West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Dec. 5, 2025

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It’s Friday, Dec. 5, 2025: What the Dickens, who’s ready to be charmed? The West Chester Christmas Parade returns tonight. 26,000 people are expected—will you be one of them? Details on road closures, parade length, and, perhaps, the last remaining options for free parking. Plus, Restaurant Inspection reports are out for November. Make that reservation. Maybe check it twice? Several Downtown locations are out of compliance.

Also, move over bubble tea, step aside fried chicken sandwiches, West Chester is the place you go for—knee surgery? We dive into the data. And big news is coming out of West Goshen, a new township ordinance proposes cutting off water access for unpaid sewer bills, and a former West Goshen detective is sentenced for theft. Speaking of theft, a reminder this week to check those references. A known contractor is wanted for fraud in East Goshen. Police suspect there are more victims out there.

It’s another packed issue. Grab something warm to drink and let’s catch up.

West Chester Restaurant Inspection Reports: November

Hold the ice . . . and soda, please. West Chester Restaurant Inspection Reports are out for November, and either the inspectors were feeling the holiday spirit or staff have been busy cleaning for the hordes of expected guests; either way, things were pretty mild last month. 14 institutions are out of compliance for November, with some of the month’s biggest offenses coming from food-encrusted ice machines and fountain soda nozzles. Unfortunately, more than one local drink was affected. 

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The Warnings.

It’s December, and the Grinch is back. Yes, that one, who steals the whole of Christmas, and also the one who steals presents from your porch. Westtown-East Goshen Police would like to remind all residents to be mindful of the packages being delivered over the next couple of weeks and offered these tips to mitigate the risk of theft. 

1. Track your packages

2. Require a signature

3. Ensure your doorbell cameras are working

4. If you plan to be away during delivery time, try to make alternative arrangements, like having the package delivered to the store or to a package locker—or ask your neighbor to do you a solid and pick it up for you.

Contractor wanted for fraud. Speaking of grinches, Westtown-East Goshen Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Brian Jarratt. The Chester Springs-based contractor is wanted for defrauding an elderly East Goshen couple. According to a 6ABC report, the couple paid Mr. Jarratt $35,000 for a home renovation that was never completed. After months of no shows, they were forced to hire a second contractor. They estimate losses at about $20,000. Mr. Jarratt, who owns Apex Contractors, is wanted on charges of fraud, theft, and payment for services never performed. WEGO police believe there may be other victims out there. If you have had a similar experience or know where Mr. Jarratt may be at the moment, contact Detective David Hale at 610-692-9600 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Watch. 

Assault investigation. West Chester police are seeking assistance identifying three individuals wanted in connection with an assault that took place outside Santino’s Tap and Table around 1:50 a.m. on Sept. 29. Images provided show what looks to be two males and a female. There is also a close-up of one of the two men. View them here. If you have any information about this incident, contact West Chester Police at 610-696-2700. 

Proceed with caution. West Goshen Police are reminding residents that there is a new traffic pattern on E. Gay St. Starting from the West Chester–Paoli Pike merge to the 700 block of E. Gay St., what was previously the left lane is now the shoulder, and the former three-lane road has been reduced to two lanes. “Please take extra caution driving through this area, as this is a recent change. Do not drive or park on the shoulder,” WGPD shared on Facebook. Find a map of the affected area here. Not loving this change? WGPD doesn’t want to hear about it. “Any questions or concerns can be directed to PennDOT, as this is a state road,” they added.

Have your alternate ready. Speaking of changes to traffic patterns, PennDOT announced last month that a pipe replacement project will close a section of Route 52 (Bradford Avenue) in East Bradford Township through Dec. 24. During this time Bradford Ave. will be closed between Tracie Lynn Dr. and Rosedale Ave. Price St., Route 842 (Miner St.), Birmingham Rd, and Route 52 (Lenape Rd/Bradford Ave.) are your alternates. Note: this is a 24-7 closure; however, local access will be maintained. The closure is part of a $15.9 million project to upgrade stormwater management facilities in the area.

