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The latest news from Berks Weekly
Reading announces street closures ahead of 2025 Holiday Parade

Reading announces street closures ahead of 2025 Holiday Parade

The City of Reading is gearing up for a festive holiday season, with the much-anticipated Holiday Parade set to take place on Saturday, November 22nd, at 10 am along Penn Street. Free parking will be available from 7am-3:30pm at the South Penn Garage, 4th & Cherry Garage, and 5th & Cherry lot.New th

Baby formula company linked to botulism outbreak stopped production at Berks plant in 2023

Baby formula company linked to botulism outbreak stopped production at Berks plant in 2023

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 baby formula company whose products have been linked to a botulism

Christmas on the Farm to celebrate foster care & adoption families with community support and holiday cheer

Christmas on the Farm to celebrate foster care & adoption families with community support and holiday cheer

On Saturday, November 29, CHOR Youth & Family Services will host Christmas on the Farm — a free, family-friendly event at the Jim Dietrich Park Farmhouse in Muhlenberg Township from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This festive morning will feature visits with Santa, holiday crafts, a petting zoo, sweet treats, an

Reading man pleads guilty to child pornography offenses

Reading man pleads guilty to child pornography offenses

United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Matthew McKinney, 27, of Reading, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty before United States District Judge Joseph F. Leeson Jr. on one count each of distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography.McKinney was arrested on a cri

Shapiro administration highlights major road and bridge investments in Berks County

Shapiro administration highlights major road and bridge investments in Berks County

The Shapiro administration is marking a busy and productive construction season across East Central Pennsylvania, with several major transportation projects underway or completed in Berks County.PennDOT’s Engineering District 5 reported this week that 87 projects valued at more than $840 million are

Reading United AC names Rich Kessler USL2 1st Team Head Coach

Reading United AC names Rich Kessler USL2 1st Team Head Coach

Reading United AC has announced the promotion of Rich Kessler to Head Coach of the club’s USL2 men’s team after previously serving as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach since 2021. He succeeds Casey Moore, who recently transitioned to the newly established position of Sporting Director followin

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County reached no-kill in 2024

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County reached no-kill in 2024

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL) has reached no-kill in 2024, according to Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. The milestone was celebrated on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, alongsid

Berks County Conservation District receives $317K for watershed restoration project

Berks County Conservation District receives $317K for watershed restoration project

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded more than $3.1 million in watershed restoration grants statewide, including a significant investment in Berks County aimed at improving water quality in the Upper Little Swatara Creek watershed.The Berks County Conservation District

Fleetwood Police seek two suspects after counterfeit bills passed at Dollar General

Fleetwood Police seek two suspects after counterfeit bills passed at Dollar General

Fleetwood Police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects who used counterfeit cash at the Dollar General located at 44 Farmers Drive on Wednesday, October 30, 2025.According to the department, five counterfeit $100 bills were passed at the store between approximately 3 p.m. and 4 p

Reading man sentenced to 18 years in prison for three Berks County armed robberies

Reading man sentenced to 18 years in prison for three Berks County armed robberies

United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Mikal Portalatin, 35, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 216 months in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge John M. Gallagher for committing three commercial armed robberies. Judge Gallagher also order

Reading’s pagoda re-illuminated as restoration progresses

Reading’s pagoda re-illuminated as restoration progresses

Reading’s iconic Pagoda is glowing once again after a successful exterior lighting test Monday evening, marking a key step forward in the city’s ongoing renovation efforts.City officials confirmed that the test validated the new electrical components and lighting fixtures installed as part of the br

Water Main Break on Lancaster Avenue in Reading prompts boil water advisory for 18th Ward, Kenhorst

Water Main Break on Lancaster Avenue in Reading prompts boil water advisory for 18th Ward, Kenhorst

A water main break reported Monday evening has prompted a boil water advisory for parts of Reading’s 18th Ward and Kenhorst Borough.The break occurred around 6:45 p.m. near the intersection of Grace Street and Lancaster Avenue. Crews responded quickly, working to shut off the water and begin repairs

Exeter Township School District inducts 3 into Academic Hall of Fame, 45 into National Honor Society

Exeter Township School District inducts 3 into Academic Hall of Fame, 45 into National Honor Society

