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The latest news from Berks Weekly
William Penn Memorial Fire Tower to celebrate 87th anniversary with public climbs

William Penn Memorial Fire Tower to celebrate 87th anniversary with public climbs

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower atop Mount Penn will celebrate its 87th anniversary in October with a public event featuring tower climbs, historical presentations and an exploration of the surrounding grounds.The anniversary celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1

Wanda Colón Hart brings LoveNotes back to Reading for second year

Wanda Colón Hart brings LoveNotes back to Reading for second year

Berks County native and television personality Wanda Colón Hart will bring LoveNotes back to Reading for a second year, with this year’s production featuring a new scholarship and an opportunity for one couple to become engaged on stage.LoveNotes Berks 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8 p

Penn State Extension to offer food safety certification course in Berks County

Penn State Extension to offer food safety certification course in Berks County

Penn State Extension will offer several food safety manager certification options, including an in-person ServSafe Food Safety Manager course at Penn State Berks in October.The in-person course will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 15 in Room 105 of the Franco Buil

BARTA proposes route, schedule changes for January 2027

BARTA proposes route, schedule changes for January 2027

The South Central Transit Authority is proposing a series of route and schedule changes for Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority service beginning Jan. 4, 2027, including the elimination of one route and expanded service to several employment and school locations.SCTA said the proposed chang

A legal battle over a Berks County firearms range shows the power of Pa.’s gun laws

A legal battle over a Berks County firearms range shows the power of Pa.’s gun laws

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.EXETER TOWNSHIP — Nearly a decade ago, residents of Pathfinder Meadows started pl

Reading man identified in fatal motorcycle crash on North 11th Street

Reading man identified in fatal motorcycle crash on North 11th Street

A 50-year-old Reading man was killed Saturday night in a motorcycle crash on North 11th Street, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.The crash occurred at approximately 9:23 p.m. Sept. 19 in the 1800 block of North 11th Street in Reading.The Coroner’s Office identified the motorcyclist as

Miller Center for the Arts announces 2026-27 season of music, comedy and family entertainment

Miller Center for the Arts announces 2026-27 season of music, comedy and family entertainment

The Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College has announced its 2026-27 season, featuring a lineup of music, comedy, dance, holiday performances and family programming in downtown Reading.The season includes tribute performances celebrating the music of Crosby, Stills & Nash, the

BCIU recognizes Scott L. Gruber as 2026 Outstanding Community Partner Award recipient

BCIU recognizes Scott L. Gruber as 2026 Outstanding Community Partner Award recipient

The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) is proud to announce Mr. Scott L. Gruber as the recipient of the 2026 BCIU Outstanding Community Partner Award. Presented annually, the award recognizes an external partner whose leadership, advocacy, and collaboration have helped advance the BCIU’s mission

Nighttime brush cutting, surveying: PennDOT upcoming roadwork Sept. 19, 2026

Nighttime brush cutting, surveying: PennDOT upcoming roadwork Sept. 19, 2026

PennDOT has announced several road work projects scheduled for Berks County during the week of Sept. 21, including nighttime brush cutting on US 422, shoulder work on Route 501 and surveying along US 222/US 422. Motorists should expect lane or shoulder restrictions in affected areas.Reading and Cumr

Dorney Park opens Halloween Haunt with new Blair Witch maze, live show

Dorney Park opens Halloween Haunt with new Blair Witch maze, live show

Dorney Park has kicked off its 2026 Halloween season, bringing haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment and after-dark rides back to the Allentown amusement park.Halloween Haunt opened Friday, Sept. 18, and will continue on select nights through Oct. 31. This year’s event features six haunted

Berks County historical markers temporarily removed for restoration

Berks County historical markers temporarily removed for restoration

Residents in Berks County may notice some of Pennsylvania’s familiar blue-and-gold historical markers missing from their posts as the state conducts routine restoration work ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission announced that Berks Coun

Greenwood and McGeehan recipients of 2026 Chambliss Faculty Research Awards

Greenwood and McGeehan recipients of 2026 Chambliss Faculty Research Awards

Dr. Joleen Greenwood, professor, Society, History, and Culture, and Dr. Catherine McGeehan, professor, Elementary, Middle Level, Library and Technologies Education, have been awarded Kutztown University’s 2026 Chambliss Faculty Research Awards for their extraordinary research and scholarship endeavo