The Sunshine Report.

Your inside look at local government at work. This week, a West Goshen Detective is sentenced on theft charges, and we examine the Township’s plan to institute a new water shutoff ordinance for those who fail to pay their sewer bills on time.

Former West Goshen Police Detective David S. Maurer was sentenced on November 21, one year after being arrested on five counts involving the theft of discarded drugs from secure medication drop boxes located at the West Goshen Township Police Department and Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital. Maurer, who was responsible for overseeing the department’s drug collection program, pleaded guilty to Theft by Unlawful Taking and Possession of Controlled Substances. 

Det. Maurer, a veteran of several high-profile cases, was employed with the West Goshen Police at the time of his 2024 arrest. According to a statement provided by the Chester County Attorney’s Office, he was tasked with emptying medication collection boxes located in the West Goshen Township Police Department and Chester County Hospital. After Maurer emptied the drop boxes, he removed several pill bottles containing controlled substances and retained them in his personal possession. The case generated considerable attention, given Maurer’s role in the department and the breach of public trust at the heart of the charges.

Meanwhile, in Township Government, a new water shutoff ordinance is under consideration.

This week, West Goshen Township Supervisors reviewed a proposed ordinance that would allow Aqua to shut off a resident’s water service if they fall three consecutive quarters behind on their sewer bill. Under the proposal, a household could be fully paid up on its water account yet still lose water access due to a delinquent sewer balance.

West Goshen’s sewer fee is a flat $120 per quarter and does not fluctuate based on water usage.

Township officials reported that about 5 percent of sewer customers are currently in arrears, totaling approximately $350,000 in unpaid sewer fees. They believe adding a stronger enforcement mechanism may help encourage overdue accounts to pay up. Further discussion is expected as the proposal moves through the review process.

Keep shining! —Margie

Hello.

Santa Claus is coming to town—like tonight. That’s right, West Chester’s signature Christmas Parade is returning for the 44th time tonight. This year, there will be 90 total parade elements, including nine marching bands and, for the first time, a West Chester Area School District unified band featuring members from all three high schools. The tree lighting ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. Parade starts at 7 p.m., street closures begin at 2 p.m., and new event parking measures are already in effect. 

To bring us up to speed, we are chatting with Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce Director of Events & Marketing Carly McFadden. She has everything you need to know about tonight’s events, including parade highlights, run-time, and where to find a public, non-porta-potty bathroom should all that hot chocolate run right through you. 

Editor’s note: Responses have been edited for length. 

HWC: What fun new things do you have planned for this year? 

Goodbye.

The dreaded pop. I play enough volleyball to know that knee injuries are not that rare; however, not nearly enough to give me any real insight into just how common they have become. About 790,000 total knee replacement surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year, making it one of the country’s most common surgeries. According to a study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery,  that figure is only growing, with the number of surgeries expected to skyrocket to 3.5 million over the next five years. I’ll save you the math. That’s a 673 percent increase by 2030. This is because the leading cause of surgery is not a torn ACL, but rather osteoarthritis. 

Fascinating, but why are we talking knee surgery in the West Chester Roundup?

The Accolades.

Gingerbread dreams. This Saturday, the West Chester Community Center is embracing its new name and its ongoing mission with a holiday event for the entire neighborhood. The upstairs of the former Melton Center is being converted, as I type, into a winter wonderland full of candy cane balloon arches, inflated peppermint swirls, and a plush green sofa for Santa to sit on. 

“This is going to be transformed,” says event organizer Dreya Moore-Dubbs as we toured the reimagination in process.

There will also be a hot breakfast, a gingerbread house competition, a Mistletoe Market with 20 small business vendors and artisans, and a professional photoshoot with Santa. There will be gluten-free donuts (and regular, too) from Rose’s Little Donuts, a quiet craft, and an easy-access floor plan so all can enjoy.

All the proceeds raised from the event will be reinvested in community center programming, like the new Level Up Nights—kid-led Friday night hangs complete with crafts, pick-up games, and corners to kick back in. 

