🍽️ Lord's Pantry Celebrates 60 Years | 🚨 WCU Swatting | 🚑 Fatal Crash in Parkesburg | 💾 AI Featured at Conference | & more

In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🍽️ The Lord’s Pantry Marks 60 Years of Service

🚨 WCU Targeted in Swatting Incident

🚑 Fatal Crash Near Parkesburg

💾 TECH360 Conference to Spotlight AI

💡 Local Author Spotlight: Matt Zaun

🎙️ Local Podcast: Good2Know in Chester County

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

🔎 Support Local Downingtown Businesses

The Lord’s Pantry Marks 60 Years of Service in Downingtown

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — This year marks the 60th anniversary of The Lord’s Pantry of Downingtown, a nonprofit organization that has been a fixture in Chester County’s fight against food insecurity. What began as a modest community effort has grown into a program serving over 700 families. The pantry distinguishes itself by prioritizing client choice—volunteers work directly with individuals over the phone to help them shop for items they need, rather than distributing pre-selected boxes. This model promotes dignity and ensures families receive food they actually want and can use.

West Chester University Targeted in Weekend Swatting Incident

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY — West Chester University was among several colleges in Pennsylvania targeted in a coordinated swatting hoax on Sunday. A fake emergency call reported an active shooter at the university’s library, prompting a swift response from campus police. The report was quickly deemed false, and the university confirmed there was no threat. Similar hoaxes disrupted campuses at Shippensburg and Millersville universities the same day. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incidents, which caused temporary concern but resulted in no harm. West Chester resumed normal operations shortly after.

Fatal Crash Closes Portion of West Lincoln Highway Near Parkesburg

WEST SADSBURY TWP — A fatal crash occurred early Sunday on West Lincoln Highway in Chester County, where a pickup truck struck a telephone pole and left the driver trapped inside. Emergency responders arrived around 8:30 a.m. and found the vehicle severely damaged. Despite efforts by medics and firefighters, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The body was recovered from the truck by late morning. Rescue teams spent hours managing hazards and stabilizing the vehicle while Pennsylvania State Police began investigating the incident. The highway reopened shortly after 2 p.m.

TECH360 Conference to Spotlight Practical Uses of AI in Business

MALVERN, PA — Chester County’s TECH360 business technology conference will be held Oct. 15 at Penn State Great Valley, spotlighting artificial intelligence and its integration into modern workplaces. Organized by the Innovative Technology Action Group under the Chester County Economic Development Council, this year’s “AI for All” theme focuses on how AI is reshaping industries from finance to life sciences. The half-day event will feature expert panels, networking sessions, and presentations from regional tech leaders, including IBM and Vanguard. It is designed to provide business professionals with practical strategies for leveraging AI in their organizations. Full details and tickets are available at tech360pa.com.

Local Author Matt Zaun Publishes Strategic Storytelling Guide for Leaders

Matt Zaun, a Downingtown-based author and story strategist, has released The StoryBank: Strategic Storytelling That Works, a new book that explores how leaders can use storytelling to influence, inspire, and drive organizational change.

Rooted in Zaun’s experience consulting with executives and public figures, the book outlines how well-timed narratives can enhance sales, shape internal culture, and elevate public messaging. Zaun also reflects on his personal evolution as a communicator, from struggling speaker to keynote presenter.

The book introduces the “StoryBank Method,” a framework designed to help leaders build and manage a personal archive of strategic stories. Chapters focus on practical applications across marketing, leadership communication, and team development.

The StoryBank is now available for purchase on Amazon.

Good 2 Know in Chester County | Ep 12 | Kathy Cole, Peonies & Lilacs

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Jenny Leigh sits down with Kathy Cole, founder of Peonies & Lilacs, a backyard flower farm bringing locally grown bouquets and seasonal arrangements to Chester County. In this warm conversation Kathy shares how a hobby became a business after making heartfelt arrangement videos for her mom, how she grows for cutting (not just for curb appeal), her sustainable practices, the beloved “petal drop” community gift program, holiday evergreen offerings, and upcoming community events and fundraisers.

Upcoming local events…

Road to LionCage (Downingtown) - Sept 30, 4pm-7pm

October Coffee Chat (Downingtown) - Oct 1, 7:30am

Chester County Day 2025 (West Chester) - Oct 4, 10am-5pm

Solar Viewing with the Astronomical Society (Pottstown) - Oct 4, 10:30am-1:30pm

Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 8:30am-2pm

Jeeps and Java! (West Chester) - Oct 5, 8am-12pm

Downingtown Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 11am-4pm

East Brandywine Fall Festival (EB Community Park) - Oct 5, 12pm-3pm

Coatesville Star Party (Coatesville) - Oct 10, 6:30pm-9pm

St. Pauls Pop-up Thrift Store (Exton) - Oct 11, 8pm-2pm4

The FANGtastic Life of Bats (Springton Manor Farm) - Oct 11, 9pm-10:30am

Food Truck and Music Festival (East Goshen) - Oct 11, 2pm-5:30pm

Downingtown Fall Arts Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 11, 3pm-6pm

West Bradford Family Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 11, 4pm-7pm

October Cruse for the Troops (Exton) - Oct 11, 5pm

Historic Yellow Springs Fall Festival (Chester Springs) - Oct 12, 12pm-4pm

Exton Park Fall Fest (Exton) - Oct 18, 11am-3pm

Caln Clean-Up Crew Litter Pick Up (Caln) - Oct 18, 1pm-3pm

Hibernia Dam Walking Tours (Coatesville) - Oct 23, 2 & 3:30pm, Oct 25, 9am & 10:30am

Caln Twp Halloween Party (Caln) - Oct 25, 1pm-3pm

Fall 4×4 Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 25, 10am-1pm

CCCC Trunk or Treat (Caln) - Oct 26, 2pm-4pm

Catch up on previous issues…