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  • The best books that local booksellers have read so far this year

    The best books that local booksellers have read so far this year

    Books are back, in Greater Philadelphia and around the country.

    The industry saw modest revenue growth the last four years in a row, an Association of American Publishers report found. Brick-and-mortars saw more than twice the growth of online retail in 2025, and hardcovers outpaced ebooks.

    Jackie Botto looks for a book on the shelves while chatting with a customer at Capricorn Books in Jenkintown.William Thomas Cain / For The Inquirer

    Many Philly-area booksellers said they’re feeling the surge.

    But what are they reading? Sixteen booksellers told us their favorites of 2026 so far.

    • Angel by Elizabeth Taylor and The Princess of 72nd Street by Elaine Kraf — Ariel Censor, Little Yenta Books in South Philly
    • Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. — Alex Schneider, A Novel Idea in East Passyunk
    • Discipline by Larissa Pham — Richard De Wyngaert, Head House Books in Queen Village
    • Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel — Jackie Botto, Capricorn Books in Jenkintown
    • Message to the Blackman in America by Elijah Muhammad — Shaykh Anwar Muhammad, The Black Reserve Bookstore in Lansdale
    • Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson — Charity Herndon, Austen’s Shelf in Bordentown
    • Partita by Barbara Kingsolver — Elizabeth Young, Commonplace Reader in Yardley
    • The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon — Shawn Clark, Glenside Book Garden
    • The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence — Ian Stowers, CLC Bookcenter in Wyncote
    • Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer — Anthony Long, Thrillerdelphia
    • Steelborn by Taylor J. LaRue and Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser — Lisa Strohl, Bookmarks in West Chester
    • Tom’s Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski — Krisy Elisii, Doylestown & Lahaska Bookshops
    • The Unsettling of America by Wendell Berry — Buffy Hastings, Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope
    • The Wedding People by Alison Espach — Janine Flanigan, Barnes & Noble
    • Whidbey by T Kira Madden — Christina Rosso-Schneider, A Novel Idea in East Passyunk
    • Whistler by Ann Patchett — Kathy Morrison, Newtown Bookshop

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Cherry Hill will get rid of its 10 Flock cameras at the end of the year

    Cherry Hill will get rid of its 10 Flock cameras at the end of the year

    As public pushback against the use of automated license plate readers continues to grow nationwide, Cherry Hill announced this week that it will not be renewing its contract with controversial company Flock.

    The township’s contract with the company expires on Dec. 31, Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher announced at the Sept. 14 township council meeting.

    “The Cherry Hill Police Department continues to evaluate its use of technology,” Fleisher’s chief of staff, Brian Bauerle, said in an email Friday. “In conjunction with that evaluation, Cherry Hill Township was also aware of ongoing nationwide conversations concerning the Flock network.”

    Flock cameras capture the license plates and identifying features of passing vehicles, including bumper stickers and dents, in addition to the make, model, body type, and color. That information is then compiled into a searchable database that can be accessed by law enforcement and private owners of the cameras.

    In 2022, Cherry Hill entered into a two-year, 10-camera pilot program with Flock, Bauerle said.

    Once the contract expires, the cameras, which were installed at the end of 2024, “will become inactive immediately with the hardware to be removed by the vendor,” he said.

    As the township prepares for the cameras to come down, the Cherry Hill Police Department is now looking into other options for similar technology that can be used in town.

    “The police department is in the final stages of evaluating Axon automated license plate readers,” the same company that provides the department’s body-worn and dash cameras, Bauerle said. Axon’s dash cameras can serve as mobile automated license plate readers while the police car is in operation, he said.

    “These cameras do not connect to the Flock network,” Bauerle noted. “The Department uses automated license plate recognition technology only for authorized law-enforcement and public-safety purposes and in accordance with both New Jersey law and New Jersey Attorney General directives.”

    The department has not yet moved beyond the “evaluation phase” of the Axon cameras, but if it does, Bauerle said, the decision will be subject to various approvals by the township.

    Cherry Hill’s decision to sever ties with Flock comes as people across the country increasingly push back against the technology. Critics argue that the cameras amount to mass surveillance and unconstitutionally track the movements of citizens.

    Earlier this month, rural Shamong Township in neighboring Burlington County introduced an ordinance that would ban the cameras within the township for one year.

    “Flock cameras basically create a surveillance system for people who have done nothing wrong,” Shamong Mayor Michael Di Croce said at the time.

