Tredyffrin murder raises questions over police response | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, a judge has ruled that a historic West Goshen house can be demolished.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
In the wake of the apparent random murder of a mother of three, Tredyffrin Township residents are wondering if there was more police could have done. Also, funeral services are being held today for Pa. State Police Cpl. Timothy O’Connor, a house in West Goshen that preservationists having been trying to save is slated for demolition, plus, a developer wants to reimagine a pair of Kennett Square office buildings to add retail and apartments.
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Residents had a lot of questions for Tredyffrin Township elected officials on Monday, when they gathered for the first time since 53-year-old nurse Megan Nieberle was murdered in her car the weekend prior.
While her death has been framed as a random act of violence, “we could also frame it as: Was it a preventable act of violence?” resident Joe Maugeri posed.
Others questioned why they weren’t notified that there was an armed individual who posed a threat to the community, while some struggled with the fact that police had interacted with Steve Jahn earlier that day, noting he exhibited “frantic behavior.”
A mother of three and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia nurse, Nieberle is remembered as “a cherished presence in the community,” her obituary said.
Read more about residents’ concerns and what officials had to say.
📍 Countywide News
A private funeral service will be held today at 11 a.m. for Pa. State Police Cpl. Timothy O’Connor, who was killed last week by an erratic driver he pulled over in West Caln Township. The driver shot O’Connor and then himself. While the funeral isn’t open to the public, it will be live-streamed on the Pennsylvania State Police’s Facebook page. Some roads in and around Downingtown will be closed for the funeral and procession, and police have warned that there will be heavy traffic. Manor Avenue between Rock Raymond Road and East Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed from 6 a.m. until about 3 p.m. All ramps from the Route 30 bypass to Manor Avenue will be closed starting around 11 a.m. Manor Road between Horseshoe Pike and Culbertson Run Road will close starting around 1 p.m. Also expect rolling closures on Horseshoe Pike between Lancaster Avenue and Manor Road starting around 1 p.m.
Chester County was selected as one of six counties nationwide to pilot a new mental health training program geared toward youth mental health needs. The program will teach law enforcement, educators, first responders, and other community providers about adolescent brain development and mental health symptoms in youth, plus strategies for providing appropriate services.
Chester County Hospital in West Chester was recently ranked among the best hospitals in the United States by Newsweek, landing at No. 76. Paoli Hospital also ranked among the top hospitals, coming in at No. 219 in the U.S.
💡 Community News
A more than century-old West Goshen Township house at the center of a preservation fight will be demolished after a judge ruled on Monday that its dilapidated state is dangerous and rehabilitating it wasn’t feasible. Preservationists had been working to save the house at 905 Westtown Rd., which is owned by Joseph Kravitz and has been deteriorating for decades, becoming what the township called an “attractive nuisance.”
East Vincent Township postponed Monday’s conditional use meeting about a proposed data center at the former Pennhurst site due to inclement weather. The meeting will now take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 20 at East Vincent Elementary School.
Three companies will pay nearly $11.5 million for pollution cleanup at the former Bishop Tube site in East Whiteland Township. The 13.7-acre property contains an excess of a degreasing solvent, and other “forever” chemicals have been found there, too.
West Chester’s Mayday Coffee and arts and crafts spot Tinker, from the team behind Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop, are among the businesses that plan to open spots on the ground floor of 128 E. State St. in Kennett Square, which is slated for redevelopment. It and 101 E. State St. are being purchased by a developer who’s looking to convert the former Genesis HealthCare office buildings into a mix of retail, 60 high-end apartments, and office space.
Upper Uwchlan Township will be relocating its administration offices to 144 Byers Rd., which it has purchased and plans to renovate. Once complete, the police department will take over the entirety of the existing township building at 140 Pottstown Pike. Construction on the new administration building is expected to begin this summer. According to county property records, the township paid $1.58 million for the 24,600-square-foot building on 0.56 acres.