The Exeter Township School District celebrated the achievements of students and alumni as 46 juniors and seniors were inducted into the Claude W. Dundore chapter of the National Honor Society and three notable alumni or community members were inducted into the Exeter Alumni Association’s Academic Ha

Hamburg Area High School to present “Mary Poppins” Musical this november

Hamburg Area High School to present “Mary Poppins” Musical this november

Hamburg Area School District and Hamburg Hawks Performing Arts will bring the timeless story of Mary Poppins to the Hamburg Area High School stage later this month. The production, based on the beloved Broadway adaptation, promises a blend of classic charm, musical magic, and heartfelt storytelling

Berks Ballet Theatre marks 50th Anniversary with special production of The Nutcracker

Berks Ballet Theatre marks 50th Anniversary with special production of The Nutcracker

Berks Ballet Theatre will celebrate a significant milestone this holiday season as it presents its 50th anniversary production of The Nutcracker on December 20 and 21 at Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium. Three performances are scheduled, and tickets begin at $43.This year’s production high

Berks County Veterans Affairs leaders present testimony to PA Legislature on groundbreaking PTSD treatment legislation

Berks County Veterans Affairs leaders present testimony to PA Legislature on groundbreaking PTSD treatment legislation

Berks County Director of Veterans Affairs Jay Ostrich and Deputy Director Will Tobin will present testimony to the Pennsylvania State Legislature in Harrisburg on Monday, November 17, in support of PA House Resolution 157, which urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 1947, the Treatment and Relief thr

Gipprich Jewelers Celebrates 80 years of family, legacy, and community

Gipprich Jewelers Celebrates 80 years of family, legacy, and community

Gipprich Jewelers, Berks County’s oldest family-owned jeweler, is proudly celebrating 80 years in business — a milestone that shines as bright as the jewelry they’ve sold since 1945.Founded by Walter J. Gipprich during the hard economic times of the 1940s, Gipprich Jewelers began as a small hometown

Oley Valley Graduate EliAnna Bermudez receives International YVC Distinguished Alumni Award

Oley Valley Graduate EliAnna Bermudez receives International YVC Distinguished Alumni Award

VOiCEup Berks has announced that local resident and 2022 Oley Valley High School graduate, EliAnna Bermudez, has been named the Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) 2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year, an alumni honor awarded across YVC’s international network. Youth Volunteer Corps includes more than 30 a

Litter removal, pothole patching: PennDOT upcoming roadwork November 14, 2025

Litter removal, pothole patching: PennDOT upcoming roadwork November 14, 2025

PennDOT District 5 has released its schedule of upcoming road projects in Berks County, with several maintenance operations expected to cause delays next week. Drivers are urged to use caution and allow extra travel time through these active work zones.In Centre Township, maintenance crews will cond

Overtime and unexpected bills force Reading to pull from its reserves

Overtime and unexpected bills force Reading to pull from its reserves

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 City of Reading may be forced to pull millions of dollars from its

PA Lottery presents commemorative check to $1M Powerball winner in Exeter Township

PA Lottery presents commemorative check to $1M Powerball winner in Exeter Township

Officials from the Pennsylvania Lottery and GIANT, a Lottery retailer, today presented a commemorative check to the winner of a recent $1 million Powerball ticket, which was sold for the Saturday, November 1 drawing. The check presentation was held at GIANT, 4655 Perkiomen Avenue, Exeter Township, w

Helping Harvest to make Thanksgiving brighter for 20,000+ neighbors

Helping Harvest to make Thanksgiving brighter for 20,000+ neighbors

Amid rising levels of food insecurity, largely due to the recent federal government shutdown and uncertainty around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank is prepared to help ensure that Berks & Schuylkill County neighbors will have food on their tables

Safe Berks welcomes NYC executive to lead Development at the organization

Safe Berks welcomes NYC executive to lead Development at the organization

Safe Berks has announced that effective immediately, Dimitrios Aletras, Jr., has been named Director of Development at Safe Berks at such a crucial time for the organization as they navigate celebrating their 50 years being a leader in the community while meeting the demands of the moment and the re

Pink Ribbon Week Charity Challenge raises over $85,000 for breast cancer support

Pink Ribbon Week Charity Challenge raises over $85,000 for breast cancer support

This year marked the 31st Anniversary of the Pink Ribbon Week Charity Challenge of the Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County, and what a celebration it was! The week was filled with fun, community spirit, and incredible generosity — all in support of those affected by breast cancer right he