The latest news from Berks Weekly

Excessive fruit fly activity observed in bar area: Restaurant Inspections, Nov. 5, 2026

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

Pedestrian dies following crash on Penn Avenue in Wyomissing

A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday evening in Wyomissing, according to the Wyomissing Police Department.Police said the crash occurred on November 4, 2026, at approximately 5:15 p.m. in the 800 block of Penn Avenue.The pedestrian was transported to Reading Hospital for treat

Police recover loaded handgun at Exeter Junior High School following online threat

A juvenile was taken into custody Wednesday morning, November 4, after police investigating an online threat discovered that the suspect had brought a loaded handgun into Exeter Junior High School and discarded it in a hallway trash can, according to the Exeter Township Police Department.The investi

Time to ‘relax and really be kids’: How Reading schools expanded recess ahead of state mandate

This story was produced by the Berks County bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks.READING — Students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Reading School Distric

Two men injured in Reading shooting following dispute at house party, suspect charged

Two men were injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in Reading following a dispute at a house party, according to the Reading Police Department.Police said officers responded to the 1200 block of Douglass Street at approximately 3:57 a.m. on November 1, 2026, for a report of a shooting.Upon arri

Penn State Berks students take third place in RED vs BLUE Cyber Competition

Penn State Berks students were part of a team that earned third place in the “RED vs. BLUE Cyber Competition,” an event sponsored by the Penn State Competitive Cyber Security Organization. It was held on Sept. 20 on the University Park campus.This year’s event was a six-hour, in-person, hands-on bat

YMCA of Reading & Berks County names Duane Crouse as director of development

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County has announced the appointment of Duane S. Crouse as its new director of development, bringing more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, community engagement, and organizational leadership to the organization.Crouse joins the YMCA following a career

Reading kicks off $2.13 million street paving project across the city

The City of Reading officially kicked off a $2.13 million street paving project Monday morning, November 2, with improvements beginning on Joan Terrace and Summit Chase Drive. The project will include work on streets throughout the city, with paving expected to be completed by the end of November, w

Reading School District appoints Dr. April Halligan-Rostek as assistant superintendent of operations

The Reading School District Board of School Directors has approved the appointment of Dr. April Halligan-Rostek as assistant superintendent of operations, promoting a longtime district administrator who has served in various educational and leadership roles since 2007.Halligan-Rostek brings nearly t

Berks County Community Foundation awards more than $415,000 for energy efficiency projects

Berks County Community Foundation has awarded more than $415,000 in grants to seven organizations and entities to support energy efficiency improvements aimed at reducing utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions.The foundation announced the distribution of $415,673 in funding on October 30 through

Authorities seize more than $25K in suspected illegal drugs, paraphernalia from Reading business

The Berks County District Attorney’s Office is investigating a downtown Reading business following the seizure of more than $25,000 worth of suspected illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia during a search Thursday.Detectives from the Berks County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, working alongside

Gebhard joins Perry Township to celebrate ribbon cutting for new pavilion at Perry Recreation Park

Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) joined Perry Township officials and community members today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a new pavilion at Perry Recreation Park.The $136,036 project was fully funded through a state grant supported by Gebhard. Centrally located between the pa

Three-alarm fire in Reading displaces 32 residents, damages multiple homes

A three-alarm fire Friday afternoon in the 700 block of North 10th Street in Reading displaced 32 residents, including four children, and left several properties deemed unsafe, according to the Reading Fire Department.Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 4:55 p.m. on October 30. A second ala

State police investigate theft of $10,000 in copper wire in District Township

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the theft of copper wiring valued at approximately $10,000 from a utility pole in District Township, Berks County.According to a public information release from PSP Reading, the theft occurred sometime between October 26 and October 28, 2026, near the inte

Washington Township receives $199,000 state grant for park improvements

Washington Township in Berks County has been awarded a $199,000 state grant to support improvements at Washington Township Park, according to an announcement from state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24).The funding was awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DC

Reading School Board drops plan to vote on increasing its travel budget at Wednesday meeting

This story was produced by the Berks County bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks.READING — The Reading School Board dropped plans to consider increasing its trave

Mohnton man charged in connection with alleged child luring incidents in Shillington, Reading

A 66-year-old Mohnton man has been arrested and charged in connection with multiple reported child luring incidents in Shillington Borough and the City of Reading earlier this month, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.Robert Ruhe faces three counts of luring a child into a moto

Who hates data centers more? It’s a question at the center of one of Pa.’s critical legislative races

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 — A critical swing seat in Pennsylvania’s state Senate could c

Reading Parking Authority reviewing citations after mobile payment processing issue

The Reading Parking Authority (RPA) is reviewing parking citations issued over the past several months after discovering that some payments made through a mobile payment provider may not have been properly recorded in its parking enforcement system.According to a public statement issued by the autho

Pennsylvanians urged to replace smoke alarm batteries when turning back clocks this weekend

As Pennsylvanians prepare to turn back their clocks this weekend, the Shapiro Administration is urging residents to take a few minutes to replace the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. If you don’t have a smoke or CO alarm, you can request a free smoke alarm from the Am

Berks County seeks public input on walking, bicycling and accessibility plan

Berks County transportation planners are seeking input from the public on how to reduce barriers to walking, bicycling, and accessibility in Berks County and the best methods to achieve those goals. The car has been the dominant choice for people to travel to work, school, shopping centers, etc. As

Route 724 bridge reopens in Robeson Township following $2.8 million replacement project

After more than six months of construction and traffic detours, the Route 724 bridge over Allegheny Creek in Robeson Township reopened Thursday morning, October 29, marking the completion of a $2.8 million replacement project.State Rep. Mark Gillen joined township officials, representatives from the

Adalyn Rose Foundation raises $215K through Empty Stroller Run & Walk

The Adalyn Rose Foundation’s 2026 Empty Stroller Run & Walk campaign brought together more than 2,400 participants and raised over $215,000 to support families grieving the loss of a baby or young child.During the month of October, families, friends, and supporters participated in events in Reading,

Stephanie Hemak named Kutztown University Assistant Vice President for Finance

Kutztown University has named Stephanie Hemak its next assistant vice president for finance. Hemak brings more than 20 years of experience in financial reporting and more than a decade of financial leadership and management experience. She will begin her new role Monday, Nov. 2.As assistant vice pre