🚒 Firetruck For Sale | 🚔 Blue Envelope Program | 🧑‍💼 County Human Relations Commission | ⚖️ County Anti-Discrimination Law | & more

In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🚒 Downingtown Fire Truck For Sale

🚔 Upper Uwchlan Police Join Blue Envelope Program

🧑‍💼 Chester County Creates First Human Relations Commission

⚖️ Chester County Approves New LGBT Discrimination Law

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Good2Know in Chester County

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

🔎 Support Local Downingtown Businesses

Borough’s Bright Yellow Fire Truck Could Be Yours — for the Right Price

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — As part of its ongoing equipment modernization, the Downingtown Fire Department is auctioning off two retired fire engines — a 1998 yellow Spartan/RD Murray Pumper and a 1994 red Spartan/Saulsbury Pumper. The yellow engine, known for its unique color choice dating back to the 1960s, has attracted strong interest with bids topping $11,000. The sale comes as the borough introduces two new Pierce fire engines, each ordered in 2022 and delivered this year amid rising costs and extended wait times for new apparatus. The auction ends Sept. 26, with proceeds going to the borough.

Upper Uwchlan Police Join Blue Envelope Program for Neurodiverse Drivers

UPPER UWCHLAN TWP — The Upper Uwchlan Police Department is now participating in the Blue Envelope program, a countywide initiative designed to improve interactions between police and individuals with autism or communication challenges. The program, spearheaded by the Chester County Chiefs of Police Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, offers free blue envelopes that signal to officers that a driver may require a different approach during traffic stops. Envelopes can be picked up at the police department Monday through Friday, and additional support services are available to residents with special needs.

Chester County Creates First Human Relations Commission

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County has established its first Human Relations Commission, following a 2–1 vote by the Board of Commissioners. The new body is designed to ensure countywide protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Commissioners Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz supported the ordinance, while Commissioner Eric Roe opposed it.

While several Chester County municipalities already have local ordinances in place, the new county-level commission will provide broader and more consistent enforcement and serve as a resource where no local jurisdiction exists. The volunteer commission will consist of seven to 13 members, and applications will be accepted starting September 26 via the county’s website.Share the newsletter

In Divided Vote, Chester County Approves New LGBT Discrimination Law

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County’s Board of Commissioners has voted to enact a nondiscrimination ordinance that explicitly includes gender identity and sexual orientation among its protected categories. The ordinance, passed 2–1 along party lines, also creates a Human Relations Commission to oversee claims of discrimination in housing, employment, and public spaces.

The decision makes Chester County the first in the Philadelphia suburbs to adopt such explicit protections. The meeting drew emotional testimony from residents and advocates, many of whom described the measure as a critical safeguard amid growing concerns over federal rollbacks of LGBTQ rights.

While Democratic Commissioners Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz supported the ordinance as a necessary step toward equality and inclusion, Republican Commissioner Eric Roe opposed it, citing concerns over cost and legal redundancy.

Good 2 Know in Chester County | Ep 12 | Kathy Cole, Peonies & Lilacs

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Jenny Leigh sits down with Kathy Cole, founder of Peonies & Lilacs, a backyard flower farm bringing locally grown bouquets and seasonal arrangements to Chester County. In this warm conversation Kathy shares how a hobby became a business after making heartfelt arrangement videos for her mom, how she grows for cutting (not just for curb appeal), her sustainable practices, the beloved “petal drop” community gift program, holiday evergreen offerings, and upcoming community events and fundraisers.

Upcoming local events…

Money Matters and Stewardship for Teens (Downingtown) - Sept 25, 6:30pm-8pm

Gay Street Open-Air Market (West Chester) - Sept 26, 8pm-11:45pm

Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Downingtown) - Sept 27, 9am-1pm

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

Cider Fest At The Mill (Chester Springs) - Sept 27, 10am-4pm

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

Art in The Park (Caln) - Sept 27, 1pm-3pm

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

Cmac’s 8th Choo Choo (West Chester) - Sept 27, 4:30pm-9:30pm

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

Pawpaw Festival at Bondsville Mill Park (Downingtown) - Sept 28, 11am-1pm

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

Designer Bag Bingo (Wagontown) - Sept 28, 12pm-5pm

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

October Coffee Chat (Downingtown) - Oct 1, 7:30am

Solar Viewing with the Astronomical Society (Pottstown) - Oct 4, 10:30am-1:30pm

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

East Brandywine Fall Festival (EB Community Park) - Oct 5, 12pm-3pm

Coatesville Star Party (Coatesville) - Oct 10, 6:30pm-9pm

St. Pauls Pop-up Thrift Store (Exton) - Oct 11, 8pm-2pm4

The FANGtastic Life of Bats (Springton Manor Farm) - Oct 11, 9pm-10:30am

Food Truck and Music Festival (East Goshen) - Oct 11, 2pm-5:30pm

Downingtown Fall Arts Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 11, 3pm-6pm

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

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

Hibernia Dam Walking Tours (Coatesville) - Oct 23, 2 & 3:30pm, Oct 25, 9am & 10:30am

Catch up on previous issues…