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.A group of Berks County residents has spent thousands of dollars trying to get a
Black Canvas Poetry, in partnership with ThePoetSmiley, is set to kick off the new year with The Bless the Mic Mini Slam: Espresso Yourself Open Mic 2026 – Part 1, a high-energy spoken word showcase taking place on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Alvernia University’s Francis Ha
Tracy Pennycuick announced she is running for re-election to the Pennsylvania State Senate, reaffirming her commitment to service, and bipartisan leadership focused on delivering real results for families in Berks and Montgomery counties.Tracy, a U.S. Army combat veteran who served local families in
Entech Engineering, Inc. announced that Kirsten Deysher, the company’s director of strategic partnerships and business development, has been reappointed to the Berks County Industrial Development Authority (BCIDA) for a new five-year term.The reappointment was made by the Berks County Board of Commi
Eric Weaknecht has announced he is seeking re-election to represent Pennsylvania’s 5th District.In his campaign announcement, Weaknecht said he is running for another term to continue what he described as a commitment to integrity, accountability, and public service. “Serving the people of this dist
A memorial vigil in Reading on Sunday afternoon brought hundreds of community members together in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman who was shot and killed by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week. The gathering later turned
PennDOT is advising motorists of multiple roadway projects scheduled across Berks County during the week of January 12 through January 16, with daytime lane restrictions expected at various locations.On PA Route 724, between U.S. Route 422 and U.S. Route 222, PennDOT maintenance forces will be perfo
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
53-year-old Martin Acevedo of Reading, PA has been charged with Rape of a Child, along with related charges, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.The Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives received multiple Childline Referrals from the Department of Human Services, Com
A 70-year-old man died Wednesday morning following a house fire in Exeter Township, according to authorities.Exeter Township Police and the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched at approximately 7:27 a.m. on Jan. 7 to a reported structure fire at 1253 Dauphin Place. Police office
The WCR Center for the Arts has announced the launch of a new monthly Game Night series aimed at bringing community members together for screen-free fun and social connection. The series is designed for participants of all ages and will focus on relaxed, low-pressure play in the center’s historic Re
Update: On January 8, 2026, at approximately 7:56 AM (0756 hours), the stolen Conrad Weiser Area School District Ford E-250 was recovered in Marion Township. The suspect, however, remains at large. If you or someone you know can identify the individual pictured, please contact the South Heidelberg P
The South Heidelberg Police Department reported the results of several High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement initiatives conducted between December 19, 2025, and January 4, 2026, as part of an ongoing effort to improve roadway safety and deter dangerous driving behaviors across its jurisdictions.Accor
Two residents of Reading, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.Angel Diaz-Gibson, 34, and Kayla Rickenbach, 24, separately pleaded guilty before United States District Judge S
The human remains discovered late last month in the Flying Hills community of Cumru Township have been identified as Travelle Martin, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Martin was the subject of a January 2025 police search in Cumru Township after he fle
An exhibition of landscape paintings by Carol Fastuca is now on view at the WCR Center for the Arts in Reading, highlighting the artist’s long-standing relationship with the natural world and her decades of work exploring place through painting.The exhibition will remain on display through early Feb
Berks County recorded 15 homicides in 2025, with 12 of those occurring in the City of Reading, according to a summary released Tuesday by District Attorney John T. Adams.Of the 15 homicides, two remain unsolved as of Jan. 6, 2026. Those cases involve the April 5, 2025, shooting death of Christopher
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced several upcoming road work projects across Berks County as part of its District 5 maintenance schedule. All work is weather dependent, with rain expected to cause delays, and motorists should anticipate daytime restrictions and possible tra
Several Berks County organizations are among the recipients of funding through the 2025 Home4Good program, following the participation of Discovery Federal Credit Union, which helped bring housing stability dollars to the region.The Home4Good program awarded a total of $8.394 million in 2025 to 110
Commercial property owners interested in upgrading or modernizing their buildings will have an opportunity to learn more about an alternative financing option during an upcoming virtual event hosted by Green Building Alliance.The organization, along with its Resilient Reading team, will hold a free
The Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority will implement a series of route and schedule changes beginning Monday, January 5, 2026, affecting multiple bus lines across Berks County.The changes were approved by the South Central Transit Authority (SCTA) and are intended to improve on-time perfo
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 — Over four decades ago, Alan Piper began his career interning at the Ber
A Kutztown woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday night, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.Authorities said the incident happened around 8:26 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at a residence in the 400 block of West Walnut Street
Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 527 Washington St. in downtown Reading, is preparing to celebrate its 50 years of Media Ministry on Sunday, Jan. 11. The public is invited to attend a fellowship breakfast at 9 a.m. and a Festival Worship for the Baptism of Our Lord at 10 a.m.The church, whose ele