    “We should not create a permanent or searchable record of where law-abiding residents drive merely because they happen to pass a government camera or, in the case of Flock, private-entity cameras,” Di Croce said.

  • Cheltenham police will use AI-enabled surveillance cameras at a construction site, and could expand use around town

    Cheltenham police will use AI-enabled surveillance cameras at a construction site, and could expand use around town

    Cheltenham police will soon use AI-enabled cameras to deter crime at a construction site, and may use them in the future for crime hot spots and community events.

    The $35,000 contract with Packetalk, a New Jersey technology company, that township commissioners approved Wednesday includes artificial intelligence-enabled camera technology with motion detection and software that allows police to both review live feeds and search recorded footage for license plate numbers and vehicle characteristics.

    Packetalk is smaller than the more widely known Flock Safety, but the company is not without controversy.

    In 2023, Packetalk’s current CEO, Tamer Zakhary, was charged with allegedly selling Chinese surveillance equipment banned under the National Defense Authorization Act as his own product, asking a manufacturer to change the color and logo to hide it, and lying to public safety clients about compliance.

    The federal charges were dropped in 2024 without explanation or prejudice, meaning prosecutors are allowed to charge Zakhary again for the same thing in the future.

    Township Manager Jonathan Altshul said Friday he had not been aware of the case.

    The Packetalk cameras will initially be used at the La Mott Community Center construction site, but police will keep the cameras for use at crime hot spots and community events, IT director Michael Rubin said at a Tuesday committee meeting. The contract includes five years of maintenance.

    Packetalk also allows police to create a surveillance network using both public and private cameras with owners’ permission. The township already has Packetalk cameras at Wall Park, Rubin said.

    Cheltenham officials, in an interview Friday, characterized the existing Wall Park technology as more akin to conventional surveillance cameras. Though the department may access the cameras through the same Packetalk monitoring platform, the Wall Park cameras are not integrated with other surveillance systems and do not use AI-powered tools.

    The Packetalk systems can help solve crime, Police Chief Richard Schaffer said at the Wednesday meeting where commissioners approved the AI surveillance contract: “These cameras don’t get tired, they don’t leave … they don’t sleep.”

    Schaffer added Friday that camera technology was critical to solving cases like the 2023 homicide of Rachel King.

    “For any investigation, we would take any legal avenue for trying to solve a case,” Schaffer said. “That would include if we identify cameras.”

    Several Cheltenham commissioners also emphasized that the camera contract was well worth the cost to protect the more than $8 million investment the township is making in the community center.

    Flock cameras have raised questions across the country — including in neighboring Abington, where both police and residents became concerned about data security and privacy.

    Like the Flock cameras, the Packetalk system can flag wanted vehicles, according to the company’s website.

    But unlike Flock cameras, which can be connected to a nationwide network where other agencies can request access, the data from the Packetalk system will be stored by the township, and only Cheltenham will have access, Schaffer said.

    Cheltenham does not have its own Flock cameras, but has access to Flock’s surveillance network via private companies within the township, police previously said.

    The new cameras have not yet arrived, but in general, the police department retains video for a minimum of 60 days, officials said.

    The township originally planned to order two surveillance trailers from Packetalk for $35,000 each, but commissioners amended the agenda item to approve just one, which will be paid for via Cheltenham’s capital fund.

    Packetalk was significantly cheaper than other vendors, a township memo noted.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Upper Darby passed an ordinance aiming to limit cooperation and data sharing with ICE

    Upper Darby passed an ordinance aiming to limit cooperation and data sharing with ICE

    Upper Darby passed an ordinance on Wednesday aiming to restrict the township’s cooperation with federal immigration agents.

    Township council unanimously approved legislation banning local police from assisting ICE and other federal agencies with immigration enforcement activities. The legislation bars federal agents from using township property to stage immigration raids, prohibits township staff from providing resident information to federal agents for civil immigration enforcement, and bans township personnel from recording or maintaining data about residents’ immigration statuses, unless it is required by law.

    It also prohibits township police officers from wearing masks or obscuring their identities in most cases and “formally requests” that federal agents clearly identify themselves and do not wear masks.

    The ordinance includes exemptions, including cases in which immigration agents possess a judicial warrant or there is a criminal law enforcement matter requiring Upper Darby officials’ cooperation.

    The legislation codified many of the tenets of a resolution passed by Upper Darby’s council in February. It largely mirrors a sweeping legislative package passed by Philadelphia City Council earlier this year.

