West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Sept. 19, 2025

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It’s Friday, Sept 19, 2025:  It’s September, and we are celebrating all things autumn. Pumpkin spice lattes, street festivals, new tailgate experiences, and West Chester’s annual budgeting woes. Early numbers indicate Borough residents could be facing a substantial tax increase. Why can’t we be more like our budget stable neighbors - and what Borough leaders are going to spend the next month doing about it.  

Also, a new hotel has been approved for Carter Dr, a Henderson student exerts her flower power, and West Chester Borough approves a new “special event” parking rate. Coming into town for Sunday’s Restaurant Festival? You’ll want to keep reading. Ignore today’s 80-degree temps. It’s almost official, fall is here!

Ok, who’s ready? Let’s catch up.  

Editor’s note: Last week’s newsletter featured a Hillsdale Parent Group looking to delay smartphone use until at least 8th Grade. On Friday, I learned from a reader that Starkweather Elementary has had about 30 families sign the same pledge. “These kids are now in sixth grade and some of the best-adjusted kids I know!” she shared. 

Last day to save! As a genuine thank you for all the support. I am bringing back the Founding Member rate of $12/year for a limited time. Sign up now and get a full year for just $12. Stay in the know without endless searching and having to pose dozens of questions to a Facebook group. I can’t do that math, but I am sure it is lots of time saved for just $1 a month.  Promotion ends tonight!

Hello, West Chester merch is here! In honor of making it official, we have t-shirts! Celebrate your early support and keen sense of the next big thing with a Founder Member t-shirt or go with the always classic logo wear. No, no one was asking, but I think they came out pretty nice anyway.

Cue the Tax Increase Warning: West Chester Borough Staring at Another Budget Shortfall

I have been trying to broaden coverage to the other municipalities with a West Chester mailing address, fun fact on that below. But, each September, residents living in the 1.8 miles at the center of it all seem to be in for a uniquely Borough pain point, budgeting season. And this year is shaping up to be no different. 

Design Series: Make the Most of the Home You Love

Potential clients often ask us what it means to be a ”design-build” remodeling company and how it’s different from being a contractor. We are contractors, of course, because we depend on a group of specialists – from framers and cabinet installers to stone masons and roofers – to make sure each project is completed flawlessly, on time and within budget.

These are craftspeople we’ve worked with and whose skills and reliability we believe in. Add them to our in-house design, architecture, and project management team and you start to get the idea of what design-build is.

“Our job is to translate your dreams and ideas into concrete plans, working with you to ensure that every detail actually does make the most of the home you love,” says Pete Cooper, Spring Creek Design’s CEO. “But we also bring new ideas, perspectives, and even technology into the discussion so you benefit from everything we’ve learned.”

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

**This is a sponsored post.**

The Warnings.

Not all neighbors are neighborly. This week, an East Bradford resident who was accused of terrorizing her neighbors pleaded guilty to harassment charges. For more than a decade, Leslie Ann Kilkuskie-Cridland complained endlessly about the routine activities of two of her neighbors - things like cutting the grass, playing soccer, even driving the car elicited threatening emails and shouts. She took her concerns to child welfare officials, church groups, school administrators, and the township. At one point, she attempted to hit one of them with her car.  “It is just hard as a family spending your life getting harassed,” victim Jason Matthews told Common Pleas Court Judge Bret Binder. 

In a single year, the Matthews family received 34 emails from Leslie Ann complaining about their activities and encouraging them to move out of the neighborhood. Neighbor Richard Perrin called her the “monster under the bed. Except she is real.” In the end, Leslie pleaded guilty to summary charges and accepted nine months of probation, but offered no apology or explanation for her behavior. You can read more about this bizarre case here.  

Beware of the disengaged teen. Education researchers Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop surveyed more than 65,000 students and found that 74 percent of third graders report they love school, but by tenth grade, that number drops to 26 percent. The reason? Disengagement. Either challenged or overwhelmed students across the country are checking out in a wave of mediocrity. 

Checked-out kids become less likely to develop the skills of a learner: someone who is curious, adaptable, and able to respond to different challenges and environments -and it’s affecting plenty of kids who are getting good-enough grades. So, what to do about it? That’s what the West Chester Area School District would like to discuss. 

