West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Aug. 15, 2025

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It’s Friday, Aug. 15, 2025: As summer nears its end, West Chester gears up for an epic three-day, 16-act music festival. Set on a 9-acre farm just outside West Chester proper, the next iteration of the Look Around Festival is already getting comparisons to Woodstock. Plus, our Sunshine Report follows the flow of communication after the No Kings Rally arrest, West Chester Police warn on what to expect when students return, and Target opens on Sunday!   

Ok, who’s ready? Let’s catch up.   

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West Chester Woodstock

Three years ago, West Chester musician Nikki DiGiorgio co-founded the Look Around Festival with her creative partner, and onyx&honey bandmate, Rob Perna. The intention was to give the area’s many musicians an outlet for their art. While it’s pretty easy to find work as a cover band, it can be harder to find places that will let you rock an entirely original set. So that is what the Look Around Festival set out to be: a place where creative expression of all kinds would not only be welcomed but celebrated. 

“It’s much more than the music even,” says Nikki. “ [Being a creative] is what ties everything together.” 

They’ve also known from the beginning that the festival was going to outgrow the Moose Lodge on W. Washington St., its location since its inception.  

“We always wanted it to be a multi-day fest,” says Nikki, and that just wasn’t feasible where they were. “It was insane that we pulled it off for the first three years. We were sniffing around for a new location.”

And now they have it. A 9-acre horse farm about 15 minutes outside of West Chester, owned by a fellow musician. There is plenty of room for vendors and guests to spread out. There’s even a stage - a really sick stage -  a place to camp - and to park. With all the stars aligning, they are dreaming big - starting on Aug. 22, the adventure grows from a single day of music to three. 

“It’s more than West Chester at this point,” says Nikki of the festival’s reach, although the mission is still to highlight local underrepresented artists. “The cool thing is we have an abundance of artists to pick from,” she says. 

So, they are also expanding the mix of genres from blues to rock to, new this year, hip hop, curating a multi-day listening experience. “I have put a lot of thought into the lineup,” she adds.

The festival, which is rocking, appropriately, a space cowboy theme this year, starts Friday evening with a three-band set. However, the bulk of the music is planned for Saturday, when 11 bands are set to take the stage. Gates open and music starts at noon. The day ends at midnight with a silent disco finale by Discowolfe. Then, for those who camp or just want to make the trek back out, the stage will come alive again at 10 a.m. and attendees will be played out to Breakfast and Blues. 

In addition to music, there will be more than 60 artists and makers set up from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and food trucks available from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Although attendees, especially campers, are encouraged to bring their food and snacks.  

The festival is also rain or shine. So plan accordingly. 

“People have been calling it West Chester Woodstock. I’m here for that,” says Nikki. 

Look Around Festival, Aug. 22 - 24, 35 Locksley Rd, Glen Mills. Festival begins Friday at 7 p.m. with a bonfire ceremony. Saturday music starts at noon, and Sunday at 10 a.m. Camping available. Tickets required. 

Design Series: Make the Most of the Home You Love

For Spring Creek Design, remodeling homes in West Chester and the surrounding area is pure joy. Especially in the Borough, where row homes and singles often share the same block, we get to do what we love best: help clients uncover the home within their house.

We concentrate on making the most of the space available. Sometimes this means removing walls or changing the layout. Other times our work is more subtle, focusing on adding details or materials that make the house feel and function better.

The kitchen above is a great example. Without changing the footprint, we worked with the homeowner to define the space by adding texture and detail. A rich wood floor, marble backsplash, white cabinets, crown molding, and matte white appliances work together to create a warm, friendly space for the family to gather.

Ready to make the most of the home you love? Give us a call at 610-273-9194.

The Warnings.

The students are coming. The students are coming.  After a relatively quiet summer, West Chester Police Chief Josh Lee shared what residents can expect when West Chester University students return later this month - namely, more noise violations, foot traffic, and disorderly behavior. 

He also noted his officers are ready and will be on early alert with:  

• Increased police patrols in the evening and overnight hours

• Focused patrols in highly trafficked areas. These include the southeast quadrant and the central business district.

• More focused enforcement, particularly around nuisance crimes such as public drunkenness, open container violations, and disturbing the peace.  

“The weekend before the start of classes and the weekend following the start of classes is [usually] the busiest period of the fall semester,” the report states. It’s also usually the weekend that sets the tone for the rest of the year.  