    At the more than three-hour meeting on Wednesday, residents decried the actions of federal immigration agents and President Donald Trump and described a rich patchwork of races, religions, and backgrounds that defines Upper Darby, where nearly a quarter of the population is foreign-born.

    Some described immigrant neighbors currently living in fear, unable to answer the door or go to religious services due to the anxiety of potentially being apprehended by ICE. Many said they moved to Upper Darby specifically for its diversity.

    “Our history reminds us that legality and morality are not the same thing. Upper Darby Township cannot determine federal immigration policy, but it can determine how our own lawful authority and resources are used,” said State Rep. Heather Boyd, who spoke during public comment and represents parts of Upper Darby in the Pennsylvania House.

    A smaller contingent of residents, however, pushed back against the proposal, warning that the ordinance makes few tangible changes to the police department’s policies while potentially putting a target on Upper Darby’s back for the federal government to strip away funding.

    When asked if he believes the legislation is in the best interest of the police department, police superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said the ordinance “isn’t going to change what the Upper Darby Police Department does.”

    The department has never been an immigration enforcement body, worn masks, worked with ICE under a 287(g) agreement, or stopped individuals simply to ask about their immigration status, Bernhardt said.

    “I have no objection to it. It’s not going to change what we do every day, day in and day out,” the police superintendent added.

    Township council members described the ordinance as a set of responsible guardrails for local officials in a municipality defined by its immigrant population.

    “It’s an issue of establishing trust and making sure that people know that in Upper Darby, if you need help, you can call because this community serves you,” said council member Kyle McIntyre, who helped to draft the legislation.

    “We will follow the law, but we will do everything in our power to protect our community and keep everyone safe,” Mayor Ed Brown said.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Creating a third space in Narberth | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Creating a third space in Narberth | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion!

    A new general store, complete with a craft counter and floral bouquets, is coming to Narberth, with a goal of creating a third space for area residents. Here’s what to expect. Also this week, township police are looking to add a “first responder” drone, the school district is urging a judge to deny a parent-led lawsuit over device use, plus a Gladwyne resident and TikTok personality has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend.

    Have a question about town? Submit it to Curious Lower Merion and one of our reporters might track down the answer.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    A new general store looks to create a ‘third space’ in Narberth

    Narberth is getting a new take on the old-school general store this fall when borough resident Jen Kurland debuts her new spot, Jeneral Store, in the former home of Danny’s Guitar Shop.

    The storefront will offer a mix of home goods, DIY floral bouquets, penny candy, and a craft counter in the vein of delis. There, shoppers will be able to order art supplies à la carte.

    Kurland hopes it will become something of a third space, with plans to offer craft nights and workshops down the line.

    The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner spoke with Kurland about her vision and what else visitors can expect.

    💡 Community News

    • Lower Merion police are seeking funding for a drone that could be automatically deployed for certain emergency calls, a tool they say could provide crime scene information before officers even respond. Commissioners expressed skepticism, particularly over privacy, at last week’s budget workshop. Here’s what the program could look like.
    • At the same 2027 budget workshop, township officials warned of financial headwinds that could mean possible real estate tax increases next year. Additional workshops will be held throughout the fall before a decision is made.
    • Gladwyne resident and personal injury lawyer Thomas Bosworth has been charged with simple assault and harassment after allegedly choking his girlfriend and throwing her to the ground during a dispute on the Cynwyd Heritage Trial in Bala Cynwyd. The 37-year-old is known as “Tommy the Lawyer” on TikTok, where he has hundreds of thousands of followers.
    • Men’s footwear company Sherman Brothers has officially opened its doors at 42 Greenfield Ave. in Ardmore, relocating from its longtime home in Center City.
    • The owner of Dane Fine Art has been named in a lawsuit for allegedly participating in a scheme to sell fraudulent artwork, including fake Andy Warhol paintings. The Haverford gallery was raided by the FBI earlier this summer. Owner Nathan “Nicky” Isen has denied the accusations.
    • Downtown Ardmore District will hold a ribbon cutting tomorrow to officially unveil the transformation of the alleyway wall along Past Present Future into a mural. It will also include a dedication to the shop’s owner, Sherry Tillman, as she winds down the beloved business.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • The school board voted unanimously on Monday to accept former board member Jennifer Rivera’s resignation, which she tendered last month after being charged with embezzling more than $50,000 from her employer, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.
    • After a group of parents filed a lawsuit against the district over opting their children out of school-assigned computers, the district has asked a federal judge to deny the request, accusing them of “fearmongering.”
    • The school district is closed Monday, which is Yom Kippur. There’s a special board meeting Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Two new eateries are coming to Bala Cynwyd on City Avenue in 2027. French-inspired chain Paris Baguette is slated to open a location in the spring, while all-you-can-eat revolving sushi concept Supra Sushi is planning to open sometime in the middle of next year.
    • Nanu’s Hot Chicken has reopened at 59 W. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore after being forced to close at the end of July when a vehicle damaged the store.
    • Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore has released a new Rose Panna Cotta milkshake IPA. The 7.2% ABV beer has notes of bubblegum, pink grapefruit, raspberry honey, and mango.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎪 Bryn Mawr Day: Celebrate the community with local businesses, food, drinks, and a circus. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 North Bryn Mawr Avenue parking lot

