West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Mar. 20, 2026

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It’s Friday, Mar. 20, 2026: Safe Harbor wants to expand its service capacity with a three-story addition over the parking lot. We talk to Executive Director Jessica Chappell about what that will look like, and if West Chester is really the best place for the expansion. Plus, the verdict is in on Forsythe Farm, pictures of the current state, and why one group in particular is not happy about it. The Borough sets time limits on metered parking, could West Chester be getting a Goodwill? I peek in the windows for a clue, and West Chester’s mural program takes its first hit. 

Also, it’s spring! So, go grab yourself a Beer Mill slushie and bench in a park somewhere, and let’s catch up.   

Reader survey: Sure, I get notes from readers every week, but it’s been too long since I have reached out for mass input. I am excited, and a little nervous. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and suggestions, but know I will read them all, so please be constructive in your feedback. Ok, now tell me everything here. (Note: it’s a lot of “select all that apply” questions, so it’s pretty quick.)

Safe Harbor Wants to Build Beds Over the Parking Lot as Stays Lengthen

In 2025, Safe Harbor, the homeless shelter on N. Matlack St., provided housing for 156 people for an average of 167 days, which is roughly 5.5 months. Some left sooner, some stayed for much longer, but on average, the time needed to find suitable housing grows each year.

Design Series: Make the Most of the Home You Love

At Spring Creek Design we’ve done hundreds of remodeling projects, and we’ve boiled our process down to three words: Think. Build. Live.

THINK is the planning and budgeting stage. We listen to your goals, then we explore ways to work within your budget. You review plan options, and make budget and design choices.

BUILD is the construction phase. We take care of everything from securing permits to letting your neighbors know what’s going on. Your project manager is on site every day, keeping the job on schedule. Our client web portal lets you track your selections, budget, and payments.

LIVE is the big payoff. During our final walk-through, we make sure every detail is perfect. And even though your project ends, our commitment to you doesn’t. Our lifetime warranty means we stand behind our work for as long as you own your home.

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

The Warnings.

West Chester and West Goshen voice a preemptive “no” to ICE agreements. This week, both West Chester Borough and West Goshen Township took formal positions opposing participation in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) partnership programs, known as 287(g) agreements, although their approaches varied. 

On Wednesday, West Chester Borough Council unanimously passed an ordinance, or a law, stating that any decision to enter into a 287(g) agreement would require Borough Council approval first. A day earlier, West Goshen Township Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution, or policy statement, saying they oppose entering into such agreements.

While several residents of the Borough spoke in favor of passing an ordinance, West Goshen’s meeting included opposition from several residents.

What exactly is a 287(g) program? Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies. Under these agreements, designated local officers can be trained and authorized to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions. There are different models of 287(g) agreements, but most commonly, they allow local officers, often within jails, to identify individuals for potential immigration enforcement and coordinate directly with ICE.

Supporters argue these agreements enhance public safety by strengthening cooperation between local and federal agencies.

Opponents raise concerns about civil liberties, the potential for racial profiling, and the impact on community trust, particularly whether individuals may be less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police if they fear immigration consequences.

It’s important to note that both the Borough’s ordinance and the Township’s resolution are policy decisions. They do not change how local police currently operate. Both departments already maintain policies that state that they do not enforce civil immigration orders. The actions taken this week instead formalize opposition to entering into these types of agreements in the future. 

Have that alternate at the ready. Roadway construction at the U.S. 202 (Wilmington Pike) and Route 926 (Street Road) intersection will continue next week and at least through the first week of April. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During this time, expect lane closures, flagging, and additional delays. The improvements are part of a $2.9 million project to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes in the area.