“We are trying to make accommodations for different abilities,” says Dreya, because really, at the end of the two long festive days, that’s the point.

“It’s a Community Center. Everyone belongs to the community,” adds West Chester Community Center Board Member (and the event’s secret Santa) Christian Dubbs. 

The East Side Christmas Market is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 501 E. Miner St. Just note that certain events like Breakfast with Santa and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus require separate tickets.

Other things we are celebrating this week: 

Westtown-East Goshen announces a new chief of police. After an extensive nationwide search, interim chief David Leahy was named the new Chief of Police for the WEGO Police Department. Chief Leahy has spent his entire 26-year career with the WEGO police, starting as a patrol officer and stepping in as interim chief after Brenda Bernot announced her retirement in January. A formal swearing-in ceremony is planned for Dec. 19. “Leading the officers of this department is a privilege, and I look forward to remaining in this role long-term,” Chief Leahy said at his first Police Commission meeting since the announcement was made. 

Maintaining the status quo. West Chester residents are basking in a little tax relief this holiday season. Earlier this week, Chester County Commissioners announced there would be no tax increases for county residents this year. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, this makes Chester County the only county in the Philadelphia area not raising taxes. West Chester Borough and West Goshen residents are also seeing a reprieve at the local level. The East Bradford budget, which was voted on by Supervisors this week, does have a slight 0.25 mill increase. According to minutes from the October supervisors meeting, the increase is expected to generate an additional $210,000. The township is also expected to transfer less money to the Capital Reserve Fund in 2026. The deficit could be covered without these measures, but it would leave the overall balance down roughly $816,000 by year-end, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. Increased costs for emergency medical services, healthcare, and stormwater management, as well as a reduction in the State’s Liquid Fuel allotment, were noted as areas of concern. 

Top-notch elder care. Congratulations this week to both the Pocopson Home and Barclay Friends on being named two of America’s Best Nursing Homes by Newsweek. The annual ranking honors the top 1,200 nursing homes in the United States based on performance data, peer recommendations, accreditations, and resident satisfaction. The designation places the facilities in the top 8 percent of nursing homes nationwide.

Barclay Friends ranked 11th in the state in the 50–99 bed category (the N. Franklin St. facility has 96 beds), and Pocopson Home ranked 20th in the over 150 bed category (it has 275 beds). 

Nepo babies. Shout-out to my fifth grader and all the students whose artwork has been selected for the West Chester Area School District Art Show happening tonight and tomorrow at Taylor’s Music Store. Selections include a mix of 2D and 3D pieces, including drawings, paintings, and mixed-media creations. 

Most clicked. Perhaps not surprisingly, the most-clicked story heading into Black Friday weekend was our 2025 Toy Guide. Still looking for gift ideas? Laura and Mike Wallace of Monkey Fish Toys offer their suggestions for kids 0 to 23.

Pay it Forward.

Participate in a truly unique auction. No, you are not likely to find much in the way of signed sports memorabilia or 5-star stays in high-end hotel chains—but you could grab lunch with professional soccer star and Henderson grad Aiden McFadden or book a mutually agreed-upon week at a rustic apartment in the small French village of Le Chatelard. We were the lucky winners of this excursion last year, and while the accommodations do not come with room service, the region itself is charming. 

The auction is the brainchild and lead fundraiser of the West Chester Green Team, and true to the Green Team’s environmental mission, this auction focuses more on experiences and education than it does on material things. 

“That first auction was so long ago, I don't really know where the idea came from,” says Green Team co-founder Margaret Hudgings. “If I were to guess, I would say that groups of talented people make this idea work. We have potters and yoga teachers, builders and restaurateurs, dog walkers and thespians, vacation home owners, and lots of creative international cooks and gardeners of all sorts. This talent and diversity make for a very interesting array of auction donations.”

