Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock announced today that the Mt. Penn Fire Company has been awarded $320,915 in grant funding from the Local Share Account Category 4 Facilities Program.Following its recent merger with the Alsace Township Fire Company, Mt. Penn Fire Company is seeking to expan
The Berks County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with federal and local law enforcement partners, announced the arrest of Ian Diaz-Reales, a 27-year-old resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, on charges related to illegal firearms trafficking and drug smuggling.In November 2024, Detectives
The City of Reading has introduced Reading Self-Serve, a new online portal designed to simplify the process of applying for permits, licenses, and other city-related applications. The platform offers 24/7 access, allowing residents, businesses, and contractors to conveniently submit applications, pa
This story first appeared in PA Local, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA taking a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food of Pennsylvania. Sign up for free here.Pennsylvania license plates haven’t changed much this millennium.While a few tweaks have been
Students in grades 6-12 have a chance to shine-and to win a cash award—in this year’s Independence Day Writing Contest. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, will accept essay submissions from now through April 20, 2025. Winners will get the
As St. Patrick’s Day celebrations approach, law enforcement and traffic safety officials are reminding the public to plan ahead and avoid drinking and driving. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working alongside Berks County police to s
The City of Reading has announced the next phase of the ongoing demolition at 431 Penn Street, with work progressing to ground level as conditions allow.According to city officials, contractors will continue evaluating the structure as demolition moves forward, providing updates as necessary.To ensu
The Junior League of Reading, PA, Inc., in partnership with Reading Hospital and Co-County Wellness, hosted the second annual Let’s Talk, Period event on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Reading Hospital School of Life Sciences Building.Building on the success of last year’s event, approximately 125
Twin Valley High School is gearing up for its spring musical, Sister Act: The Musical, set to take the stage from April 3 through April 6 at the school’s auditorium.Under the direction of Nicole Weaver, students have been hard at work preparing the lively production, which is based on the popular 19
The Reading School District has launched a communications survey to gather input from community members, families, and staff on its communication practices and community engagement efforts.The anonymous survey will help the district assess the effectiveness of its communication strategies and identi
Kutztown University has announced it is offering new scholarships for displaced federal employees and those unemployed due to federal cuts who are looking to add new skills and training. Scholarships are available at the undergraduate, graduate and non-credit workforce development levels.Undergradua
Greenfields Fire Company announced that Bern Township will officially decertify the department as of April 1, 2025, following a decision by the township’s Board of Supervisors.In a statement released by the fire company, officials said the township first raised concerns about fire protection in Dece
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
OurBus is set to launch a new Reading-to-Philadelphia service next week, providing more frequent trips and a direct connection to Philadelphia International Airport. The updated route will feature smaller vehicles and an expanded schedule, aiming to offer greater convenience for travelers in Berks C
The Berks County Transition Coordinating Council (BCTCC), in collaboration with the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU), is set to host the 2025 Secondary Transition Expo on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the BCIU Main Office Building, located at 1111 Commons Boulevard in Reading. The free event, ru
In response to our nation’s mental health crisis, Kutztown STRONG will bring their second offering of Youth Mental Health First Aid training to Kutztown on March 29, 2025. This groundbreaking skills-based course gives people the tools to identify, understand, and respond to a young person who might
The Foundation for the Reading Public Museum has announced the appointment of Ashley J. Houston to the position of Director of Development. Houston, presently serving as Director of Collections and Exhibitions, will make the transition from the Curatorial Department to Development on April 1, 2025.“
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently intercepted multiple shipments of counterfeit goods in Allentown, including a large batch of fake Sharpie markers destined for Birdsboro. The seizures, which also included counterfeit luxury skincare products, highlight the risks associated
The Brandywine Heights Area School District has been honored with the 2025 PASBO School Operations Impact Award for its Feeding Futures: Grab & Go Summer Meal Program, which provided more than 22,000 meals to students in need.The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) presents
The Reading Fightin Phils have announced that former Manager Dusty Wathan, along with Darin Ruf and Trevor May, will be inducted into the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital Reading Baseball Hall of Fame.The trio will be inducted prior to the Fightin Phils’ game on Thursday, June 12, against the N
This story first appeared in How We Care, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life. Sign up for free here.Medical debt harms people in different ways. It can lead them to seek payday loans, take money out o
A fire that broke out late Monday afternoon in Earl Township caused significant damage to a home and detached garage, with losses estimated at $150,000, according to Pennsylvania State Police.Emergency crews responded to the fire at 12 Long Lane Road around 4:42 p.m. after the Berks County 911 Cente
The Berks County Sheriff’s Department has updated its ‘Most Wanted’ list. Anyone with information on wanted individuals should contact the Berks County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted Tip Line at (610) 478-6390 or the Crime Alert Berks County’s anonymous tip line at 1(877) 373-9913. Do not approach or
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) hosted the Berks STEM Connection Ecosystem Panel event at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, located at 201 Washington Street, Reading. The event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., brought together educators with Berks County b
