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
With less than a week remaining before Pennsylvania’s deadline for removing skill game machines from businesses, state Rep. Manuel Guzman joined business owners, volunteer fire department representatives and industry supporters Thursday evening in Reading to discuss the potential financial impact an
Five conservation and recreation projects in Berks County will receive nearly $700,000 in state grant funding to support trail improvements, park development, stream restoration and urban forestry initiatives.State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, announced Wednesday, October 7, that the funding was awa
The Reading Theater Project will invite local writers and performers to explore the spooky, strange, and macabre during The Terror Project 2026, a four-day series of playwriting workshops and performances scheduled for October 15-18 in Reading.The event, which marks the second installment of the the
Construction is underway on a new residential community in Wyomissing that will bring 441 townhomes and single-family homes to the planned Broadcast District mixed-use development.Lennar announced Thursday, October 8, that it has broken ground on the residential portion of the project, which will co
With Election Day approaching, Berks County officials are reminding voters that state and federal laws place restrictions on the presence of law enforcement officers at polling locations.In a statement issued Monday, October 5, the County of Berks outlined the legal limitations governing police offi
The City of Reading will begin its 2026 curbside loose-leaf collection program on Monday, October 12, with Public Works crews making periodic trips through neighborhoods across the city.The seasonal program will serve several areas, including the 18th Ward and South of Penn, Northeast Reading and Ha
For children who are blind or visually impaired, access to a highly qualified teacher can be life changing. Thanks to two new grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $2.2 million, Kutztown University’s nationally recognized Visual Impairment program will help prepare more specialized e
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
The City of Reading will welcome environmental leaders, municipal officials, volunteers, and community advocates from across Pennsylvania for the 2026 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Annual Conference, scheduled for October 14–15 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading.The two-day conference, organize
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 — This November, Pennsylvania voters will decide who should be
A collection of six commercial properties in Douglassville has sold for more than $10 million, according to commercial real estate brokerage firm Marcus & Millichap.The company announced Wednesday, October 7, that it arranged the $10,027,169 sale of a retail portfolio totaling 48,736 square feet acr
A Berks County farm with more than five decades of agricultural history served as the backdrop Wednesday for the unveiling of the 2027 Pennsylvania Farm Show theme.Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced “Leading A Legacy” during an event at Winterside Farm in Lenhartsville, whe
The Berks County Coroner’s Office is working with the Reading Police Department and forensic specialists to identify human remains discovered last week inside a vacant home in Reading.According to Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel, the office was notified of the discovery on Friday, October 2,
Athena Worley, a senior at Wilson High School and longtime participant in Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading (YVCR) programs, has been named the 2026 Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) International Youth of the Year, the highest annual youth honor presented by the international Youth Volunteer Corps organiz
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 — A coalition of immigrant advocates and legal aid orgs wants the City of
The South Heidelberg Township Police Department conducted more than 40 traffic stops and issued 19 citations during a monthlong traffic enforcement initiative in September.According to the department, officers spent more than 45 hours conducting stationary and roving enforcement aimed at aggressive
Reading officials, state lawmakers and business leaders gathered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg Tuesday to highlight ongoing investment in the city and make the case for continued state support of Reading’s redevelopment efforts.Mayor Eddie Morán led the event in the Capitol Rotunda
For the Evans family, the spirit of volunteering is more than a tradition. It is a legacy passed from father to son through a shared commitment to neighbors, community and United Way of Berks County.For more than two decades, Irv Evans was a familiar presence in United Way’s annual campaign. He serv
