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
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
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
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
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
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!, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
Berks County Treasurer Mitchell R. Darcourt is pleased to announce that Bethel Township (District 30), Caernarvon Township (District 35), Cumru Township (District 39), and Oley Township (District 67) are now able to pay outstanding annual and interim real estate tax bills online with credit/debit ca
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 investigating a shooting that left two people injured early Sunday morning on the 1700 block of Muhlenberg Street.According to police, officers were dispatched around 6:18 a.m. on April 12 after receiving multiple calls reporting individuals discharging firearms in t
A pedestrian was critically injured early Monday after being struck by a Fleetwood Police Department patrol vehicle on West Main Street, according to the Northern Berks Regional Police Department.Police said the incident occurred around 12:09 a.m. on April 13, when officers were dispatched to assist
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 federal government is reviewing contracts to convert warehouses
High school students from across the region took part in the 2026 Rotary District 7430 Four Way Test Speech Contest, an annual program designed to promote public speaking, ethical reasoning, and leadership development among youth.The contest begins at the local level, with Rotary Clubs partnering wi
