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The latest news from Berks Weekly
Berks County raises America250PA flag ahead of nation’s 250th anniversary

Berks County raises America250PA flag ahead of nation’s 250th anniversary

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

Observed apparent rodent droppings under the front counter: Restaurant Inspections, April 23, 2026

Observed apparent rodent droppings under the front counter: Restaurant Inspections, April 23, 2026

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

Senate approves Schwank resolution to study Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code

Senate approves Schwank resolution to study Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code

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

Berks ARL and No Nonsense Neutering partner with local municipalities to expand TNVR access ahead of “kitten season”

Berks ARL and No Nonsense Neutering partner with local municipalities to expand TNVR access ahead of “kitten season”

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

State grant to support urban agriculture project in Reading through Alvernia University

State grant to support urban agriculture project in Reading through Alvernia University

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

“Recovery is possible when we replace judgment with compassion”: How this mother turned pain into service for others

“Recovery is possible when we replace judgment with compassion”: How this mother turned pain into service for others

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

Berks County youth confront human trafficking, urge community action

Berks County youth confront human trafficking, urge community action

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

High-visibility traffic enforcement nets multiple stops in South Heidelberg, Heidelberg townships

High-visibility traffic enforcement nets multiple stops in South Heidelberg, Heidelberg townships

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

Tour celebrates rooftop solar at Berks County winery

Tour celebrates rooftop solar at Berks County winery

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

Guzman announces grant for new Reading violence prevention initiative

Guzman announces grant for new Reading violence prevention initiative

State Rep. Manuel Guzman announced that $499,984 in grant funding will be allocated to launch EMPOWER Resilience, a new violence prevention initiative serving youth in Reading.Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County will receive the funding from the FY 2025-26 Violence Intervention and

Reading Public Library, Barrio Alegría to host Story Lane book fair and market in October

Reading Public Library, Barrio Alegría to host Story Lane book fair and market in October

Authors, readers, poets this fall will fill south Reading with the love of the written word for an event unlike any other. The Reading Public Library and Barrio Alegría present Story Lane: Book Fair and Market, a celebration of modern, local literature that goes well into the evening. “This is the k

Route 724 bridge replacement project begins in Robeson Township

Route 724 bridge replacement project begins in Robeson Township

Work is underway on a bridge replacement project along Route 724 in southern Berks County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.PennDOT Engineering District 5 announced construction began Monday, April 20, on the Route 724 bridge spanning Allegheny Creek in Robeson Township. As

Shaun the Sheep: Flock This Way! opens at the Reading Public Museum

Shaun the Sheep: Flock This Way! opens at the Reading Public Museum

Shaun the Sheep: Flock This Way!, an interactive exhibit based on the popular film and television character, will open at The Reading Public Museum on Saturday, May 16 and run through September 6, 2026. This exciting exhibit was created by Minnesota Children’s Museum in partnership with Aardman and

RACC President wins American Association of Community Colleges CEO of the Year

RACC President wins American Association of Community Colleges CEO of the Year

Reading Area Community College has announced that its president, Dr. Susan Looney, has been recognized on the national level as the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) CEO of the Year. The award was announced Monday, April 14, during the AACC Annual Convention held in Seattle Washingto

Garden Club of Reading to host 3rd annual “Not Just Plants” sale at Reading Public Museum

Garden Club of Reading to host 3rd annual “Not Just Plants” sale at Reading Public Museum

The Garden Club of Reading will host its third annual “Not Just Plants” Plant Sale on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Reading Public Museum’s Stone Terrace Big White Tent.The event will be held rain or shine, with cash, debit, and credit cards accepted.Organizers say the sale will feat

Fleetwood Bank hosts annual agricultural dinner for local ag industry professionals

Fleetwood Bank hosts annual agricultural dinner for local ag industry professionals

On Wednesday, March 25, Fleetwood Bank hosted their annual Agricultural Dinner at the Oley Fair Centre, located at 26 Jefferson Street in Oley, PA. Over 120 local ag professionals kicked off the evening reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to pay tribute to 250 years of America. Jade Smolarski, a Junio

Solar project at Mohnton church draws visit from Rep. Houlahan, environmental group

Solar project at Mohnton church draws visit from Rep. Houlahan, environmental group

A newly installed rooftop solar array at Allegheny Evangelical Lutheran Church served as the focus of a local tour bringing together federal, nonprofit, and community leaders to highlight the benefits of clean energy in Berks County.U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan joined church leadership, residents, and

Kutztown University strengthens entrepreneurship in Berks County with free illuminate event for business growth and networking

Kutztown University strengthens entrepreneurship in Berks County with free illuminate event for business growth and networking

The Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University will host the third annual Illuminate Berks County 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, convening 150-200 entrepreneurs, students and community leaders for an evening of connection, resources and opportunity.Suppo

The Shapiro admin’s unusual challenge to new ICE detention centers could take years to play out

The Shapiro admin’s unusual challenge to new ICE detention centers could take years to play out

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 — The administrative process that has temporarily blocked ICE from mov

Railroad trestle painting project to begin next week in West Reading

Railroad trestle painting project to begin next week in West Reading

The gateway into West Reading is set to receive a makeover as improvements begin on a prominent railroad bridge in the borough.According to the Borough of West Reading, the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge located at Penn Avenue and Second Avenue will be power-washed and repainted beginning Monday,

State awards $700,000 for downtown Reading redevelopment project on Penn Street

State awards $700,000 for downtown Reading redevelopment project on Penn Street

State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and City of Reading Mayor Eddie Moran applauded a $700,000 award through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s Community Revitalization Fund Program to support the redevelopment of 418 and 422 Penn St. in downtown Reading.The total cost of the Aston Investment G

Alsace Township man killed in tree-cutting accident, coroner says

Alsace Township man killed in tree-cutting accident, coroner says

A 76-year-old Alsace Township man died Saturday after being struck by a falling tree branch while working on his property, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel said the incident occurred around 12:39 p.m. on April 18 in the zero hundred block of Wans

Penn State Berks and Berks Nature coordinate City Nature Challenge

Penn State Berks and Berks Nature coordinate City Nature Challenge

Penn State Berks and Berks Nature are again teaming up to coordinate the City Nature Challenge (CNC), a citizen science initiative that helps people learn about nature in their surrounding environments and share observations with a worldwide community of naturalists and conservationists.Programming

New DCNR graduates assigned to French Creek State Park in Berks County

New DCNR graduates assigned to French Creek State Park in Berks County

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has welcomed a new class of rangers and park managers, including two who will serve at French Creek State Park.DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined staff and families at Little Buffalo State Park to celebrate the 2026 graduat