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  • 🍽️ Hoagie Gurus Lunch Event | 🚨 Failed Prison Break Attempt | 🚨 Furniture Store Owner Pleads Guilty

🍽️ Hoagie Gurus Lunch Event | 🚨 Failed Prison Break Attempt | 🚨 Furniture Store Owner Pleads Guilty

Downingtown Local Pulse Issue Sept 4th, 2025

Author

Chesco Sean
04 Sep

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In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

🤪 Joke of the day 😆

Why did the picture go to jail?

(Answer Below…)

Celebrating the Hoagie Tradition: Lorenzo’s Hosts Inaugural Hoagie Gurus Community Event

WEST CHESTER, PA — On Saturday, September 6, hoagie lovers are invited to the inaugural “Hoagie Gurus” event held from noon to 3 p.m. at Lorenzo’s Steaks & Hoagies in West Chester. The event, organized by fans of the iconic sandwich, brings together community members for an afternoon of hoagie appreciation. Attendees will be able to pre‑order selections and partake in a lineup of expertly crafted Italian-style hoagies from a renowned local spot. Beyond celebrating regional culinary culture, the event serves a philanthropic purpose: a portion of all proceeds will go to Project Purple, supporting efforts in pancreatic cancer awareness and research. More info in the Hoagie Gurus Facebook Group

Chester County Inmate Apprehended in Failed Prison Break

POCOPSON TWP — Authorities in Chester County are investigating an attempted escape at Chester County Prison that occurred on September 3, 2025. Prison staff quickly apprehended the inmate before they could breach the perimeter, and all other inmates remain accounted for. Officials confirmed there is no ongoing danger to the community. This marks the first known escape attempt since the 2023 incident involving convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante, whose flight from the same facility led to a two-week regional manhunt. In the wake of that event, the prison implemented stronger security measures that officials say contributed to the swift containment of this latest incident.

Furniture Store Owner Pleads Guilty in Chester County Fraud Case

Article Couch

FRAZER, PA — Matthew Kaplan, 56, of Abington, has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges in a long-running consumer fraud case involving his now-defunct business, M. Kaplan Interiors, formerly located in Frazer. Between 2018 and 2022, Kaplan accepted large deposits from at least 15 customers—some of them elderly—for high-end furniture that was never delivered. Prosecutors say he also issued refund checks that bounced. The total amount lost by victims is estimated at more than $230,000. Kaplan entered an open plea in Chester County Court and awaits sentencing. His wife, Margaret Kaplan, faces similar charges in a separate, ongoing case.

West Whiteland Police Arrest Man in Deadly DUI Collision

Anukul Damodaran

EXTON, PA — West Whiteland Township Police have charged Anukul Damodaran, 38, in connection with a fatal DUI-related crash that occurred on the 500 block of North Ship Road in Exton. Damodaran was arrested on August 24 and faces several charges including homicide by vehicle while DUI, DUI general impairment, endangering the welfare of children, and multiple reckless driving offenses. Authorities allege he was impaired and driving at an unsafe speed when the crash occurred. The identity of the victim has not been released. Damodaran is currently awaiting legal proceedings and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Two New Ways for Local Businesses to Shine in the Downingtown Local Pulse

Downingtown is built on the strength of its small businesses — the shops, restaurants, services, and makers that give our community its unique character. Now, there are two new ways for those businesses to get in front of thousands of engaged local readers through the Downingtown Local Pulse.

We’re introducing two promotional programs designed to give businesses year-round visibility and meaningful connections with our audience:

1. Partner Program

This package gives businesses a featured listing in our Local Business Directory, making it easy for residents to find and support you. Partners also receive:

  • A monthly Business Spotlight article that tells your story.

  • A pinned article on our website for maximum visibility.

  • Exposure to our massive Facebook audience, with each feature shared across our highly engaged social channels.

2. Patron Program

For businesses ready to take their visibility to the next level, the Patron Program includes everything in the Partner Program plus:

  • A top-level ad placement one issue a month, ensuring your brand stays front and center.

Both programs are built to keep your business in the local conversation month after month — not just as an ad, but as a valued part of the community’s story.

Whether you’re a family-run shop, a growing startup, or a well-established local favorite, these programs offer an affordable way to boost your visibility while supporting the Downingtown Local Pulse’s mission to celebrate the people and businesses that make our town special.

Building Business by Building Trust: Free Trade Networking’s Local Impact

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — In this episode, Jenny Leigh sits down with Pat Dicola, the visionary behind Free Trade Networking. Launched during the pandemic, Free Trade has grown from a small Zoom group into more than 30 in-person chapters across the region, including Downingtown. Unlike traditional networking groups, Free Trade emphasizes collaboration over quotas, one-member-per-category chapters, and strong ties to local nonprofits. The result is a community of small business owners who not only support each other but also give back—making Free Trade a fast-growing hub for both business and service in Chester County.

Upcoming local events…

Hoagie Gurus Lunch Event (West Chester) - Sept 6, 12pm-3pm

Pepper Palooza Downingtown (Kerr Park) - Sept 6, 9am-1pm

East Fallowfield Touch-a-Truck (East Fallowfield) - Sept 6, 10am-1pm

Chester County Catalina Wine Mixer (East Goshen) - Sept 6, 2pm

Labor and the Early PA Iron Industry (Pottstown) - Sept 6, 2pm-3:30pm

Hickory Park Teen Fest (Upper Uwchlan) - Sept 6, 2pm-5pm

17th Annual Caln Community Day (Thorndale) - Sept 6th, 3pm-8pm

Hot Wings N’ Wheels (Thorndale) - Sept 6th, 12pm-4pm

Cars and Coffee and Donuts (Downingtown) - Sept 13, 9am-11am

Kids’ Day in the Park (Bell Tavern Park) - Sept 13, 10am

Chesco Air Fest and Valley Day (Chester County Airport) - Sept 13, 11am-6pm

Corn Hole Benefit for Vets (Downingtown) - Sept 13, 1pm

Moondawgs Band at Shamona Creek Park (Uwchlan) - Sept 13, 5pm

Downingtown Library Horror Trivia Night (Downingtown) - Sept 19, 6:30pm-9:30pm

Chester County Art Walk (East Goshen Park) - Sept 27, 10am-4pm

Oktoberfest 2025 (West Chester) - Sept 27, 11am-5pm

VFW First Annual Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Sept 27, 2pm (ticketed)

Drive Out Hunger (Downingtown) - Sept 28, 11am-3pm

Kidz Town Fall Fest (CFC Downingtown) - Sept 28, 9:30am-11am

Road to LionCage (Downingtown) - Sept 30, 4pm-7pm

Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 8:30am-2pm

Jeeps and Java! (West Chester) - Oct 5, 8am-12pm

Downingtown Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 11am-4pm

October Cruse for the Troops (Exton) - Oct 11, 5pm

Exton Park Fall Fest (Exton) - Oct 18, 11am-3pm


House Cleaning

🤪 Joke of the day 😆

Why was the broom so confident?

Because it swept the competition. 🧹

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