Handels Coming to Downingtown, WC Police Chief Retires, and Sentencing For WC Shooter

In this Downingtown Local Pulse Issue…

🌤️ Downingtown PA Weather

🍦 Handels Homemade Ice Cream Coming to Downingtown

👮‍♂️ West Chester Police Chief Jim Morehead Announces Retirement

🏥 PA Superior Court Candidate Hospitalized After Car Crash

🍕 Collegeville Restaurant Ordered to Pay Over $268,000 for Labor Violations

💡 PECO Announces $996K Investment to Upgrade Local Electric Grid

🗞️ Authorities Apprehend Suspects in Break-In at Former Philadelphia Inquirer Printing Plant

🚨 NJ Man Involved in West Chester Shooting Sentenced For Offering Criminal Services

⚾️ Arizona Diamondbacks Secure World Series Berth With Game 7 Victory Over Phillies

 📆 Upcoming Local Events

Handels Homemade Ice Cream Coming to Downingtown

Downingtown is about to get a little sweeter with the upcoming arrival of Handel's Ice Cream as announced on X (formally Twitter) by Bennett Williams Commerical brokerage. As the renowned ice cream parlor secures its newest location, it's time for local dessert enthusiasts to rejoice.

Boasting a delightful 1,906 square feet of retail space, this freshly leased spot is set to become the go-to destination for anyone craving delicious, handcrafted ice cream.

West Chester Police Chief Jim Morehead Announces Retirement After Four-Year Tenure

Jim Morehead, Chief of the West Chester Police Department, is set to retire in January after four years in the role. The 35-year veteran officer, who began and will conclude his career in West Chester, credits his predecessor's blueprint for the department's success. Morehead emphasizes his advocacy for the department's personnel and attentive community engagement. Despite the toll of leading the department during the pandemic, he reflects on the positive impact of technology and increased diversity in policing. Morehead plans to spend his retirement traveling and volunteering.

PA Superior Court Candidate Hospitalized After Car Crash

Maria Battista, a candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court, was involved in a car crash on Sunday evening, resulting in her hospitalization. Her campaign initially provided limited details about the incident. Battista missed a scheduled forum with PennLive on Monday, and it was uncertain when she would be discharged from the hospital. The campaign later clarified that the accident occurred while Battista was placing campaign yard signs, and she was struck by an oncoming car. She sustained minor injuries, including a hairline fracture of her clavicle. Battista was released from the hospital on Monday and is expected to return to the campaign trail after a brief recovery. However, the exact location of the incident was not disclosed.

Collegeville Restaurant and Owners Ordered to Pay Over $268,000 for Labor Violations

A Collegeville restaurant, Vincent's Pizzeria & Grill, and its owners have been ordered to pay $268,660 in back wages, damages, and penalties to settle a consent judgment obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor. The investigation found that the restaurant willfully violated federal labor laws by failing to pay overtime to kitchen workers, paying cash for overtime hours, and not maintaining proper employment records. The restaurant also violated child labor laws by employing minors in hazardous occupations. Additionally, they retaliated against employees who complained about overtime pay. The judgment includes financial penalties and mandates compliance with labor laws in the future, emphasizing the importance of workers' rights and safety, especially for young employees.

PECO Announces $996K Investment to Upgrade Local Electric Grid

PECO, a prominent energy provider, is investing over $996,000 to upgrade the local electric grid in various Pennsylvania neighborhoods. This initiative is part of PECO's Reliability & Resiliency Plan, signifying a commitment to invest $1.36 billion by 2025 for infrastructure enhancements. The project will include voltage upgrades, the use of a directional bore machine to install new conduits and cables, and the possible installation or replacement of equipment. PECO aims to enhance reliability, reduce outages, and promote clean energy adoption. Construction is scheduled to begin in early November 2023, with completion anticipated in mid-March 2024. Service interruptions may occur but will be communicated in advance. Community collaboration and access maintenance are priorities

Authorities Apprehend Suspects in Break-In at Former Philadelphia Inquirer Printing Plant

On Monday, October 16, an incident unfolded at the former Philadelphia Inquirer printing plant, located at 800 River Road. A witness reported seeing a man on the roof shortly before 10 a.m., leading to a call to the police. Upon realizing they had been spotted, the individual attempted to evade capture by traversing the roof. Upon arriving at the scene, the police discovered signs of a break-in, including tools and equipment commonly associated with copper theft. Both of the culprits have been charged with burglary, criminal trespassing, and related offenses. Their identities have not been disclosed.

NJ Man Involved in West Chester Shooting Sentenced For Offering Criminal Services

Patrick McGovern-Allen, a 22-year-old from New Jersey, has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for participating in a series of violent attacks orchestrated online through "violence-as-a-service" offerings. He was arrested in August 2022 after being identified as part of a group of cybercriminals who hired individuals to carry out physical attacks on their rivals. McGovern-Allen, using the online alias "Tongue," was particularly explicit about his willingness to commit violent acts for hire in Discord chats. The attacks he was involved in included firebombing a home and carrying out a drive-by shooting in West Chester, as evidenced in videos shared online. After pleading guilty to criminal counts, he received a 13.3-year prison sentence and will be on supervised release for three years upon completion of his sentence. This case highlights the disturbing trend of online violence-for-hire services.

Arizona Diamondbacks Secure World Series Berth With Game 7 Victory Over Phillies

In Game 7 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), rookie sensation Corbin Carroll led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-2 victory, securing their place in the World Series against the surprising wild card team, the Texas Rangers. The Phillies, who had a remarkable home-winning streak in the season, couldn't maintain their magic in the NLCS, suffering back-to-back losses to the Diamondbacks.

Nick Castellanos, previously a key player, struggled, and stars like Bryce Harper and Trea Turner failed to produce critical hits during the series. The Diamondbacks started strong, scoring a run against Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez, but the Phillies quickly equalized when Alec Bohm hit a home run. Bohm's presence loomed large, even scoring a run in the fourth inning. Still, the Diamondbacks regained the lead in the fifth, thanks to Corbin Carroll's hitting and some relief pitching changes.

The Phillies tried to mount a comeback but couldn't capitalize, leading to a tense atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park. The game concluded with disappointment for the Phillies, who had an incredible season at home but fell short in the NLCS.