Pennsylvania
Chester, Pennsylvania, firefighters will have new placard system to help identify dangerous buildings
Firefighters in Chester, Pennsylvania, now have a new tool to help protect them before they even set foot inside a burning building.
A new vacant building placard system is being rolled out across the city to warn first responders about structures that may be too dangerous to enter. The initiative is part of a $50,000 FEMA grant and is the first program of its kind in Delaware County.
Vacant and structurally compromised buildings are now being marked with placards. They are visual warnings that alert fire crews to potential dangers inside.
“Throughout the city, we have some dilapidated buildings,” Battalion Chief Jon Ley from the Chester Bureau of Fire said. “The city is old. A lot of legacy construction.”
The initiative was prompted by a 2022 fire on Baker Street, during which three firefighters were injured. One was seriously injured after he fell through a hole in the floor.
“Baker Street was one of the biggest things — that changed a lot of things,” Ley said. “We changed our mayday protocol. It changed how we do things as far as not being aggressive as a fire department, but as far as being in the know.”
Placards are synced with a real-time digital map, giving crews immediate access to the condition of vacant buildings while en route.
“The building’s already been on fire; it’s under intense heat. Inflamed or it’s going to have to collapse, or could lose firefighters, said Ley. “That’s where the risk vs. gain comes in.”
In many cases, the answer might mean fighting fires from the outside instead of entering unstable structures.
On East 7th Street, one vacant home has deteriorated so badly that a tree is growing through the roof. Residents say the placard system is a much-needed step forward.
“I do think they should like, knock down these little vacant buildings,” said Dezheona Butcher, a Chester resident. “They could turn it into something, rebuild it. Turn it into a house, a home. Somebody needs a home. Everybody needs a home.”
Chester firefighters routinely survey neighborhoods to update their building database. As structures are repaired or deteriorate further, their status is updated to ensure crews always have the latest information.
The placard system is part of a broader initiative aimed at protecting both firefighters and the communities they serve.
Pennsylvania
Quakertown police chief on leave after clash with student protesters
From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree is on leave after he was seen on video placing a student in a chokehold during a high school walkout earlier this month.
Borough Solicitor Peter Nelson told 6abc and other outlets Friday that McElree, who also serves as the borough manager, is currently on workers’ compensation leave. A request for comment from Nelson was not immediately returned Saturday.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is currently investigating the police department’s response to a student-led protest against the Trump administration federal enforcement actions on Feb. 20.
After more than 30 students walked out of Bucks County’s Quakertown Community High School, a violent confrontation with Quakertown officers saw at least five students arrested. The students have since been charged with aggravated assault, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Police claim that students threw snowballs at the responding officers on the scene and kicked their cars.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 2 Day results for Feb. 27, 2026
The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 2 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
Day: 4-7, Wild: 5
Evening: 8-8, Wild: 0
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
Day: 6-7-7, Wild: 5
Evening: 0-0-3, Wild: 0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
Day: 7-2-1-4, Wild: 5
Evening: 5-7-3-1, Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
Day: 8-4-5-4-4, Wild: 5
Evening: 1-1-9-8-7, Wild: 0
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
04-14-16-20-38
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
02-04-08-13-30
Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
10-12-23-31-33-46
Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
03-04-13-28-42, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
- Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.
When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
- Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
- Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Pennsylvania
Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania Helps Homeowners Protect Their Investment Across Generations » NCRC
For the past 17 years, the Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania (AHCOPA) has provided a range of programs designed to build wealth within low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. AHCOPA provides services to approximately 3,000 people each year via their pre-purchase, post-purchase and mortgage prevention counseling programs.
When Kenneth Bigos joined AHCOPA as their Executive Director in 2013, he set out to expand the organization’s offerings beyond first-time homeownership counseling services. He identified estate planning as an urgent need for the region’s LMI communities as well.
A 2022 Consumer Reports survey found that 77% of Black and 82% of Hispanic Americans do not have a will in place, which is needed to ensure that their home investment continues to build generational wealth. Consequently, the state court steps in upon the owner’s passing to decide how assets will be distributed, with property not being able to be transferred to an heir until that lengthy process is complete. In Philadelphia alone, there are approximately 10,000 properties with titles that have not been legally settled.
In response to this, AHCOPA launched the Will Power program in 2022 by leveraging existing relationships with pro-bono lawyers in the creation of wills and trusts for community members. The program has created an opportunity to serve a larger portion of Philadelphia’s population.
While the first-time homebuyer program initially attracted people in their mid-30s, Will Power participants are generally in their late 60s, prompting AHCOPA to think about what housing support looks like across an individual’s lifetime.
“Elderly households are more vulnerable,” Bigos said. “To reach these homeowners, we had to develop relationships with trusted agencies, such as senior centers, churches and other institutions that we would not typically work with in our first-time homebuyer program.”
As a result of that work, AHCOPA marked a major milestone in October 2025: the signing of 1,000 wills. Thanks to the success of Will Power and the first-time homebuyer program, AHCOPA has solidified its reputation as the go-to financial advisor for working-class residents.
Looking ahead, they are planning to add a new program designed to support people beyond the initial purchase of their home, which will include coaching to help owners develop their financial literacy. This would encompass how to build savings to buy a first home and avoid foreclosure in the event of a crisis.
For Bigos, NCRC membership is key to ensuring the success of these programs, especially in terms of organizing at the federal, state and local levels advocating for continued funding.
“Engaging with decision makers is very important and being an NCRC member has helped facilitate those relationships,” Bigos said. “Their support has been very impactful.”
Jesse Rhodes is a Contributing Writer.
Photo courtesy of the AHCOPA team.
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