Highlights this year include a Bunny Rabbit party experience, art bounty basket, local gardening basket with tours of a Borough herb garden, and an award-winning property in Chadd’s Ford, a Bulgarian dinner, and a frisbee golf lesson.

Funds from the auction go to gardens around the town, including the newly planted Justice Center, a future meadow at the Chester County Art Association, youth programming, and a variety of community projects like a new Little Library for the Church Street Towers.

Auction closes Saturday at 5 p.m., so get your bids in now!

Nov. 26–Dec. 6: West Chester Green Team Annual Auction. Proceeds go to support the work of the West Chester Green Team. 

Ways to give back this week: 

Buy a toy and sign up for a free breakfast. Dec. 10: WSFS Bank Toy Drive & Breakfast Join the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce and WSFS Bank at St. Agnes’s Thomas Patrick Hall for a free breakfast on Wednesday morning. Just bring a new, unwrapped toy and stay for a complimentary breakfast. Most-needed gifts include teething toys, games, puzzles, sports balls, craft kits, and books. Find a complete list of gift ideas here. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Registration is required. 

Wear your heart on your sleeve—or rather your chest. For the first time since the pandemic, the West Chester World of Hearts t-shirt is available for purchase at Kildare’s. $20 each with all proceeds going to the West Chester Food Cupboard. 

Avoid bulk trash fees and give stuff a second life. This notice is for WCU students leaving after the fall semester. The Office of Sustainability, WCU Residence Life and Housing, and University Student Housing are partnering on a donation drive to place unwanted items into the hands of people who need them. Items can be placed in the blue bins in the lobbies of North Campus Residence Halls, at Matlack Court, and in the Clubhouses on South Campus between now and Dec. 13. All items will be donated to Goodwill Keystone Area.

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We are buffering another busy sports weekend with a lot of holiday cheer starting tonight. We will be bundling up and heading down to the Christmas Parade to officially welcome the Santa Claus season. Then on Sunday, we will be heading out to chop down the family Christmas tree. If anyone has a tree farm they recommend, let me know. We’ve tried a variety at this point - and can never remember where the one we really loved was!

If you are around this weekend and the idea of parade crowds is already making you anxious, this zen-looking cocktail from Ground Provisions is available way out in Dilworthtown or stay in altogether looking at this festive wreath from Matlack Florist. (Not to be confused with Katie Mac Floral Design, which I did last week.) Don’t worry crowds will move out by Saturday when Uptown kicks off its production of Cinderella. Also, the Good Will Fire Company is hosting Santa at their E. Union St. firehouse. Pictures, crafts, and snacks will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a free event but donations are appreciated. (Remember, they are a 100 percent volunteer fire company.) Then that evening the Village of Marshallton is holding its tree lighting ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be Colonial carolers, festive treats, and instead of a parade float, Santa arrives by sled.

Plenty more events are listed in the event guide. You can find that here if you missed this week’s email.

Finally, special thanks to this week’s Community Sponsor, Hazley Builders. Hazley Builders | Architects and Hazley Commercial Construction provide integrated design and construction services, with decades of experience in the West Chester area. Check out their website to learn more about what they do.

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:

Dec. 5 – First Friday, Downtown West Chester, free metered parking after 5 p.m.

Dec. 6-7 - East Side Christmas Market, 501 E. Miner St, Saturday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Breakfast with Santa, crafts, games and a holiday market. Some events require separate tickets. 

Dec. 6 – Breakfast with Santa, Chester County History Center, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Reservations required.

Dec. 6 - Santa at the Firehouse, Goodwill Fire Company, E. Union St, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Event is free donations appreciated.

Dec. 6 - Village of Marshallton Tree Lighting Ceremony, 4 - 6 p.m. There will be Colonial carolers, festive treats, and instead of a parade float, Santa arrives by sled. 

Dec. 6 – Santa in the Square, Marshall Square Park, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. This is a free Borough event

Dec. 6 -Friends Association Charity Ball, West Chester Golf and Country Club, 6:30 p.m.  Proceeds go to support the Friends Association. Tickets required.

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!

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