The designated swim beach at Blue Marsh Lake has been temporarily closed after testing detected elevated bacteria levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District announced Friday.The closure affects the swimming area at the Dry Brooks Day Use Area, where high levels of E. coli were de
Schuylkill River Greenways has received commitments totaling $650,000 from the Switchpoint Foundation and The Wyomissing Foundation, bringing its Stewardship Fund Campaign to $3.5 million of a $5 million goal.The Switchpoint Foundation pledged $500,000 and The Wyomissing Foundation awarded a $150,00
The City of Reading, Berks County and Berks Nature are preparing for the start of the 2026-2027 Deer Management Program partnership. While hunting is strictly prohibited on Mt. Penn and in Antietam Lake Park, this joint partnership with the USDA Wildlife Services provides an archery-only hunting sea
Governor Mifflin School District officials and local law enforcement met with parents and community members Thursday night to review two recent safety incidents, answer questions about the district’s response and discuss changes being made to security procedures.The Community Partnership Meeting was
Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank is calling on residents, businesses and community organizations across Berks and Schuylkill counties to help address food insecurity during Hunger Action Month this September.The Reading-based food bank is joining Feeding Pennsylvania and the nationwide Feeding Americ
The Reading Theater Project has announced its 2026-27 season, featuring a mix of script-in-hand readings, workshops, festivals and a full-length production under the season theme “Kaleidoscope.”The season began Sunday, Aug. 23, with “In Nature’s Studio,” an arts festival held at the Reading Public M
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
Pennsylvania State Police at Hamburg reported three DUI arrests following increased enforcement efforts over the weekend that included a sobriety checkpoint.State police said troopers increased patrols with a focus on identifying drivers suspected of operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol
Dr. Robert Fillman, assistant professor of English, was awarded Kutztown University’s 2026 John P. Schellenberg Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The award was presented during the university’s Faculty and Staff Convocation and Celebration Friday, Aug. 21.The John P. Schellenberg Award
A new shared housing project taking shape in Sinking Spring aims to provide an affordable alternative for seniors and veterans while creating a community where residents can maintain their independence and support one another.Homes of Grace co-owners April Crossley and Lura Bare are developing their
Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Berks County and several surrounding counties may be eligible for federal disaster loans following drought conditions that began in May.The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans are availa
As students across Pennsylvania return to the classroom, state labor officials are reminding employers, parents and young workers about restrictions governing the employment of minors during the school year.The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry said the state’s Child Labor Act limits when
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Berks County for Thursday, with hot and humid conditions expected to push heat index values as high as 100 degrees.The advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. In addition to Berks County, the advisory covers por
The Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State has announced six recipients of its ‘IMAGINE Your Business’ grant, designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth. The program awards up to $2,000 to assist startups with prototyping, marketing, product development and other esse
The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is thrilled to announce that Alex Roché, GRCA’s Director of Advocacy, has been appointed to the Reading Housing Authority (RHA) Board of Commissioners. The term begins next month (September) and ends in 2031.“”It is an honor to work with the Reading Housin
The Reading Public Museum has announced its newest exhibition, Rockwell/Wyeth: Icons of Americana, opening September 19, 2026, and on view through January 3, 2027. Featuring nearly 40 original works by Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth, along with covers of The Saturday Evening Post illustrated by Rock
Two minors were taken into custody Tuesday morning after authorities found an airsoft gun and several kitchen knives in their possession on the grounds of Mifflin Park Elementary School and Governor Mifflin Intermediate School, according to the Governor Mifflin School District.Superintendent Dr. Lis
Pennsylvania health officials are reporting nearly 500 confirmed measles cases across the state this year as an ongoing outbreak continues to affect dozens of counties, including Berks County.The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Tuesday that 497 measles cases have been confirmed across 34
Two remembrance ceremonies will be held in Reading on Friday, Sept. 11, as the City of Reading and Berks County commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.The first ceremony will begin at 8:43 a.m. at the September 11th Memorial Tree in Reading’s City Park, near Con
I firmly believe that being a Hispanic author is about more than writing books. It’s about remembering the stories we grew up hearing. The stories told around kitchen tables, during family gatherings, in the car, over a cup of café, or in those conversations where someone says, “Do you remember when
The Wyomissing Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying a person of interest in connection with the theft of a playing card valued at $8,000.According to police, the theft occurred Aug. 28 at a retail store in the Berkshire Mall, 1665 State Hill Road.Police released an image of
The Berks County District Attorney’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s deputies or court officials and claim the person receiving the call has an active arrest warrant for failing to appear for jury duty.According to the District Attorney’s Office,
The City of Reading is announcing updates to the Downtown Reading event calendar for September and October.While the Downtown Reading team was looking forward to kicking off the holiday weekend with the community, the decision was made to cancel the September First Friday event due to low vendor par
The Daniel Boone Homestead will celebrate the fall season with its Heritage Day Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 18, offering an afternoon of colonial demonstrations, living history programs and hands-on activities.The festival will run from noon to 4 p.m. and feature demonstrations of trades and skill