Enjoy that calm. According to the July police report, thefts, mischief, DUIs, and alcohol-related incidents have all been down since May. Mental health calls, on the other hand, have risen over the summer to a high of a dozen incidents reported in July. 

West Chester police officers take a hiring hit. Less than six weeks after hiring two new officers and returning to full strength, the West Chester Police Department is again understaffed. This week, West Chester Chief of Police Josh Lee shared that his department is down four officers after one resignation, two injured in the line of duty, and a new hire who is currently enrolled in the Police Academy.   

No soliciting in East Goshen. After a recent uptick in solicitation calls, East Goshen Township is reminding residents and outside business owners that solicitation without a permit is illegal in the township. That includes door-to-door sales, visiting homes seeking donations or pledges, and selling food or wildflowers from a stand outside your home. Surrounding townships have similar rules. So before you set up that new “pop-up” business, make sure you are properly licensed!   

Beware of deer. There’s a debate brewing in Westtown over the height a fence needs to be to keep deer out of one’s property. Current ordinances limit fence heights to 6 feet, but a few residents would like to see it raised. “We had a 6-foot-high fence, but the vegetables and plants did not survive,” one resident shared in a plea to his neighbors on Nextdoor to join him in his fence crusade. He is hoping to see the allowable fence height raised to 8 feet. According to the same post, the topic will be discussed at Monday’s Board of Supervisors Meeting. However, the agenda was not posted the last time I checked, so I can’t confirm. 

Cross with care. Earlier this spring, residents raised pedestrian safety concerns at E. Gay St. and Bradford Ave., the intersection just outside the walking entrance to Hillsdale Elementary School. The issue was taken to the Public Safety Committee in April, and it seems some improvements are in the works just ahead of the start of the new school year. According to the July Engineering Report shared this week by Borough’s engineers, Remington & Vernick, new signage and striping are being planned for the area. TBD if that is enough to resolve the traffic concerns.

The Sunshine Report.

Your inside look at local government at work. Each week, key decisions are made about how to spend tax dollars, what new developments go forward, and the best way to deliver key services, like trash - and parking. The Report is here to make sure you don’t miss a single one.  

A Tale of Two Right to Know Requests: West Goshen Pay & Benefits Study

West Goshen has been sitting on a taxpayer-funded study since May and still won't say when (or if) the public will get to see it.

Last year, West Goshen Township commissioned a review of its “total compensation and benefits package,” which includes annual salary plus all other benefits - healthcare (medical, dental, prescription, vision), life insurance, disability coverage, pension, longevity pay, paid time off (PTO), and more. The goal was to capture the full “all-in” cost of every non-uniformed Township position - giving the Township (and its residents) a current, comprehensive view of how it compensates its employees. In May, they received the final report. 

Now, more than two months later, the public is still largely in the dark. See the heavily redacted report here.

Township officials are citing a Pennsylvania Sunshine Law provision that allows withholding documents relied upon in "predecisional deliberations" as their reason for redacting the report’s findings. Translation: although the Board has discussed the report privately, it has yet to be discussed publicly - their justification for keeping it locked away. 

When asked when the report might appear on a public meeting agenda, Township Manager Chris Bashore replied, "I cannot answer when it will be on the agenda."

And because real government transparency should never require residents to jump through hoops, we’ll keep watching to ensure these findings are eventually fully accessible to the public - no black boxes, no redactions, just sunlight.

Transparency forecast: heavy cloud cover, no break in sight.

West Chester Borough: Brighter Skies

Next door, West Chester Borough is at least letting some sunshine through. 

In June, a man brought a concealed weapon to the No Kings rally outside the historic courthouse. A bystander noticed the weapon and informed West Chester Police. The incident was quickly resolved, and attendees at the event, for the most part, seemed none the wiser. I wanted to know when Borough Council members learned of the arrest - a straightforward question - but because I’m not a Borough resident, I was prohibited from asking the question during the June 17 Council meeting.

Instead, I had to file a formal records request for text messages and emails between officials from June 14-18. Only through this process did I get the answer: Council members learned of the arrest the same way most residents did - through a viral video or news reports the next day. It doesn’t appear that there was prompt notification to any council member from the Mayor’s office.