The mystery of the missing bricks. A West Chester University hazing ritual has allegedly been at the center of sidewalk gaps in the Borough’s southeast quadrant, but the seemingly harmless prank is costing homeowners thousands in sidewalk repair. “The damage was widespread and the sidewalk bricks or pavers are no longer made,” reporter Bill Rettew writes. You can read more about what’s going on in the Daily Local News. 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (Or so they keep telling me). Early this week, I was notified that a friend of mine recently received a new West Chester email, which she had not signed up for. Was this a new iteration of Hello, West Chester? she asked. No. No, it is not. What she received is a new publication called West Chester Morning News, and it is from 6 a.m. City, a newsletter company out of South Carolina. While they claim to be hyperlocal, they seem to be just another aggregator of what’s already out there. This week’s issues were heavy on Vista.Today coverage, which is already a scraping of existing local news reporting mainly from the Daily Local News and the Philadelphia Inquirer, with a sponsored section from Nextdoor. It is a free service if you would like to give it a try, but in my opinion, it kind of gives meaning to the adage: you get what you pay for. 

Also, for my nonprofit friends, there is a national initiative called HelloNation, which is launching to help celebrate America's 250th. They describe it as a "good news platform" designed to highlight local voices and communities across the US. Locally, they are calling their platform Hello, West Chester, which is super confusing, but this too is not Hello, West Chester. It is from a company called CGI Digital, a marketing company out of New York.

The Sunshine Report.

After the Funeral, Questions Remain: Reflections on the death of Corporal Timothy O'Connor

Ten days after his murder, PA State Trooper Corporal Timothy O’Connor was laid to rest this week. I mourn for his family, his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, and all who knew and loved him. 

But I’m also left with a question I cannot shake: Why does this feel so senseless and so preventable?

This wasn’t just a tragedy. It exposed something deeper. It exposed a system that failed. His killer didn’t come out of nowhere. There were warnings. There were moments where action could have been taken but wasn’t.

Court records show he owned a gun. His past behavior had raised concerns significant enough to order a psychological evaluation. He missed court hearings. He lost custody of his child. Officers making a traffic stop generally don’t know the details of custody hearings or civil disputes, but maybe they should. Those within the system knew. So the bigger question is: why was that knowledge never transferred? 

Only one person is responsible for pulling the trigger. But that cannot be where the conversation ends. We must ask how many chances were missed to prevent it. This week, we honored a life lost. In the months ahead, we owe it to Corporal O’Connor and all those who serve to ask the hard questions about what failed and how we do better in the future.

Keep shining! —Margie

Hello.

Goodbye.

The Accolades.

This week, we are celebrating making nightmares come true. Earlier this year, students from East High School’s Sculpture 1 class partnered with students at a local pre-K to help them turn their 2D monsters into 3D sculptures.

“The little Vikings dreamed up imaginative monster drawings, and students in Sculpture 1 brought those ideas to life,” West Chester Area School District shared on social media. 

The project ended with a mini art show and a chance for the students to meet each other—and the monsters of their imagination. 

Other things we are celebrating this week. 

Personal Bests. Last weekend, eleven local swimmers participated in the 3A PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships at Bucknell University. Among the highlights were a fourth-place finish and a new school record for the Rustin Girls in the 200 Medley Relay and two podium finishes for Rustin’s Claire Roussakis. Claire came in seventh in the 100 Back and then took third in the 100 Fly with a personal best and a new school record. Congratulations to Claire and all the swimmers who competed last weekend.

Speaking of personal bests, a shout-out this week to West Chester East wrestler Justin Williams. Not only did the senior surpass 100 pins earlier this season, making him the Vikings’ all-time pin leader, but he was also recently awarded the Southeast Region Sportsmanship Award by the wrestling officials association, proving actions off the mat matter just as much as those on. Justin will continue his wrestling career next year at the University of Scranton. 

And finally, it’s been a strong start to the spring lacrosse season for East’s Monica Krause. The Viking senior scored the 100th goal of her career on Tuesday, as the girls came away with the win over Perkiomen Valley.

Patient safety. Healthgrades, a healthcare aggregate that helps consumers compare doctors and hospitals, is back with its annual Patient Safety Excellence Awards, a list of the top hospitals in the country in terms of patient safety. Pennsylvania had 21 hospitals rank in the top 10 percent for patient safety and 11 rank in the top five percent. Chester County Hospital (CCH) was among those in the top five percent. To determine the rankings, Healthgrades looked at 13 measures of patient safety. CCH was also named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals and was awarded for surgical excellence. You can review all of Chester County Hospital’s awards here.

