The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Alert for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on Friday, July 17, as wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota is expected to blanket the commonwealth.The Code Purple alert marks a worsening of
Three Alvernia University mechanical engineering students turned an idea born in the classroom into an award-winning healthcare innovation, securing both a provisional patent and first place in the collegiate division of the 24th Annual tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition in Northeast Pennsylvania.
The Reading Public Library announced that the elevator at its Main Library is expected to remain out of service until January 2027 because of ongoing mechanical issues.In a message to the community shared on social media, the library said the decision was made out of concern for public safety after
Efforts to restore passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia took another step forward this week as the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) and Amtrak signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing their partnership on the proposed rail corridor.The agreement outlines h
Two Reading residents are facing felony charges following a Berks County District Attorney’s Office investigation into alleged illegal firearm trafficking, including accusations of straw purchasing, false statements and filing a false burglary report.The Berks County District Attorney’s Office annou
The Reading Science Center has received a $10,000 grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to support its Sisters in STEM program, an initiative designed to encourage girls to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics.The grant was awarded by AAUW through the org
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
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a $25 million grant award for a railway improvement project along the Colebrookdale Railroad in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The award comes after U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) penned a letter of support to Secretary of Transp
Philadelphia law firm Anapol Weiss has filed a class-action suit in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County against Westover Property Management Company, L.P., alleging that the company failed to prevent a recent fire outbreak at Oak Forest Apartments. Per the complaint, the company failed
Berks County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of a new team member, Alyssa N. Wilkinson, CPA. Alyssa assumed the role of Accounting and Finance Manager on Monday, June 15, and brings with her a wealth of experience and local connections.Alyssa manages the Community Foundation
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, July 16, as wildfire smoke is expected to create unhealthy air quality across Pennsylvania, including Berks County.According to DEP, smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minne
Bethany Children’s Home celebrated the completion of a newly restored basketball court Wednesday, marking the culmination of a community-supported project designed to provide youth with a safe space for recreation, personal growth and healing.The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on the Bethany campus n
The Womelsdorf-Robesonia Joint Authority will receive a nearly $1.2 million low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to rehabilitate the Furnace Creek water storage tank, part of a statewide investment aimed at improving drinking water and wastewater
State Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock joined Exeter School District officials, labor leaders and environmental advocates last Wednesday at Owatin Creek Elementary School to urge the Pennsylvania Senate to advance legislation that supporters say would expand solar energy production while helping lower electrici
Berks County Community Foundation has elected Thomas Flynn as the chair of its board of directors. Flynn has served on the board since 2023. He succeeds Susan Denaro, Esq.; she will remain on the board as immediate past chair.As a former President of Alvernia University, Flynn is a senior associate
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 — Berks County’s online civil court records system has been broken for mo
Beginning Tuesday, July 14, Reading Hospital’s 5th Avenue Pharmacy will become the only pharmacy in the region open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving residents around-the-clock access to medications, pharmacist support, curbside pickup and essential health products whenever they are needed.O
Reading City Council voted Monday evening to confirm Mayor Eddie Morán’s appointment of Joseph Famiglietti as the City’s Finance Director.Famiglietti has served as the City’s Acting Finance Director for the past four months after joining the City approximately two and a half years ago as Accounting
Clubhouse Living has opened a new activity center in Reading dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism through programs focused on independence, friendship, creativity and lifelong learning.Located at 715 Clinton St., the center officially opened its d
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting and home invasion that left one man dead and another seriously injured in Reading early Friday morning, according to the Reading Police Department.Police said officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Lancaster Avenue at approximatel
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Berks County and surrounding areas as dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected on Wednesday.The advisory will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and includes Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Eastern Chester, Upper Bucks, West
State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, chairman of the Central Pennsylvania House Delegation and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, on Monday praised Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 state budget for delivering critical investments that will strengthen Reading, Berks County and communities across Penn
The Adalyn Rose Foundation is proud to announce a significant milestone in its mission to improve bereavement care for families experiencing the loss of a baby or toddler. The Foundation now partners with 50 hospitals across the United States, providing a total of 58 Remembrance Carts that offer imm
Update – 7/13/26: Suspect in fatal Lancaster Avenue shooting arrested in New York, Reading police sayOriginal post: A man was killed and another injured during a shooting early Friday morning after a suspect forcibly entered a residence in Reading, according to police.Officers with the Reading Polic
