🏓 Ping-pong prowess in Phoenixville | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, a new voter services director for the county.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
The USA Table Tennis Pennsylvania Open is coming to Phoenixville this weekend. Local players say the sport is about winning glory, but also forming community. Also this week, the county announced a new voter services director, the man accused of randomly shooting a CHOP nurse in Tredyffrin Township appeared in court, and the Spring-Ford school district is moving to fire a teacher supported by community members.
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Dozens of Philly-area ping-pong enthusiasts will take to the Phoenixville Recreation Center on Saturday for the USA Table Tennis Pennsylvania Open.
Local players will square off for cash prizes, trophies, and rankings, gathering official points that could even help to one day elevate their USA Table Tennis standing high enough to qualify for the Olympics. Categories include women’s singles, juniors, and over 40.
But aside from the fame and glory, many Chester County ping-pongers are building community and living out their childhood dreams via the sport. Deepak Gupta, the owner of Exton Table Tennis, said he has built friendships as he plays against other local fathers.
“Once I started playing table tennis with some of the other dads, we started getting to know each other more as individuals and more as friends,” the 52-year-old said, “and then taking that spirit and ... expanding it to a community.”
West Chester resident Michele DiCaprio will soon take over as Chester County’s new director of voter services, inheriting an office recently marred by controversy, including staff turnover, hostile work environment allegations, and election administration-related issues.
DiCaprio’s experience as a former foreign service officer sets her up for success in the role, the county said in a news release.
She replaces Karen Barsoum, who announced her resignation in March and ended her tenure on June 12. DiCaprio will begin the role on July 20.
📍 Countywide News
Heads up for drivers: Work on a number of area roads could cause delays or detours this week, including on East Reeceville Road, where a monthslong project is slated to get underway. Here’s the roadwork to watch out for this week.
Chester County Solid Waste Authority is hosting a household hazardous waste event Friday in Coatesville. Registration is required.
💡 Community News
Steve Jahn, the Berwyn man accused of fatally shooting Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia nurse Megan Nieberle, 53, in Tredyffrin Township in March, appeared for the first time in court Monday. The apparently random act shocked the Chester County community and incited conversation about mental illness and firearms. Jahn, 44, has been charged with first- and third-degree murder, among other crimes.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office is investigating after an officer with the North Coventry Township Police Department was involved in a shooting Monday. Few details were available about the incident as of Tuesday, including whether anyone was injured.
Coatesville couple Mousa Hawa and Holly Back were sentenced to decades in prison last week for the murder of their 8-year-old son. Prosecutors said Hunter died of an overdose in 2023 after ingesting drugs in their home, The Inquirer’s Vinny Vella reports.
Wawa has filed for a liquor license for its forthcoming location at 799 Valley Forge Rd. in Schuylkill Township.
The Borough of West Chester is seeking feedback about a potential shared shuttle bus program with West Chester University. Take the survey here.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Spring-Ford Area School District is moving to fire an eighth-grade Spanish teacher, Jasmine Ewing, for reasons it has not made public. The school board vote to approve a statement of charges came amid an outpouring of community support shared during a public meeting Monday, The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna reports.
Phoenixville Area School District’s board approved Kathryn “Kate” Pacitto as its next assistant superintendent at its most recent meeting. Pacitto currently serves as executive director of curriculum and pupil services for the district. She’s been signed to a five-year contract and will assume the new role July 1.
Registration is open for West Chester Area School District’s school safety summit, which will take place Aug. 6 at Rustin High School.
🍽️ On our Plate
With summer now officially here, farmers markets are in full swing. Luckily there are a number throughout the county, including the Kennett Square Farmers Market and Phoenixville Farmers’ Market. The Inquirer’s Hira Qureshi has rounded up two dozen spots to check out.
A new cafe has opened in Coatesville. Located at 2705 E. Lincoln Highway, Lily & Grace’s Cafe serves menu items such as breakfast sandwiches, açai bowls, mini Dutch pancakes, and assorted desserts.
🎳 Things to Do
🎙️ Sound of Summer Free Concert Series: Delaware rock band Too Tall Slim and the Guilty Pleasures headlines this week’s show. There will also be food trucks. ⏰ Wednesday, June 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square
🎹 Tredyffrin Township Summer Concert Series: Philadelphia-area band The Sin Brothers headline this week’s show. ⏰ Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Wilson Farm Park, Wayne
🍿 Movie Night: West Bradford will screen Wicked: For Good outdoors. There will also be $1 ice creams. ⏰ Thursday, June 25, 8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Broad Run Park, Downingtown
🍺 Rhythm & Brews: There will be live music, food trucks, and yard games at this recurring New Garden event. ⏰ Tuesday, June 30, 6-8 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 New Garden Park, Landenberg
🎶 Eagleview Summer Concert Series: Hear local cover band LeCompt, along with special guest and fellow local Lia Menaker. ⏰ Tuesday, June 30, 7-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Eagleview Town Center, Exton
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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