“The themes in this book tie directly to the changes we’re planning, making your voice in this conversation especially valuable,” West Chester Area Superintendent Dr. David Christopher said in a video message to families. 

WCASD has planned an inaugural community discussion of Anderson and Winthrop’s “The Disengaged Teen” for Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. You can get the book online or from the library - or if you would like to cheat, this Atlantic article gives a pretty good overview of the situation. 

Homicide attempt in the Borough. This week, West Chester Police arrested Ariel Delgadillo, a 43-year-old West Chester resident, on charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, rape, strangulation, and sexual assault. The incident occurred early Sunday morning at a residence in the 500 block of W. Biddle St. 

Bringing Spirits down. West Goshen Police are seeking community help in identifying an individual wanted in connection with a retail theft at West Goshen’s Fine Wine and Good Spirits. You can view a series of images of the suspect here. If he looks familiar or you have any other information about the incident, contact West Goshen Police at 610-696-7400.

Avoid the area if you can. Aqua will be on Goshen Road between Collins Drive and the west side of Baylowell Drive beginning Monday morning. They will be installing 2,800 feet of new water main as part of a $1.3 million infrastructure project. A duration for the project was not given, but work will take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Accommodations will be made for the buses, and residents should retain access to their properties, but note, you may have to change up the route depending on where crews are working. Also, if you are out and about in the East Goshen area you’ll want to stay away from Strasburg Rd. and Goshen Rd. closed and detoured weekdays through Monday. Then moving on up Strasburg Rd between 352 and Route 3, closed and detoured Tuesday through Thursday. 

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.  

New West Goshen hotel gets approval. After a two-year delay, West Goshen Supervisors have given final approval to a 200-room hotel at 205 Carter Drive, a five-acre parcel in the township. The approval came without an artist’s rendering of the three-story building. Is that like buying a house sight unseen?

The hotel will be owned by BT Carter Dr., LLC, the same developer behind The Edge apartment complex, a West Chester University student housing project on the adjoining property. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026.

Historic property designation discussion continues. Do you own a structure in West Goshen built before 1900? If so, your property may appear on a proposed list of “historic properties.” If a new zoning amendment is ultimately adopted, this designation would place additional protection standards on your property. Township discussion is expected to continue in the coming months.

Possible benefits: recognition, preservation of historic character, and potential access to grants or tax incentives.

Possible drawbacks: restrictions on changes, renovations, or even demolition of your property.

You can check out the proposed ordinance for yourself here. 

WCU Foundation to pick up the tab for the Master Plan Review. In some good news for West Goshen and West Chester budgets, WCU Foundation has agreed to reimburse both municipalities for the costs incurred for independent engineering reviews of the 800-page document. Urban Engineers will conduct the analysis, with costs shared by West Goshen and West Chester Borough. Each municipality capped its share at $20,000; now the WCU Foundation has agreed to reimburse both for those costs.

West Chester University invites neighbors to Master Plan meetings. Speaking of Master Plan reviews, West Chester University is holding two informational meetings in the coming weeks to share its Master Plan with residents. Neighbors living within 500 ft. received a letter of invitation this week, but all are welcome. Mark your calendar for Monday, Sept. 29 - 8:00-9:30 p.m. at Swope Performance Center, 817 S. High St., and Monday, Oct. 6 - 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Asplundh Concert Hall, 700 S. High St.

Until next time, keep shining! - Margie

Hello.

This week, West Chester Borough Council voted unanimously to introduce “Special Event’ parking in the Town Center District.  The new pricing system would set a single all-day parking price for Borough-owned garages (Chestnut Street and Bicentennial) and parking lots on event days. 

Goodbye.

Goodbye, summer. We held on long enough, and there is no surer sign fall is here than an afternoon tailgate. West Chester University, for one, is ready to embrace the (football) season - and they hope you will join them. Saturday will mark the Golden Rams' first scheduled home football game, and they are approaching this year’s celebrations with a new family-friendly approach. 

The Accolades.

Let’s keep those fall feels going with a little Restaurant Fest love. Second in size only to the Christmas Parade, the Chester County Restaurant Festival routinely draws more than 25,000 people to downtown streets. With temps expected to be mild and skies clear, this year should be no different. 

“Nothing new…just a monster of an event that should be a blast as always,” shared Parks and Rec Director Keith Kurowski. 