    🎨 Chalk Mob 2026: Watch as artists transform the plaza at Linwood Park or try your hand at it yourself. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-noon 💵 Free 📍 Linwood Park

    🍿 Back to the Future: This month’s family movie night features the first installment of the Michael J. Fox film series. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. (rain date: Sept. 20) 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park

    🏴‍☠️ Pirate Day Crafternoon: Pirates and their mateys can make themed crafts in honor of National Talk Like a Pirate Day (parrots and eye patches optional). ⏰ Wednesday, Sept. 23, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne Library

    🍖 KB Foundation’s Fall Fundraiser: Chef Nick Elmi will dish up barbecue for this benefit, which also includes a silent auction, a DJ, candy and cigar bars, and an awards ceremony. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. 💵 $175 and $250 for individual tickets 📍 Pump House

    🏡 On the Market

    A four-bedroom Narberth home with a pool and a conservatory

    The home has a conservatory and courtyard-style entryway.A1RMedia | Courtesy of Arielle Roemer/ BHHS Fox & Roach at the Harper

    This mid-century Penn Valley home has undergone a number of updates, including a private wing addition for the primary suite. Located on the second floor, it has vaulted ceilings, dual vanities, a dressing room, walk-in closets, a laundry room, and a balcony. Other features of the four-bedroom home include a dining room, a kitchen with a butler’s pantry, an office, a parlor with an antique marble fireplace, and a conservatory. Outside, there’s a patio with a pergola and a pool. There are open houses today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.595M | Size: 4,412 SF | Acreage: 0.96

    🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Pulling back on classroom tech | Inquirer Greater Media

    Pulling back on classroom tech | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media!

    Wallingford-Swarthmore School District continues to adapt its technology usage in the classroom as parents push back on screen time. Here are the latest changes as the school year gets underway. Plus, part of the district was briefly locked down Monday — here’s why. Also this week, the first day of fall is on the horizon and we’ve rounded up the best local spots to view peak foliage.

    Have a question about town? Submit it to Curious Greater Media and one of our reporters might track down the answer.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Local districts, including Wallingford-Swarthmore, scale back some tech amid pushback

    Wallingford-Swarthmore School District Superintendent Russell D. Johnston.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    As parents push back on screen time in the classroom, a number of local school districts have made efforts to scale it back, including Wallingford-Swarthmore.

    For the youngest students, that means limits for online assessments and restrictions on YouTube access.

    In making decisions, the district has sought parents’ feedback, including creating a forthcoming Technology Advisory Council focused on device use in grades six to 12.

    For Alex Bird Becker, a parent in the district who’s active in the statewide group PA Unplugged, setting limits gets harder in middle school, where “the device culture has become really ingrained with curriculum,” she said.

    The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna delves into what steps the district has taken so far and what it hopes to achieve.

