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
State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced $1 million in grant funding has been awarded to the Reading Area Community College through the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support expansion of dual-enrollment and workforce development programs that provide students with early access to
Kutztown University presented the 2026 Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards to eight accomplished students Friday, April 24. Students who received awards were nominated by staff and faculty members for meeting one or more of the seven areas of achievement: successfully completed research pr
PennDOT has scheduled multiple road work projects across Berks County in the upcoming week, with a mix of long-term construction, lane closures, and maintenance operations expected to impact several major roadways.In Berks County, long-term construction continues on Interstate 176 northbound and sou
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) celebrated the dedication of a new playground at its Learning Center at Melrose Plaza during a ceremony recognizing the generosity and community partnership of Fleetwood Bank.Made possible through a $5,000 sponsorship from Fleetw
This article originally appeared in Good Day, Berks — Spotlight PA’s free daily newsletter for Berks County and your daily dose of Berks County essentials. Sign up here.This week’s Community Spotlight honoree is Christine Kreisher, 55, executive director of the Emerging Entrepreneurs Leadership Acad
Throughout 2025, Berks LaunchBox continued accelerating startup growth in the Berks County community. In the last year, Berks LaunchBox assisted 277 entrepreneurs — 58% of whom are female founders and 38% of whom are people of color — taught new skills to 713 community members in its Makerspace, off
The South Heidelberg Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the driver of a white SUV involved in a motorcycle crash earlier this month in Robesonia Borough.According to police, the crash occurred on April 16 at approximately 2 p.m. at the intersection of Bernville Road and
A 13-year-old boy was injured Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash in the city, according to the Reading Police Department.The incident occurred around 8:17 a.m. on April 24 at the intersection of North Front and Windsor streets. Police said patrol officers and Readi
A Berks County Boy Scout was recognized Friday for designing and building a new accessible fishing pier at Blue Marsh Lake, a project officials say will serve the community for years to come.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 24 at the lake’s Stilling Basin, honori
A months-long investigation into illegal firearm trafficking in Berks County has resulted in multiple arrests and charges, with authorities alleging a network of “straw purchasing” that supplied guns to individuals prohibited from possessing them.The investigation, led by the Berks County District A
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Schuylkill Highlands Mini-Grant Program, which provides funding of up to $15,000 for projects that advance conservation, outdoor recreation, community revitalization, and nature-based tourism across the Schuylkill Highlands region. The application dea
A recent federal initiative focused on artificial intelligence (AI) gave Penn State Berks faculty the chance to partner with students and teachers from the wider community. The Presidential AI Challenge seeks to inspire young people and educators to create AI-based innovative solutions to community
Hundreds of Pennsylvania high school students — including many in Berks County — are gaining a head start on college through expanded dual-credit programs supported by new state funding.The Shapiro Administration announced $7 million in grants to 10 higher education institutions, bringing total inve
Bern Township police conducted a targeted traffic enforcement detail along Route 183 earlier this month, resulting in dozens of citations and warnings as part of an effort to address ongoing safety concerns.According to the Bern Township Police Department, the enforcement took place during the week
Berks County officials and members of the America250PA Berks committee gathered Thursday at the County Services Center to raise the official America250PA Berks flag, marking the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.The ceremony, held at 12:45 p.m., included county staff, committee membe
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 Senate has approved a resolution introduced by Judy Schwank directing a comprehensive review of the state’s Municipalities Planning Code.Senate Resolution 211, passed Tuesday by a 46-2 vote, tasks the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee with studying how the code is functioning
As warmer weather approaches and “kitten season” begins, the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL) and No Nonsense Neutering (NNN) are working alongside local municipalities in 2026 to expand access to Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) services for community cats. This collaborative effort ai
A statewide investment aimed at strengthening urban agriculture will bring new support to a project in Berks County, as part of nearly $500,000 awarded across Pennsylvania.The Shapiro-Davis Administration announced 21 Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants totaling $499,480, designed to help addres
Leer en español This is the second installment in a series about Pennsylvanians in recovery from substance use disorder and how stigma affected their recovery. The series is a collaboration between Public Good News, Centro Integral de la Mujer Madre Tierra, and Life Unites Us. If you’d like to share
A group of 35 high school students from school districts across Berks County is bringing urgent attention to an issue many still misunderstand and often overlook locally: human trafficking.The Youth Advisory Board (YAB), a collaborative initiative of the Berks County Community Foundation and Youth V
South Heidelberg Township police, working alongside the Pennsylvania State Police, conducted a series of high-visibility aggressive driving enforcement details on April 14 aimed at improving roadway safety in the area.According to the South Heidelberg Township Police Department, the first detail beg
The nonprofit environmental group PennEnvironment, and local Berks County elected officials and community members, joined together at Manatawny Creek Winery for a tour of the vineyard’s solar array and to learn about the winery’s other sustainability initiatives. “PennEnvironment is excited to highl
