West Chester Chronicle

Goose Creek Leak, Sweet Charity

West Chester Chronicle — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:13:00 GMT

This week, Auciel looks at the cause of the recent contamination of Goose Creek. Also, our cultural correspondent, Zabelle Minasian, visited the Chester County Community Foundation’s “Sweet Charity” event, and the borough is looking for volunteers for several commissions.

featuring music by Mike Nappi

How to Run for Office, Restaurant week, "Good" by C.P. Taylor

West Chester Chronicle — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:14:00 GMT

This week, Bonita goes over how to run for office, Cultural Correspondent Zabelle Minasian explores Restaurant Week (featuring Music from Mike Nappi), and Kyle visits the West Chester Theatre and Dance department to check out this weekend's performance of "Good" by C.P. Taylor.

Local Vigil for Alex Pretti

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:40:00 GMT

On Sunday, February 1st, eleven people came together outside the historic courthouse across from our office to mourn the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and protester who was shot by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 24th.

The local vigil was organized by West Chester resident Amanda Capoferri. “We wanted to come out and have …

Athlete of the Week: Lenya Ryan

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:38:00 GMT

pictured is Leyna Ryan; photo courtesy of West Chester University

Consistency and versatility defined the week for West Chester University senior Lenya Ryan, who was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Women’s Swimming Athlete of the Week and earns our West Chester Chronicle Athlete of the Week honors.

Ryan delivered a strong all-aroun…

Karen Simmons to Retire After 25 Years

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:36:00 GMT

After a quarter of a century of visionary leadership and service, the Chester County Community Foundation announces that President/CEO Karen Simmons will retire this summer.

Since taking the helm in 2001, Simmons has played a pivotal role in shaping the Foundation into the vibrant, community-centered organization it is today. Under her guidance, the Comm…

Shadow? Yes. Spring? No.

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:34:00 GMT

photo by Kyle Hudson

Six more weeks of winter are on the way, according to America’s favorite groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. Thousands gathered this morning to see if the famous marmot would see his shadow. According to legend, if Phil sees his shadow, we’re in for a longer wait before springtime weather arrives.

Results of Poll Book Investigation Finally Shared with Public

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:31:00 GMT

In an update posted on chesco.org on Thursday Jan 22, the Chester County Commissioners, serving as the Board of Elections, have finally disclosed the results of the investigation into the poll book error that affected thousands of Chester County voters on November 4, 2025.

“Our investigation found no evidence of intentional wrongdoing, misconduct, or bad…

Chester County Awards $3.27 Million to Expand Emergency Housing for Families

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:30:00 GMT

The Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) has awarded $3,270,000 to Friends Association for the creation of a new 10-unit non-congregate emergency housing facility in West Chester. This funding is the largest single award ever made by DCD and is funded entirely by federal and state grants.

With the opening of the new shelter, Chester C…

West Chester Wants to Hear From You

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:28:00 GMT

In 2025, West Chester Borough government formed the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), with the mission “to guide the efforts of meeting the present and future transportation needs of all transportation stakeholders of West Chester, by representing the attitudes and input from residents, visitors and commuters in West Chester.”

Chaired by John O’Br…

Chester County Commissioners Declare Disaster Emergency

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:26:00 GMT

On Sunday Jan 25, the Chester County Board of Commissioners declared a Local Disaster Emergency due to a winter storm that is significantly impacting Chester County.

By declaring the Local Disaster Emergency, the Board of Commissioners directs the Chester County Department of Emergency Services to take all necessary steps to address the emergency and coo…

New Engine Coming 2028

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:21:00 GMT

photo by Kyle Hudson

In a press conference held on Jan 22, the West Chester Fire Department announced a $818,576 grant has been issued to replace their primary fire engine.

According to a press release issued by West Chester Borough government, the award was secured through the Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide program, and “represents a major investment in public safety for the Borough and the six municipalities served by the all-volunteer WCFD.” The cap for such an award is a million dollars.

MLK Jr. Day of Service

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:11:00 GMT

JANUARY 19, 2026

Many of today’s MLK Jr. Day of Service activities have been postponed due to inclement weather, but you can serve your community all year long by volunteering at these amazing local organizations:

Protester Struck with Raw Egg in 6th Ward

West Chester Chronicle — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 02:53:00 GMT

Photo by Kyle Hudson

On the morning of Tuesday, January 13th, a police officer was seen responding to a call on S. Wayne St. following an incident where at least one protester was hit with a raw egg near the Planned Parenthood facility located in West Chester’s 6th Ward.

A short time after the police left, we spoke with Dave Owsik and Mary Jo Christoff, t…

Council Accepting Applications

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:06:00 GMT

In a notice posted on the official Borough government website on Jan 14, West Chester Borough Council has announced they are currently accepting applications for the following volunteer positions:

Civil Service Commission, alternate*
Human Relations*
Tree Commission
West Chester Community Campus
West Chester Library Board of Directors
Zoning Hearing Board, a…

Coffee with Constituents

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 07:41:00 GMT

Connor Johnston & Brooke Dietrich, members of Rep. Houlahan’s staff

Staff from the offices of PA State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten and US State Rep. Chrissy Houlahan held a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15 in Rep. Otten’s Exton offices.

When we arrived, we were greeted by Beth Brindle, Chief of Staff for Rep. Otten. “Our office is open Monday through Friday, 9 …

Coatesville, West Chester East to Meet Again in Ches-Mont Clash on Jan 20

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 07:36:00 GMT

Ches-Mont League rivals Coatesville and West Chester East will square off for the second time this season on Tuesday, Jan 20, as the two programs meet in a matchup that carries increasing importance as league play enters its final stretch.

The teams’ first meeting earlier this winter was controlled by Coatesville, giving the Red Raiders confidence enteri…

Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:17:00 GMT

One of the programs discussed at the event was the Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program.

In honor of America’s 250 years of commitment to strong, equal education, the America250PA organization has set aside $250,000 to be awarded as scholarships to hard-working Pennsylvania students attending designated schools in the six AmericaPA250 regions.

Twenty-fi…

ChesCo Celebrates USA

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:53:00 GMT

pictured (L-R): former Chester County commissioner Michelle Kichline, America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman, Pennsylvania Senator Carolyn Comitta, Pennsylvania Representative Chris Pielli, and former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker

On Friday, Jan 16th, the Chester County History Center hosted the third of sixty-seven America250 kickoff celebrations across the state. Celebrations will be held in every county in the Commonwealth. The event in Chester County was the third celebration, because it was one of the three original counties in the state of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester).

The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Randall Spackman, a member of the Chester County 250 Commission, who donned a full Revolutionary War uniform. Former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker followed with his remarks, focusing on freedom.

Borough Council Re-Organization Meeting

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:44:00 GMT

Pictured left (L-R) councilmembers Stephen Martin, Lisa Kearns, Jerry Szczepaniak; Photo by Kyle Hudson

On Monday Jan 5, West Chester borough government held their first meeting of the year. When this happens after a local election, it is called a reorganization meeting, where newly elected members of the government are sworn in. 2025 saw four members of…

Forged in Freedom

West Chester Chronicle — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:33:00 GMT

Pictured is the Forged in Freedom Exhibit at the Henrietta Hankin Library; photo by Kyle Hudson

When you visit the Henrietta Hankin library in Chester Springs, off to the left, before the children’s section, you will find the traveling exhibit “Forged in Freedom.” Part of the America250 celebration in honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, the presentatio…