2022: Top 5 Stories On Phoenixville Patch

PHOENIXVILLE —As the pandemic was reportedly winding down, the nation was working to get back on track.

Divisive politics ramped up as mask mandates and travel restrictions subsided.

Patch continued to provide you with the local news, ranging from police, politics, court and education, to transportation, businesses and more.

The overwhelming theme prevailing in Phoenixville was revitalization and community involvement in local, state and national issues.

Here are the 2022 five most read stories in Phoenixville Patch and nearby.

• 1) Opening A Cafe In Phoenixville With A New Twist: In February, Michael and Jamie Weiss moved to Phoenixville and opened the Sweet Brew Cafe, 158 Bridge St. The cafe features coffee and fresh New York bagels with unique toppings. The Feb. 24 story announcing the opening got 32,944 views by Patch readers.
• 2) Reaction to Roe v. Wade Being Overturned: The story was the overall most read in Chester County. It focused on local lawmakers' reactions to the Supreme Court’s decision to return the decision of when and whether a woman can get an abortion back to the states. The reactions from the Democratic lawmakers, including Gov. Tom Wolf and Governor-elect Attorney General Josh Shapiro, and the locals including U.S. Rep Chrissy Houlahan, state Reps. Mary Scanlon, Melissa Shusterman, Dan Williams, Christina Sappey came in very fast. Republican lawmakers did not respond so fast. The story also contains the view of Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Perez and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. On Dec. 17, more than 350 rallied at Reeve’s Park for abortion rights. Public officials provided stories about their lives, encouraging rally-goers to vote Democratic.
• 3) $18M Awarded To Phoenixville Woman In Medical Malpractice Suit: Kerry Downes, 27, was awarded $18 million by a jury in a medical malpractice case against a certified nurse practitioner who treated her for a lump on her breast. The lawsuit was filed against Axia Women’s Health, Strafford. The July 22 verdict was the largest known verdict in a civil case in Chester County Court. The verdict followed a trial before Judge Edward J. Griffith.
• 4) Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority Gets A Quick Start: The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority formed to pave the way for restoring train service from Philadelphia to Reading with stops in Phoenixville, Pottstown and Norristown, and possibly other locations. The train would then connect to New York and Washington, D.C. The authority consists of three officials from Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties. The authority has been meeting monthly and is working on obtaining federal funding. Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler is a member.
• 5) Praying For Ukraine At Sundown in Phoenixville As the sun went down, hundreds attended a vigil, praying for their loved ones in Ukraine. Many of the Phoenixville area residents have close relatives in Ukraine and are first generation Americans. The war broke out on Feb. 20. The community is still praying for peace in Ukraine. Members of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Phoenixville are collecting donations. Vera. M. Andryczyk, a member of the church, said she and her husband, Roman, own a condominium in Ukraine and have not been able to get there.