Downingtown’s Three High Schools Named To Washington Post’s 2015 America’s Most Challenging

EAST CALN TOWNSHIP, PA – The three high schools in the Downingtown Area School District were named to Washington Post’s 2015 America’s Most Challenging High School programs list.

The Downingtown STEM Academy, Downingtown West High School and Downingtown East High School all appear on the Washington Post’s newly released list. Only 38 Pennsylvania high schools achieved this honor with Downingtown being the only Pennsylvania school district to have all district high schools nationally ranked, according to the Washington Post.

“We are very proud of our students and staff,” said Lawrence Mussoline, superintendent of schools.

The report looked at public and private high schools nationwide and ranked them based on the academic rigor of the schools’ curriculum. The Post filtered the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year. That number was then divided by the number of graduation seniors. Fewer than seven percent of the approximately 27,000 high schools in America qualified for this list.

Read more:

http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20150422/downingtowns-three-high-schools-named-to-washington-posts-2015-americas-most-challenging

Quake Strikes Near Downingtown

A minor earthquake occurred near Downingtown on Sunday evening, possibly triggered by activity at a nearby quarry, Columbia University scientists said Monday.

The magnitude of the quake was measured at 2.7 and there were no reports of damage or injury, according to Patty Mains, a spokeswoman for the Chester County Department of Emergency Services.

The quake occurred at 6:25 p.m. Sunday with an epicenter located in the north end of East Bradford Township – about a mile south of a quarry owned by Lehigh Hanson Inc. in East Caln Township.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/science/20150127_Quake_strikes_near_Downingtown.html#eWi4ibY3dzB4vvkJ.99

Work Ongoing At Downingtown Pocket Park

DOWNINGTOWN, PA – The upgrading of fencing is the first step of the Downingtown Main Street Association’s revitalization of the borough’s Armor Alley Pocket Plaza. The borough is cooperating with the Main Street group.

“One of the main goals of the mission of the Main Street Association is to help Downingtown grow and prosper and the pocket plaza upgrading fits with our stated goal,” said Main Street President Adrian Martinez. “Board member Sarah Peck is heading this effort and she is to be commended for her willingness to volunteer many valuable hours to enhance our borough.”

The Armor Alley Pocket Plaza is proposed to be redeveloped into a lively, well lit, beautifully landscaped public plaza at a key spot on Main Street. A canopy of white lights will define the plaza and new landscaping, fencing, walkway lighting and pavers will create an attractive and safe pedestrian link to Main Street from Mill Road, the organization said in a press release.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20141125/work-ongoing-at-downingtown-pocket-park

PA Turnpike To Be Widened From Valley Forge To Downingtown

Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has picked a construction manager for a $480 million road-widening project between the Valley Forge and Downingtown interchanges.

Hill International of Marlton, N.J., will be paid $17.1 million to manage the project. Roadwork is expected to begin in the summer of 2014 and will continue into 2020, Pennsylvania Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo said Wednesday.

The roadwork will be done in two phases, DeFebo said, beginning next summer at the Valley Forge interchange and going west for about six miles.  That work is expected to last about three years, the spokesman said.

Read more:   http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130718/NEWS03/130719320/turnpike-to-be-widened-from-valley-forge-to-downingtown-#full_story

Hail Of Bullets Ended Turnpike Chase

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Chester County man who stole a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer during a high-speed pursuit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike faces numerous charges, troopers said Friday.

Matthew Malory, 28, of Downingtown led police on a wild chase from Lancaster Countyto Chester County, police said.  On two occasions, troopers fired shots at the rig to stop its progress.

The pursuit occurred partly during a thunderstorm and led to a six-hour traffic tie-up on the turnpike.

Police said Malory is being treated at Paoli Hospital for broken ribs suffered when he crashed the pickup near Morgantown.  He later used the stolen rig to ram other vehicles out of the way before crashing in Chester County.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=408022

Molly Maguires To Open Hotel, Pub In Downingtown

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOWNINGTOWN, PA – Regional chain Molly Maguire’s has its eye on Downingtown for its next installment.

Downingtown Borough Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a preliminary proposal to bring the Irish restaurant and pub to the borough.

According to the plan, the existing Minquas Fire House will be converted to a six-room hotel with about 6,700 square feet of banquet and pub space, along with an outdoor deck for dining.

Township Manager Stephen Sullins said that the restaurant will be an asset to the community, complementing the borough’s current businesses, and a future employer for the localworkforce.

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-times-herald/story/molly-maguires-open-hotel-pub-downingtown-0/1

Downingtown Christmas Parade And Coatesville Historic District House Tours This Weekend

Image via Wikipedia

The Downingtown Christmas Parade will start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 10th and will run along Lancaster Avenue.  For more information,  call 610-269-4203 or visit their website www.dtownchristmas.com

The Coatesville Lukens Historic District Holiday House Tour will take place today, December 9th from 4pm to 7pm.  The event is free.  Donations are requested.  For more information, call 610-384-9282 or check out their website www.lukensnhd.org.