The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded nearly $5 million in grants to manufacturing projects across the state, including one in Berks County aimed at reducing energy costs and improving air quality.The funding is part of the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsy
The City of Reading has extended the 2026 Housing Renewal grace period through April 30, 2026, to give property owners additional time to complete renewals using the City’s new online system. The extension applies to properties under Chapter 308 and renewal fees under Chapter 212.“We realized there
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that two defendants have been charged in separate Lehigh Valley-area drug cases just unsealed.Richie Rivera, 33, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment with possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine
As the clock ticked toward noon, excitement and anticipation filled the room at Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM) at Tower Health.Berks County native Alexis Price-Moyer tore open her white envelope on Match Day and discovered she would begin her general surgery residency at Temple Univer
State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, announced Tuesday $150,000 in grant funding has been awarded to the Reading Area Community College through the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support student parents pursuing higher education.The funding will help expand programs that offer tuition assista
The Reading Public Museum has announced it will be hosting a watch party for the launch of the Artemis II mission on Wednesday evening April, 1st in the Neag Planetarium. Doors will open at 6:00p.m. with an estimate launch time of 6:24 p.m.Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed test flight in the Artemis
South Heidelberg police are investigating a burglary that occurred Monday night at a local auto body shop.According to the South Heidelberg Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 9:42 p.m. on March 30, 2026, to 41 Brick Plant Road in Heidelberg Township for a report of a burgla
The Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL), in partnership with the Wyomissing Borough, will host a low-cost vaccine clinic for dogs and cats on Thursday, April 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Wyomissing Fire Department, located at 1259 Penn Ave.The clinic will provide essential preventive care servi
Update – 3/31/26: According to Cumru Township Police, the preliminary findings of that autopsy supported by investigative evidence is the decedent died from thermal exposure along with smoke inhalation to include potential hazardous chemicals. A final cause and manner of death will be announced by t
Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank recently added four new members to its Board of Directors.John Powers, President – Commercial Lines Insurance at Tobash Insurance Agency in Tamaqua, and Tim Santoro, Divisional Vice President at The GIANT Company, both joined the Board in late February 2026.In 2025, S
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.This article originally appeared in Good Day, Berks — Spotlight PA’s free daily n
Update 3/28/26: Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel identified the decedent as 21-year-old Aleah Marie Kaylor, of Laureldale Borough.The investigation determined that Ms. Kaylor was driving her Chevrolet Cruze when she failed to negotiate a curve in the 800 block of Morgantown Road. The vehicle
The City of Reading’s Property Maintenance Inspection (PMI) Office has transitioned to a new online system for annual rental property license applications, replacing the previous paper-based process to improve efficiency, accuracy, and security.In the first ten days of the 2026 application cycle, PM
“Malaysian WWII Oral Histories: A Digital / Virtual Art Exhibition” will open on Friday, March 27, 2026, with a reception from 12 – 2 p.m. in the Penn State Berks Freyberger Gallery. Viewers will be transported into a sensory world described by the storytellers through the multi-modal exhibition. Th
PennDOT crews are scheduled to carry out a series of roadwork projects across Berks County in the coming days, with brush cutting, bridge repairs, and ongoing construction expected to impact several major roadways. Drivers may encounter lane restrictions, shoulder closures, and overnight work zones
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Harshpreet Singh, 25, an Indian national illegally in the U.S., entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Catherine Henry to possession of a firearm by an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States.The defendant was
The academic accomplishments of 26 Penn State Berks students were celebrated on Feb. 24, 2026, when they were inducted into the college’s Lambda Beta Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students. The students, along with honorary inductee James McCarty
Governor Josh Shapiro visited the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading Thursday morning to announce that the Commonwealth will host three free 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Zones in Reading, Scranton, and Pittsburgh. The Governor and Philadelphia Soccer made today’s announcement alongside representatives from each
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.HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has struck down mandatory lif
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
Ready. Set. Go! One lucky winner raced through the aisles at Redner’s in Wyomissing on Wednesday evening during United Way of Berks County’s annual incentive shopping spree.The three-minute dash, which began at 6 p.m., was held as a reward for donors who contributed to United Way of Berks County’s a
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.BERN — For nearly a decade, groups of protesters would gather to chant and sing s
Tuesday, on the third anniversary of the deadly explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) led nine bipartisan Pennsylvania colleagues in introducing the Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act. The Pr
Reading officials on Tuesday morning formally introduced Robert Leonard II as the city’s new fire chief during a press conference at City Hall, following his approval by Reading City Council the night before.Mayor Eddie Morán called the appointment “a really important moment for the City of Reading
