🚨 Dog Euthanized After Years of Attacks | 🥶 Extreme Cold Warning | 🤖 Library to Host Robotics Workshop |💡 WCU Biz Idea Challenge

In Today’s Issue of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🚨 Downingtown Dog Euthanized After Years of Attacks

🥶 Extreme Cold Warning Issued for Chester County

🤖 Henrietta Hankin Library to Host Robotics Workshop for Middle School Students

💡 West Chester University Opens Business Idea Challenge With $11,500 in Prizes

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

🔎 Support Local Downingtown Businesses

Downingtown Dog Euthanized After Years of Attacks; Owner Faces Charges

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A Downingtown dog with a history of four documented attacks since 2023 was euthanized last week after biting a 4-year-old boy in November. The child required stitches after the animal broke through a fence and attacked him in his backyard. While the owner agreed to euthanize the dog on the day of a court hearing, three other dogs remain at the residence, all with documented attacks on people and animals. Neighbors say they continue to feel unsafe, and additional charges are pending after the remaining dogs escaped and injured a man in January. The owner also faces citations for rabies vaccination and licensing violations.

Extreme Cold Warning Issued for Chester County Through Sunday

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County will face dangerous weather conditions this weekend as an extreme cold warning takes effect Saturday and continues through Sunday, accompanied by a wind advisory for Saturday. The Chester County Department of Emergency Services issued the alert as temperatures plunge and strong winds create hazardous conditions across the region.

For residents who are struggling to find adequate shelter during the freezing temperatures, emergency services officials are directing them to call 211 for assistance. The helpline can connect individuals with warming centers and other emergency resources. Additional safety information and cold weather preparedness tips are available on the county's emergency services website and through Pennsylvania's ready.pa.gov portal.

Henrietta Hankin Library to Host Robotics Workshop for Middle School Students

CHESER SPRINGS, PA — The Henrietta Hankin Branch Library will offer a robotics workshop for middle school students on Thursday, Feb. 19, as part of its monthly STEAM 11-12-13 educational series. The program, scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m., will give students aged 11 to 13 the chance to explore robotics using Cubelets, a modular construction system.

During the hour-long session, participants will work in pairs to design and build steering robots capable of turning both left and right. The Cubelets system uses magnetic blocks, each with different functions, that snap together to create functioning robots. If time permits during the workshop, students will have the opportunity to redesign their robots to solve mazes, adding an additional layer of complexity to the challenge.
Register Online

West Chester University Opens Business Idea Challenge With $11,500 in Prizes

WEST CHESER, PA — West Chester University has opened registration for its 14th annual Business Idea Challenge, a competition designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs by providing funding, feedback and connections to investors and business advisors. The contest is accepting submissions through Feb. 28 and will award more than $11,000 in prizes.

The competition welcomes ideas from WCU undergraduates, graduate students, alumni, faculty, staff, early-stage startups, and Chester County high school students, with each group competing in separate tracks. Eligible concepts must be uncommercializedideas that could form the basis of a new business, whether for products, services or technology.

Co-hosted by the University's Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the challenge aims to foster innovation and help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market. Meridian Bank is serving as the presenting sponsor, with additional support from SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties and i2n, part of the Chester County Economic Development Council.

Upcoming local events…

Chester County Networking Monthly WC Happy Hour (West Chester) - Feb 10th, 5pm-7pm

Monthly VRA Realty Investors Meetup (West Chester) - Feb 11, 6:45pm-8:30pm

Barks, Brews, and Baked Goods (Chester Springs) - Feb 13, 7am-9:30am

WCU Live! presents the Sharpe Family Singers $ (West Chester) - Feb 13, 7pm

Downingtown Farmers Market (Downingtown) - Feb 14, 10am-12pm

Downingtown Repair Cafe (Chester Springs) - Feb 14, 10am-2pm

StrongHER: Women's Self-Defense Seminar (West Chester) - Feb 28, 10am-11:30am

Momprenuers of Chester County Walk & Talk (Exton) - March 7, 7pm-8pm

Coatesville Star Party (Hibernia Park) - March 7, 6pm-8pm

Bluebird Landlord Workshop (Springton Manor Farm) - March 14, 1pm-2pm

Your Business Featured in Downingtown Local Pulse!

Is growing your business on your to-do list for 2026? Here at DLP we have new affordable options for showcasing your message in the most prominent and popular daily newsletter in Downingtown! You can check out our sponsorship options at our online storefront or just reach out by hitting “replay”

Let’s make 2026 your best year yet! 🍾🥳

Catch up on previous issues…