For 34 years, Hillside Playground on North 14th Street has been transformed into a dazzling holiday landmark known lovingly as “Christmas on the Mountain.” The largest free Christmas light display in the United States, this cherished tradition now features over 5 million LED lights and pixels, along
The Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State has announced seven recipients of its IMAGINE Your Business grant, designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth. The program awards up to $2,000 to assist startups with prototyping, marketing, product development and other esse
Boyertown’s holiday season will soon get into full swing as Building a Better Boyertown brings back its annual Chillin’ on Main celebration on Saturday, December 6. The family-friendly event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a full afternoon of entertainment, shopping, and seasonal fun throu
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Customers may still obtai
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
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
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
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
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 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 (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
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 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
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 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
Update – 11/21/25: (Via RAWA) Residents of the 18th Ward and Kenhorst Borough the Boil Water Advisory is now lifted. The test samples have been cleared and the water is safe for consumption.Original post: A water main break reported Monday evening has prompted a boil water advisory for parts of Read
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 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 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 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, 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
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
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
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
