Berks County Parks & Recreation has announced a new Backpack Lending Program aimed at helping children and families explore local parks while learning about nature, wildlife, and history.The program was made possible through 2025 funding from the Gilmore-Henne Grant, administered by the Berks County
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.TULPEHOCKEN — A Berks County township has turned over drafts of a proposed agricu
Family Promise of Berks County recently received a $20,000 grant from Clayton, ensuring that families in Berks County receive the support they need to stay safely housed.The grant is a portion of the $2 million dollars Clayton is donating to the Family Promise national network. The funds are a resul
The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts will kick off its 2026 Thorn Alley Stage concert season on Friday, May 1, with a performance by Berks County-rooted band Frog Holler.The opening night event will feature two sets by Frog Holler on the outdoor stage, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and music beginning
A small roadway in southern Berks County has now been closed to all traffic due to safety concerns, adding to ongoing disruptions tied to a nearby state bridge project.Township officials announced that the Old River Road bridge, located near 1130 Old River Road by The Beidler House in Birdsboro, has
Following his original letter to former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) today sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterating his opposition to the proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded more than $1 million in environmental education grants across the state, including funding for a project in Berks County aimed at advancing air quality research.In total, $1,019,523 was distributed to 46 projects through the departm
The Berks Sinfonietta has announced the winners of its second annual Scholarship Competition, recognizing standout high school musicians from across Berks County.Joshua Griffith, a senior, and Grace Campling, a junior, were selected as this year’s scholarship recipients. Griffith performed Allegro A
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
Standing across from the Berks County Services Center early Thursday morning, Berks County Commissioner Michael S. Rivera announced he will not seek reelection, bringing an end to his time in elected office after his current term.Rivera, who has served as commissioner for the past six years, said th
A 38-year-old woman has died following a motor vehicle crash that occurred earlier this week in the City of Reading, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel said the office was notified at 9:52 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, by physicians at Tower Health/Rea
Berks Ballet Theatre will bring one of classical ballet’s most iconic productions to the stage next month, continuing its milestone 50th anniversary season with a performance of Swan Lake in Reading.The performance is scheduled for Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. at the Miller Center for the Arts and will
A prototype design, matching T-shirts, and an energetic pitch helped Reading Hospital employees Kim Madonna and Cassie Mercuri win first place and a $15,000 prize at this year’s ‘Shark Tank: Tower Health Edition’ competition.The duo, known as “The Perfect Pair,” addressed a common frustration among
Wyomissing Borough Council has announced the appointment of Eric Needle as the next Fire Chief for the Borough of Wyomissing. His official start date as a full-time employee will be August 3, 2026. Prior to officially assuming the role full-time, Needle will begin working with the Borough in a consu
The Borough of Wyomissing is excited to announce the return of one of the community’s longest-running traditions — the Annual Wyomissing Trout Fishing Rodeo — taking place on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at the Stone House Lawn and along Wyomissing Creek.For more than five decades, generations of Wyomis
The Reading Musical Foundation has announced that former RMF Music Education Advisor Mike Buterbaugh has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Hall of Fame — a prestigious honor recognizing music educators who have made a lasting impact on their students, schools, an
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.WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP — Contractors were installing a fence on Ge Fangyuan’s Old Ro
Union Pacific Railroad’s legendary steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, is set to make a rare appearance in Berks County this summer, with a scheduled whistle-stop at the Reading Outer Station as part of a nationwide tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.The massive locomotive—considered the l
State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed his legislation to give Pennsylvania drivers the option to carry a digital vehicle registration card on their smartphone or device.Guzman said this legislation would bring Pennsylvania into the 21st Ce
Tower Health Medical Group’s Street Medicine team celebrated a decade of service on April 23, honoring the dedicated volunteers who have helped bring vital healthcare directly to some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.The Street Medicine program relies on a passionate network of Tower Hea
Berks Sinfonietta brought a night of dramatic contrasts and expressive depth to Atonement Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 25, as the homegrown chamber orchestra presented its “Sturm und Drang” program.The performance, led by Artistic Director Dr. David A. McConnell, focused on a style of 18th-cen
Two Berks County volunteers were among those honored by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission during its 2025 Volunteers of the Year awards ceremony, recognizing individuals who contribute to preserving the Commonwealth’s history.The ceremony was held April 25 at Cornwall Iron Furnace in L
LightHouse Women & Children’s Center is celebrating the overwhelming success of its 4th Annual Welcome Home Party, held at Redner’s Event Center. The sold-out event welcomed more than 300 guests and generated an outpouring of community support, making it the organization’s most impactful fundraiser
Student Chief Executives from the Berks Career and Technology Center’s (BCTC) afternoon Business Management and Entrepreneurship (BME) program recently had the exciting opportunity to pitch their company idea to Robert Herjavec during the 20th Anniversary of the Schmidt Training and Technology Cente