    💡 Community News

    The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art in Chadds Ford.Courtesy of Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art
    • Tuesday is the first day of fall. Making plans for the season? The Inquirer has rounded up can’t-miss festivals, including the Community Arts Center Fall Festival in Wallingford. If you’re looking to leaf peep, check out The Inquirer’s guide to a dozen great spots, including the nearby Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
    • A four-month investigation by Nether Providence Township police resulted in five felony arrest warrants being issued last week related to nearly $60,000 in fraudulent withdrawals from a victim’s bank account. Among those accused in the scheme is Robin Massing, who faces unrelated forgery charges for allegedly attempting to change and deposit checks from Media Little League.
    • One member of the cast of hit HBO show Task, which was filmed throughout the region, took home an Emmy Award Monday night. Tom Pelphrey, who played Robbie Prendergrast, won in the supporting actor in a drama series category. Task is returning for a second season, though a release date hasn’t been announced yet.
    • Swarthmore resident and Celia Bookshop literary director Rachel Pastan’s new book came out this week. We’re So Lucky to Live Here follows a 27-year-old protagonist who moves back to her childhood home in the Philadelphia suburbs, struggling to afford it in the wake of her mother’s death. The book was inspired in part by Pastan’s work on the borough’s affordability task force. She’s hosting a book launch and discussion Saturday at 7 p.m.
    • Expect overnight roadwork on Swarthmore Avenue between Dartmouth and Benjamin West Avenues for borough paving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Saturday. And in Nether Providence Township, work on Providence Road between West Rose Valley and Chester Roads switches to overnight hours this week, taking place Mondays through Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Work is expected to continue into early next year.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Looking for gluten-free pizza? Main Line Today rounded up nine spots, including Poseidon Pizza in Media.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🍁 Hayrides at Linvilla: Hayride season arrives at Linvilla this weekend, including autumn moon options and hayrides to the witch’s house. ⏰ Select days, Friday, Sept. 18-Friday, Oct. 30, times vary 💵 $8-$11 in advance, $10-$14 at the door for autumn moon hayrides; $10-$13 in advance, $12-$16 at the door for hayrides to the witch’s house 📍 Linvilla Orchards, Media

    🍔 Food Truckathon: Nosh on bites from over 20 food trucks and listen to live music. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18, 5-9 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Swarthmore town center

    🎭 Dear Evan Hansen: See the hit Broadway musical live. ⏰ Select days from Friday, Sept. 18-Saturday, Oct. 3, times vary 💵 $18.50-$30.50 📍 PCS Theater

    🪕 Porchfest: Catch musicians performing on porches throughout Media. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, noon-6 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Throughout Media borough

    📖 Well Red Fundraiser: This Helen Kate Furness Free Library benefit includes food, drinks, and a silent auction. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 7-10 p.m. 💵 $75 📍 Helen Kate Furness Free Library, Wallingford

    🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Philly attorney and TikTok influencer ‘Tommy the Lawyer’ charged with assaulting his girlfriend

    Philly attorney and TikTok influencer ‘Tommy the Lawyer’ charged with assaulting his girlfriend

    A prominent Center City personal injury lawyer, known for his active TikTok account, choked his girlfriend and threw her to the ground during a dispute on a walking path in Lower Merion, according to police.

    Thomas Bosworth, 37, has been charged with simple assault and harassment in connection with the Sept. 3 incident. He was released on $15,000 unsecured bail.

    Bosworth, a resident of Gladwyne, did not respond to a request for comment. His attorney, Michael van der Veen, said in a statement that Bosworth “is presumed innocent, maintains his innocence and has full confidence in the courts.”

    Bosworth, known to his 327,000 followers on TikTok as “Tommy The Lawyer,” gained prominence in 2022, when he won a $19.7 million verdict in a medical malpractice case as a 33-year-old attorney at Kline & Specter.

    In the years since, he has opened his own law firm amid accusations from his former employer that he poached its clients and sanctions for his behavior from a federal judge.

    Meanwhile, he has expanded his social media following through videos that give advice on everyday goods from his vantage point as a personal injury lawyer and the context for high-profile lawsuits he litigates.

    On the day of the Lower Merion assault, four people told police they saw Bosworth attacking a woman on a section of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail behind Union Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. After choking the woman, the witnesses said, he threw her into bushes along the path, then walked away as she screamed.

    The witnesses also said the woman slapped Bosworth and threw rocks at him while on the ground next to the trail, according to the affidavit.

    Officers responding to the call found the woman with “redness on her cheeks and discoloration of the skin around her neck,” the document said. She told the officers she had fallen, and declined to speak with them further, as did Bosworth.

    Witnesses later told police they overheard the couple arguing about Bosworth’s alleged infidelity, and the dispute escalated when the woman mentioned a text thread from his secretary he had deleted.

    The assault took place in front of the couple’s newborn daughter, who was with them in a stroller, the affidavit said.

    A judge ruled that attorney Tom Bosworth could keep displaying two TikTok videos critical of Penn Medicine, including the one from which this image is taken, in which he alleges that the health system’s radiology department is understaffed.

    Bosworth’s arrest was not the first time in recent years that he has been the subject of scrutiny.

    His separation from Kline & Specter in 2022 led to an ugly court dispute between the prestigious firm’s partners and their former young associate.

