🔥 Gas Leak Forces Evac and Dismissal | 👮‍♂️ West Pikeland Twp New Police Chief | ⛓️‍💥 ‘Forged in Freedom' Exhibit | 🥾 Night Hike at Wolf's Hollow

In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🔥 Gas Leak at Coatesville School Forces Evacuation and Early Dismissal

👮‍♂️ West Pikeland Township Swears In New Police Chief

⛓️‍💥 ‘Forged in Freedom' Display at Henrietta Hankin

🥾 Night Hike at Wolf's Hollow to Celebrate January's Wolf Moon

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

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Gas Leak at Coatesville School Forces Evacuation and Early Dismissal

COATESVILLE, PA — A boiler malfunction caused a natural gas leak at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School on Tuesday, forcing an evacuation and early dismissal. Students were moved to the Senior High School auditorium before being sent home. Fire officials deemed the building unsafe to reoccupy, though repairs were completed by evening. Most afterschool activities were canceled, and the district planned to update families on Wednesday's schedule.

West Pikeland Township Swears In New Police Chief

WEST PIKELAND TWP — West Pikeland Township formalized new leadership for its police department when Chief Goggin took the oath of office at the January 5 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Magisterial District Judge James C. Kovaleski presided over the swearing-in ceremony, which marked the official start of Chief Goggin's tenure leading the township's law enforcement operations. The ceremony was conducted during the board's regular meeting, with supervisors present for the transition.

'Forged in Freedom' Display Examines County's Revolutionary and Abolitionist Legacy

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA — Chester County's Henrietta Hankin Branch Library is hosting a traveling historical exhibition that chronicles the region's significance in American history as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.

"Forged in Freedom: Chester County at 250" presents a sweeping narrative of the county's involvement in transformative moments across two and a half centuries. The exhibition focuses on three major historical periods: the Revolutionary War era, when the county played a strategic role in the fight for independence; the 19th century, when it became a center of abolitionist activity and the struggle to end slavery; and the 20th century, when industrial growth reshaped the region's economy and landscape.

Organized by Chester County Archives and Records Services, the exhibit is part of the broader America250 commemoration marking the semiquicentennial of American independence. The display will remain at the library through January 31, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to explore how local history intersects with national events.

Night Hike at Wolf's Hollow to Celebrate January's Wolf Moon

ATGLEN, PA — Wolf's Hollow County Park will offer a special nighttime hiking experience on January 24, when Ranger Henry leads participants on a four-mile trek under the light of the Wolf Moon, the traditional name for January's full moon.

The moderate-difficulty hike, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m., takes advantage of the full moon to explore the park's trails after dark. The program's timing reflects the cultural tradition of naming each month's full moon, with January's designation stemming from wolf behavior patterns observed during winter months. Wolves are particularly active in January and use howling as a form of communication to locate and coordinate with pack members across cold, snow-covered terrain. Register Online

Upcoming local events…

True Crime Sip and Solve 1920 (Parkesburg) - Jan 9, 6:45pm

Repair Café (Downingtown) - Jan 10, 10am-2pm

West Chester Networking Happy Hour (West Chester) - Jan 13, 5pm-7pm

Monthly VRA Realty Investors Meetup (West Chester) - Jan 14, 6:45pm-8:30pm

Monthly Connection Exchange Networking (Thorndale) - Jan 15, 9am-10am

Chesco Networking Happy Hour (Exton) - Jan 20, 5:30pm-7:30pm

West Chester Professionals Social Networking (West Chester) - Jan 28, 4:30pm-6:30pm

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

Catch up on previous issues…