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CALN TWP — A Thorndale shopping trip turned frightening on Friday when Kyla Mellinger, 20, found diapers tucked under the front and rear windshield wipers of her car outside the Giant. Fearing someone could be under or inside the vehicle, she left the diapers in place, and store employees removed them and watched as she left.

Her dash camera footage later showed a man sitting in the car behind hers, watching. Caln Township police, working from that video and the store’s surveillance cameras, identified the suspect as Michael John Kent, 38, who was on parole for previous stalking and harassment charges.

Police Chief Joseph Elias praised Ms. Mellinger’s awareness and her decision to call for help rather than handle the diapers. Mr. Kent now faces new stalking and harassment charges. While Ms. Mellinger worries she was targeted for human trafficking, the chief said there is currently no evidence of that, though investigators are keeping an open mind. Mr. Kent remains in Chester County Prison, unable to post bail.

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — PennDOT reports steady progress on preliminary work for the Downingtown Station Project. Crews have removed an unused set of track crossovers tied to an abandoned freight line, poured foundations for overhead electrical equipment, purchased the steel supports and demolished a building on the site.

Utility relocation, which began in June, is replacing poles along Boot Road, Reed Street and Route 322. Two week-long jack-and-bore operations beneath the tracks are tentatively set for December and January, north of the tracks and east of Route 222 — a spot chosen to keep the work farther from residents. Those operations will run 24 hours a day to protect the track structure, with a pause over the holidays from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. A future lane closure on Route 322 will allow crews to remove overhead power lines, and the utility work is expected to finish in February 2027.

Amtrak has also been modifying the overhead wires that power trains, working overnight since July. Construction of the station and a new railroad bridge over Route 322 is set to begin in mid-2027 and finish in 2031.

WEST CHESTER, PA — Three new full-time rangers have joined Chester County Parks + Preservation. Paul D’Arcangelo, Lauren Howard and Joshua Tribbett took their oaths in a ceremony led by Judge John Hipple and were presented their badges by loved ones. The rangers will be patrolling the county’s parks and trails this fall, and the department is inviting residents and visitors to say hello when they cross paths.

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Book lovers can stock up this weekend as the Friends of the Downingtown Library hold their fall used book sale, with every dollar raised going back to the library. The sale kicks off Friday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m., and continues Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m.

After the opening weekend, the sale carries on during regular library hours from Oct. 19 to 23, then shifts to a bag sale during regular hours from Oct. 24 to 31. The event comes as the library, at 122 Wallace Avenue, celebrates 150 years of serving the community since its founding in 1876. Details are at DowningtownLibrary.org.

Upcoming local events…

East Brandywine Fire Co Open House - Oct 14, 6:00pm-8:30pm

The Great Pumpkin Carve 2026 (Chadds Ford) - Oct 15-17

Fall Used Book Sale (Downingtown) - Oct 16-18

Friends of Hibernia Mansion Mystery (Hibernia Park) - Oct 16th, 5pm-7pm | Oct 17th, 3pm-6pm

Lionheart Music Fest (Coatesville) - Oct 17th, 12pm-8pm

West Chester Chili Cook-Off (WC Boro) - Oct 18, 12pm-4pm
Origins: The Lenape, William Penn, and the Colonialists (East Brandywine) - Oct 18, 3pm

Upper Uwchlan Trunk or Treat (Pickering Valley ES) - Oct 24, 3pm-5pm
Halloween Race (Shamona Park) - Oct 24, 3:30pm-5:30pm

Trick or Treat on Main Street (Downingtown) - Oct 25, 10am-1pm
Monsters, Masks and Milkweed (Exton) - Oct 25, 1pm-3pm

Caln Halloween Party (Thorndale) - Oct 31, 1pm-3pm
Trick, Treats, and Eats (Wagenseller Park) - Oct 31, 3pm-5pm

West Pikeland Fall Fest (Chester Springs) - Nov 1st, 12pm-4pm

Catch up on previous issues…

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