2022: The Top Stories On Doylestown Patch (2024)

Community Corner

Top stories on Doylestown Patch included the tragic death of a borough bar manager and the news that Whole Foods would be opening here.

Posted Sat, Dec 31, 2022 at 12:49 am ET|Updated Sat, Dec 31, 2022 at 1:26 am ET

Other top stories included the filing by the ACLU of Pennsylvania of a discrimination complaint against the Central Bucks School District, an unsettling carjacking in Doylestown and Warrington townships and the opening of the new Doylestown Borough Hall and Broad Commons Park.

Here's a look at the Top Patch Stories of 2022:

Whole Foods will be moving into the Marshalls HomeGoods space in 2023 at the Barn Plaza in Doylestown Township.

Whole Foods Coming to Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP — In September it was announced that the first Whole Foods Market in Bucks County would be coming to the Barn Plaza shopping center on Route 611 in Doylestown Township. Brixmor Property Group, which manages the shopping center anchored by Kohl’s Department Store and Regal Cinemas, made the huge announcement on its Facebook page. For years, Whole Foods shoppers have lobbied for a store in Bucks County, even launching petition drives to bring the popular store to the county. In 2023 the Texas-based grocery store chain specializing in natural and organic foods will move into space now occupied by Marshall’s/Home Goods. Marshall’s will be relocating across town to Cross Keys Place, which is anchored by a Giant Food Market. “We wholeheartedly welcome Whole Foods to the township,” said Barbara Lyons, the chair of the Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors, when contacted by Patch. “They have a wonderful reputation as a grocer, they offer a great product and we’re happy they will be joining us as a member of the Doylestown Township community.”

The administrative offices of the Central Bucks School District in Doylestown.

ACLU Files Complaint Against Central Bucks

DOYLESTOWN, PA —The ACLU of Pennsylvania in October filed a complaint with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, and the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, on behalf of seven students in Central Bucks School District who allege a widespread culture of discrimination against LGBTQ+ students, particularly transgender students. In a press release, the ACLU said the complaint is based on a five-month investigation by ACLU-PA lawyers who interviewed dozens of students, family members, current and former teachers and other school staff, and community stakeholders. According to the complaint, the
picture that emerged is of a "toxic educational environment" for LGBTQ+ students that has been exacerbated recently by hom*ophobic and transphobic actions and policies" taken by the school board and upper-level administrators. In November, the school board voted to retain the law firm of Duane Morris to represent it in the complaint. The district will be represented by former United States Attorney William McSwain and former federal prosecutor Michael Rinaldi who will lead the representation. McSwain and Rinaldi will perform an internal investigation into the issues and review the district’s policies related to the complaint. “Both McSwain and Rinaldi have decades of investigative experience and are well-suited to serve and advise the Board as it works to ensure a safe learning environment for all the district’s children,” said board president Dana Hunter.

Floral tributes at the door to Finney's Pub on South Main Street where Richie Wylie worked as a bar manager.

Doylestown Legend Remembered At Candlelight Vigil At Finney's

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH — Friends and family gathered on the street in front of Finney’s Pub in June to remember Richard “Richie” Wylie, who had tended bar there for the past 39 years. Wylie died tragically in an accident leaving his friends and family stunned and heartbroken. “You can see the impact he had on this community by the turnout at this event,” a friend told the gathering. “Some of us worked with Richie. Some of us were just the patrons he had a good time with. We loved that guy just as much as he loved us. was a true legend in the Doylestown community,” he continued. “An establishment like Finney’s was lucky to have a person like him here for such a long time. When you worked in the industry with Rich you got to know that he cared about every person who was behind the bar, every person in the kitchen. It didn’t matter if you served alcohol or not he had a place for you in his heart.” Music filled the air as the gathering lifted their candles high in a symbolic last toast to Wylie, who is described by long time friend and State Rep. Todd Polinchock as being “larger than life, rough around the edges, but a heart of gold.”

In April, Doylestown Borough Mayor Noni West, along with members of borough council, borough administrators and Bucks County lawmakers, officially cut the ribbon on the new Doylestown Borough Hall and Broad Commons Park.

New Borough Hall Opens In Doylestown Borough

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH — Officials celebrated the dedication of the new Doylestown Borough Hall and Broad Commons Park in April with a ceremony and open house. The borough hall at 10 Doyle Street also serves as headquarters for the Central Bucks Regional Police Department. It opened in January after a more than $10 million construction project. The building was formerly the PennDOT maintenance facility. "This building is a terrific example of re-using existing space, thanks to the partnership between the state, local elected officials and the Heritage Conservancy," said State Senator Steve Santarsiero in a Facebook post.

Owners of Matzah Balls join officials in cutting the ribbon on the borough's first Jewish deli in August. A week later, the business was closed and padlocked over a tenant-landlord dispute.

Doylestown's First Jewish Deli Opens, Then Abruptly Closes

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH — Just days after opening its doors, Doylestown's first Jewish deli - Matzah Balls - the store was closed and the door padlocked. The Bucks County Sheriff's Department served an eviction notice, padlocked the door and posted no trespassing signs in the windows at 24 North Main Street. According to Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran, the eviction notice was issued for La Dolce Vita Da Franco, which had occupied the site prior to the deli and had owned the landlord back rent. Owner Franco Federico had closed the Italian restaurant, reopening it as Matzah Balls. Kevin Aniess, a friend of the owner, told Doylestown Patch that the sudden closure was the result of a landlord and tenant dispute. The restaurant opened briefly for the town's annual Arts Festival before closing the site. The deli owners were reportedly looking for a new site in town.

In June, police took three suspects into custody for an attempted carjacking in Doylestown Township and a carjacking in Warrington Township.

Carjackings In Doylestown And Warrington

WARRINGTON, PA — In June, a carjacking and an attempted carjacking hit a little too close to home. A Philadelphia man and two juveniles were taken into custody and charged with a carjacking in Warrington Township and an attempted carjacking in Doylestown Township. Doylestown Township Police were dispatched to the Shell gas station located at 1807 S. Easton Road for the report of an attempted carjacking. Police said the victim was beginning to pump gas when they were approached by three young black males who ordered the victim to turn over their keys. After they attempted to physically restrain the victim, police said the victim broke free and ran inside the gas station for help. About an hour later, Warrington Township Police were dispatched to the Luk Oil gas station at 1400 Easton Road for the report of a carjacking. The victim old police they were beginning to pump gas when they were approached by a young black male, later identified as a juvenile. At the same time, two other young black males approached the victim from behind. Police said the victim was placed in a choke hold, pulled backwards and punched several times. At that point, police said the victim threw the keys at the vehicle and the suspects fled the scene in the victim's vehicle. All three subjects had fled the vehicle, but were quickly taken into custody after they were tracked down by police.

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