In an effort to better serve the needs of its student body, Penn State Berks has entered into an agreement with Lyft, which allows the college to provide free, convenient (and carbon-neutral) rides for students. It’s called Penn State Berks Emergency Rides 2026, and it’s set up through Lyft’s pass p
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) has announced its 2026 Take the Lead Berks County honorees – four female leaders who exemplify the Girl Scouts’ mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. This year’s honorees are leaders in both thei
The City of Reading has announced that the Pagoda lights will blink again this Christmas Eve, for the first time since 2021.The Pagoda’s restoration is nearly complete, with Dolan Construction, the Warko Group, and Hirneisen Electric working since April to keep the project on schedule for the new ye
Reading School District has announced that Leanne Eckenrode has been named School Administrator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel (PASSWP).This prestigious statewide award honors exemplary leaders who set the standard for excellence in supporting school soci
The Reading Public Museum has announced the acquisition of a large ceramic sculpture by contemporary Philadelphia-area artist Kukuli Velarde following the annual Purchase Party event, which took place on November 13. The purchase makes interesting connections to The Museum’s collection of works of a
Berks County organizations are among hundreds statewide receiving funding through Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), as part of a $70 million investment announced by the Shapiro Administration to support community revitalization and improve quality of life across the Commonwealth.
As part of the Rotary District 7430 Youth Exchange Program, the Wyomissing Public Library has been selected to receive a Rotary Peace Pole to plant at the library, located at 9 Reading Boulevard in Wyomissing.The idea for this initiative originated with Linda Kennedy, who serves as Chair of the Rota
Students in the Autistic Support classroom at Green Valley Elementary participated in a unique, real-world learning experience this week when retired NFL quarterback and Wilson School District alum Chad Henne visited as part of educator Laura Mattiuz’s lesson redesign assignment for the Total Experi
Berks County is set to receive $200,000 in state funding as part of a broader $17.7 million investment aimed at improving water quality across Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.The funding was announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) through its
Several Berks County museums and historical organizations are among the recipients of nearly $4 million in state funding awarded through the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant program.The grants were distributed to 177 eligible museums and official co
The South Heidelberg Police Department has begun the first phase of its new High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement Initiative, focusing on speeding concerns along Huntzinger Road in Wernersville.Police said the initiative officially commenced Tuesday, December 8, as part of a broader effort to improve
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 5 announced several upcoming roadway maintenance projects scheduled to take place across Berks County beginning Monday, Dec. 15, with work expected to continue through the week. Motorists should anticipate daytime lane restrictions, po
The Berks-Mont Business Association and Building a Better Boyertown have presented the Boyertown Area Multi-Service with a $3,015 donation to support Preston’s Pantry. The funds were raised during the inaugural Cocoa, Coffee & Cookie Crawl held on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025.Both orga
The City of Reading Department of Fire & Rescue Services has released new information on several recent and past fire incidents, along with a renewed call for property owners to maintain fire protection systems.Fatal fire on Angelica StreetFirefighters responded to a fire at 20 Angelica Street on Su
Berks County is among 13 counties benefiting from a new round of state farmland preservation funding, with Pennsylvania investing more than $1.1 million to ensure four local farms — totaling 376 acres — remain permanently dedicated to agriculture.The investment is part of a statewide announcement fr
The South Heidelberg Police Department has announced a new high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative aimed at deterring dangerous driving and improving roadway safety throughout its coverage area.The department said the effort, which began this week, will include an immediate and noticeable inc
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
Emma Pehote, student marshal for the Penn State Berks fall commencement ceremony, will give a speech titled “Life Is Not Linear,” a reflection of her journey which has led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in integrative science with a minor in psychology. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Satur
Tony-nominated writer and director Douglas Carter Beane is returning to the stage where his love of theater first began, debuting a new production at Genesius Theatre that celebrates art, imagination, and Pennsylvania roots.Beane, who grew up performing at Genesius in the 1970s, is launching his ten
The holiday season has arrived and Berks County’s most daring arts group is inviting the public to shop local at a gift market unlike any other. Barrio Alegria, known for its community engagement work and free arts programming, is hosting its annual My Mother’s Refrigerator holiday market in downtow
Kutztown University’s College of Business is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Business Idea Competition, an annual event that highlights the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of KU students.The six finalists presented their ideas Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the de Francesco Build
This October, Discovery Federal Credit Union had the honor of working together to build a playset for a little girl fighting cancer. The playset acts as a welcome distraction from hard days receiving treatment. After building the playset, the team watched with full hearts as the playset surprise was
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 — An eviction diversion program in Reading that offered tenants hands-on
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.Next year we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and yet one of the mo
