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In Today’s Issue of Downingtown Local Pulse…
☀️ Downingtown PA Weather
🚨 County Prosecutors Target Child Exploitation
🛍️ Judge Hears Arguments Over Rejection of Exton Mall Redevelopment Plan
🏆 Uwchlan Township EAC Member Named Chester County's Volunteer of the Year
🦺 Chester County Invites Residents to Volunteer This April as Nation Prepares for Its 250th
🎙️ Latest Podcast Episode “Good2Know in Chester County”
🏘️ Local Real Estate Listings
🗓️ Upcoming Local Events
County Prosecutors Target Child Exploitation With New Arrest and Landmark Sentencing
WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County District Attorney's Office released its weekly update this week, highlighting two serious cases involving crimes against children.
In the first case, David Rosa, 54, of West Chester, was charged on April 2 with possession of child sexual abuse material after Chester County Detectives received 24 cyber-tip reports through the Delaware County ICAC Task Force. The tips, flagged by Google, pointed to six Gmail accounts containing hundreds of images and videos depicting the abuse of young children. Rosa was arraigned and held at Chester County Prison on $200,000 cash bail, with a preliminary hearing set for April 10. Investigators continue working to identify the victims and are asking the public to contact Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866 with any relevant information.
In the second case, Kevin Pethtel, 55, of Spring City, was sentenced to 40 to 80 years in state prison after pleading guilty in November 2025 to trafficking, sexually abusing, and providing drugs to multiple teenage girls. Pethtel was originally arrested in 2023, but investigators uncovered additional victims during the course of the inquiry. His crimes took place across three counties and included coercing victims with methamphetamine and fentanyl, demanding sexual acts in exchange for drugs, and — in at least one instance — injecting a victim with fentanyl before assaulting her.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe has emphasized both the bravery of the victims and the office's continued commitment to prosecuting crimes against children.
Judge Hears Arguments Over West Whiteland's Rejection of Exton Mall Redevelopment Plan
EXTON, PA — A West Chester judge this week heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by Abrams Realty & Development after West Whiteland Township rejected its proposal to redevelop the Exton Square Mall into a mixed-use residential and retail complex. The developer's attorney argued that Abrams met all zoning requirements, while the township defended its right to deny the project over traffic, sewage, and emergency services concerns. Judge Sarah Black has yet to rule.
Uwchlan Township EAC Member Named Chester County's Volunteer of the Year
UWCHLAN TWP — Uwchlan Township's Jim Warihay has been named Volunteer of the Year by Keep Chester County Beautiful, a countywide affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in recognition of his sustained environmental contributions to the community.
Warihay, who serves on the township's Environmental Advisory Council, coordinated six Adopt-a-Highway clean-up events in 2025, during which volunteers collected more than 100 bags of roadside debris — predominantly single-use plastics, water bottles, tissues, and cigarette butts. The next clean-up is planned for Sunday, April 19, at 8:30 a.m. at the Spark Hotel in Exton, with registration available at [email protected].
Beyond highway cleanup efforts, Warihay is an active steward of the pollinator gardens at Baird Park through the Heart of Uwchlan project, an initiative founded in 2019 to introduce native plantings, expand biodiversity, and encourage sustainable gardening practices among township residents. The project has accumulated more than 1,900 volunteer hours since it began and contributed to the planting of 100 trees through the TreeVitalize program in 2023.
Warihay was formally recognized with a certificate presented by Chester County Commissioners Eric Roe, Josh Maxwell, and Marian Moskowitz. Jahaco owners Amy and Jeff Burke were also acknowledged for their work partnering with Keep Chester County Beautiful on campaign sign recycling.
Chester County Invites Residents to Volunteer This April as Nation Prepares for Its 250th
WEST CHESTER, PA — In recognition of both National Volunteer Month and the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, Chester County is calling on residents to roll up their sleeves and help beautify their communities this spring.
Keep Chester County Beautiful and Chesco250 have teamed up to coordinate a range of volunteer opportunities, from park cleanups and tree plantings to historic preservation and local event support. The initiatives reflect a broader theme of civic engagement at a moment when the county — and the country — is looking back on 250 years of community-building.
Residents who want to take part can explore upcoming events and sign up through the Chester County Planning Commission's website at chescoplanning.org/Environmental/KCCB/A250.cfm.
