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 Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC’s) independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) has filed a formal complaint against UGI Utilities, Inc. – Gas Division (UGI) following a detailed investigation into the March 2023 natural gas explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company chocola
Cumru Township police are investigating the deaths of two individuals found inside a home Tuesday following a welfare check request from family members.According to the Cumru Township Police Department, officers were dispatched March 17 to a private residence in the 500 block of Church Road. Upon ar
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 — Local officials say they are working to ensure Berks County taxpayer
More than $1 million in state grant funding has been awarded to projects across Berks County, with multiple state lawmakers announcing investments aimed at improving public safety, infrastructure and community resources.The funding comes through Pennsylvania’s Local Share Account (LSA) programs, whi
A fatal crash involving a trash hauler and a pickup truck is under investigation after a head-on collision along Philadelphia Avenue (Route 724) in Cumru Township.According to the Cumru Township Police Department, emergency responders were dispatched to the area of Valley Stream Road after initial r
Berks County colleges are set to receive more than $70,000 in state funding as part of a broader $1.7 million investment aimed at combating sexual violence on college campuses across Pennsylvania.The funding, announced by the Shapiro Administration through the third round of the “It’s On Us PA” init
The County of Berks Board of Assessment Appeals has voted to resume in-person property assessment appeal hearings beginning in April 2026, ending the practice of conducting hearings by telephone that was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.Prior to 2020, appeal hearings were routinely held in p
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County dedicated a newly rehabilitated home Tuesday afternoon at 924 Douglass St. in Reading, celebrating the completion of a project that will provide a local family with a new start while marking the organization’s first home in the 9th and Douglass streets neighborho
Twin Valley High School’s theater department will bring a classic fairytale to life this spring with its production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, set to take the stage in April.Directed by Jessie Sanders, the production will transform the high school auditorium into a royal setting, featuri
A mysterious force echoes across generations in Reading Theater Project’s world premiere of “Banshee.” From May 1-10, 2026, Berks County audiences will be able to see the first full production of “Banshee” by Wyomissing playwright Adam Richter at the WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St. in Read
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 Trump administration is using a secretive, fast-tracked process fue
Attorney General Dave Sunday continued his series of teenTALK events by meeting with Berks County students this week to discuss the impacts of social media on mental health.Students from numerous Berks County school districts participated in the open discussion with Attorney General Sunday. Many of
YMCA of Reading & Berks County announced the appointment of Ken Borkey, Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), promoting the longtime YMCA leader who has served the organization for nearly 15 years. Borkey will succeed Phillip Borup, who has served the Y for more than three years leadin
The Help a Girl Out (HAGO) initiative is celebrating five years of community efforts to address period poverty while announcing that its 2026 collection drive has reached a milestone of 138,367 donated products.The initiative, which began as a grassroots effort by a group of local women, has grown i
The Borough of Wyomissing is excited to welcome families back to one of the community’s most cherished traditions — the Annual Egg Hunt — taking place on Saturday, March 28th, 2026, at Wyomissing Hills Memorial Park at 11:00 am.Children ages 1 through 12 are invited to participate in this long-stand
The City of Reading has announced the start of its 2026 yard waste collection program, which will begin Monday, March 30, and continue throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.Residents are encouraged to schedule yard waste pickups in advance to ensure timely collection.Collections will take
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a reported mail theft and check washing incident that occurred in Union Township, Berks County.According to a public information release from the Reading Patrol Unit, troopers responded March 11 to a residence on Hay Creek Road in Birdsboro for a report of
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) have reintroduced legislation to place reasonable limits on rental application fees in Pennsylvania.Rental application fees can range from $25 to $75, often higher than the administrative costs associated with processing an application. The
State Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr., D-Berks, announced Friday that Safe Berks has received $100,000 in grant funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to support safety and infrastructure improvements.The funding will be used for the Safe Berks Sidewalk and Safety P
PennDOT District 5 has announced several upcoming road work projects across Berks County scheduled for the week of March 16. Motorists should expect lane restrictions, shoulder closures, and occasional traffic stops in several areas.In Centre Township, crews will perform brush cutting along Tilden R
Several nonprofit and faith-based organizations in Berks County are receiving state funding to improve security measures as part of a nearly $11 million statewide investment aimed at preventing hate crimes and protecting community institutions.The funding, announced by the Pennsylvania Commission on
A Reading man was taken into custody Friday morning following a narcotics and firearms investigation conducted by the Berks County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force.According to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, detectives arrested Angel Benitez, 52, of the 100 block of West Elm Street
As part of the Shapiro Administration’s ongoing commitment to protect Pennsylvanians from predatory artificial intelligence (AI) practices, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today rolled out a presentation to educate families about emerging technology, the risks of online gaming, and the critical
