Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank distributed 12,483,834 pounds of food, valued at more than $22 million, during fiscal year 2026, marking a record year for the organization and a 21.8 percent increase over the prior fiscal year. The food bank serves Berks and Schuylkill Counties through a network of
Berks County residents are being urged to take precautions as hot and humid conditions are expected to push heat index values to around 100 degrees through the end of the workweek.The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Berks County beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday and continuing un
After 35 years under the stewardship of the Berks Arts Council, the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is entering a new era.Organizers announced Friday that a new management organization — Berks Jazz Fest — has been established to ensure the festival’s continued success and sustainability.The announcement wa
Reading Mayor Eddie Morán, in partnership with State Rep. Manny Guzman, will host the city’s fifth annual Back-to-School Giveaway later this month, providing free school supplies, services and community resources to local families ahead of the new school year.The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Au
Seven Berks County municipalities will receive more than $2.28 million in state funding to modernize traffic signals, improve safety and help reduce congestion at intersections across the county.The grants are part of $38 million awarded to 86 municipalities in 31 counties through Pennsylvania’s Gre
Two people were injured in a shooting in Reading on Tuesday evening, according to the Reading Police Department.Emergency dispatchers initially reported the incident at approximately 6:39 p.m. as multiple shots fired at an SUV in the 1100 block of North 10th Street. Initial reports indicated the veh
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Berks County beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday and remaining in effect through Monday evening, warning that multiple rounds of heavy rain could lead to flooding and flash flooding across the region.Forecasters said flooding caused by excessive rainf
An 18-year-old male died Sunday morning after a vehicle was found submerged in the former E. J. Breneman Quarry in Spring Township, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Berks County 911 received a call reporting a water emergency in the 1000 block of Yerger Boulevard at 6:44 a.m. Sunday, A
A Reading man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting early Sunday morning after authorities said he fled to New Jersey and was preparing to board a flight to the Dominican Republic.Officers with the Reading Police Department responded to the 1400 block of North 5th Street at approxima
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
Customers served by the North Heidelberg water system are being asked to immediately reduce their water use after the Reading Area Water Authority declared a drought emergency for the system and implemented mandatory conservation measures.According to a notice shared Friday, July 31, the Reading Are
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 is moving forward with the purchase of the former Wells Fa
Several conservation, trail, and park improvement projects in Berks County will move forward with the help of more than $39,000 in funding awarded through the 2026 Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grant Program.The Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape announced that it awarded
Community members gathered Thursday outside the Berks County Services Center to participate in the Red Sand Project, a global awareness campaign highlighting the vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking, modern slavery, and exploitation.The event, held on World Day Against Trafficking in P
The Borough of Wyomissing has launched a new Memorial Benches in the Parklands program, giving residents and families an opportunity to honor loved ones with a permanent tribute in the community’s park system.The program allows individuals and families to dedicate memorial benches at approved locati
More than 225 community leaders, supporters, volunteers, students, and partners gathered at the Reading Public Museum on July 24 to celebrate VOiCEup Berks’ 10th Anniversary Gala, “Rooted in Service: Celebrating a Decade of Growth.” The evening honored the people who helped build the organization wh
The City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services has been awarded more than $80,000 in state funding to purchase critical equipment that supports emergency response operations.State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, announced Monday that the department received an $80,810 Emergency Training Cent
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Berks County beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, and continuing through 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, as multiple rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to move through the region.Forecasters said flash flooding caused by excessiv
The Berks Arts Council will cease operations after 55 years of serving Berks County, the organization announced Monday.In a press release, the nonprofit said the decision follows more than five decades of providing arts education, cultural programming, festivals, grants, and advocacy throughout the
Residents are invited to spend a day helping clean the Schuylkill River and enjoying outdoor activities during the 5th Annual RIVERZILLA Community Day & Park Clean-Up on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Riverfront Park.Hosted by the City of Reading Public Works Department in collaboration with Schuylkill River
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 South Heidelberg Township Police Department has released the results of a high-visibility traffic enforcement campaign conducted throughout June, targeting areas where residents had reported frequent reckless or aggressive driving.According to the department, officers carried out focused traffic
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 — Albright College is exploring whether to use tax-exempt bonds approved
An 85-year-old Berks County man lost $30,000 in an elaborate wire fraud scheme before Pennsylvania State Police intervened and prevented him from losing more than $200,000 in additional assets, authorities said.According to a Pennsylvania State Police public information release, troopers from the Ha
