In this Pottstown Local Scoop Issue…

📆NEW EVENT CALENDAR

 🐐 Chester County 4-H Fair Kicks Off August 5 in Honey Brook

 🎒 Free Backpacks for Pottstown Students During Backpack Week

 🚧 U.S. 422 Construction in Lower Pottsgrove Set for August 5-9

 🏈 James Bradberry Competes for Roster Spot After Switching to Safety

⚾️ Gregory Soto Welcomes Orioles Trade, Seeks Fresh Start

Chester County 4-H Fair Kicks Off August 5 in Honey Brook

The Chester County 4-H Fair will be held in Honey Brook from August 5-10 at the Romano 4-H Center. This annual event showcases the hard work of local youth, featuring livestock shows, including cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and horses, along with a variety of projects like arts, crafts, woodworking, and robotics.

Key events include a livestock sale on Wednesday, August 7, at 6 p.m., a Dairy Goat show on Thursday, a Dairy Cattle show on Friday, and a Horse Show on Saturday. The fair is open daily to the public.

For more information, visit the Chester County 4-H Fair website.

Free Backpacks for Pottstown Students During Backpack Week

Pottstown students are set to receive a boost for the upcoming school year as the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities kicks off "Pottstown Backpack Week." Starting on August 5, the initiative will distribute 500 free backpacks filled with essential school supplies at five different locations across the community.

The event, organized in partnership with Cradles to Crayons, aims to support under-resourced families who find it challenging to purchase school supplies each year. Pottstown Backpack Week is designed to alleviate this financial burden and empower students to succeed academically.

The distribution will take place at various community sites throughout the week, including Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, The Ricketts Center, the Pottstown Cluster, the YMCA complex, and Community Health and Dental at Coventry Mall.

For more details on the distribution schedule, visit Pottstowncluster.org/Pottstownbackpackweek or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/pcrcoutreach.

U.S. 422 Construction in Lower Pottsgrove Set for August 5-9

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced ongoing construction on U.S. 422 in Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, scheduled for the week of August 5-9. The $83.6 million project aims to reconstruct and improve approximately 2.1 miles of the expressway between the Sanatoga Interchange and Porter Road, including the replacement of several bridges.

Motorists should be aware of the following lane closures:

• Westbound U.S. 422: Intermittent single-lane closures between Evergreen Road and Armand Hammer Boulevard from 4:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

• Eastbound U.S. 422: Intermittent single-lane closures between Keim Street and Evergreen Road from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time, as delays and backups are expected. The work includes improvements to road alignment, shoulder widths, and vertical clearance, enhancing overall travel safety. In addition, culverts and bridges along the route will be reconstructed or replaced.

James Bradberry Competes for Roster Spot After Switching to Safety

James Bradberry is navigating a challenging transition from cornerback to safety at the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp, fighting for a spot on the final roster. While learning a new position in the NFL is tough, Bradberry highlights the increased communication and responsibility at safety as the biggest adjustments.

Previously an All-Pro cornerback, Bradberry has been practicing with the second team, working behind starters C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship. Despite the change, his transition is going well, partly because he was initially recruited as a safety in high school.

Bradberry’s experience and athleticism are evident, but his spot on the team isn't guaranteed. The Eagles are considering all options, including the possibility of trading him if the right deal comes along. However, Bradberry remains focused on finding his role and proving his value ahead of the final roster cuts on August 27.

Gregory Soto Welcomes Orioles Trade, Seeks Fresh Start

Gregory Soto, recently traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Baltimore Orioles, expressed relief and excitement about the move, suggesting he had been seeking a fresh start. Soto, who recorded 48 saves with the Detroit Tigers between 2021 and 2022, felt he wasn't getting the opportunities he desired with the Phillies, particularly in high-leverage situations.

Soto’s time in Philadelphia was marked by inconsistent performances, with the team often using other relievers ahead of him in crucial moments. Despite some late chances, including a shaky outing against the Minnesota Twins in July, Soto struggled to secure a consistent role. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged Soto's potential as a closer but indicated that the team’s bullpen strategy didn't align with Soto's ambitions.

Now with the Orioles, Soto joins a bullpen where he might still face competition for save opportunities, with established relievers like Craig Kimbrel and Yennier Cano ahead of him. However, Soto remains optimistic about his future with Baltimore, hoping to prove himself in his new environment.

Pottstown Local Scoop Launches
New Community Event Calendar

We’re excited to announce that we’ve launched a New Community Event Calendar! Introducing Pottstown Live!

To better serve and provide quick turnaround, we thought providing a resource that provided value through promoting local and community events more efficiently.

We invite you to check it out, stay informed, and submit your events to Thousands of Pottstown Locals!

👇 Have an Upcoming Event?👇