    Tom Kline and Shanin Specter accused Bosworth of poaching clients, which he denied, and in return accused his former bosses of defamation. The parties reached a settlement in 2024 but have returned to court multiple times since, accusing each other of violating the agreement.

    Kline and Specter are not the only ones who took issue with Bosworth’s conduct in the courtroom or online.

    In 2023, Penn Medicine asked a Philadelphia judge to order Bosworth to stop posting on social media about a medical malpractice case he filed against the health system, saying he misrepresented facts and “poisoned” the potential jury pool. The judge sided with Bosworth.

    That same year, a federal judge sanctioned Bosworth for “misconduct” during four expert depositions in a product liability case, saying the lawyer was “rude, demeaning, and obnoxious” to a female defense attorney.

    And last week, the Pennsylvania Superior Court called Bosworth’s conduct in the courtroom “deplorable” even as it upheld the $19.7 million verdict he won while at Kline & Specter.

    Bosworth had been accused of repeatedly ignoring the instructions of a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge during a medical malpractice trial in an attempt to inflame the jury.

    On LinkedIn, less than two weeks after the alleged assault, Bosworth wrote about the decision to uphold the verdict without noting the admonishment.

    “The courtroom is one of the only places left in our democracy where the everyday person can hold to task wrongdoers, no matter how rich powerful,” he said.

    Bosworth is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in the assault case Oct. 6.

  • Jeneral Store is set to bring fresh flowers, curated goods, and craft activities to downtown Narberth

    Jeneral Store is set to bring fresh flowers, curated goods, and craft activities to downtown Narberth

    Jen Kurland wants to bring people together.

    Standing among paint cans and plywood at 102 Forrest Ave., the Narberth storefront soon to become a bespoke retail and gathering space, Kurland laid out her vision for a hub grounded in crafts, community, and whimsy.

    “People want a place to hang out,” said Kurland, a Narberth resident and former corporate events leader. “They want just a different energy and something to do.”

    Kurland, 52, is preparing to open Jeneral Store, a shop modeled after an old-style general store that will stock fresh flowers, art supplies, curated home goods, and penny candy. Jeneral Store will also be a space for people to craft, commune, and in Kurland’s words, “hang out.” The shop, set to open in October, is moving into the former home of Danny’s Guitar Shop, an independent guitar store and lesson center that closed in May after 17 years.

    Jeneral Store will have a craft counter modeled like a deli counter, where shoppers will be able to order craft supplies à la carte, and will stock what Kurland calls “everyday special” goods, including curated vintage and new household items and pick-your-own flower bouquets in upcycled vases.

    “It’s a little bit of everything,” Kurland said.

    All net proceeds will be donated to organizations that support LGBTQ+ individuals, according to Kurland, who said it’s important for her to help make everyone feel “safe and welcome and thriving.” Kurland has been meeting with organizations but has not yet finalized a list of groups Jeneral Store will be donating to, she said.

    Jen Kurland is set to open Jeneral Store next month. Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer

    Kurland grew up in Havertown (coincidentally a half block from the childhood home of Dan Gold of Danny’s Guitar Shop). After graduating from the University of Delaware, she moved to New York City, where she spent the next 30 years building a career in events and brand strategy. In the summer of 2024, she and her family moved “home” to the Philadelphia area, landing in Narberth last summer.

    With the move to the Main Line, Kurland took a step back from her corporate career and found quickly that she was seeking a creative outlet and a way to give back. When Gold announced he was closing up shop, Kurland saw an opening.

    While launching Jeneral Store is a novel venture, Kurland said three decades in the world of events and marketing has prepared her to introduce a new community space to town. In addition to the retail component of Jeneral Store, Kurland hopes to host craft nights, workshops, and other events, depending on what the community has an appetite for. She said she recognizes the growing desire for “third spaces” — places where people can gather and commune, outside of work or the home.

    “My core of what I’ve always done is bringing people together,” she said.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Charting the county’s economic future | Inquirer Chester County

    Charting the county’s economic future | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County!

    A new head of the county’s economic engine recently took over and he’s focused on balancing development with conservation. We get to know him and his goals. Also this week, a deal to preserve part of Willistown Township’s Rock Hill Farm looks tenuous, the first day of fall is on the horizon and we’ve rounded up the best local spots to view peak foliage, plus People’s Light has scored over a dozen Barrymore Award nominations.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    The new head of the county’s economic engine knows the importance of open space

    Earlier this summer, Mike Grigalonis took over as CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council. It’s an organization the Upper Uwchlan Township resident is well acquainted with — he interned there 27 years ago and went on to serve as its chief operating officer and executive vice president before being named to the top role.

