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WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY — West Chester University ranked first for liquor law arrests in a comparison of universities drawn from 2024 U.S. Department of Education data. Purdue University and Clemson University followed, with the University of Missouri and the University of Arizona rounding out the top five.

The statistics are reported under the Clery Act, which requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly disclose campus crime figures. However, arrest totals are shaped by factors beyond student conduct, including how strictly police enforce alcohol laws, the size of each school's student body and differences in how institutions report their data. As a result, a higher arrest count does not necessarily mean a campus has more drinking or is less safe than others.

Source: Instagram.com/alwayscollege

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WEST BRADFORD TWP — West Bradford Township residents who now receive water and wastewater service from Pennsylvania American Water are invited to an open house on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the West Bradford Township Building, 1385 Campus Drive, Downingtown. The event follows the utility's acquisition of Community Utilities of Pennsylvania's systems in the area.

Attendees can meet the company's staff and get information on the MyWater online customer portal, billing and customer service, customer assistance programs, infrastructure investments and water quality reports. The utility said the session is meant to introduce new customers to its services and explain how it plans to improve service in the township. Details are available at amwater.com/paaw.

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY — West Chester University is marking a century of its jazz program with a three-day celebration from Nov. 6 to 8 centered on the Criterions Jazz Ensemble, which the university says is the longest-running college jazz band in the country. Founded in the 1920s as a student dance band, the group became a faculty-led ensemble in the early 1980s and is now the Wells School of Music's premier jazz group.

The weekend begins with a free concert by the Criterions and the Statesmen on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Asplundh Concert Hall. On Saturday, guest artist Stefon Harris will lead a free masterclass at 2 p.m., followed by a $100 dance soirée from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. with dinner, drinks and Big Band-era music; reservations are required. The celebration ends Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. with a ticketed concert featuring Mr. Harris, an alumni all-star band and premieres of new works by Bob Mintzer and Orrin Evans. Alongside the events, the West Chester University Foundation is raising money to establish a permanent endowment supporting the jazz program.

Source: WCUPA.edu

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Chester County has been awarded $1.35 million through Pennsylvania's Local Share Account program, which distributes gambling revenue for community and economic development. The grants, approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and announced by State Senator Carolyn Comitta, will support projects led by four county agencies. County commissioners noted the funding round was highly competitive.

The largest grant, $500,000, will address safety and security concerns tied to unauthorized access at the Downingtown Trestle Bridge on the Chester Valley Trail. The county will also spend $400,000 upgrading its 911 phone system to improve reliability, cybersecurity and features such as translation and real-time threat monitoring. A $252,751 pilot program will bolster flood preparedness in high-risk areas of Avondale, Caln Township, Coatesville, Downingtown, East Bradford Township and Valley Township. Finally, $200,000 will expand interactive digital kiosks at heritage tourism sites, building on $333,500 awarded for the project in 2024.

Upcoming local events…

Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Kerr Park) - Sept 26, 9am-1pm

Lithium Battery Collection Event (West Bradford) - Sept 26, 9am-11am

Hopewell Furnace Living History Day (Elverson) - Sept 26, 11am-3pm

Paoli Battlefield Heritage Day (Malvern) - 11am-4pm

Fall Arts Fest (Kerr Park) - Sept 27, 12pm-3pm

Downingtown Historic Preservation Plan Public Open House - Sept 28, 5pm-7pm

WCU Orchestra Season Opener (WCU) - Oct 2, 7:30pm

Uwchlan Twp Dumpster Day - Oct 3, 8am-12pm

Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Kerr Park) - Oct 3, 9am-1pm

Annual Chicken BBQ - Cpl Brandon Hardy, Chester County Detachment #286 - Oct 3, 12pm-5pm

Downingtown Fall Fest - Oct 4, 11am-4pm

East Brandywine Fall Festival - Oct 4, 12pm-3pm

Historical Talk on Anna Nutt (Warwick Park) - Oct 4, 2pm-3pm

Alert Fire Co. No. 1 Open House - Oct 7, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Glen Moore Fire Company Open House - Oct 7, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Friends of Chester County Library Fall Book Sale (Exton) - Oct 9-11

Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Kerr Park) - Oct 10, 9am-1pm

Caln Clean-up Crew (Embreeville rd) - Oct 10, 10am-12pm

Family Fall Fest (Broad Run Park) - Oct 10, 4pm-7pm

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

Origins: The Lenape, William Penn, and the Colonialists (East Brandywine) - Oct 18, 3pm

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