The monster event starts at noon and runs until 5:30 p.m. There will be 53 vendors serving up all sorts of specialties and treats, 71 craft or information booths, six bands on three stages, nine blocks closed to traffic, and one beer garden on N. Church St. 

The event is free to attend, although there is a $3 cover charge for the beer garden. 

Ok, now the important stuff. 

There will be two main public restroom locations. One will be on the 100 block of N. Walnut St. by the Post Office, and a second on N. Church St. by the beer garden. 

Street closures begin at 7 a.m. and will run through 9 p.m. 

The new special event parking fee will be in effect, sort of. It will be $20 to park in a Borough garage starting at noon, but parking lots and street parking will remain free. 

Other things we are celebrating this week: 

Playing loud, and playing proud. Two weeks ago, the Rustin Marching Band met at the 6ABC Action News yard to perform an original artistic musical score inspired by the Vincent Van Gogh painting Starry Night. The band is made up of 52 members and led by Director Mike Shoremount. While the band may take its talents on the road for performances and competitions, its heart is in West Chester. “They love being a part of our school’s quality for culture, our school football games, and just embodying school spirit for all of us,” Director Shoremount told 6ABC News. You can check out the Marching Knights for yourself tonight as Rustin Football takes on Kennett at home.   

Family-owned and operated. Shout out this week to West Chester’s own, Carlino’s Market. The Carlino family is known for its homemade Italian specialties. It’s also known for its commitment to family and heritage. That trifecta was recently honored with a 2025 Family-Owned Business Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal. “We believe in natural products, wholesome products, real products, and we stuck to those beliefs from day one. It’s wonderful to see that people are noticing and respecting it, not only regionally, but nationally now,” owner Pat Carlino told the journal. Opened in 1983 as a small pasta and sauce shop, the Carlino Family is now looking to bring their secret sauce to a national audience.   

Shutting it down. A shutout shout-out this week to Henderson goalie Dylan Arrison. Dylan broke the Henderson soccer shutout record last Thursday after recording the 29th scoreless game of his career against a tough Downingtown East team. (Henderson won 1-0 in double overtime.) He has since recorded two more. It seems that when this record finally settles, it will be a hard one to break. While we are here, we are going to stop for a few more sports celebrations. Congratulations to Rustin’s Boys Soccer team on claiming the Best of West Chester title with a 3-2 win over East at East, Rustin’s Girls Volleyball team took down previously unbeaten Avon Grove in straight sets, and speaking of undefeated, East and Henderson Football teams hit the gridiron tonight still carrying the mantle, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in more than forty years.    

Elevating the tailgate. On Sunday, a Philadelphia man attempted to eat 1,000 oysters in a single sitting - apparently, a NutriBullet and a funnel were involved. While I’m not sure about that, if you can keep them cold, I’m not going to hate on oysters at a tailgate. Former chef turned journalist, Kiki Aranita, would agree, describing her experience at the Gadaleto’s Seafood sponsored tailgate. “It was shucked by Andy Gadaleto of Gadaleto’s Seafood Market in West Chester, and it was really the perfect oyster: small, delicate, lightly sweet, and very, very cold,” she wrote.  

Staying the course. Finally, a round of applause to some long-serving West Chester employees. West Chester Chief of Police Joshua Lee, Borough Manager Executive Assistant Dana DiDomenico, Public Works supervisors (and community garden expert) Varday Jacobs, staff member Derrick Jackson, and Police Communications Officer Paul Widmayer, all recorded 25 years of service with the Borough, while Detective Bob Kuehn celebrated 30. Thank you all for all you do.  

The generosity of friends. The West Chester Co-op is celebrating a big win and major donation this week after Brandywine Valley HVAC, and member owner, Bill Ronayne, donated $75,000 to their cause of opening a community-owned grocery store in the Borough. “I’ve always believed in giving back to the community that supports me. The Co-op represents something important—neighbors coming together to create a space that serves everyone. I’m proud to be part of making it a reality,” he said. 

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Pay it Forward.

Henderson flower child.

Last weekend, I got a message - “Wanted to share this with you,” Michele DiNorscia-Zimmeran wrote. “Lily Holman, who is a junior at Henderson High School, started a nonprofit to raise money for teen mental health and suicide prevention. It’s called Lily & Lotus Flower Boutique.” 