    As he looks to the county’s future, he wants to balance growth with land conservation, while keeping an eye on changes in office development and farming, as well data centers and Superfund sites.

    In a wide-ranging interview, he shares what’s changed and what lies ahead.

    📍 Countywide News

    💡 Community News

    • The future of a deal to preserve a swath of Rock Hill Farm while allowing homes on a portion of it looks much less certain after a Monday meeting during which Willistown officials tabled a vote and the developer’s attorney threatened that the “deal is off.” The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz has the latest.
    • People’s Light in Malvern received 19 Barrymore Award nominations for its 2025-26 season, including for outstanding overall production of a musical and outstanding ensemble in a play. Here’s a look at its full slate of nominations.
    • One member of the cast of hit HBO show Task, which was created by Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby, took home an Emmy Award Monday night. Tom Pelphrey, who played Robbie Prendergrast, won in the supporting actor in a drama series category. Task is returning for a second season, though a release date hasn’t been announced yet.
    • The Inquirer recently released its “25 Under 25” list of the best local athletes under 25, including several from Chester County: West Chester’s Reese D’Ariano; brothers Colton Hiller and Maxwell Hiller from Coatesville; and Jordyn Palmer, a Westtown School athlete. See why they made the list.
    • A sample of West Nile-positive mosquitoes was reported last week at Greentree Park in Malvern.
    • East Vincent Township will continue discussions tonight at 6:30 p.m. for AQ Dev’s conditional use application to develop the Ruth Farm property into 53 single-family homes.
    • North Coventry Township is continuing discussions about its draft data center ordinance tonight at 7 p.m.
    • Willistown Township has acquired the 12-acre Nike Site, formerly a command and radar control area during the Cold War, with plans to make it open space.
    • Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration recently dedicated the new 5,300-square-foot, $7.5 million visitor center at Downingtown’s Marsh Creek State Park.
    • A new IV therapy spot, IV Nutrition, is now open at 1506 Paoli Pike in West Chester.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Some districts are closed Monday, which is Yom Kippur.
    • A number of schools are pulling back on screen time amid backlash from parents. Tredyffrin/Easttown School District stopped assigning iPads to kindergartners, and elementary students won’t take home tablets. In the Phoenixville Area School District, a one-to-one device program for kindergarten through third graders has ended. The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna explains the changes and why they came about.
    • Coatesville Area School District is breaking ground on its North Brandywine Middle School project this afternoon. The 144,000-square-foot addition and 21,000-square-foot renovation is expected to be completed for the 2029-30 school year.
    • The tracks at Downingtown High Schools East and West will remain closed a while longer as they undergo renovations. East’s track is expected to be closed through the end of this month and West’s track through the end of October.
    • Registration is now open for Octorara Area High School’s Room-2-Bloom early learning program for 3- to 5-year olds. The two-day program starts Sept. 29.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Nottingham-based Herr’s has released a new product — and it was a big hit with Inquirer food reporter Kiki Aranita. The four cheese mac ‘n cheese curls have “achieved what no other puffed cheese curl has,” she said. Here’s why.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎞️ Phoenixville Film Festival: Catch some independent films during this four-day festival. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 20, times vary 💵 Prices vary 📍 Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville

    🏇 Plantation Field International: See horses and riders compete in this annual event. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 20, times vary 💵 $25 per car 📍 Plantation Field, Coatesville

    🌃 Craft & Mercantile: Browse local artisan goods, listen to music, and grab a bite to eat at this evening market. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18, 5-8:30 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Burke Park, Malvern

    🍻 Moo and Brew and Grapes Too: Sip local brews from Victory Brewing, Saucony Creek Brewing, and Suburban Brewing, plus grab a bite to eat and listen to live music — all benefiting Brandywine Valley Active Aging. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 5-9 p.m. 💵 $70 📍 Historic Buck Run Farm, Coatesville

    🍽️ West Chester Restaurant and Food Truck Festival: Now in its 45th year, the festival features entertainment, artisans, a beer garden, and plenty of food from area eateries. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 20, noon-5:30 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Downtown West Chester

    🏡 On the Market

    A sprawling six-bedroom Downingtown home with a theater

    The home has a stone front and sits on about half an acre.Brian Castro/Virtual Vista | Courtesy of The Stein Team

