaves were now free. On June 17th, 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States.
Event Attractions
The free, family-friendly event drew over 1,000 attendees in 2024, and brings local vendors, performers, speakers, students, elected officials, and residents together to celebrate this uniquely American holiday.
Attractions for this year’s event include:
- Performances of the National Anthem and Black National Anthem
- An appearance by Pennsylvania’s Miss Junior Juneteenth
- NAACP Youth Program
- Student Art Showcase
- Juneteenth History Reading
- A performance by Philly Gumbo
Vendors will be on-site from 4 PM-9 PM, with performers and speakers beginning at 5:30 PM and Philly Gumbo beginning their performance at 7:30 PM.
“Delco’s own Juneteenth event is not just a holiday, or a celebration, for African Americans,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “It’s a celebration for everyone who loves freedom and who hates injustice. It’s a celebration for everyone who recognizes that America’s story isn’t about being perfect, it’s about seeking it no matter how long the journey is to get there.”
Residents should visit DelcoPA.Gov/Juneteenth for more information on the event, and follow https://x.com/DelcoPAGov for updates related to weather and any additional developments.
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County to Host Health and Job Fair on June 27
Join us for Delaware County’s Health and Job Fair on Friday, June 27, featuring free health screenings, local employers, career resources, giveaways, family-friendly activities, and more. Open to all residents—no registration required. Come connect, learn, and explore new opportunities. [More at DelcoPA.Gov/Jobs]
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Delaware County Launches 2025 Heat Plan
Delaware County Council, COSA Director Carin Tinney, and PECO held an event this week to announce the County’s 2025 Heat Emergency Plan and launch PECO’s fan distribution program, which includes 100 fans for Delaware County seniors. To request a fan, seniors/caregivers can call COSA at (610) 490-1300.
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Helping Seniors Navigate Healthcare this Summer
The Delaware County Health Department is hosting a summer series to help seniors navigate online healthcare systems. Staff will assist residents at local senior centers with retrieving Crozer medical records, accessing services, and connecting to care. Support is free and in-person. [Check out dates and locations]
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