And a question - “She’s trying to get the word out, and the flowers she’s putting together are gorgeous!” Would I consider sharing?

You know, I would. This week, I reached out to Lily and got the scoop on how a 16-year-old gets inspired to start her own nonprofit - and where you can score yourself (or someone you love) a gorgeous bouquet. 

Editor’s note: Some responses have been edited for length.

HWC: What is your nonprofit? 

Lily: My nonprofit is called Lily & Lotus. I pick flowers from a local flower farm called Strawflower Farm, I arrange them, and sell them. Then, I donate 100 percent of the profits to The Jed Foundation. They focus on preventing suicide and protecting emotional wellness for our nation’s teens and young adults. 

I started Lily & Lotus on August 27, 2025.

HWC: Why did you decide to focus on mental health and suicide prevention? 

Lily: I decided to focus on mental health and suicide prevention because I believe it’s one of the most important issues of our time. So many people struggle silently, and there’s still a lot of stigma around asking for help. I want to be part of changing that conversation. My goal is to create more understanding and hope, and to protect as many lives as possible.

HWC: Where did you get the idea to sell bouquets? 

Lily: I love flowers and wanted to work in a flower shop, but it was difficult to get a job as a sixteen-year-old with no experience. That’s when I began brainstorming ways I could arrange and sell my own bouquets while supporting something impactful. Suicide prevention and mental health are something I truly care for, so I decided to use my love for flowers to support that.

HWC: The arrangements are gorgeous. Is flower arranging a passion of yours? 

Lily: Flowers haven’t always been a passion of mine, but that changed the first time I received a bouquet from my boyfriend a little over a year ago. He’s been gifting me flowers throughout our relationship; that’s when I fell in love with them. I started picking flowers from my family’s garden and arranging them into bouquets. It quickly became a hobby of mine, something that brings me joy.

Want a little joy of your own this weekend? You can pick up one of Lily’s bouquets at Renew Laser & Aesthetic Medicine at 704 Neilds St. or at Penn’s Table Family Night tonight. 

“People can stop by, bring their kids for fun flower-inspired crafts, and grab a bouquet,” Lily added.

Small bouquets are $20 each, large ones $30. Penn’s Table Family Night begins at 4 p.m. and runs to 7. Get $6 chicken fingers, a $5 pint, and support a good cause. 

Other ways to get involved:

Clear the attic of those old books. On Oct. 4, West Chester Library is closing the streets for its first-ever, or at least first-ever reported here, book sale, and in order to get ready for that sale, they need, well, books, as well as audio-visual items in good condition. If you have any such items, drop them in the bin by the main circulation desk any time between now and Oct. 3. Just no textbooks, outdated encyclopedias, or Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, please.

Push the pretzels this weekend. The Crime Victim’s Center of Chester County, located at 135 W. Market St is looking for seven large plastic jars (like the kind pretzels often come in) for an event they are hosting on Thursday. If you have one to spare, they would welcome the donation. FYI, the jars for the second annual Cheers to CVC: Battle of the Badges. West Chester fire and police chiefs are going to head behind the bar and serve it up to see who can earn the most tips for the CVC. As bonus inspiration, here’s a little trash-talking video between West Chester Police Chief Josh Lee and Goodwill Fire Chief Gerry DiNunzio. 

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? Sunday makes it official. Fall is here! I took all the advice and hung on to summer to the bitter end. This week, we celebrated with an end-of-season cookout, drank iced coffee, and toasted with a spicy margarita, my unofficial drink of summer. Now, I am ready for some jeans weather, homemade soup, and a nice Oktoberfest beer. Who’s with me? 

Sunday makes it official. Fall is here! I took all the advice and hung on to summer to the bitter end. This week, we celebrated with an end-of-season cookout, drank iced coffee, and toasted with a spicy margarita, my unofficial drink of summer. Now, I am ready for some jeans weather, homemade soup, and a nice Oktoberfest beer. Who’s with me?  

