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Possible Funnel Cloud Spotted Between Downingtown and Exton as Storms Rake Chester County

EXTON, PA — Chester County was on edge Thursday evening after a resident driving between Downingtown and Exton reported seeing a possible funnel cloud around 5:43 p.m., during a period when the area was under an active tornado watch. The sighting came as part of a larger, dangerous storm system moving through the East Coast, which placed more than 15 million people from Virginia to New York under tornado warnings and put over 30 million residents along the I-95 corridor at risk of flash flooding.

While Chester County did not report confirmed tornado damage, nearby Dover, Delaware, was hit by a confirmed tornado that prompted a state of emergency after downed trees and flooding were reported across the city. Forecasters had specifically warned that a band running from central New Jersey through the Philadelphia region, which includes Chester County, carried the potential for supercell thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado.

100 Pounds of Meth and Illegal Pistol Found in Upper Uwchlan Traffic Stop

UPPER UWCHLAN TWP — Demetrio Lagunes-Xocua, a 32-year-old Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a cross-country drug trafficking operation. Authorities say he was stopped in Upper Uwchlan Township on April 20, 2024, driving a tractor-trailer that contained more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm pistol. He later admitted to investigators that he was transporting the drugs from Colorado to a delivery destination in Pennsylvania.

Lagunes-Xocua was indicted in May 2025 on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and illegal firearm possession, and pleaded guilty to both counts this past April. This week, U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro sentenced him to 10 years in prison plus five years of supervised release. The investigation involved the DEA, Pennsylvania State Police and Chester County Detectives, with the case prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Brian Sheller Named Chester County Prison Warden

WEST CHESTER, PA — Brian Sheller has been appointed warden of Chester County Prison by the Chester County Prison Board, following its August 19 meeting. Sheller had been serving as acting warden since March 2026, when former warden Howard Holland was promoted to deputy county administrator. He had been deputy warden since February 2024.

Sheller's background includes 36 years with the Parkesburg Borough Police Department, more than 30 of them spent as chief, during which he created a contract policing model that still supplies police coverage to several surrounding towns. He has also served as president of the Chester County Police Chiefs Association, taught at two regional police training academies, led the Chester County Major Incident Response Team, and graduated from the FBI National Academy.

A Child's Light Completes Pilot of New Somatic Therapy Program for Youth

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A Child's Light, a Chester County nonprofit focused on expedited mental health support for young trauma survivors, has wrapped up a four-week pilot of its new program, "Strong Bodies, Calm Minds." Running from late July to mid-August, the program used physical activities such as non-contact boxing, jump rope and grounding exercises alongside therapeutic reflection to help children recognize and regulate the physical sensations tied to difficult emotions.

The approach was designed to reach children for whom traditional talk therapy may not be developmentally suitable, using movement and play as a more accessible way to build trust and open emotional conversations. Ten children enrolled in the pilot, with seven attending consistently throughout its run. The program concluded with a recognition ceremony where participants received certificates, gift cards and photos documenting their progress.


Upcoming local events…

Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Kerr Park) - Aug 22, 9am-1pm

Bug Camp For Kids (Warwick County Park) - Aug 22, 1pm-2:30pm

Steps to Home 5k Run/Walk (Downingtown) - Aug 23, 8am

Wallace Township Movie Night (Wallace Twp) - Aug 27, Dusk

Wild Mammals of PA Parks (Springton Manor Farm) - Aug 29, 11am-12pm

Battle of the Bands (Downingtown VFW) - Sept 12, 12pm

Annual Cheers to CVC: Battle of the Badges (Exton) - Sept 17, 5pm-8pm

Third Annual PawPaw Festival (Bondsville Park) - Sept 19, 11am

Catch up on previous issues…

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