New Shops Confirmed, Commissioners Recognizes Farmers, and Eagles sign WR

In this Downingtown Local Pulse Issue…

🌤️ Downingtown PA Weather

🐔 West Goshen Center Owner Confirms Arrival of Target and Chick-fil-A

🧶 Fall Craft & Vendor Show at Downingtown East High School

🍽️ White Dog Cafe Chester Springs to Open in Exton in Early 2024

🐄 Chester County Recognizes Outstanding Agricultural Leaders in Annual Awards

🚧 Coatesville Completes Extensive Road Repair Projects

🦅 Eagles Sign Veteran Receiver Julio Jones to Bolster Their Roster

🚨 Probation Violation Accusations After Possessing Firearm

🚨 Chester County Man Sentenced to Over 5 Decades in Prison for Assaulting Ex-Girlfriends

📆 Upcoming Local Events

West Goshen Center Owner Confirms Arrival of Target and Chick-fil-A

At a recent board meeting, West Goshen Center owner, Chris Robbins, officially confirmed that a Target store and Chick-fil-A restaurant will be added to the popular mall. The new Target will occupy the former Kmart space, while Chick-fil-A will stand in the southeast corner of the center. The Target store is anticipated to open in early spring 2025 after a year of construction, while Chick-fil-A is expected to open in the third quarter of 2024.

Fall Craft & Vendor Show at Downingtown East High School

Downingtown East High School's Home and School Association is hosting the DEHS Fall Craft & Vendor Show on October 28th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature over 120 local small businesses selling a variety of products, including jewelry, clothing, decorations, treats, art, candles, bath items, and more. There will also be a raffle with over 100 items on display. Admission is $1, which includes a free raffle ticket. Food options will be available from Nacho Depot and Julian's Flavored Mac and Cheese. 

White Dog Cafe Chester Springs to Open in Exton in Early 2024, Blending History and Sustainable Dining

Fearless Restaurants will open White Dog Cafe Chester Springs in early 2024 at 181 Gordon Drive, Exton, a historically significant location that once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The 7,500 square-foot restaurant will employ around 100 people, offering guests local, seasonal, and sustainable cuisine. It will also feature a three-season outdoor dining area and an option for patrons to display their dog's portrait on-site, with proceeds benefiting veterans. The establishment seeks to embrace Exton's history while providing a unique dining experience.

Chester County Recognizes Outstanding Agricultural Leaders in Annual Awards

Chester County Commissioners and members of the Chester County Agricultural Development Council celebrated the achievements of local agricultural leaders at Birchrun Hills Farm in Chester Springs.

Farmers of the Year: The Miller family, including Ken and Sue Miller and their sons Randy and Jesse, received the 2023 Chester County Farmers of the Year award for their remarkable contributions to the local food system, commitment to sustainable farming practices, and successful dairy and cheesemaking business at Birchrun Hills Farm. The family transitioned to cheesemaking in 2006 to secure their farm's future and gained support from various sources to thrive in the challenging industry.

Duncan Allison Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture: Dr. Kevin Hicks, a retired USDA scientist from Malvern, was honored with the Duncan Allison Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture. He has been instrumental in implementing sustainable forestry practices and combating invasive species at Lundale Farm near Pottstown, promoting regenerative farming, forest stewardship, and local food production. His scientific expertise and dedication to preserving the environment have made a substantial impact on the local community.

Coatesville Completes Extensive Road Repair Projects

The City of Coatesville has successfully completed a significant road repair project aimed at addressing long-standing issues in multiple areas of the city. This comprehensive project, amounting to approximately $600,000, was funded through a combination of Liquid Fuel State Funding from PennDOT and ARPA Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Over the course of seven months, various road improvements were undertaken, focusing on enhancing safety and addressing stormwater infrastructure.

Key achievements of the project include road resurfacing, replacement of 27 sidewalk ADA ramps, guard rail installation, and the restoration of a collapsed water inlet. Notably, this initiative represents the largest road repair project the city has undertaken since the Rt. 82/Lincoln Highway intersection realignment.

Eagles Sign Veteran Receiver Julio Jones to Bolster Their Roster

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed veteran wide receiver Julio Jones, bolstering their wide receiver corps with his impressive track record. Jones, known for his work ethic and Hall of Fame-level talent, is expected to make a swift impact on the team. The Eagles have recently added other veterans to their roster, and Jones will join standout receivers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. His experience and skills are set to provide a significant boost to the team's offensive capabilities. While his specific role is yet to be defined, the Eagles have high expectations for Jones in the upcoming season.

Tragic Shooting Case: Victor Lara Ortiz Faces Probation Violation Accusations After Possessing Firearm

Eight months after Victor Lara Ortiz was spared a prison sentence for his role in his young brother's accidental shooting death, he faces new legal troubles. The 19-year-old Coatesville resident is scheduled to appear in Common Pleas Court, accused of violating his probation by possessing a firearm. Court documents show that Lara Ortiz was found in possession of a “pistol-style AR-15” just six months after avoiding prison time for the tragic incident. The case highlights the risks of illegally obtained firearms and raises questions about his probation violation, which could lead to a prison sentence.

Chester County Man Marcus Cole Sentenced to Over 5 Decades in Prison for Assaulting Ex-Girlfriends

Chester County resident Marcus Cole, who was convicted of assaulting two former girlfriends in separate incidents in 2020, has received a substantial prison sentence. On Tuesday, Common Pleas Judge Louis Mincarelli sentenced Cole to 57 to 114 years for charges including strangulation, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and burglary. In one incident, Cole assaulted his victim by strangling her with a belt and his hand. In another case, he assaulted a woman by jamming his hand into her mouth, wrapping a towel around her neck, and throwing her down the stairs. District Attorney Deb Ryan commended the victims for their bravery and declared the community safer with Cole's sentencing.