Local news
Reading
Berks County, Pennsylvania
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Extra turkey? Helping Harvest will put it to good use amid increased need for food
Helping Harvest, a food bank serving Berks and Schuylkill counties, says demand is up about 20% from last year as it prepares for the holiday season. President Jay Worrall says the organization is distributing more food…
Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill returns for 38th season
Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill will return for its 38th season, opening Nov. 28 in Spring Township. Visitors can walk through the display, buy food and drinks, warm up by a fire and hear live music from 6 to 8 p.m. The…
Coroner IDs Reading man who died from injuries a month after being struck by pickup truck
Robert Bruce Bellairs Jr., 70, died Saturday at a Reading hospital from injuries sustained when a pickup truck struck him on Oct. 7, according to Berks County Coroner Matthew Stitzel. Bellairs was crossing the 300 block…
Green Building Alliance discusses energy-efficient, sustainable projects in Berks County
The Green Building Alliance hosted a luncheon at Reading’s GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to discuss energy-efficiency and sustainability projects in Berks County. Businesses on Spring Valley Road and South 3rd Street…
Penn State Health to close Downtown Reading campus, transition most services to other Berks County locations
Penn State Health plans to close its Downtown Reading campus and move most services to other Berks County locations by Dec. 31, 2027. Dental services will end rather than relocate, and the health system says it will…
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Berks County officials give tips on how residents can avoid falling for scams that steal their money
Berks County officials are warning residents about a rise in scams, including fake arrest warrants sent by mail and fraudulent emails. They say fraud attempts are becoming more frequent and increasingly severe, and are…
Holiday tree to be lit in Reading, Holiday Parade planned for later this month
Public works crews began assembling Reading’s holiday tree at Fifth and Penn streets on Tuesday morning. A lighting ceremony is planned for next week, while the city’s Holiday Parade is scheduled for later this month…
Man Struck By Pickup In Reading Killed By Injuries One Month Later: Coroner
A man struck by a pickup truck in Reading died from his injuries about a month after the collision, according to the coroner. The report identifies the incident as a vehicle strike and says the victim later succumbed to…
Reading hires advisor for economic development programs to attract business downtown
Reading City Council voted to authorize a sole-source professional services agreement with Morgan Boyd, doing business as Paper Plan Advisory. Boyd will provide technical advice on state economic development programs…
Reading City Council hears options for Centre Avenue Bridge project
Reading City Council heard options for the Centre Avenue Bridge project, considering possible approaches to address the bridge’s needs. The discussion gives council members a chance to weigh alternatives before deciding…
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Six Seahawks Men’s Cross Country Runners Land On All-United East Teams
Six St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s cross-country runners earned All-United East honors after competing in the conference championship on Oct. 31, hosted by Penn State Berks. Junior Blake Carberry also received the…
Alvernia’s plan to acquire Marian University could bring Pennsylvania, Wisconsin students together
Alvernia University has announced a proposed plan to acquire Marian University in Wisconsin. The two-year transition aims to combine resources and expertise to strengthen both Catholic institutions amid ongoing…
Toys for Tots in Berks County sees increased need for toys, organizers say
Organizers of the Toys for Tots drive in Berks County say demand for toys is higher than ever as Christmas approaches. With the holiday less than seven weeks away, the campaign is seeking to meet increased local need…
Make a Difference Monday: Solidarity Walk in Reading aims to highlight youth homelessness
In recognition of Youth Homeless Awareness Month, a local organization in Reading is hosting a solidarity walk to raise awareness and support for youth experiencing homelessness. The event invites community members to…
Cheapest gas stations in Reading
Stacker ranked the lowest-priced regular gasoline stations in the Reading area using GasBuddy data. Sheetz in Bethel led the list at $3.85 per gallon, followed closely by Bethel Truck Stop at $3.87. A Flying J in…
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Alvernia University and Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission
Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, and Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, have announced plans to unite under a shared mission. The proposed acquisition, rooted in Catholic values, aims to expand…
How gas prices have changed in Reading in the last week
Gas prices in the Reading, Pennsylvania metropolitan area have been updated as of November 9. According to data from AAA, the current price for gasoline is $4.30, reflecting a slight decrease over the past week. Diesel…
Annual student video competition underway in Berks, Schuylkill counties
The 11th annual 'What’s So Cool About Manufacturing' video contest has officially launched in Berks and Schuylkill counties. The program pairs middle school students with local manufacturers to produce videos…
How Reading schools expanded recess ahead of state mandate
The Reading Public Schools district has proactively expanded recess time for students, implementing changes ahead of a new state mandate. This initiative aims to improve student well-being and academic performance by…
Rotten Roots: family turns yard into walk-through Halloween haunt; visitors trigger effects
A Pennsylvania family has transformed their residential yard into an elaborate, immersive Halloween haunted attraction. Featuring towering monsters, alien displays, and a custom cornfield, the project has become a…
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Berks County crews respond to 2-alarm fire in Reading
Emergency crews in Reading responded to a 2-alarm fire on Saturday afternoon. The blaze was reported at approximately 3:30 p.m. in the 300 block of West Greenwich Street. Firefighters worked to contain the incident, and…
Fight over Appalachian trail shelters in Berks continues
The dispute regarding the future of two Appalachian Trail shelters in Berks County remains ongoing. The National Park Service has slated the shelters for demolition, a move opposed by the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing…
"Six Triple Eight" women honored for task that connected WWII soldiers to home
Two local heroes from the 'Six Triple Eight' battalion, a historic all-Black and multi-ethnic unit of the U.S. Women's Army Corps, have been honored at Freedom Path in Reading City Park. The unit was instrumental in…
Berks Catholic, Fleetwood roar to Eastern Conference football victories
Berks Catholic and Fleetwood secured victories in the Eastern Conference postseason football games on Friday night. Berks Catholic defeated Hamburg 49-20 at the Forino Sports Complex, with standout performances by Ryan…
Reading woman, former model, celebrates 105th birthday
Ruby Gordon, a former model and long-time resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, celebrated her 105th birthday on Friday. The milestone event was marked by family and friends honoring her life and legacy. Gordon's…
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Two WWII veterans honored for role in 1st and only all-Black, female unit to deploy overseas
Two World War II veterans were honored during a brick-laying ceremony in Reading City Park on Friday. Both women served in the 'Six Triple Eight,' the first and only all-Black female unit deployed overseas during the…
Reading’s 830 WEEU launches 99.7 FM
Reading radio station 830 WEEU has expanded its reach by launching on the 99.7 FM frequency. The station, which has served Berks County since 1931, now broadcasts on both AM and FM bands. Station co-owner John Treese…
District 3 6A, 5A, and 4A Volleyball Championships
The District 3 girls volleyball championships concluded on Thursday night with new winners crowned across three divisions. Hempfield secured the 6A title with a sweep, while Exeter claimed their first-ever District 3…
Reading School District expands safety staff with 10 new hires
The Reading School District is expanding its safety staff by hiring 10 new personnel for the high school, including safety guards and safe schools officers. The school board approved the positions to proactively…