10 municipalities could fund one fire service | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, a popular pizza shop owner has been accused of unlawfully sharing intimate photos of his ex-girlfriend.
Hi, Chester County!
A pair of fire rescue houses in southern Chester County will come under one company in January. Ten area municipalities are hammering out an agreement to fund it. Here’s what to know. Also this week, classes resumed at Oxford Area High after a measles case led to a one-day closure, the restaurateur behind a popular pizzeria has been accused of unlawfully sharing intimate photos of his ex-girlfriend, plus Wawa is testing sushi at two county outposts.
— Lisa Dukart (chestercounty@inquirer.com)
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As operating costs rise, 10 municipalities are weighing an agreement in which they would jointly fund a new fire company that would serve roughly 100 square miles in southern Chester County.
It could be one of the largest agreements in the region if all 10 — Avondale, Franklin, London Britain, Londonderry, London Grove, New London, New Garden, Penn, West Grove, and West Marlborough — come together to fund the Southern Chester County Fire Rescue, a merger between Avondale and West Grove fire companies, which are set to join forces come Jan. 1.
Spreading the costs would mean more resources for the company and the municipalities that fund it, according to officials.
📍 Countywide news
County officials warned of possible measles exposures at three area pharmacies on Oct. 4, one in Kennett Square and two in West Grove. The current measles outbreak, centered in Lancaster County and spilling into Chester County, resulted in Oxford Area High closing on Friday after a case was confirmed in the community. Classes resumed Monday after district officials said they worked to ensure a “safe return.” As cases continue to climb, The Inquirer has put together a guide about measles. You can also see area school vaccination data here.
Monday is the last day to register to vote if you want to cast your ballot in the November election. Check out The Inquirer’s guide to the 2026 midterms.
There are several No Kings events planned for this Saturday as part of the nationwide movement. Local events will take place at the Chester County Government Services Center in West Chester, the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library in Chester Springs, the Kennett Library in Kennett Square, and at Oxford Memorial Park.
SEPTA’s new Regional Rail schedule goes into effect Sunday. The only change to the Paoli/Thorndale line is the 5300 train, which currently departs at 4:29 a.m. It will operate as the 9500 train and depart about 20 minutes later.
There will be work on several bridges, part of a slew of roadwork projects underway this week.
💡 Community news
Alessandro “Alex” Fiorello, the restaurateur behind Alessandro’s Pizzeria in West Chester, has been charged with unlawfully sharing intimate photos of his ex-girlfriend.
Shane Gillis, the comedian behind West Chester-rooted Netflix series Tires, came under fire this weekend after hosting Saturday Night Live. During his skit, the Mechanicsburg native made comments that some viewers characterized as misogynistic and tone deaf.
Several municipalities will be contemplating data center ordinances tonight. Honey Brook Township will weigh a zoning ordinance amendment at its meeting at 7 p.m. East Marlborough Township’s board of supervisors could consider adopting an ordinance at tonight’s meeting regarding where future data centers could be allowed. And West Whiteland Township is also slated to discuss a data center zoning ordinance amendment at its meeting at 6:30 p.m.
As communities take action regarding data centers, one proposal in North Coventry Township has been scrapped prior to even coming before the zoning hearing board. PGOB Coventry Holdings, LLC and PennMark Management Company, Inc. last week withdrew their application to redevelop a portion of the Coventry Mall into a nearly 86,000-square-foot data center.
On Monday, East Vincent Township will continue the conditional use hearing for AQ Dev, LLC’s proposal to build 53 single-family homes at 446 Stony Run Rd. The meeting will be in person and on Zoom.
West Brandywine Township will continue the conditional use hearing for Imaging Associates, LLC’s and Toll Mid-Atlantic LP Company, Inc.’s proposal to build an age-restricted community with 163 single-family homes and 74 twins on a roughly 119-acre at 500 Hibernia Rd. in Coatesville. The Monday meeting has been moved to North Brandywine Middle School’s auditorium.
After a six year effort, Hoffman’s Mill dam has been removed from the section of the Brandywine Creek straddling Chester and Delaware Counties in Chadds Ford. The removal of the dam, which dated back to the late 1800s, is aimed at reducing flooding in the area, restoring the habitat, and improving safety.
The West Chester outpost of iThrive Coworking will mark its opening at 10 N. High St. in West Chester with a ribbon cutting tomorrow from 4 to 6 p.m.
🏫 Schools briefing
There are a couple of homecoming events this weekend: Downingtown East’s dance is Saturday and Tredyffrin/Easttown’s festivities take place Friday and Saturday.
Downingtown Area School District is hosting community open houses on Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. to show off updates at Beaver Creek and West Bradford Elementary Schools.
West Goshen Township’s supervisors are slated to consider a proposed renovation and expansion to West Chester Area School District’s Peirce Middle School at its meeting Monday.
🍽️ On our plate
Wawa has been quietly testing prepared sushi rolls at a handful of locations in the region, including in Exton and West Chester. The Inquirer’s Beatrice Forman offers her take on the new option.
Top Dog Cocktails has opened Green Room at the Flash, a collaboration with its Kennett Square neighbor and music venue Kennett Flash. The new space serves the brand’s drinks and has a vinyl listening lounge.
Spring City Hotel Restaurant will open its doors on Sunday, with a grand opening slated for 3 p.m. Located at 88 N. Main St., the restaurant will be open Thursdays through Mondays.
Fast-casual concept Goodness Bowls is hosting a grand opening for its Paoli location on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The celebration for the 5 Paoli Plaza location includes a free “Avalon Bowl” for the first 50 customers who sign up for the rewards program.
🎳 Things to do
🌃 Third Thursdays in KSQ: Tomorrow is the last event for the season, when pedestrians and shoppers take over State Street. ⏰ Thursday, Oct. 15, 5:30-9 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 State Street, Kennett Square
🏡 Fall Festival of Homes: This self-guided tour will give you a glimpse inside six homes and their gardens, all benefiting Bryn Mawr Hospital. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 $85 📍 Villanova to West Chester
⭐ Astronomy Night: Learn the basics of astronomy at this guided event. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 17, 7-10 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Warwick County Park, Pottstown
🍀 Clover Market: Browse a selection of vendors, listen to live music, and grab a bite to eat at a food truck during the fall edition of the roving market. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 600 S. Broad St., Kennett Square
🎃 Fall Festivals: Several communities are hosting fall festivals this weekend. Charlestown’s, Modena’s, South Coatesville’s and West Whiteland’s are on Saturday; and East Bradford’s is on Sunday.
🏡 On the market
Situated on an acre lot adjacent to Crebilly Farm, this four-bedroom Colonial has plenty of privacy. The home has undergone a number of updates, including to major household systems as well as to its living spaces. The renovated kitchen has granite countertops and an island. The primary suite’s bathroom has also been updated and features a double vanity and a walk-in shower. Outside, there’s a covered front porch, a deck, and a patio with a firepit that opens onto a fenced yard.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $825,000 | Size: 2,240 SF | Acreage: 1
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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