The Reading Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon in the 500 block of Avenue B.According to police, officers responded to the area at approximately 3:55 p.m. on October 15, 2026, for a report of a person who had been shot.Upon arrival, officers located
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary announced plans Thursday to replace its aging visitor center with a new $13 million facility designed to improve accessibility, expand educational opportunities, and showcase the organization’s conservation work around the world.The announcement was made during an October 15
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating an animal cruelty incident in Union Township after a cat returned home with a gunshot wound to its leg.According to a public information release from State Police Reading, troopers were dispatched to a residence in the 70 block of Center Road on October 13
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has posted an updated list of recent Retail Food Inspection Reports for restaurants and food handlers in Berks County. Inspections are a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection. Violations are recorded but are often corrected on the spot prior to t
Busker Incognito & the Hollow Wieners have released a new original Halloween-themed single, “Herr Krampy Bein,” bringing a blend of blues and boogie music to the spooky season.Released Thursday, October 15, through Smoking Bishop Records, the song is available worldwide on major digital music platfo
The Berks County Coroner’s Office has identified human remains discovered earlier this month inside a vacant home in Reading as 47-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Figueroa Jr. of Reading.The remains were discovered on October 2, 2026, inside a vacant residence in the 500 block of South 6th Street. According
Reading Hospital marked a major milestone Wednesday, October 14, with a groundbreaking ceremony for the John and MaryAnne Post Center for Emergency Care, a 20,000-square-foot expansion designed to increase treatment capacity, reduce wait times, and improve the patient experience at one of Pennsylvan
South Heidelberg Township has been awarded a $350,000 state grant to support improvements to Heidelberg Run West Park, including new athletic courts, an accessible walking trail, and upgrades to landscaping and stormwater management.The funding, announced October 7, comes through the Pennsylvania De
The goal for runner Adam Hughes: 655 miles, 50 races, and one more free banana at the finish line.As he prepares for his 50th half marathon at this year’s Reading Hospital Road Run on Sunday, Oct. 18, the milestone represents far more than a number.Hughes’ running journey has been marked by a series
Muhlenberg Township Parks & Recreation Department will host its annual Fall Family FunFest and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 17, offering families an afternoon of seasonal activities, games, food, and Halloween festivities at Jim Dietrich Park.The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30
Two Berks County schools will receive a combined $500,000 in state grant funding to improve career and technical education programs, according to an announcement from state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24).The funding is part of $1 million in grants awarded to four schools across the 24th Senate Distric
The Yocum Institute for Arts Education will present The Landscapes of Berks County, a group exhibition featuring the work of four award-winning local artists: Jonathan Bond, Robert Seabourne, Russell Slocum, and Karen Weber. The exhibition will be on display from October 16 through November 21, 2026
When patients and families face a medical emergency, they depend on expert care, advanced resources and a hospital ready to meet the community’s needs for generations to come.At Reading Hospital’s second annual Champions of Care Dinner, community leaders came together to celebrate the people advanci
A new partnership between Albright University students, Centro Hispano, (the owners and management of bi-lingual WXAC, 91.3 FM radio station), and the Busker Incognito Blues & Boogie Weekend Festival will open doors for students to interview and interact with blues and boogie music performers, compo
Aviation leaders, airport professionals, educators, students and government officials from across Pennsylvania gathered in Reading from October 7-9 for the 46th Annual Pennsylvania Aviation Conference, part of a three-day series of events focused on aviation, education, workforce development and eme
Community members are invited to help bring holiday joy to local children and teens during the Holiday Toy Run benefiting CHOR Youth & Family Services, formerly the Children’s Home of Reading, on Sunday, October 18, 2026.Participants will gather at Meadowbrook Country Club, 1153 Rick Road, Reading,
On October 1, Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank held its 4th annual Celebration of Community & Hope in Berks County at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading.The event raised funds for Helping Harvest in support of its mission to feed neighbors experiencing hunger. Local restaurants were set up throug
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s next governor will shape the commonwealth’s o
In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, participants from ProBerco’s Adult Training Community Participation Supports program visited the Oley Fire Company for an informative and hands-on learning experience focused on fire safety and emergency response.During the visit, participants learned importan
State Sen. Judy Schwank joined representatives of Friend, Inc. Community Services and the Greater Berks Development Fund in Kutztown on Friday, October 9, to highlight $800,000 in state grant funding that will support the continued renovation and expansion of the nonprofit organization’s new food pa
A new interactive exhibit at the Reading Public Museum is giving visitors an opportunity to explore how everyday objects are made, drawing inspiration from the popular factory tour segments featured on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.How People Make Things, on display through January 10, 2027, in the mu
Berks Encore has announced the promotions of Andrea Gebely to Chief Program Officer and Mindy McIntosh to Chief Development Officer as the nonprofit organization works to strengthen its programs, expand community partnerships, and respond to the evolving needs of older adults throughout Berks County
Motorists traveling through Lenhartsville should prepare for overnight closures of Route 143 beginning Monday, October 12, as construction continues on the Interstate 78 Lenhartsville Bridge Replacement Project.The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Bridging Pennsylvania Constru
Three farms in Berks County, totaling 206 acres, will be permanently protected from future development as part of a statewide farmland preservation investment announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.The State Agricultural Land Preservation Board approved $648,126 in funding to purcha
