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The latest news from Berks Weekly
Utility work, brush cutting, bridge repair: PennDOT upcoming roadwork January 8, 2026

Utility work, brush cutting, bridge repair: PennDOT upcoming roadwork January 8, 2026

PennDOT is advising motorists of multiple roadway projects scheduled across Berks County during the week of January 12 through January 16, with daytime lane restrictions expected at various locations.On PA Route 724, between U.S. Route 422 and U.S. Route 222, PennDOT maintenance forces will be perfo

Milk offered for sale beyond sell-by dates: Restaurant Inspections, January 8, 2025

Milk offered for sale beyond sell-by dates: Restaurant Inspections, January 8, 2025

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

Reading man charged with rape in child sexual abuse investigation

Reading man charged with rape in child sexual abuse investigation

53-year-old Martin Acevedo of Reading, PA has been charged with Rape of a Child, along with related charges, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.The Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives received multiple Childline Referrals from the Department of Human Services, Com

Man, 70, dies in Exeter Township house fire on Dauphin Place

Man, 70, dies in Exeter Township house fire on Dauphin Place

A 70-year-old man died Wednesday morning following a house fire in Exeter Township, according to authorities.Exeter Township Police and the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched at approximately 7:27 a.m. on Jan. 7 to a reported structure fire at 1253 Dauphin Place. Police office

WCR Center for the Arts to launch monthly community game night in Reading

WCR Center for the Arts to launch monthly community game night in Reading

The WCR Center for the Arts has announced the launch of a new monthly Game Night series aimed at bringing community members together for screen-free fun and social connection. The series is designed for participants of all ages and will focus on relaxed, low-pressure play in the center’s historic Re

Police seek public’s help locating stolen Conrad Weiser school van

Police seek public’s help locating stolen Conrad Weiser school van

Update: On January 8, 2026, at approximately 7:56 AM (0756 hours), the stolen Conrad Weiser Area School District Ford E-250 was recovered in Marion Township. The suspect, however, remains at large. If you or someone you know can identify the individual pictured, please contact the South Heidelberg P

South Heidelberg police release holiday high-visibility traffic enforcement summary

South Heidelberg police release holiday high-visibility traffic enforcement summary

The South Heidelberg Police Department reported the results of several High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement initiatives conducted between December 19, 2025, and January 4, 2026, as part of an ongoing effort to improve roadway safety and deter dangerous driving behaviors across its jurisdictions.Accor

Two Berks County residents plead guilty to fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking charges

Two Berks County residents plead guilty to fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking charges

Two residents of Reading, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.Angel Diaz-Gibson, 34, and Kayla Rickenbach, 24, separately pleaded guilty before United States District Judge S

Coroner identifies skeletal remains found in Cumru Township as Travelle Martin

Coroner identifies skeletal remains found in Cumru Township as Travelle Martin

The human remains discovered late last month in the Flying Hills community of Cumru Township have been identified as Travelle Martin, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the Berks County Coroner’s Office.Martin was the subject of a January 2025 police search in Cumru Township after he fle

WCR Center for the Arts presents Carol Fastuca Landscape Exhibition

WCR Center for the Arts presents Carol Fastuca Landscape Exhibition

An exhibition of landscape paintings by Carol Fastuca is now on view at the WCR Center for the Arts in Reading, highlighting the artist’s long-standing relationship with the natural world and her decades of work exploring place through painting.The exhibition will remain on display through early Feb

Berks County records 15 homicides in 2025; majority occurred in Reading, DA says

Berks County records 15 homicides in 2025; majority occurred in Reading, DA says

Berks County recorded 15 homicides in 2025, with 12 of those occurring in the City of Reading, according to a summary released Tuesday by District Attorney John T. Adams.Of the 15 homicides, two remain unsolved as of Jan. 6, 2026. Those cases involve the April 5, 2025, shooting death of Christopher

Bridge repair, daytime work, brush cutting: PennDOT upcoming roadwork January 5, 2026

Bridge repair, daytime work, brush cutting: PennDOT upcoming roadwork January 5, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced several upcoming road work projects across Berks County as part of its District 5 maintenance schedule. All work is weather dependent, with rain expected to cause delays, and motorists should anticipate daytime restrictions and possible tra

