***☀️Limited Summer Posting Schedule😎 ***

In Today’s Issue of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🚨 Dog Dies Defending 12-Year-Old in West Chester

🥤 Wawa Mourns Dick Wood, the CEO Who Turned a Regional Chain Into a Household Name

🚜 AgConnect's 2026 Farm Guide Celebrates 250 Years of Chester County Agriculture

🛟 Red Cross Blood Drive Comes to West Chester

🏘️ Local Real Estate Listings

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

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WEST CHESTER, PA — A West Chester family is mourning their dog, Durkio, a five-year-old emotional support animal who died after what they describe as an effort to protect a 12-year-old girl from a dog attack. The incident occurred Monday evening on the 200 block of South Matlack Street, after the girl had taken Durkio for a walk and stopped outside her apartment to see friends. Surveillance video reviewed by the family shows an unleashed dog repeatedly approaching the girl as she tried to move away while holding Durkio, before the larger dog grabbed him and an attack ensued. The girl's mothers, alerted by screaming, separated the animals and rushed Durkio to a veterinarian, where he was found to have severe spinal damage and neck wounds. He was later euthanized. Police responded initially, and the case was passed to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, which says the other dog is not currently in its custody and that no charges have been filed. The family says they plan to pursue charges against the other dog's owner, arguing that owners are responsible for their pets' behavior regardless of breed. The investigation is ongoing.

WAWA, PA — Richard D. "Dick" Wood Jr., who led Wawa for more than 50 years and helped turn it into one of the nation's largest privately held companies, died July 10 at his Chester Heights home at age 88. Wood joined the company in 1970 as its first general counsel and rose to president, CEO, and eventually chairman, guiding Wawa's growth from a regional dairy operator into a chain of more than 900 stores across six states with 36,000 employees. He introduced 24-hour operations and gas sales, expanded into new markets, and created the company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 1992, which today gives associates roughly 38 percent ownership of the company. Colleagues remember him for a servant-leadership style that put employees first, along with extensive philanthropy, including major support for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Bok Tower Gardens. Wawa and its foundation have donated more than $200 million to charity during his tenure. To honor his legacy, the company will expand its associate scholarship program and offer free community admission days at Bok Tower Gardens, and will give away free coffee at all locations on July 20. Wood was preceded in death by his wife and is survived by his two children.

EXTON, PA — AgConnect has published its 2026 Chester County Farm Guide, a commemorative edition released in conjunction with the nation's 250th anniversary. The guide highlights more than 125 local farms, farmers markets, farm stores and agricultural businesses, while also tracing the county's agricultural history from the colonial period to today. This year's edition includes profiles of the county's Farmer of the Year and Distinguished Service to Agriculture award recipients, introduces the inaugural Best of Chester County Agriculture winners, and spotlights three farms that have operated continuously since colonial times, along with recipes from that era. Alongside the printed guide, AgConnect has rolled out an enhanced digital flipbook for browsing on computers and mobile devices, as well as an updated interactive, map-based tool that helps residents locate farms and seasonal products throughout the county. The release builds on other AgConnect initiatives, including its Farmers Market Trail program and a new "As Seen in the Chester County Farm Guide" stamp designed to help shoppers identify participating local producers. Free printed copies of the guide are available at farms, markets, libraries, welcome centers and community events across Chester County, and the digital edition can be viewed anytime at go-agconnect.org.

WEST CHESTER, PA — The American Red Cross, in partnership with Good Fellowship Ambulance Corporation, will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, July 21, from 12 to 5 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Practical Room at 600 Montgomery Ave. in West Chester. Community members are encouraged to schedule appointments ahead of time by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering the sponsor code "LSL Chester County." The Red Cross is especially seeking eligible type O, B-negative and A-negative donors, who may qualify for a Power Red donation — a method that collects a higher concentration of red blood cells, the most frequently transfused blood component. Donors can speed up their visit by completing the RapidPass pre-donation questionnaire online in advance at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass, saving up to 15 minutes at the appointment. As a thank-you, anyone who donates blood between July 13 and July 31 will receive a Fandango movie reward by email, good for a free movie, with details available at rcblood.org/july

Coming Soon:
522 LYANNA WAY Downingtown ($454,900)
524 LYANNA WAY Downingtown ($464,900)
7 CARRIAGE DR Downingtown ($695,000)
503 HIGHLAND AVE Downingtown ($330,000)
3356 ALYDAR RD Downingtown ($649,900)
615 TYRION LN Downingtown ($446,990)
617 TYRION LN Downingtown ($459,990)
27 LINCOLN DR Downingtown ($620,000)

Just Listed:
1256 S RED MAPLE WAY Downingtown ($520,000)
1 LYNN BLVD Downingtown ($330,000)
257 SUGAR MAPLE SQ Downingtown ($515,000)
334 WASHINGTON AVE Downingtown ($550,000)
100 LINDA CIR Downingtown ($850,000) Open Fri 4PM-6PM
8 LONG DR Downingtown ($675,000) Open Sat 1PM-3PM
218 BRIARS RUN DR Downingtown ($575,000)
231 PROSPECT AVE Downingtown ($375,000)
46 MULLIGAN CT Downingtown ($589,900)
605 HUNTINGTON DR Downingtown ($799,900)
226 N CALDWELL CIR Downingtown ($720,000)
587 TRIFECTA RD Downingtown ($718,500)
45 BUTTERWORTH CT Downingtown ($1,050,000)
265 SUGAR MAPLE SQ Downingtown ($484,900)
217 SEVEN SPRINGS LN Downingtown ($849,900) Open Wed 5PM-7PM
49 LOCKS FARM LN Downingtown ($585,000)
430 CREEK RD Downingtown ($475,000)
823 S HAINES CIR Downingtown ($749,900)
443 HALLMAN CT Downingtown ($750,000)

See more listings at ChesterCountyRealty.com

INSTANT HOME VALUE CLICK HERE

Upcoming local events…

Connections Night at The Borough (Downingtown) - July 16, 6pm-8pm

Strikeouts for Katie (DWLL) - July 18, 7am

Insect Safari (Bondsville Mill Park) - July 19, 1pm-2:30pm

West Brandywine Movie Night (Broadrun Park) - July 23, 8:30pm

16th Annual Bats for Matt Softball Tournament - July 25-26, 6pm

The Amazing Spaghetti Magic Show (Shadyside Park) - July 30, 6:30pm

Uwchlan Community Day (Lionville Park) - August 1, 4pm-9pm

CF Kidz Family Night Out (Downingtown) - August 7, 5pm-8pm

Old Fiddlers’ Picnic (Hibernia Park) - August 8, 10am-4pm

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Catch up on previous issues…