Seeing your name in print. West Chester resident, mom, and grandmom Barby Pell recently published her first book, We Call Him Mr. Heinrich, a 36-page ode to loving yourself told through the eyes of Mr. Heinrich, a high-spirited dachshund. You can learn more about the book here. 

Most clicked. Last week’s most-clicked stories included a report on the arrest of Steve Jahn for the murder of Megan Nieberle, and Megan’s obituary. Stories this week question whether more could have been done to prevent such a senseless crime.

West Chester Area Senior Center Celebrates 50 Years

This year marks a truly special milestone for the West Chester Area Senior Center—50 years as a steady, welcoming community presence. So on April 24, we are throwing a high-energy, rockin’-and-rollin’ anniversary party - and we want you to be part of it!

This 1950s-themed celebration will be an evening filled with retro fun, diner-inspired food, live music, games, a classic photo booth, and more! This celebration honors our past—and helps ensure a vibrant, caring future for the next 50 years.

Put on your poodle skirt or saddle shoes, bring a friend, and help us rock around the clock as we celebrate all that we’ve accomplished—together.

Get your tickets now!

**This is a sponsored post.**

Pay it Forward.

Next week, the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County is hosting a Furnishing Hope fundraiser. There will be an open bar, live music, and delicious food from Spence Cafe. 

The event is on Wednesday at 5:30. Tickets are $150. The attire is business casual, and all proceeds go to further the Community Warehouse Project’s mission of providing goods and furnishings to Chester County families and individuals in need. I believe we can all cheers to that.

Interested in attending? You can get your tickets here.

Other ways to give back this week: 

Donate your vacuum. Can’t make it out on Wednesday? You can also help out the Community Warehouse Project by letting them have your gently used vacuum—or if you already have plans for that one, you can also buy one new and donate it. 

Get your early bird tickets to play trivia. West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club is hosting its annual trivia night event on May 15, but tickets are on sale now. Get them early, and not only do you get to support a great organization while having a great time, but you can save a little money doing it. Tickets for a table of eight are $240 through the end of the month. 

Check out a new club. The Chester County Astronomical Society was started in 1993 to help residents and amateur astronomers make sense of the sky. They hold their meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at WCU’s Merion Science Center. These meetings often feature a guest lecturer. In addition to the meetings, the group also hosts nighttime and solar viewing opportunities throughout the county. If you’ve ever looked out at the night sky and asked - wait, is that the Big Dipper? This is your chance to find out. You can learn more here - and I’ve added some of their upcoming events to the calendar. Have a club I should feature? Let me know ([email protected])

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We have a family March Madness pool going on right now. So we’ll be settling in somewhere with superior game selection to see whose bracket survives. Also, did I mention, it’s spring. (Hallelujah.) 

If you are around this weekend and wanting to catch a game, Side Bar opens at noon today. Barnaby’s will be ready too, as will LaScala’s Fire. If you are more embracing that spring vibe, Rita’s and America’s Pie have their annual free ice and slice special today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Matlack Florist is giving out free daffodils, and Beermill has $2.50 slushies to mark the occasion. (Plus, kudos on the content, my friends.)

Also, it is Jazz Fest at WCU. There is a free concert tonight at the Madeleine Wing Adler Theater. Then on Saturday, Bierhaul is celebrating its second birthday with live music, new merch, and old(ish) favorites. Festivities start at noon. Then next week, get educated. West Chester University is hosting a TEDx event focusing on how performance and artistic expression can transform complex scientific ideas into experiences that are accessible, engaging, and profoundly human. Tickets are only $10 for adults. $5 for students. 

Also, a special thanks to Margie this week, for her help reporting on the latest happenings at Forsythe Farm and the 287(g) agreements.

Finally, a special thank you to this week's Community Sponsor, Andrea Napoli REALTOR® at Keller Williams Partners. A board member of the West Chester Senior Center and active in numerous local organizations, Andrea understands the role communities play in making a home feel special. Learn more about Andrea Napoli, REALTOR at Keller Williams Partners.