While the Borough did release these records, this wasn’t a spontaneous act of openness. It took a curious and determined citizen using the state’s Right-to-Know process to bring the information to light. Still, the results give residents a view of how, and how slowly, information traveled behind the scenes.

In a truly transparent government, sunshine should be automatic, not something you have to chase through clouds of paperwork.

Stay bright, stay informed! - Margie

Hello.

Sunday Funday. After what has seemed like forever, without some sort of big box store, the day has finally come. The void is being filled. Target opens on Sunday! It’s not as big as some of the 30 other new sites Target is opening this year. Actually, it is smaller than the average store by about 5,000 sq ft, but it’s not in Exton. So, I take that as a win. 

• Located in the West Goshen Shopping Center on Paoli Pike, the new Target is more than 120,000 sq ft and is expected to employ about 120 team members. 

• Store hours are Sunday - Saturday: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.  

Speaking of shopping, Downtown West Chester wants to expand its footprint to include more of High, Gay, and Market Streets, partly to compete with growth (cough) Target (cough) outside of the Borough. They are promising better walkability, cleaner streetscapes, and more events, but not all business owners are sold. A vote on the expansion is due at the end of the month. 

Read more about the plan here. 

Also, thinking big? West Chester University. Their 800-page master plan has been demanding attention. They have plans in there for everything from pedestrian improvements and geothermal wells to better dining options and more student housing. If you haven’t been following along, here’s what to expect and when.     

Also, say hello to Jamie Weiss, the West Chester Police Department’s new police social worker.

“Throughout my career in law enforcement and more recently as a Chief of Police, I’ve seen firsthand the growing need to address the complex social issues our communities face.... These challenges often require solutions beyond traditional law enforcement. That’s where police social workers come in. Their expertise in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and connecting people with resources is essential in helping us better serve and protect our communities,” West Chester Police Chief Josh Lee shared shortly after the position was approved in November. 

Welcome, Jamie! 

Finally, have you been to Hoopes Park lately? And no, I am not talking about the new racquet center. Although, that is nice, too. Have you done the story walk? Well, you should. There’s a new tale out there for your enjoyment. “Maybe Something Beautiful” is the story of how art transformed a neighborhood and is based on the true story of San Diego’s Urban Art Trail. 

Goodbye.

As we head into the final weeks of summer, I know a lot of people have vacations planned, ourselves included, so instead of a new deep dive, I have rounded up a few stories from the summer that are worth a second look. 

West Chester borough is saying farewell to its parking meters and moving to an app system that, let’s just say, doesn’t have a lot of fans. There is, however, a method behind the madness. West Chester Parking Director Ramsey Reiner shares why the move is needed and why she went with Flowbird here.   

On the last day of July, Fugett said goodbye to principal Dr. Steven Warner after two years in the top position. More about the move and who is taking over here. 

Public notices are essentially state-mandated ads. Once they were deemed essential in ensuring an informed electorate, but as newspapers’ print subscriptions collapse, townships are left spending big bucks for little reach. See exactly how much we are spending locally and why some (myself included) are hoping to see the law changed here. 

Each weekend in the summer, it seems the entire area escapes to the beach. You still need to leave for the surf and the sand, but thanks to a new music club, not to dance the night away. Read more about the beachy vibes of Station 142 here.

And one more sign, summer is coming to an end. West Goshen Township has announced the return of its fall movie series. Every movie in the five-week series is shown outside at West Goshen Community Park. The movies are free and open to all, but only West Goshen residents can weigh in on what we watch. Click the link to see this year’s options.

The Accolades.

Let’s celebrate the last days of summer by curling up on a chair with a glass of wine and a few of this summer’s feel-good stories.  

• Peaches, melons, and heirloom tomatoes - oh, my! West Chester’s Growers Market is at peak production. (Accolades)

• West Goshen turns up the solar heat to the tune of $1,3 million in taxpayer savings over 30 years. (Hello)

• America’s pastime: Twelve 13-year-olds show us the true meaning of sportsmanship. (Accolades)

• Friends of Everhart Park and West Chester Parks and Rec collaborate on a solution to save park trees from festival trucks. FOEP member Dale Frens explained his simple solution in this June 13 issue. (Accolades) Less than a month later, the group and the Borough had a deal. 

