Coatesville police officer Claude J. Simpkins was arrested for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old boy whom he believed had been selling drugs near the cop's Westtown home.

Click here for the story. To check out a copy of criminal complaint, visit Jennifer Miller's Chester County Cops blog.

The last day of classes in the Coatesville Area School District also marked the final day for Gordon Elementary.

The school is closing as part of a cost-saving plan by the district, but the building will reopen in September as the Gordon Education Center, dedicated to serving special education students in grades six through 10.

Richard Legree Sr., the now former chairman of the Coatesville Republican Party, is not happy about losing his seat leading the GOP's Area 14 , covering Coatesville, South Coatesville, Modena and Valley.

From Monday's story:

“After some changes in the local area Coatesville committee in the April election, secret back-room dealings resulted in my replacement as area chairman of the Coatesville Republicans,” Legree said in a prepared statement sent to the Daily Local News late last week.

“It is clear that certain individuals, including prominent lawyers, were behind this move,” Legree’s statement says, “and that their actions are a prime example of the kind of self-interested power politics that has led to the recent low standing of the Republican Party at the local, state and national levels.”

A copy of Legree's entire statement can be viewed here.

Legree is being succeeded by Eric Brown, an attorney from the law firm Siana, Bellwoar and McAndrew.

Also, for the old-fashioned types who still like getting their fingers black with newsprint , you probably missed following paragraphs that had been lopped off the end of the print editions:

Legree also hinted that whatever he does next, it might not be as a member of the Republican Party.

“I have been asked about my interest in becoming District Justice after the upcoming age-mandated retirement of the Hon. Robert Davis (who presides over the city’s district court),” Legree said. “I believe such inquiries are speculative and premature, and I have no comment on this subject at this time.”

Legree works as a constable in Davis’ courtroom.

“I have also been asked whether I plan to leave the Republican Party and join the Democrats,” Legree said. “I have many people asking me for and about many things. However, I have not considered this matter in depth and will not comment further at the moment.”

Aside from this occasion, Legree has been tangled in controversy before, both criminally and politically.

In the late 1970s, he served 17 months in prison after being found guilty of selling heroin. Later, his arrest proved to be a case of mistaken identity and the conviction was overturned.

Twelve years later, Legree was charged with insurance fraud and theft for allegedly illegally collecting disability compensation. That case was dismissed in district court, and two years later his record was expunged.

Most recently, questions arose after it was discovered Legree, who holds no official job with Coatesville, was present during at least one meeting more than a year ago between City Manager Harry Walker and a candidate for Coatesville’s police chief.

The candidate for top cop, a Philadelphia police lieutenant who ultimately was not hired, has said Legree, formerly a sergeant with the Valley police, pressured him to hire Legree and fire two of city police lieutenants, if he were selected to be chief. The Philadelphia officer said he refused to make such promises.