Latest news with #UpperDarbySchoolDistrict
CBS News
06-08-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Upper Darby School District to buy Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Here's what it wants to do with it.
A long-closed hospital in Pennsylvania County could soon be transformed into an educational space. The Upper Darby School District has agreed to purchase Delaware County Memorial Hospital, which has been vacant for nearly three years. A bankruptcy court recently approved the $600,000 deal. Daniel McGarry, superintendent of Upper Darby School District, called the agreement a major step forward. "It's a big victory for the school district," McGarry said. "It's been a couple years in the making." Upper Darby school officials hope to renovate or potentially demolish the hospital and its adjacent buildings to make room for new classrooms. The plan aims to ease overcrowding at Upper Darby High School, which is next to the hospital, by eventually accommodating up to 1,000 students. But there's a catch. The sale must close by Aug. 13. If it doesn't, the current owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, has the right to back out and abandon the site altogether. Adding to the challenge is the hospital's significant tax burden — nearly $20 million in unpaid taxes — which is currently being addressed in bankruptcy court. It's unclear whether the school district will inherit any of the hospital's tax debt. The long-term cost of converting or replacing the hospital is also still unclear. Not everyone supports the plan. "I think it's great they're thinking outside the box and relieve the overcrowding," Lansdowne resident Eric Aubrey said. "But I believe the hospital needs to remain a hospital." Despite the concerns, McGarry said the district has few other options when it comes to finding space. "I'm sure there's always a chance that a deal could fall through, I don't want to focus on that," McGarry said. "I want to focus on the fact that we are where we are right now. We're going to move this forward in a positive direction." If the deal closes and the district opts not to renovate, demolition of the hospital could begin within months.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- CBS News
Person arrested in shooting of 16-year-old Khalief Webster in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, police say
A person has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, high school student Khalief Webster over the weekend, police said Wednesday. Webster, 16, was a sophomore at Upper Darby High School and played football. Police said the shooting happened just before 3 p.m. Sunday near Long Lane and Pine Street. Upper Darby police will hold a news conference about the arrest at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. You can watch live in the player above or wherever CBS News Philadelphia is streaming. Police had released images from surveillance video asking for tips that would lead to the shooter's arrest. The Upper Darby School District made resources available to students and asked members of the school community to keep all involved in their thoughts and prayers. "We must come together as a community to ensure that people of all ages, especially our youth, feel safe, supported, and valued. Violence is never the answer. We have to do better. And we can do better — together," Mayor Edward Brown said in a statement after the shooting. The suspect's identity was not immediately released Wednesday. This is a developing story and will be updated.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- CBS News
Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, shooting leaves 16-year-old boy dead, police say
A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on Sunday following an argument, police said. The shooting happened just before 3 p.m. in the area of Long Lane and Pine Street, according to police. Police said the 16-year-old and another minor were arguing, which led to the suspect shooting the 16-year-old. The 16-year-old was shot in the lower back, police said. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and pronounced dead, according to police. The 16-year-old's identity hasn't been revealed, but police said they're in "close contact" with the Upper Darby School District to provide "resources and support" for his family, students and staff. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Upper Darby Township Police Department. This is a developing story and will be updated.