Anu Morgan’s ‘Living Pride’ selected for limited-edition Reading Public Library card

Anu Morgan’s ‘Living Pride’ selected for limited-edition Reading Public Library card

Reading Public Library and Reading Pride Celebration have announced Anu Morgan as the winner of a library card art contest held in recognition of the 20th anniversary of Berks Pride Fest and Library Card Sign-Up Month.Morgan’s design, titled “Living Pride,” is featured on a new limited-edition Pride

Brecknock Township man identified after being found dead in private pond

Brecknock Township man identified after being found dead in private pond

The Berks County Coroner’s Office has identified a 77-year-old man who was found dead in a private pond in Brecknock Township earlier this week.George E. Dunda, 77, of Brecknock Township, was identified as the man found in a pond in the 1600 block of Wyomissing Road, according to an update released

Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity: Restaurant Inspections, Sept. 17, 2026

Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity: Restaurant Inspections, Sept. 17, 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

Gov. Mifflin High School named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School

Gov. Mifflin High School named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School

Governor Mifflin High School students, faculty, and administration gathered in the Governor Mifflin High School Auditorium on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 for an impromptu meeting to announce an important milestone.On Tuesday, September 14, 2026 was officially designated by Special Olympics North Ame

Fleetwood’s Finest announces 2027 Cadillac Award, Hometown Hero honorees

Fleetwood’s Finest announces 2027 Cadillac Award, Hometown Hero honorees

Fleetwood Bank and four longtime community members will be honored for their service to the Fleetwood area during the 2027 Fleetwood’s Finest Spring Gala.Friends of Fleetwood Parks announced Fleetwood Bank as the recipient of the 2027 Fleetwood Cadillac Award for Extraordinary Community Service. Bet

ARL, Reading Coffee Company unveil 2026 signature blends featuring rescue dogs

ARL, Reading Coffee Company unveil 2026 signature blends featuring rescue dogs

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County and Reading Coffee Company unveiled their exclusive 2026 signature coffee and tea blends during an event Saturday, Sept. 12, in Birdsboro.The annual partnership featured two rescue dogs whose portraits received the most votes during the ARL’s Pet Portrait Fun

Reading Police recognize 12 officers promoted to new roles

Reading Police recognize 12 officers promoted to new roles

The City of Reading and Reading Police Department recognized 12 members of the department who were promoted to leadership and investigative positions during a ceremony Wednesday.The ceremony included the swearing-in of officers recently promoted to captain, lieutenant, sergeant and criminal investig

Reading Area Community College receives $625,000 for facility improvements

Reading Area Community College receives $625,000 for facility improvements

Reading Area Community College will receive $625,000 in state funding for two facility improvement projects, including work at the Schmidt Training and Technology Center and Berks Hall.The funding was announced Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as part of more than $25.4 million

Yocum Institute brings free theater-based mental health programs to Berks County schools

Yocum Institute brings free theater-based mental health programs to Berks County schools

Yocum Institute for Arts Education is bringing two theater-based mental health programs to Berks County schools this fall at no cost, following a pilot earlier this year that reached more than 3,400 students, faculty and staff.The programs, “I’m OK” for elementary students and “At Some Point – We Ha

Early College Academy graduates second cohort, expands by 38% for 2026

Early College Academy graduates second cohort, expands by 38% for 2026

As schools across Pennsylvania continue to face educator shortages and families seek more affordable pathways to higher education, Kutztown University’s Early College Academy (ECA) is demonstrating what can happen when school districts and universities work together to create intentional pathways fr

Birdsboro woman dies following two-vehicle crash in Oley Township

Birdsboro woman dies following two-vehicle crash in Oley Township

A 42-year-old Birdsboro woman died following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in Oley Township, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.The crash occurred at the intersection of Philadelphia Avenue, Route 73, and Snyder Road. Calls regarding the crash began coming into the Berks County 911

Hope Rescue Mission gala celebrates changed lives, honors Recovery Coaching Services with David H. Roland Award

Hope Rescue Mission gala celebrates changed lives, honors Recovery Coaching Services with David H. Roland Award

Hope Rescue Mission held its annual gala Saturday, Sept. 12, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, bringing together community members and supporters to raise funds for programs serving people experiencing homelessness in the Greater Reading area.The event included dinner, guest stories, ministry upd