Fighting to keep a son’s memory alive | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, an inside look at a local niche sports league.
Hi, Chester County. 👋
A local family is working to preserve a memorial and play area dedicated to their late infant son, putting them at odds with some township officials. Also this week, a roller derby team is searching for a new home, two people have been charged in a road-rage incident, plus we take a look at Vanguard’s evolving real estate footprint.
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After the death of his 7-day-old son in 2022, Ryan Leithead channeled his grief into creating a memorial for Cayden. The result was a sandpit play area at the Pine Creek Park playground in West Pikeland Township, complete with a photo of Cayden’s hand encircled by those of his parents.
But as officials contemplate upgrading the playground, the memorial could end up being moved — something Leithead says feels like losing his son all over again. It’s put him and some other residents at odds with the board of supervisors.
Here’s what to know ahead of the board’s planned Sept. 8 meeting.
A local roller derby team is on the hunt for a new space to host its practices and possibly spectator-attended bouts, something that’s proving to be a tall order for the lesser-known sport that emphasizes inclusivity.
Consisting of about two dozen members, Brandywine Roller Derby currently practices at a facility on Collegium Charter School’s Exton campus, but hosts its games in Pottstown due to a lack of roller rinks anywhere in Chester County.
As the team gears up to recruit new skaters — there’s an event Sept. 20 — its president worries about the group’s future if it can’t find a new spot.
📍 Countywide News
Two Chester County clubs — Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern and Stonewall in Elverson — have some of the best private golf courses in Pennsylvania, according to a ranking from Golfweek.
Several new roadwork projects will join a slew of ongoing ones throughout the county this week. Here’s what to know.
Trash and recycling pickups may operate on an altered schedule for Labor Day. Check with your municipality or service provider for details.
💡 Community News
Two men involved in an alleged May road-rage incident in Tredyffrin Township were charged last week with attempted murder and terroristic threats.
Another stop-work order was issued last week at the East Whiteland Township Superfund site that’s being converted into a 1.5 million-square-foot data center. This one called into question documentation about sufficient water to operate the facility.
Malvern investment giant Vanguard has sold a Tredyffrin Township office complex for $17 million, but plans to continue leasing the site.
Malvern medical-technology firm Tela Bio plans to slash about 20% of its workforce, or roughly 40 full-time employees, to cut operating expenses. The Great Valley Corporate Center company specializes in biological products for soft-tissue repairs.
Fifteen players from the Berwyn-Paoli Area Little League challenger baseball team — geared toward individuals with physical and intellectual challenges — competed in the 2026 Little League Challenger Division’s exhibition game over the weekend.
Former New Garden Township supervisor Warren Reynolds has been sentenced to 17 1/2 to 35 years in state prison for sexually abusing a child. Thirteen years ago, Reynolds was also charged with possessing child pornography.
Birmingham Township is contemplating an ordinance to better define language about potential future data centers and will host a public hearing Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Uwchlan Township’s board of supervisors will resume discussions about the possible development of a 492-home community at the Lionville Station Road property at Tuesday’s 6 p.m. meeting.
Setting the Bar, a new shop specializing in vintage barware, recently opened at 152 E. Gay St. in West Chester.
Uwchlan Ambulance Corps has launched a car seat loan program for community members.
A new 67-apartment building with one- and two-bedroom units has opened at mixed-use development River Station in Downingtown. A second building with 93 apartments is slated to open next year.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Coatesville Area School District is hosting a ribbon cutting and sneak-peek for students and their families this evening at 6 p.m. for its new Doe Run Elementary School, which broke ground in fall 2024. A community celebration is expected this fall.
Kennett Consolidated School District opened New Garden Elementary this week, a little over two years after the project broke ground.
Oxford Area School District has made several personnel changes as the school year gets underway. Stephanie Farmer has been appointed principal of Elk Ridge Elementary School, taking over for the retiring Matt Hovanec. Former Penn’s Grove School principal Tami Motes has taken that same role at Hornet Virtual Academy, with former Oxford Area High assistant principal Andy Wendle stepping into her previous role. Wendle is being succeeded by Vanessa Kephart.
🍽️ On our Plate
Los Sombreros, a new West Chester eatery specializing in Mexican and Venezuelan cuisines, soft opened yesterday at 139 W. Gay St.
Japanese restaurant Egawa, which serves a large selection of sushi and omakase, recently opened at 650 Carnegie Blvd. in Malvern.
Want to get a peek at a 1923 Colonial revival once owned by the du Pont family? Tickets are on sale now for Longwood Gardens’ open-fire culinary event, Field & Flame, on Oct. 2 and 3, which will take place on the grounds of the 505-acre Wilmington estate Granogue that Longwood purchased in recent years.
🎳 Things to Do
🇺🇸 America250 Concert and Drone Show: Drones will light up the sky for this rescheduled patriotic celebration. There will also be food and drinks. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Exton Park
🏎️ OMI Car Show: See over 200 unique cars, trucks, and motorcycles; enjoy live music; and grab a bite to eat from a food truck at this 12th annual event. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 4, 4-8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Downtown Oxford
🏇 Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show and Country Fair: Now in its 83rd year, the Labor Day weekend event features equestrian competitions and local vendors. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 5-Monday, Sept. 7, 8 a.m. daily for equestrian events, 11 a.m. for the country fair 💵 $10 per carload 📍 Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show grounds, Glenmoore
🏡 On the Market
Located in the Chester Springs neighborhood of the Reserve at Waynebrook, this four-bedroom home has undergone a number of updates. Its airy living spaces include a family room with a fireplace, a dining room, an office, and a remodeled eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and high-end appliances. The primary suite has a bathroom with a soaking tub, plus a walk-in closet. The home has a deck and a patio with a fire pit out back. There’s an open house Sept. 13 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $820,000 | Size: 3,499 SF | Acreage: 0.18
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