Heads up for drivers: Aqua Pennsylvania was set to begin work this week on the installation of an 11,000-foot water main in West Bradford Township. Work will take place on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and impact Broad Run Road between Shadyside Road and Chestnut Lane, Shadyside Road between Strasburg and Broad Run Roads, and Poorhouse Road between Marshallton-Thorndale and Broad Run Roads. Construction is expected to be completed by this summer. Aqua Pennsylvania will also be doing work in Uwchlan and West Whiteland Townships starting Monday that will close Whitford Road between Huffman and Devon Drives on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through April 30. Starting Monday, Fellowship Road at the TC Energy plant in Upper Uwchlan Township will be closed for 10 to 20 days for trench digging. And the Route 29 exit off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike straddling Charlestown and East Whiteland Townships will be closed all day Sunday for toll plaza removal.
The top meadow at Natural Lands’ Binky Lee Preserve in West Pikeland Township is expected to start undergoing a weekslong prescribed burn this week, as weather allows. The purpose of these controlled burns is to control invasive species.
West Pikeland Township is hosting a public working session tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. on a public burn ordinance.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Despite numerous offers from prep schools and other major high school basketball programs, Coatesville Area School District sophomore Colton Hiller said he’s committed to playing for the Red Raiders. The 6-foot-7 athlete is considered the nation’s No. 3 player in the class of 2028, but thanks to his parents’ roots in the community and their desire for his life to be as normal as possible, he said he won’t be going anywhere next year.
Downingtown Area School District teacher Chris Kearney fulfilled a lifelong dream when he appeared on Jeopardy! last week. The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz chatted with him about how he prepared for the show and the answer that impressed host Ken Jennings.
Kennett Consolidated School District is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on its board of school directors for Region A after Lenda Carrillo resigned. Applications are due on March 27.
🍽️ On our Plate
The Biscuit Lady opened a new storefront in West Chester yesterday at 39 W. Gay St. This is the second location for the eatery, which began in Plymouth Meeting and serves breakfast sandwiches on biscuits, packs of biscuits, and donut-like biscuits.
Pizza master Joe Beddia’s current favorite restaurant? None other than West Chester’s Andiaro. The owner behind the popular Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown recently shared his perfect day with The Inquirer’s Beatrice Forman, saying he’d take his wife and friends to the 106 W. Gay St. eatery where Chef Anthony Andiario serves up a set menu of “really well-cooked and honest food.” He’s in good company: In December, Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan noted that Andiario was a restaurant worth watching.
🎳 Things to Do
🐰 Wallace Township Easter Bunny and Egg Hunt: Take a photo with the Easter Bunny and search out hidden eggs. ⏰ Saturday, March 21, 2 p.m. (Rain date: April 4) 💵 Free 📍Springton Manor Elementary School, Glenmoore
🎶 Seven Wonders: This Fleetwood Mac tribute band takes the stage. ⏰ Saturday, March 21, 7 p.m. 💵 $24.50-$45 📍The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville
🪴 Spritzes and Succulents: Design a succulent arrangement with touches of spring at this terrarium workshop. ⏰ Tuesday, March 24, 6 p.m. 💵 $79 📍Stove and Tap, West Chester
🏡 On the Market
Located in the Steeplechase at Radley Run neighborhood, this five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home has plenty of privacy thanks to a wooded backyard. The home’s first floor features a two-story foyer, dining and living rooms, an office, a sunroom, and a two-story family room with a wall of windows and a fireplace. It adjoins the eat-in kitchen, which has an island, granite countertops, and cherry cabinetry. All five bedrooms are upstairs, including the primary suite, which has a sitting room, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with dual vanities and a soaking tub. Other features include a walk-out basement with a bar area and a three-car garage. Out back, the house has a deck, a patio, and a fire pit.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $1.149M | Size: 5,591 SF | Acreage: 0.84
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