Good 2 Know in Chester County with Jenny Leigh | Season 2 | ep 2 Whitewall Farms Events
DOWNINGTOWN, PA — On the latest episode of Good to Know in Chester County, host Jenny Leigh of VRA Realty sat down with Gen Shaut and her daughter Natalia to share the story behind Whitewall Farm Events in Honeybrook — a stunning 285-year-old bank barn set on nearly 34 acres that is quickly becoming one of Chester County's most unique event spaces. In just under a year, the Shaut family has hosted weddings, corporate leadership retreats, birthday parties, fall festivals, and more, all while running Fairview Equestrian, a thriving lesson and IEA program serving students from Downingtown, Coatesville, Twin Valley, Shanahan, and beyond. With rolling fields, 32 horses, and a family-first approach to everything they do, Whitewall Farm is so much more than an event venue — it's a true Chester County gem. Catch the full conversation on the Good to Know in Chester County podcast with Jenny Leigh.
Subscribe for more local content at all podcast apps or on Spotify and Youtube
Market Snapshot for Downingtown
Price Reduced:
121 FOUR LEAF DR Downingtown ($565,000)
122 AMERICAN Downingtown ($650,000)
1003 TRAVIS CT Downingtown ($789,000)
798 SOUTHWIND LN Downingtown ($860,000)
Just Listed:
408 CHESTERFIELD DR Downingtown ($435,000)
12 LILA LN Downingtown ($624,900)
25 N TOMPKINS SQ Downingtown ($689,000) *Open Sat 11am-1pm
100 TROWBRIDGE LN Downingtown ($730,000)
Active:
3817 HAZELWOOD AVE Downingtown ($375,000)
390 MARY ST Downingtown ($490,000)
120 ARDEN WAY Downingtown ($615,000)
19 PONDS END DR Downingtown ($615,000)
1026 HALTER RD Downingtown ($739,900)
923 STABLE WAY Downingtown ($770,000) *Open Sun 1pm-3pm
735 APPALOOSA RD Downingtown ($849,900)
34 BUTTERWORTH CT Downingtown ($850,000)
313 S CALDWELL CIR Downingtown ($850,000)
1464 W STONINGTON Downingtown ($1,199,999)
580 REEDS RD Downingtown ($1,700,000)
Coming Soon:
3813 NORWOOD AVE Downingtown ($275,000)
22 HILLCREST DR Downingtown ($399,000) *Open Sat 10:30am-12:30pm
1307 PARK VIEW LN Downingtown ($550,000)
10 LOCKS FARM LN Downingtown ($575,000) *Open Fri 5pm-6pm
266 ARTERS WAY Downingtown ($840,000)
32 DOMINIC DR Downingtown ($899,000)
See more listings at ChesterCountyRealty.com
INSTANT HOME VALUE CLICK HERE
Upcoming local events…
Downingtown Cars and Coffee (Downingtown) - April 11, 9am-11am
Managing Problematic Plants in the Garden (Springton Manor) - April 11, 11am-12pm
Downingtown Farmers’ Market - April 11, 10am-12pm
Pack a Mommie Box (Downingtown) - April 11, 10am
Seed Library Opening and Seed Swap (Chester Springs) - April 11, 10am-1pm
Downingtown Main St Clean Up - April 11, 10am-1pm
Strut Your Mutt Spring Festival (Glenmoore) - April 11, 10am-2pm
B.A.R.K. Ranger (Hibernia Park) - April 11, 1pm-2pm
Connection Exchange Networking Event (Downingtown) - April 16, 9am-10am
Save Connor Designer Purse Bingo (Downingtown) - April 20, 5:30pm
Downingtown Farmers’ Market - April 25, 10am-12pm
Shred Event East Caln/Downingtown - May 2, 9am-12pm
Founding Fathers Historic House and Garden Tea Party $ (Caln) - May 9, 1pm-4pm
The Ledbetters and Superunknown- Tributes to Pearl Jam and Christ Cornell $ (Phoenixville) - May 16, 8pm
46th Annual Chester County Antique Car Club Car Show (Downingtown) - May 23, 10am-2pm
Kerr Park Gallery Walk (Downingtown) - May 31, 11am-2pm
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