Jose “Joey” Miranda, a Democrat, officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Reading on Friday evening, October 16, outlining a campaign focused on improving quality of life, strengthening public safety, addressing city spending, and restoring public confidence in local government.Miranda made t
The Shillington Borough Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of attempting to lure a female student into his vehicle Wednesday evening.According to information released through Crime Alert Berks County, the incident occurred on October 14, 2026, betwee
Two people were arrested Thursday following a months-long investigation into an alleged cocaine trafficking operation in West Lawn, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.Antonio Kreiser, 41, and Treva Florence, 41, both of the 2100 block of Penn Avenue in West Lawn, were taken int
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 — Skill games are beginning to disappear from businesses and s
Genesius Theatre in Reading will bring Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror story to the stage this Halloween season with a production of “Dracula,” scheduled for October 23-25 and 29-31.The production features a stage adaptation written in 1924 by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, which reimagi
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 — Reading may need to pull about $24 million from its reserves over two y
The Reading Police Department has identified a 20-year-old man who died following a shooting Thursday afternoon in the Glenside section of the city.According to an update released Friday by the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, the victim was identified as Amir Steele, 20.Officers respo
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary announced plans Thursday to replace its aging visitor center with a new $13 million facility designed to improve accessibility, expand educational opportunities, and showcase the organization’s conservation work around the world.The announcement was made during an October 15
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating an animal cruelty incident in Union Township after a cat returned home with a gunshot wound to its leg.According to a public information release from State Police Reading, troopers were dispatched to a residence in the 70 block of Center Road on October 13
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
Busker Incognito & the Hollow Wieners have released a new original Halloween-themed single, “Herr Krampy Bein,” bringing a blend of blues and boogie music to the spooky season.Released Thursday, October 15, through Smoking Bishop Records, the song is available worldwide on major digital music platfo
The Berks County Coroner’s Office has identified human remains discovered earlier this month inside a vacant home in Reading as 47-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Figueroa Jr. of Reading.The remains were discovered on October 2, 2026, inside a vacant residence in the 500 block of South 6th Street. According
Reading Hospital marked a major milestone Wednesday, October 14, with a groundbreaking ceremony for the John and MaryAnne Post Center for Emergency Care, a 20,000-square-foot expansion designed to increase treatment capacity, reduce wait times, and improve the patient experience at one of Pennsylvan
South Heidelberg Township has been awarded a $350,000 state grant to support improvements to Heidelberg Run West Park, including new athletic courts, an accessible walking trail, and upgrades to landscaping and stormwater management.The funding, announced October 7, comes through the Pennsylvania De
The goal for runner Adam Hughes: 655 miles, 50 races, and one more free banana at the finish line.As he prepares for his 50th half marathon at this year’s Reading Hospital Road Run on Sunday, Oct. 18, the milestone represents far more than a number.Hughes’ running journey has been marked by a series
Muhlenberg Township Parks & Recreation Department will host its annual Fall Family FunFest and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 17, offering families an afternoon of seasonal activities, games, food, and Halloween festivities at Jim Dietrich Park.The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30
Two Berks County schools will receive a combined $500,000 in state grant funding to improve career and technical education programs, according to an announcement from state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24).The funding is part of $1 million in grants awarded to four schools across the 24th Senate Distric
The Yocum Institute for Arts Education will present The Landscapes of Berks County, a group exhibition featuring the work of four award-winning local artists: Jonathan Bond, Robert Seabourne, Russell Slocum, and Karen Weber. The exhibition will be on display from October 16 through November 21, 2026
When patients and families face a medical emergency, they depend on expert care, advanced resources and a hospital ready to meet the community’s needs for generations to come.At Reading Hospital’s second annual Champions of Care Dinner, community leaders came together to celebrate the people advanci
A new partnership between Albright University students, Centro Hispano, (the owners and management of bi-lingual WXAC, 91.3 FM radio station), and the Busker Incognito Blues & Boogie Weekend Festival will open doors for students to interview and interact with blues and boogie music performers, compo
Aviation leaders, airport professionals, educators, students and government officials from across Pennsylvania gathered in Reading from October 7-9 for the 46th Annual Pennsylvania Aviation Conference, part of a three-day series of events focused on aviation, education, workforce development and eme
Community members are invited to help bring holiday joy to local children and teens during the Holiday Toy Run benefiting CHOR Youth & Family Services, formerly the Children’s Home of Reading, on Sunday, October 18, 2026.Participants will gather at Meadowbrook Country Club, 1153 Rick Road, Reading,
On October 1, Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank held its 4th annual Celebration of Community & Hope in Berks County at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading.The event raised funds for Helping Harvest in support of its mission to feed neighbors experiencing hunger. Local restaurants were set up throug
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’s next governor will shape the commonwealth’s o