Other things we are celebrating this week: 

Fashion forward. West Chester homes are once again garnering national acclaim. Earlier this summer, the Wall Street Journal ran a feature on the brilliant modern storage solutions crafted to fit seamlessly into the framework of a nineteenth-century home. The property in question is the 1870s serpentine mansion on W. Virginia Ave. It’s the one on the N. New St. corner if you are unable to keep your serpentine mansions straight. With the help of West Chester-based interior designer Miggy Mason, the family added $300,000 worth of draw-dropping custom-built storage, allowing them to comfortably tuck away a full Costco order with nary a paper towel roll out of place.   

Old Sour Interior Design & Renovation Studio on High St. was also in the news. Their tips for using unexpected trim color to elevate a room’s design were featured in a Washington Post article last month. 

Early lead(er)s. Earlier this month, Main Line Today released the names of its “20 Emerging Leaders Under 40” and the list was heavy with West Chester representation. 

Special shout-outs to: 

Mary Kate Shields, 25, Associate Dean of Students, Immaculata University. At 25, West Chester resident Mary Kate is just a few years older than the students she represents, but perhaps that’s what makes her so effective at her job? 

Dave Yori, 38, Owner and Founder, Yori’s Church Street Bakery. Nearly a baker’s dozen into bakery ownership, Dave hardly seems an up-and-comer to his West Chester fans, but at 38, he’s still well within his rights to the recognition. 

Carly McFadden, 28, Director of Events and Marketing, Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. And they didn’t even know she’d be acting president by the time the awards were announced. 

Josh Pellegrini, 36, Owner and Founder, Pel Productions. Offering high-end photography and videography services, Josh’s Pel Productions claims big-name clients like the Four Seasons, Visit Philly, PECO, and Philadelphia Flyers among his fans.

Aggie Lawrence, 32, Owner, The Stretch Solution. A sufferer of back pain herself, Aggie, an occupational therapist and West Chester resident, has built her business making sure her clients are good and limber. 

Erik Weber, 36, Founder of West Chester Views and Mainline Views. If you've lived in the area for more than a few months, you’ve probably seen at least one of Erik’s gorgeous streetscape shots go viral. 

Peter Giuffre, 30, Owner, The Green House. What started with a love of pottery and plants has grown into what will hopefully be a Gay St. staple.  

Stephanie Carbaugh, 33, Director of Marketing for Cocoon. Cocoon has a reputation for going above and beyond when it comes to event participation. Stephanie is a big reason for that. 

Review the full list of winners here.

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Pay it Forward.

With cooling temps comes the return of West Chester races. Ready to pick up your pace? Here are a few options that will have you getting in your steps while helping out some good causes. 

Start back easy and sign up for Roslyn Swim Club’s second annual 2-mile run. Proceeds go to support Roslyn Swim Club improvements.  

Dr. Mary’s Legacy 5K Run takes place on Sept. 6 at West Goshen Community Park. Registration is open now. Run starts at 9 a.m. Hello, West Chester readers, get $10 off with the code HelloWC.  All proceeds go to support Community Volunteers in Medicine. 

Ready to kick it up a notch? The 9/11 Heroes Run is the only local race I know that offers a rucksack option. This year’s event will take place on Sept. 7 at Rustin High School. Registration is open now, race starts at 9 a.m. 

Then on Sept. 21, West Chester University will hold its seventh annual Rams Let’s Walk 5K. Race starts on S. Church St. at 9 a.m. This 5K walk (or run) supports student-athlete mental health. 

Finally, West Chester’s biggest race of the fall season, the 13th Annual Unite For HER 5K. Held on Oct. 18 this year, the race starts at Gay & High St. at 9 a.m. Sign up now and help paint the town pink and teal in support of those affected by breast and ovarian cancer.

Ways to give back this week: 

Volunteer for a secret tour. After a hiatus, the West Chester’s Secret Gardens Tour is making a much-anticipated return. The self-guided tour will take participants through the private gardens of the North East Quadrant, but first, tour organizers could use a little help..They are seeking volunteers to serve as garden hosts, setup crews, and plant sale support. If you are willing and able to help, reach out to the Secret Gardens of West Chester Volunteer Organizers at [email protected]. Proceeds from the tour go to support West Chester Friends School. 

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We are getting ready for one final hurrah of the summer. We are planning to soak up some sun, do some hiking, and dive into a few lakes. We are also looking to digitally disconnect for a bit. There will be no Roundup next week, but I will be back on Aug. 29 with a back-to-school recap. 

