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DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Congrats to Downingtown West’s freshman soccer team as they finish their season with a record few teams at any level manage: 14 wins, no losses and not a single goal allowed.

The Whippets outscored their opponents 62-0 over the course of the fall, an average of more than four goals a game. Every match ended in a shutout.

WEST CHESTER, PA — Weather has pushed back the annual West Chester Chili Cook-Off by one week. Originally set for Sunday, Oct. 11, the event will now be held Sunday, Oct. 18, beginning at noon. The cook-off is hosted by Fiorenza’s Food for Friends, known as F4, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger. Founder Derek Fiorenza said the change was made to keep the day safe and enjoyable for everyone. Organizers apologized for the inconvenience, thanked the community for its patience and said they look forward to welcoming guests next weekend for chili, community and support for local hunger relief.

UPPER UWCHLAN TWP — The County will close County Bridge 134, which carries North Reeds Road over the East Branch Brandywine Creek, beginning Monday, Oct. 12. The emergency repairs are expected to take about three weeks, with a detour in place.

The bridge is well beyond its expected service life and was last repaired in July. Inspections since then found more deterioration, and the county said the aging structure is especially sensitive to vehicles over its posted 3-ton limit.

The work is intended to keep the bridge safe until it is replaced, which is expected to begin in late 2028 or early 2029. The 3-ton limit will stay in effect after the repairs.

CALN TWP — The former Brandywine Hospital campus, closed by Tower Health in January 2022, is being redeveloped as part of Legacy at Brandywine Town Center, a 115-acre mixed-use project in Caln Township. Regal Builders, whose affiliate bought the campus for $11 million in March 2025, is now leasing nine spaces on the former hospital grounds, including office and medical suites, the Huston Building, the Spackman Center, a heliport building, a barn and 11.1 acres of open land. On the adjacent 48-acre former Fisherville Farm, Regal is offering pad sites for lease with utilities already in place. Possible uses range from apartments, townhouses and senior living to offices, medical clinics, child care, retail and restaurants. Regal has kept the main hospital building intact and has said it would work with a provider interested in reopening inpatient and emergency care. Still, no hospital operator, residential unit count or construction schedule has been announced, and the project needs Caln Township approval before moving forward. Full story on Vista.Today

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

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

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

Catch up on previous issues…

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