🏥 Hospital Sales May Require State Approval | 🥾 Lace Up for Nature | 🐮 Creamery Grant

In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🏥 Proposed Law Would Require State Approval Before Hospital Sales

🥾 Lace Up for Nature: Wallace Trust 5K Hits the Trails April 26

🐮 $1 Million Grant to Restore Kennett Square’s Historic Creamery

🍫 NTSB Blames Cracked Gas Fitting, Safety Gaps in West Reading Factory Explosion

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

🏡 Just Listed Real Estate Listings

🔎 Local Business Finder

Proposed Law Would Require State Approval Before Hospital Sales

HARRISBURG, PA — In response to the closures of Jennersville and Brandywine Hospitals, Chester County lawmakers have introduced legislation requiring state oversight before a hospital can be sold. The bill mandates that the Pennsylvania Department of Health conduct reviews, hold public hearings, and evaluate the impact on local healthcare services prior to approving any sale. The effort is aimed at preventing disruptions to care and ensuring communities are not left without vital services due to sudden closures, but could also deter potential hospital investment in the area. The legislation also includes provisions for greater pricing transparency from hospitals, reflecting growing public demand for accountability in the healthcare system.

Lace Up for Nature: Wallace Trust 5K Hits the Trails April 26

GLENMOORE, PA — The Wallace Trust 5K returns for its fourth year on Saturday, April 26, at Wagenseller Park in Glenmoore. Featuring a professionally timed 5K race and a non-competitive one-mile walk, the event welcomes runners, walkers, families, and even pets to enjoy the scenic course while supporting local conservation efforts. Participants who register by April 21 will receive event t-shirts, and medals will be awarded to top finishers across various age groups. With refreshments served afterward, the event continues to be a local favorite blending fitness, fun, and environmental advocacy. Register online

$1 Million Grant to Restore Kennett Square’s Historic Creamery

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — The Creamery of Kennett Square, a historic 19,000-square-foot building in the Birch Street District, is set for restoration following a $1 million grant from the state’s Main Street Matters program. The funding, announced this week, will go toward preserving the structure and enhancing the area’s economic vitality. Led by the nonprofit Square Roots Community Partnership, the project aims to turn the Creamery into a hub for community events, tourism, and small business development. The restoration is expected to support Kennett Square’s broader downtown revitalization efforts and reinforce its reputation as a cultural and economic destination.

NTSB Blames Cracked Gas Fitting, Safety Gaps in West Reading Factory Explosion

READING, PA — The National Transportation Safety Board has concluded its investigation into the March 2023 explosion at the R.M. Palmer chocolate factory in West Reading, which left seven dead and ten injured. The final report blames a cracked plastic gas fitting—long known to be prone to failure—and a lack of safety preparedness for the fatal incident. Despite being retired in 2021, the defective part remained connected to the active gas system, leaking natural gas into the building. The report also criticizes the absence of gas alarms, unclear emergency protocols, and delayed evacuations. The NTSB issued nearly 20 recommendations targeting federal agencies, utility companies, and employers to strengthen oversight of gas systems and improve workplace safety standards. Palmer officials said they are reviewing the findings and remain committed to improving safety.

130 S LLOYD AVE Downingtown ($1,690,000)

926 KINGS ARMS DR Downingtown ($625,000)

390 MARY ST Downingtown ($450,000)

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