If you are around this weekend, a lot is going on event-wise: Concert in the Quad is tonight, West Chester University’s home opener tomorrow, and Restaurant Festival on Sunday. Plus, Uptown is celebrating its production of A Chorus Line with a Beer Garden tonight. Tickets to the show are still available if you are interested. And West Goshen has the second in its outdoor movie series. They will be showing Jurassic World tomorrow night. Looking for some more low-key fall things? May Day has brought back its popular Pumpkin Spice latte,  Dolce Zola has a new Focaccia Menu, the Prosciutto with arugula pesto sounds especially delish, and Green Eyed Lady has some great transition sweaters. 

Finally, a very special thank you to this week’s Community Sponsor, PetCare Group. Insured, bonded, and in business for 22 years, PetCare Group has an experienced team of care providers for in-home pet sitting, dog walking, and dog training every day of the year – including weekends, holidays, and overnights. Forgot to cancel the mail? Need someone to water the plants? They’ll take care of those too (no extra cost). Check out their website to learn more.

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:

• Sept. 19 – Concert on the Quad Featuring the WCU Symphony Orchestra and Criterions, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. This is a free community event. 

• Sept. 19 – Summer Pop-up Beer Garden: A Chorus Line, Uptown Theater, 5 p.m. Kick off the weekend with Broadway flair and Beer Garden fun! Beer Garden events precede the main show and are free to attend. 

• Sept. 20 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Sept. 20 – West Goshen Fall Movie Series, West Goshen Community Park, 7 p.m. This is a free event. Movie selections will be announced Sept. 1. Check the West Goshen website for upates.

• Sept. 21 – Rams Let’s Walk, 700 S. Church St., 9 a.m. 5K walk/run in support of student-athlete mental health. 

• Sept. 21 – 44th Annual Chester County Restauarnt Festival, Gay St. , 12 – 5 p.m. Dozens of local and regional food vendors and restaurants serve up a variety of unique dishes. There is also a Beer and Wine Garden (on N. Church St.) and three stage areas featuring live bands performances. Enterance is free.

• Sept. 23 – School’s Off Day Camp, First Presbyterian Church, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Open to students kindergarten through 5th grade. Camp theme: sports. Registration required. Suggested fee: $30

• Sept. 23 – Dementia Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group, Westminster Presbyterian Church,  6 p.m.  Don’t go it alone! This support group gives caregivers and others impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia a place to connect and share with one another. Contact: [email protected] for more information.

• Sept. 24 – Plagues and Pestilence: A Walking Tour, Chester County History Center, 6 p.m. Your tour through 19th-century diseases

• Sept. 24 – Chamber Strings Concert, Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, 7:30 – 9 p.m. This talented group showcases its versatility with one concert featuring strings only, and another with the addition of woodwinds, brass, and percussion. This is a free community event. 

• Sept. 26 – Bird Walk, Gordon Natural Area, 8:30 – 10 a.m. Meet at the GNA entrance in R Lot. Binoculars provided. All are welcome. 

• Sept. 26 – WCU Symphony Orchestra Concert, Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, 7:30 – 9 p.m. WCU Symphony Orchestra offers innovative concert presentations that incorporate multi-media, guest artists, and smartphone-friendly features. This is a free community event.

• Sept. 26 – Gusten Rudolph Quartet, Windish Studios, 4 W. Prescott Aly, doors open at 7 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Join for a night of new compositions and inventive improvisations on timeless classics. Tickets: $25.

• Sept. 27 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Sept. 27 – Oktoberfest, all day, Downtown West Chester, $6 fall beers or ciders and fall-themed appetizers.

• Sept. 27 – West Goshen Fall Movie Series, West Goshen Community Park, 7 p.m. This is a free event. Movie selections will be announced Sept. 1. Check the West Goshen website for upates.

• Sept. 27 – Chester County Art Walk, East Goshen Township Park, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The place where art and nature meet.

• Sept. 27 – Revolutionary Pub Crawl, E. Market St., 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Eat, drink, and be entertained by the heros of the American Revolution including Philadelphia’s own Ben Franklin. This one-of-a-kind walking tour combines historic reenactments with visits to local bars and is making its first trip to West Chester. Tickets: $76.54 includes reenactment performances and one drink at each location.

• Sept. 28 – Flea for All, 307 Westtown Rd., 12 – 5 p.m. Outdoor Flea Market. All are welcome. Table space is free but limited. BYO table/racks, etc. Reach out at the link above for more info.

Looking for more ideas? The Fall Event Guide is out - and it was just updated with new events! Get it 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