Good morning, West Chester.

Exton teen Samantha Martin runs a small business selling handmade Eagles-themed jewelry to NFL players and local buyers—she began at local craft shows and now donates 15% of her profits to the Eagles Autism Foundation.

Comedian Chris Distefano will perform a one-night-only show at West Chester University on Oct.

3 at 8:00 p.m.—the event forms part of Homecoming Weekend and tickets are expected to sell quickly.

Several spiritual shops in Chester County offer ways for residents to connect with their inner selves.

West Chester’s Prana House provides retail items and classes, and EarthSpeak in Chester Springs features neatly organized crystals—while shops in Phoenixville and Chadds Ford offer psychic readings and energy cleansing supplies.

The 40th annual Mushroom Festival kicks off today on State Street in Kennett Square—attendees must pay $5 cash for entry as the event runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SEPTA will restore full bus, trolley and train service on Sept.

14 if approved by PennDot after suffering cuts 12 days ago to manage a $213 million budget gap, with a planned 21.5% fare increase expected to add about $31 million a year — said General Manager Scott Sauer. The agency needs extra time to reprogram signs, update schedules and notify 5,000 union workers while it seeks a long-term state funding fix.

SEPTA announced it will restore rail and bus services by September 14 as a judge ordered recent cuts that reduced 32 bus routes and shortened 16—accompanying a 21.5 percent fare hike.

It will also divert capital assistance funds for new vehicles and repairs—raising concerns among riders about the temporary fix.

The state budget impasse has forced small nonprofit programs, including rape crisis centers, to cut services and lay off staff after missing key payments in July and August.

Counties like Chester have absorbed millions in lost state funds—putting more cuts at risk unless state legislators act by mid-October.

Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2025

3:30-4:30 p.m. — East Goshen Township Park — Registration fees apply — A community running program promoting fitness for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade.

Oktoberfest 2025

12-8 p.m. — Downtown West Chester PA — $6 specials — Celebrate the fourth annual Oktoberfest with food and drinks in the heart of Chester County.