Berks Weekly

11/12/2025

🎻 From music to justice, Crystal Kowalski’s impact on Berks County runs deep. A longtime Wyomissing resident and Suzuki music instructor of 30 years, Crystal teaches students from age 3 to 70 and recently launched a youth music program at the Berks County Youth Shelter. Beyond the arts, she co-founded Building Justice in Berks, a grassroots group advocating for fairness and reform in the criminal legal system.

Her work—spanning classrooms, concert halls, and community meetings—reflects her belief that connection, compassion, and creativity can make Berks a more just and thriving place.

Read her full story 👉 https://berksweekly.com/stories/neighbors/crystal-kowalski-sharing-music-advocacy-and-compassion-across-berks-county/

11/12/2025

Albright College Athletics will add men’s ice hockey as the newest NCAA Division III varsity sport, increasing the number of Albright Lion programs to 27 teams.

Albright College Athletics will add men’s ice hockey as the newest NCAA Division III varsity sport, increasing the number of Albright Lion programs to 27 teams. The team will compete in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Men’s ice hockey is set to begin in winter of 2026. Jeff German will lea...

11/12/2025

Susan Rohn retires, Vicki Haller Graff steps in to lead Yocum Institute for Arts Education.

The Yocum Institute for Arts Education has announced a significant transition in leadership. After more than two decades of service, the organization is celebrating Susan Rohn as she concludes her outstanding career with the Institute. Her dedication and vision have profoundly shaped the organizatio...

11/11/2025

Experience an unforgettable night at Aladdin Restaurant in West Reading! ✨ Belly dancing returns on Friday, December 12, with live performances at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

Enjoy the music, the movement, and a meal that’s as vibrant as the show itself. Seating is limited and reservations are required — no walk-ins.

📞 Call 610-685-6677 to reserve your table.
📍 401 Penn Ave, West Reading

11/11/2025

Saturday, one of the largest food drives in the country – Scouting America’s Scouting for Food – gathered 55,500 lbs. of food for area families experiencing food insecurity, which was brought in to Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank.

Saturday, one of the largest food drives in the country – Scouting America’s Scouting for Food – gathered 55,500 lbs. of food for area families experiencing food insecurity, which was brought in to Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank. The food was received and sorted by Helping Harvest volunteers ...

11/11/2025

The City of Reading will officially welcome the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. The celebration will take place at the southeast corner of 5th and Penn Streets in Downtown Reading.

The City of Reading will officially welcome the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. The celebration will take place at the southeast corner of 5th and Penn Streets in Downtown Reading. Mayor Eddie Morán is inviting residents and visitors t...

11/10/2025

American Heart Association held a CPR workshop at Wyomissing Area Junior-Senior High School, providing more than 300 students with the knowledge and confidence to save a life during a cardiac emergency using Hands-Only CPR.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. However, 70% of respondents in a recent consumer survey said they were not confident they would respond with CPR in a cardiac emergency. With the goal of changing this statistic, the Amer...

11/10/2025

The scaffolding is coming down! Two weeks ago officials said crews are still busy with flooring and finishing work, but major milestones such as painting, roofing, and electrical upgrades have already been reached.

11/10/2025

The Pennsylvania Lottery recently awarded an online prize worth $154,141.71 on the ELF eInstant game, to a player from Berks County.

The Pennsylvania Lottery recently awarded an online prize worth $154,141.71 on the ELF eInstant game, to a player from Berks County. The ELF eInstant game is a connect-style game that contributes to the Happy Holidays Jackpot. Game play features a chance to multiply any winnings up to 20 times, a ch...

11/10/2025

Some municipalities in Berks are wrestling with imposing a tax or fee dedicated to emergency medical services as they put together budgets for 2026 and try to preserve a system in crisis.

11/09/2025

11/08/2025

⚠️ Water emergency in Cumru Township on the Schuylkill River near Poplar Neck Road, initially reported to be a kayaker flipped over, holding onto a branch in the river.

Update: Person rescued from the river.