Discovery Federal Credit Union helps direct housing stability funding to Berks County organizations

Discovery Federal Credit Union helps direct housing stability funding to Berks County organizations

Several Berks County organizations are among the recipients of funding through the 2025 Home4Good program, following the participation of Discovery Federal Credit Union, which helped bring housing stability dollars to the region.The Home4Good program awarded a total of $8.394 million in 2025 to 110

Green Building Alliance presents free virtual roundtable on restoring and renovating buildings Jan. 13

Green Building Alliance presents free virtual roundtable on restoring and renovating buildings Jan. 13

Commercial property owners interested in upgrading or modernizing their buildings will have an opportunity to learn more about an alternative financing option during an upcoming virtual event hosted by Green Building Alliance.The organization, along with its Resilient Reading team, will hold a free

BARTA to implement route and schedule changes starting Jan. 5

BARTA to implement route and schedule changes starting Jan. 5

The Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority will implement a series of route and schedule changes beginning Monday, January 5, 2026, affecting multiple bus lines across Berks County.The changes were approved by the South Central Transit Authority (SCTA) and are intended to improve on-time perfo

Berks planner previews changes ahead for two major highways

Berks planner previews changes ahead for two major highways

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 — Over four decades ago, Alan Piper began his career interning at the Ber

Kutztown woman charged with murder in fatal shooting of husband

Kutztown woman charged with murder in fatal shooting of husband

A Kutztown woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday night, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.Authorities said the incident happened around 8:26 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at a residence in the 400 block of West Walnut Street

From airwaves to TikTok: Trinity Lutheran marks 50 years of media ministry

From airwaves to TikTok: Trinity Lutheran marks 50 years of media ministry

Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 527 Washington St. in downtown Reading, is preparing to celebrate its 50 years of Media Ministry on Sunday, Jan. 11. The public is invited to attend a fellowship breakfast at 9 a.m. and a Festival Worship for the Baptism of Our Lord at 10 a.m.The church, whose ele

Berks municipalities receive over $1 Million for traffic signal improvements

Berks municipalities receive over $1 Million for traffic signal improvements

Three Berks County municipalities will receive a combined more than $1 million in state funding to upgrade traffic signals as part of a statewide investment aimed at improving safety and traffic flow.The funding was announced this week by the Josh Shapiro Administration through Pennsylvania’s Green

United Way of Berks County announces summer learning grants focused on early literacy

United Way of Berks County announces summer learning grants focused on early literacy

Improving early grade reading and building a strong community are at the center of United Way’s work. The organization is pleased to support this focus area through summer learning grant opportunities.Summer Learning Grants are open to schools and organizations serving Pre-K through 3rd grade Berks

Human remains discovered in Flying Hills community of Cumru Township

Human remains discovered in Flying Hills community of Cumru Township

Update: Coroner identifies skeletal remains found in Cumru Township as Travelle MartinOriginal post: Human remains were discovered Sunday evening in the Flying Hills community of Cumru Township, prompting an ongoing investigation involving local, county, and federal authorities.According to the Cumr

Bridge repair, brush cutting: PennDOT upcoming roadwork December 29, 2025

Bridge repair, brush cutting: PennDOT upcoming roadwork December 29, 2025

Road work is scheduled across several state roads in Berks County this week and into early January, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The work will be carried out by PennDOT maintenance forces and will involve daytime lane restrictions in multiple municipalities.In Richmond

City of Reading and Opportunity House announce collaborative “Code Blue” Winter Shelter Plan

City of Reading and Opportunity House announce collaborative “Code Blue” Winter Shelter Plan

As winter temperatures drop, the City of Reading, in close collaboration with Opportunity House and multiple community partners, is prepared to activate its annual Code Blue response to protect unhoused individuals and families during dangerously cold conditions.A Code Blue is declared when temperat

Winter Storm Watch issued for Berks; 4 to 6 inches of snow possible Friday into Saturday

Winter Storm Watch issued for Berks; 4 to 6 inches of snow possible Friday into Saturday

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Berks County, warning that hazardous winter weather could impact the area from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.According to the alert, heavy mixed precipitation is possible during this period, with snow accumulations between