Good morning, West Chester.

The Wardrobe will host an Open Wardrobe event on June 26 to provide free clothing, toiletries — and haircuts to formerly incarcerated individuals at five locations in the greater Philadelphia area.

The event will support those re-entering society by offering basics needed for jobs and community meetings.

Mary Alice Dorrance Malone, a Coatesville resident and the billionaire lead shareholder of Campbell Soup, died on June 16 at 75.

She served on the board for 35 years and held nearly 18 percent of the company's stock—her grandfather invented condensed soup.

Chester County police arrested Kevin Krebs at a No Kings rally in West Chester on June 14 after finding him with loaded firearms and later discovered explosives and bomb-making tools in his home—officials say they are still investigating his motive—while his family turned over 21 guns to police.

A Chester County jury convicted Quinzell Mickey of first-degree murder and a firearms offense for fatally shooting 33-year-old William Stafford on April 15th, 2023 — investigators said Mickey fled the scene and he now awaits formal sentencing with a minimum life sentence.

A surprise gravestone honoring 15 Cowan family members appeared at St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Caln—puzzling church staff.

A genealogist descendant explained the stone was placed in 2012 by Terry Cowan—who said he had permission from a family member to honor his heritage.

Voices Underground will build three Underground Railroad monuments in Chester County—one at Longwood Gardens focusing on Quaker abolitionists, one at Lincoln University highlighting Black abolitionists, and one at a location yet to be finalized between Chester County and Delaware.

The project will recover the full story of freedom seekers and address inequities noted in a 2021 audit.

New data from the FDA’s NARMS shows that about 36% of retail meat samples nationwide are contaminated with harmful bacteria and that Pennsylvania ranks 5th worst with a risk index of 58.35 and higher rates in chicken and ground turkey.

The report finds nearly one in four bacteria isolates are multidrug-resistant (raising food safety concerns amid federal agency budget cuts).

Fourth of July Celebration

Time to celebrate our freedom and independence — July 2-8 — Philadelphia / West Chester KOA Holiday — Free entry — Enjoy festivities in the historic spirit of Philadelphia.