If you are around this weekend, maybe avoid the new Target area (early reports are that it’s nicely done but with dated floors?), but schedule some time at Mae’s. It will be your last chance to enjoy their seasonal inspirations. The restaurant closes for good on Sunday. Penn’s Table is having another family night tonight. This time with bubbles. And West Chester Parks & Rec is showing How to Train Your Dragon at Hoopes Park. Show starts at dusk - and it’s free. Or celebrate you’re an adult and head down to Kildare’s, where they are welcoming the Sons of Phelan. Expect a high-energy, foot-stopping, good time. Then on Sunday, the Melton Center is hosting its annual CommUnity Day. Come out for some basketball, crafts, and delicious food. Action starts at 11 a.m. The basketball tournament with Phoenixville, Coatesville, and Chester gets underway in the afternoon. Go DubC! 

Considering a last-minute getaway yourself? Not quite a staycation, but still quite close, I found exploring Media as an outsider makes for a surprisingly delightful weekend. Read my story (with suggested itinerary) for County Lines Magazine here.

Special thank you to Athletes Untapped! Athletes Untapped helps kids meet their athletic goals, build confidence, and grow their love of the game through easy-to-schedule personal coaching sessions. Visit Athletes Untapped to learn more about their kids-first philosophy! 

View a list of all our amazing Community Sponsors here.

Business leaders: Want exclusive access to this amazing community? Of course, you do. There are only three spots an issue so each one gets a lot of attention, and from what I hear, responses. Placements are filled first come- first served. Send me an email if you are interested.

Mark Your Calendars:

• Aug. 15 - Movie in the Park: How to Train Your Dragon, Hoopes Park, dusk

• Aug. 16 - West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Aug. 16 - Yoga in the Park, Marshall Square Park, 10:15 a.m. Bring a mat, water, and sunscreen. Registration encouraged, but walk-ins welcome. Class: $15. FYI if you’re registering it's listed under “Be Rooted.” 

• Aug. 17 - Helicopter rides, American Helicopter Museum, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pre-registration is not available. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Aug. 17 - 15th Annual CommUnity Day, Melton Center, 501 E. Miner St., 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Come celebrate the community with basketball, vendors, food trucks and more.

• Aug. 18 - $5 Monday Night Movie: Moon Over Miami, Uptown Theater, 7 p.m. Include complimentary popcorn

• Aug. 20 - West Chester Taps, downtown, 5 - 7 p.m. Participating locations offer a select list of $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails, in addition to appetizer specials.

• Aug. 21 - WCU move-in begins.

• Aug. 21 - Concert in the Park, John O' Green Park, 6:30 p.m.

• Aug. 14 - Friends of Marshall Square Park Concert Series: Butterfoot, Marshall Square Park, Food trucks onsite at 5 p.m. Bands begin at 6:30 p.m. Plus, face painting and balloon artists!

• Aug. 22 - 24 - Look Around Festival,  35 Locksley Rd, Glen Mills. Festival begins Friday at 7 p.m. with a bonfire ceremony. Saturday music starts at noon, and Sunday at 10 a.m. Camping available. Tickets required. 

• Aug. 23 - West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Aug. 23 - Yoga in the Park, Marshall Square Park, 10:15 a.m. Bring a mat, water, and sunscreen. Registration encouraged, but walk-ins welcome. Class: $15. FYI if you’re registering it's listed under “Be Rooted.”

• Aug. 24 - Ice Cream Social, Monkey Fish Toys, 2 - 4 p.m. Part of Family Fun Weekend, activities also planned Saturday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Aug. 24 - Summer Concert Series - Swing That Cat, West Goshen Community Park, 6:30 p.m. Concert is free but a dry good donation for the West Chester Food Cupboard is encouraged. 

• Aug. 25 - First Day of School - West Chester University, West Chester Area School District. Leave extra time, the buses are back!

• Aug. 27 - West Chester Taps, downtown, 5 - 7 p.m. Participating locations offer a select list of $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails, in addition to appetizer specials.  

Want more? Find the full event list here.

Reader tip: If you have trouble with these emails going to spam or promotions, reply to this email. Nothing particular, even a random letter will do, but that should keep them coming to the inbox.

That’s it. Stay safe, stay happy, and thanks to everyone who helped make this week’s issue possible. I’ll see you next week!

Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors