For children who are blind or visually impaired, access to a highly qualified teacher can be life changing. Thanks to two new grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $2.2 million, Kutztown University’s nationally recognized Visual Impairment program will help prepare more specialized e
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 City of Reading will welcome environmental leaders, municipal officials, volunteers, and community advocates from across Pennsylvania for the 2026 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Annual Conference, scheduled for October 14–15 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading.The two-day conference, organize
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 — This November, Pennsylvania voters will decide who should be
A collection of six commercial properties in Douglassville has sold for more than $10 million, according to commercial real estate brokerage firm Marcus & Millichap.The company announced Wednesday, October 7, that it arranged the $10,027,169 sale of a retail portfolio totaling 48,736 square feet acr
A Berks County farm with more than five decades of agricultural history served as the backdrop Wednesday for the unveiling of the 2027 Pennsylvania Farm Show theme.Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced “Leading A Legacy” during an event at Winterside Farm in Lenhartsville, whe
The Berks County Coroner’s Office is working with the Reading Police Department and forensic specialists to identify human remains discovered last week inside a vacant home in Reading.According to Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel, the office was notified of the discovery on Friday, October 2,
Athena Worley, a senior at Wilson High School and longtime participant in Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading (YVCR) programs, has been named the 2026 Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) International Youth of the Year, the highest annual youth honor presented by the international Youth Volunteer Corps organiz
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 — A coalition of immigrant advocates and legal aid orgs wants the City of
The South Heidelberg Township Police Department conducted more than 40 traffic stops and issued 19 citations during a monthlong traffic enforcement initiative in September.According to the department, officers spent more than 45 hours conducting stationary and roving enforcement aimed at aggressive
Reading officials, state lawmakers and business leaders gathered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg Tuesday to highlight ongoing investment in the city and make the case for continued state support of Reading’s redevelopment efforts.Mayor Eddie Morán led the event in the Capitol Rotunda
For the Evans family, the spirit of volunteering is more than a tradition. It is a legacy passed from father to son through a shared commitment to neighbors, community and United Way of Berks County.For more than two decades, Irv Evans was a familiar presence in United Way’s annual campaign. He serv
Getting a flu vaccine will be more convenient this fall, with special “Walk-In Days” offered throughout October at two Reading Hospital-Tower Health pharmacies in Berks and Montgomery counties. No appointment is needed.Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of getting sick and help protect those who ar
Three first responders with Berks County ties were among nine fallen heroes honored by Gov. Josh Shapiro with the 2026 Keystone First Responder Award.Officer Kristen Yeager of the Central Berks Regional Police Department, Walnuttown Fire Company Chief Jeffory Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shi
State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, announced today that he will host an informational session on the status of gaming machines in Pennsylvania, also known as skill games, including recent guidance and plans to begin removing the machines from businesses across the commonwealth.The event, held in coor
My Gut Instinct celebrated the success of its 13th Annual Guts & Glory: A Community Wellness Festival For Every Body on Saturday, October 3, at Jim Dietrich Park in Reading. The free, family- and pet-friendly event brought together 250 attendees, more than 50 vendors and community partners, and 25 v
The Camel Project will bring Chalkpalooza Kutztown to the community on Saturday, Oct. 10, with an afternoon of chalk art, bubbles, family activities and community connections.The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 740 Noble Street in Kutztown. Chalkpalooza is designed to bring fami
Three soloists, an orchestra and one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s more unusual works came together Saturday evening as Berks Sinfonietta presented “Conversations in C: The Triple Concerto” at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing.The Oct. 3 concert centered on Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C Major,
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating after a stolen vehicle fled from troopers early Saturday morning, leading to a pursuit from Wyomissing through West Reading and into Reading.According to PSP Reading, troopers attempted to stop a vehicle that was allegedly being driven recklessly in the ar
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
