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 — Pennsylvania will spend nearly 40% of its $50.8 billion budg
A house fire Thursday morning caused more than $300,000 in damage and brought firefighters from Berks and Montgomery counties to the scene, according to Pennsylvania State Police.Earl Township Fire Co. and neighboring mutual aid departments were dispatched around 7:50 a.m. Oct. 1 after a passerby re
Advance Auto Parts opened its first Wyomissing location Thursday, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a donation to Berks Career and Technology Center.The new store, located at 2210 State Hill Road, (the former Rite Aid building) expands the auto parts retailer’s presence in Berk
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 Reading Police Department is offering a limited number of free steering wheel locks to members of the community.The locks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Residents can pick one up at the Reading Police Department, 815 Washington St., between 8 a.m. an
The Reading Pagoda and City Hall are being illuminated in blue and white as the city celebrates Oktoberfest and recognizes the German heritage and traditions of the Reading Liederkranz.The Pagoda will shine in the colors Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, while City Hall will remain illuminated in blue an
A Berks County player recently won an online Pennsylvania Lottery prize worth more than $898,000, lottery officials announced.The Pennsylvania Lottery said the player won $898,271.26 while playing the MONOPOLY Progressive Jackpots eInstant game.The online connect-style game features two progressive
Among the trees and tall grass at Gring’s Mill, Jovanny noticed a small purple wildflower. He stopped to photograph it. This Saturday, the 13-year-old will offer that image as one of his first prints for sale.“The flower stood out to me because it was small,” Jovanny said. “With all the big trees an
The annual Temple Halloween Parade will return to Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, Oct. 3, bringing local bands, fire companies, community groups and floats to the streets of Temple.Sponsored by the Muhlenberg Township Parks & Recreation Department, the parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. A rain
The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen, a chapter of The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, will bring its 76th Annual Juried Holiday Fine Art & Craft Festival to the Hamburg Field House on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9 AM to 4 PM. Featuring a selection of traditional and contemporary handmade wor
United Way of Berks County announced today that its Board of Directors has selected Sheila Tulli to serve as the organization’s next President. Tulli will succeed longtime President Tammy White upon White’s retirement in June 2027.Tulli brings 27 years of progressive leadership experience at United
A 38-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio, man was arrested Monday morning after allegedly arranging to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl at a park in Reading, according to the Reading Police Department.Police said Luis Rivera arranged to meet the girl at Pendora Park for the purpose of sexual co
United Ways in Berks and Lancaster counties are proud to recognize the 15th anniversary of 211, the community’s connection to help and essential health and human services. Since United Way initiated its investment in the information and referral service in October 2011, 211 has helped residents acro
Two Berks County organizations will receive a combined $60,000 in state grants for community projects, according to state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick.The funding is part of nearly $500,000 in grants announced for organizations throughout the 24th Senate District through the Pennsylvania Department of Comm
The Kutztown University Foundation (KUF) broke ground Thursday, Sept. 24, on a new 4.6-megawatt solar array. The net income earned from this project will enable the Foundation to provide additional scholarships and resources and will serve as a significant new source of support for Kutztown Universi
Santander Arena, Santander Performing Arts Center and the Reading Royals have launched a new official rewards app, giving fans a new way to earn points and unlock exclusive rewards and experiences while attending concerts, hockey games, Broadway shows and other live events in Reading.Available for f
Nearly six months after a motorcycle crash left him with more than 20 broken bones and dozens of traumatic injuries, Darren Barto returned to Reading Hospital on Friday, this time walking on his own.Barto and his wife, Karen, visited the hospital’s Healing Garden in West Reading to reunite with memb
Several gallons of oil entered the Schuylkill River in Reading on Friday, prompting a response from city and county emergency personnel who deployed containment booms in the water.The spill was reported around 12:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in the area of 200 Riverfront Drive, just downstream from the Schuylki
A fire that destroyed a home in North Heidelberg Township early Friday morning caused more than $400,000 in damage, according to Pennsylvania State Police.Berks County 911 dispatched the Bernville Fire Company and neighboring mutual aid departments around 12:58 a.m. Sept. 25 to a reported house fire
Reading Police conducted a child passenger safety enforcement detail Sunday, Sept. 21, resulting in 34 citations and seven warnings.Members of the Reading Police Department Traffic Unit, working with the Highway Safety Network, conducted the three-hour detail in the area of North Sixth and Elm stree
The South Heidelberg Township Police Department conducted a series of high-visibility traffic enforcement details throughout July and August, targeting speeding, aggressive driving and pedestrian safety across several western Berks County communities.Officers conducted targeted patrols at intersecti
Berks County law enforcement agencies will conduct increased DUI enforcement through the end of September, including roving patrols and sobriety checkpoints on area roadways.The North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program announced the enforcement effort Wednesday, Sept. 24, saying officers will
The upper parking lot at Caramel’s Dog Park in Reading’s Schlegel Park temporarily closed Wednesday as city crews began work to replace fencing in the area.The City of Reading said the parking lot closure took effect Sept. 24 and is expected to remain in place for at least two weeks, depending on th
Four people have been arrested in connection with a burglary investigation that began after gaming machines were stolen from a Wyomissing convenience store in August, according to the Wyomissing Police Department.Police identified those arrested as Daniel Valez, 43, of Reading; Tytoya Rowles, 46, of
