Life after ICE custody | Inquirer Chester County

Hi, Chester County!

A couple of newlyweds are working to help others after one was detained, and later unexpectedly released, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Here’s their story. Also this week, a Berwyn native’s TV show has been named one of the best of the century so far, East Whiteland has passed a data center ordinance, plus we take a peek inside a Kennett Square home with an Italianate-style tower.

— Lisa Dukart (chestercounty@inquirer.com)

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Charting a path forward after being detained, and then released, by ICE

After being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement just one week after his wedding this summer, Chester County resident Nelson Contreras-Gelves was unexpectedly released earlier this month.

The 35-year-old has lived in the U.S. since 2022, when he came from his native Venezuela seeking asylum. He and his wife, Ariel Whaley, feel “incredibly lucky” that he was released from federal custody and will now have a chance to plead his case in court.

But life hasn’t returned to normal for the couple, who met three years ago through nonprofit Mighty Writers, which has an outpost in Toughkenamon.

Though Contreras-Gelves is now under constant surveillance, he and Whaley are using what they learned to help others navigating the system.

The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz chronicles their story and the hurdles that lay ahead.

📍 Countywide news

• Measles cases continue to climb countywide, with the latest local figure at 83, and statewide numbers surpassing 900.
• Chester County is part of one of just five major metros in the nation to be deemed a seller’s market, according to the latest data from Redfin.
• The county is planning to use $400,000 from a state grant to upgrade its 911 phone system, including by improving reliability and cybersecurity.
• Chester County Household Hazardous Waste is hosting an event Sunday at Downingtown High School West where residents can dispose of unwanted items like certain paints and chemicals. Registration is required.
• There’s more roadwork this week, impacting parts of Routes 23, 30, 252, plus local roadways.

💡 Community news

• East Whiteland Township officials approved a lengthy ordinance last week about future data centers after community pushback over one currently in the works there.
• Several Oxford police officers are resigning ahead of the borough joining the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department next year, citing a lack of transparency in what future employment with the regional department would look like.
• Berwyn writer Brad Ingelsby’s HBO drama Mare of Easttown was named to the New York Times’ list of the 100 best television shows of the 21st century so far. One reviewer said it delivers “Pennsylvania atmosphere so thick you could slap it on a hoagie and eat it with sweet peppers.”
• Charles P. Baker III, the cofounder of Baker Industries, which has an office in Malvern, died earlier this month of congestive heart failure at the age of 101. The Army veteran and national squash champion’s former company employs disabled individuals, recent parolees, people in recovery, as well as those facing homelessness.
• Rogie Legaspi, a 56-year-old Baltimore teacher, has been charged by the Chester County District Attorney’s office with child trafficking, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and statutory sexual assault for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager in Parkesburg.
• A 4-year-old died last week after being struck by a tractor trailer while walking along Route 41 in Highland Township.
• London Grove Township has filled its two board of supervisor vacancies. Kristen Barnello and Todd Pawlowski will serve in the roles until the end of 2027.
• A new cat rescue spot, Calla’s Kitty Kingdom, is opening Friday. The Phoenixville spot is a collaboration between Calla’s Critter Rescue, Maddie’s Castle, and BarkHop Studio and will be located within pet supply store Maddie’s Castle at 178 Bridge St.
• This weekend is Phoenixville’s last PXV Inside Out for the season.

🏫 Schools briefing

• Chester County Intermediate Unit recently rolled back a policy barring staff from disclosing a student’s transgender status to parents without the student’s permission. The change comes as the Trump administration pressures schools over transgender-related policies.
• An unnamed staff member at Oxford Area High School is under investigation by state police for corruption of minors for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old female student. In a statement, the district said it’s cooperating with law enforcement. The staff member is also an assistant football coach at Kennett High School, which also said it’s cooperating with authorities.
• On Saturday, Kennett Consolidated School District is hosting a grand opening and ribbon cutting for New Garden Elementary School, which made its debut last month.
• Owen J. Roberts School District is accepting board member applications after Rita Pederson tendered her resignation, effective as of Monday.
• There are several homecoming events this Friday and Saturday: Downingtown Area, Kennett Consolidated, Phoenixville Area, West Chester East, West Chester Rustin, and Twin Valley.

🍽️ On our plate

• Bryn Mawr’s The Bakery House opened its second location over the weekend at 35 W. Lancaster Ave. in Paoli. It sells a selection of treats such as custom cakes, pastries, and pies, plus the viral dot cakes.
• West Chester Cooperative, which opened this summer, is hosting a grand opening on Friday.

🎳 Things to do

🏚️ Pennhurst Asylum: The haunted attraction is open for the season. ⏰ Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Nov. 7, times vary 💵 Prices vary 📍 Pennhurst Asylum, Spring City

🏡 Chester County Day: The 85th annual event focuses on the northwest section of the county, where visitors can tour homes and barns. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 Prices vary; tickets must be purchased at satellite locations 📍 Chester County

🪕 Malvern Porchfest: Catch live musical performances from porches throughout the borough. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 3, noon-6 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Throughout Malvern

🎃 Fall Festival at Yeager’s Farm: The two-day event includes a corn maze, pumpkin picking, yard games, and hayrides. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Yeager’s Farm, Phoenixville

🍻 Oktoberfest: Sip specially priced beers and ciders, nosh on fall-themed appetizers, try your hand at a stein-holding contest, and hear live music at participating restaurants. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 3, times vary 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Downtown West Chester

🍂 Festivals: A number of communities are hosting festivals this weekend. The Unionville Community Fair runs Friday through Sunday; New Garden’s and Tredyffrin’s community days, Spring City’s Music and Market, and the rescheduled Warwick Fall Fest are all Saturday; and Downingtown’s, East Pikeland’s, East Brandywine’s, and Westtown’s are slated for Sunday.

🏡 On the market

A Kennett Square home with literary roots and a soaring tower

Built in the mid-1800s for travel writer and diplomat Bayard Taylor, Cedarcroft has undergone a number of updates while staying true to its architectural roots. The Kennett Square home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has seven bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a billiards room, and, most notably, a five-story tower in the Italianate style.

Read more about the property here.

Price: $3.1M | Size: 7,132 SF | Acreage: 2.4

🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

• She was just a kid when a strange man tried to abduct her in 2009. This week, she learned it was Raymond Horsch.
• Opinion: We need to find the words for Trump’s madness before things blow up
• Johnny Doc was a longtime Democratic power broker. But his ties to some Republicans helped free him from prison.

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