A consumer firework ignited a throw pillow in seconds Wednesday as thick black smoke quickly filled the air, illustrating the dangers city officials hope residents will remember before Fourth of July celebrations begin.The demonstration, held at the Berks County Fire Training Center, brought togethe
Vic and Dena Hammel present Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad, an engaging photography exhibit now open at the Reading Public Museum. The exhibit will be on view in the Meinig Family Gallery and the Works on Paper Gallery through August 11, 2026. The presenting sp
A Bern Township man died Tuesday evening after a tree limb struck him while he was trimming a tree from a ladder, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel said the incident occurred at 5:09 p.m. on June 30, when the Berks County 911 Center received a rep
The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) has announced the appointment of Robert C. Farina as Director of the Office of Professional Learning, effective July 1, 2026.Mr. Farina’s appointment was approved by the BCIU Board of Directors following a comprehensive search and interview process. He succe
Reading residents will be able to cool off at no cost this week as the city responds to dangerous heat expected across the region.Mayor Eddie Morán announced Wednesday that admission to Schlegel Pool will be free for City of Reading residents on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, from noon to 7 p
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has upgraded the harmful algal bloom status at Blue Marsh Lake from a Watch to an Advisory, warning visitors to use caution around areas of the lake where blue-green algae may be present.The advisory, issued Wednesday, July 1, follows the detection of moderate levels
The Animal Rescue League of Berks County has issued a Code Red for the City of Reading due to a sustained heat index above 95 degrees from July 1 – July 5, 2026.Under Bill #22, an amendment added to the City Code, Chapter 141, Part 2 Animals, Section 205 Caring for Animals in 2015, any person who ow
With one of the busiest travel weekends of the year approaching, law enforcement and public safety officials gathered Tuesday at Blue Marsh Lake to remind residents that impaired driving and boating are entirely preventable and that enforcement efforts will be stepped up throughout the Independence
The City of Reading has announced holiday operations and schedule changes ahead of the Independence Day weekend, including the closure of City Hall and adjustments to street sweeping.City Hall will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Monday
A Reading man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges following an investigation by the Berks County District Attorney’s Gun Violence Reduction Task Force into alleged straw purchases of firearms.According to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, Joel Mendoza-Diaz, 26, of the 1500 block of P
Berks County seniors are being encouraged to seek relief from the ongoing heat wave by visiting local senior centers that are serving as cooling sites during normal business hours.According to the Berks County Area Agency on Aging, the county’s senior centers offer air-conditioned spaces where older
A 56-year-old Pottstown man died following a single-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Amity Township, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.The crash occurred at approximately 6:08 a.m. June 27 in front of 1832 Old Swede Road, authorities said. A preliminary investigation determined the man
A 49-year-old Exeter Township man died following a motorcycle crash involving a minivan early Saturday morning, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Emergency crews were dispatched at 12:11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, to the intersection of St. Lawrence Avenue and Shelbourne Road in Exeter Tow
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Berks County and surrounding areas, warning that dangerously hot conditions are possible from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday evening, with the most intense heat expected Thursday and Friday.Forecasters say daytime heat index val
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alfredo Cardona Padilla, age 48, Ceferino Charles Hernandez, age 49, both of Reading, Pennsylvania, and Paul Gerald Simmons, age 51, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged by indictment with robbery and f
A 78-year-old Mohnton man has died after his bicycle was struck by an SUV Friday afternoon in Spring Township, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel said the Coroner’s Office was notified of the death at 3:06 p.m. Friday, June 26, by the Emergency Dep
The Shapiro Administration has announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent request to make financial assistance available to individuals and families affected by the June 11, 2026, fire at the Oak Forest Apartment Complex located at 2251 and 2271 H
A 70-year-old Muhlenberg Township man died after a motorcycle crash Thursday afternoon in Perry Township, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Berks County 911 received a report of the crash at approximately 12:39 p.m. on June 25. The crash occurred on Route 61 (South Pottsville Pike), jus
Berks County swimmer Kylah Schlott is returning home from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games as a two-time medalist after winning a gold medal and a bronze medal while representing Team Pennsylvania in Minnesota.Schlott captured gold in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 3:29.85, beating her pre
For one week each summer, dozens of young people from Berks, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties trade in their cell phones, sleep in cabins, wake before dawn and experience a taste of the discipline expected in law enforcement and the military.The Pennsylvania State Police Troop L Camp Cadet program re
Rail fans in Berks County will have a rare opportunity to see one of the world’s largest operating steam locomotives when Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 arrives in Reading on Thursday, July 2, as part of the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad’s Semiquincentennial Steam Celebration
The South Heidelberg Township Police Department is asking for the public’s help after equipment used for the township’s summer playground program was stolen from Hummel/South Mountain Park.According to police, the theft occurred sometime during the overnight hours between June 24 and June 25 at the
UGI Energy Services employees in Wyomissing spent part of Thursday assembling brand-new bicycles and providing helmets for children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County, part of a nationwide volunteer initiative tied to the return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic later this summer.T
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.UPPER BERN TOWNSHIP — A week after news broke that the Trump administration plans