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:

• Mar. 20 – Crafternoon: Terracotta Pot Painting, West Chester Public Library, 1 – 2 p.m. Celebrate the first day of spring by painting your own terracotta pot. Open to children 5+. Registration required. 

• Mar. 20 – CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. 7:00 p.m. Join the Chester County Astronomical Society for their monthly look at the skies.

• Mar. 20 – 36th Annual WCU Jazz Festival – Philadelphia’s Finest Meet The Criterions: Joanna Pascale & John Swana, WCU Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, 7:30 – 9 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public. 

• Mar. 21 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.

• Mar. 21 – 36th Annual WCU Jazz Festival – High School Jazz Festival, WCU Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets required.

• Mar. 22 – Photos with the Easter Bunny, Barnaby’s West Chester, 12 – 2 p.m. Bring the kids to Barnaby’s for FREE photos with the Easter Bunny and a bunch of crafts to keep them busy. St. Patrick’s Day specials available for the adults.

• Mar. 22 – National Puppy Day Party, Levante Brewing. Stop by for a full day of tail wags and cold brews.

• Mar. 24 – Pre-Revision Novel Prep: Know Where You Are Before You Dive In, Ryan’s Pub, 7 p.m.  Brandywine Valley Writers Group is hosting book coach and editor Diana Sinovic at their monthly meet-up. The club meets the third Tuesday of the month at Ryan’s Pub for those interested in joining.

• Mar. 24 – New Music at WCU: Pathos Trio, WCU Ware Family Recital Hall, Swope Music Building, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Pathos Trio is a New York-based piano and two-percussion ensemble acclaimed for their invigorating interpretations of contemporary works. This concert is free and open to the public.

• Mar. 25 – TEDx West Chester University, Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, 4 -8 p.m. Featuring speakers from West Chester University faculty, student communities, and regional professionals, this event celebrates collaborations between science and art, dedicated to expanding how we see, understand, and shape the world around us. Tickets: $10/adult; $5/student.

• Mar. 25 – How the Body Works, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. This 10-week program exploring how the body works is open to kids ages 8 to 13. This is session 4 – Brain and Nervous System. Registration is required for each class and opens a week before.

• Mar. 26 – Curious about Voice Coach Lessons, West Chester Public Library, 4:30-5:30 p.m. If you are curious about what goes on with voice lessons, take a free class with a professional vocal coach to find out. Registration required. This concert is free and open to the public.

• Mar. 26 – Presentation with Ned Donogue, West Goshen Township Administration Building, 7 p.m. Historian Ned Donogue discusses the role of Quakers during the American Revolution, how the war affected their daily lives, and how both sides of the conflict dealt with Quaker dissent. This is a free event but registration is required.

• Mar. 26 – New Music at WCU: Dylan Owen, Windish Entertainment, 4 W. Prescott Alley, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Dylan Owen is an LA-based rap artist celebrated for his confessional, heartfelt storytelling.

• Mar. 28 – Bunny Run 5K and 2K walk, 10 Church St. 8 a.m. $35/registration fee. Race proceeds benefit the Care Center Foundation. All fitness levels welcome. Easter Bunny expected. This is the first time for this event.

• Mar. 28  – West Chester Easter Egg Hunt, Everhart Park, 10 a.m. Different hunts for ages 2-5 and 5+ This event is free and open to the public.

• Mar. 28 – Westtown Township Egg Hike, Oakbourne Park, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Registration opens Mar. 3. Open to Westtown residents only.

• Mar. 28 – WCU Live! Presents The Doo Wop Project, WCU Philips Memorial Building, 7 p.m. The Doo Wop Project captures and delivers the classic sounds of the guys who, back in the day, harmonized with each other on stoops, in the subway, and on street corners, and they have also created a unique, exciting, fun way to “Doowop-ify” today’s biggest hits. Tickets: $26 – 36.50 depending on location. 

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!

This newsletter has been edited by Victoria Rose, Flickering Words: Copy editing. Substantive editing. Proofreading. Content writing. Technical editing. Contact her at [email protected] or @VictoriaRoseEdits to learn more.

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