    Located in the Bradford Pointe Estates neighborhood, this six-bedroom Downingtown home has ample space to spread out. The first floor has living and dining rooms, an office, an eat-in kitchen, and a family room, while the lower level features a gym, a family room with a wet bar, and a theater room complete with seats and a projection screen. There’s a bedroom and bathroom downstairs, while five other bedrooms, including the primary suite with a soaking tub, are on the second floor. There are open houses Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.275M | Size: 7,250 SF | Acreage: 0.49

    🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • A growing push to regulate Flock | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    A growing push to regulate Flock | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    Local anti-Flock advocates are hoping bipartisan concerns over privacy mean more regulation for surveillance technology such as automated license plate readers. Also this week, we take you inside the new Asianfresh Food Market, an omakase joint is headed to town this fall, and the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA says it was denied tabling space at back-to-school nights in what it says is a discriminatory decision.

    — Laura Smythe (cherryhill@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    DeFlock South Jersey activists hope bipartisan pushback can regulate automated license plate cameras

    Cherry Hill Mall is among the swath of sites with automated license plate readers across New Jersey, where 523 of the state’s roughly 530 law enforcement agencies are using the technology from Flock and other surveillance companies.

    Over the last year, Flock has generated 2.2 million alerts in Cherry Hill alone. The 10 Flock readers in the township have helped police identify vehicles involved in crimes committed both in and out of the township, they say.

    Use of the cameras doesn’t sit right with activist group DeFlock South Jersey, which formed this summer amid growing bipartisan concern around how the license plate-reading technology impacts privacy — worries shared by both progressive organizers and national conservative figures.

    The Inquirer’s Ximena Conde digs into the growing push for regulating the technology, as well as how the Cherry Hill Police Department has used it over the last few years.

    Inside the new Asianfresh Food Market

    Cherry Hill’s new Asianfresh Food Market held its grand opening last weekend, pulling in shoppers with its array of produce, seafood, and specialty items from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and other Asian countries.

    The outpost taps into growing demand for these offerings across the nation, including in the township, where the Asian population grew 32% between 2014 and 2024.

    Haven’t been yet? Take a peek inside the 2005 Route 70 East store, now open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    💡 Community News

    • Cherry Hill contractors, landlords, and residents are among the most common offenders illegally dumping in Camden, according to police, who are using drones and resident-provided footage to hold them responsible.
    • Childhood education and daycare network Lightbridge Academy recently broke ground on its second Cherry Hill center, which it plans to open next summer, the Courier-Post reports.
    • Mosquito spraying was slated to take place throughout the township this morning, including on Evans Mill Road, Bortons Mill Road, and South Kings Highway. See the full list of affected sites. Officials also advised residents to remove standing water on their properties to reduce mosquito breeding.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    🍽️ On Our Plate

    • Cacia’s Bakery, a fourth-generation, family-owned concept well loved throughout the region, appears to be closed in Haddonfield. Locations are still operating in Cherry Hill, Williamstown, and Hammonton.
    • Akira 70 Omakase, a new Japanese fine-dining concept complete with an omakase experience, is coming to a former Cherry Hill fur salon on Marlton Pike this fall. It’s one of the 60 restaurants launching in the area in the coming months, The Inquirer’s Michael Klein reports.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🤡 Flip Circus: Marvel at the lineup of aerials, acrobatics, comedy, and live music. ⏰ Wednesday, Sept. 16-Sunday, Sept. 20, various times 💵 $22.88-$84.97 📍 Cherry Hill Mall

    💉 Cherry Hill Tattoo Expo: Get some new ink — or watch others who do — at the sixth annual iteration of this event. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20, hours vary 💵 $24.71-$47.47 📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia

    🧵 Cherry Hill Autumn Craft & Vendor Market: Check out wares from local vendors, including seasonal home goods, tasty treats, and candles. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Cherry Hill Mall

    🗓️ Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to ongoing South Jersey events.

    🏡 On the Market

    A French Provincial estate with a conservatory

    Inside 228 Munn Ln., Cherry Hill, NJ.

    This 1990 estate brings a dose of French Provincial flair to Cherry Hill’s Hunt Tract neighborhood, complete with a curved staircase in the foyer, a marble-crafted fireplace and floors, and a three-car garage with side entry. The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home also features a guest suite on the first floor and a conservatory with a view of the surrounding foliage. There is a heated in-ground pool as well as a pool house with a full bathroom.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $1.395M | Size: 5,695 SF | Acreage: 3.8

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.