Berks Weekly

Two local restaurants have been listed as out of compliance by restaurant inspectors this past week.

Observed soup thawing in 3-bay sink under hot running water: Restaurant Inspections, Sept. 24, 2026 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 ...

Update: Family has been located.

The Berks County Coroner’s Office is looking for family of (details removed at the request of the Coroner's office), Hamburg PA and died somewhere between the end of August and 9/22/2026. Anyone with information can contact the office at 610-478-3280.

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower atop Mount Penn will celebrate its 87th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 17, with free public tower climbs, historical presentations and an opportunity to explore the surrounding grounds.

The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature local Skyline historians discussing the tower’s construction, the WPA era, the former Gravity Railroad and Summit House hotel. Visitors can also climb 156 steps to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the region.

The anniversary celebration also comes with the introduction of “Tower Sundays,” which will regularly open the landmark to visitors on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. during portions of the year through 2027.

Six Exeter Township residents have filed a lawsuit seeking zoning relief against University Rifle Club, arguing the gun range illegally expanded its operations after years of complaints about late-night shooting, automatic weapons and bullets reportedly landing in nearby homes and yards.

Residents of Pathfinder Meadows say they have raised safety concerns with township officials for years, including after bullets struck homes in the neighborhood. The rifle club denies wrongdoing and argues that its operations and any expansion are protected under Pennsylvania law. Exeter Township previously determined the club had not violated local zoning ordinances.

The case is now before Berks County Court of Common Pleas Judge Benjamin Nevius, who has not yet ruled on whether the lawsuit will move forward.

Story and photo by Amanda Fries / Spotlight PA.

A 50-year-old Reading man was killed Saturday night in a motorcycle crash on North 11th Street, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.

Reading man identified in fatal motorcycle crash on North 11th Street A 50-year-old Reading man was killed Saturday night in a motorcycle crash on North 11th Street, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office. The crash occurred at approximately 9:23 p.m. Sept. 19 in the 1800 block of North 11th Street in Reading. The Coroner’s Office identified the motorcycli...

🎃 Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt is back for 2026, transforming the park after dark with haunted mazes, scare zones, roaming monsters, live entertainment and nighttime rides.

We visited Dorney Park for media day Saturday to experience this year’s lineup, including the all-new Blair Witch: No Signal haunted maze and The Conductor live show. The night also featured five scare zones, six haunted mazes, seasonal food and drinks, and Halloween-themed entertainment throughout the park. Guests coming out of the new Blair Witch maze gave it high marks for its combination of scares, thrills and immersive theming.

For families, the Halloween fun starts during the day with Tricks and Treats, featuring trick-or-treating, activities and entertainment for younger guests before the park transitions into Halloween Haunt after 6 p.m.

Halloween Haunt runs on select nights through Oct. 31, while Tricks and Treats continues Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1.

See the latest restaurant inspections from across Berks County.

Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity: Restaurant Inspections, Sept. 17, 2026 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 ...

Antietam High School Class of 2026 graduate Jakob Shrem is beginning a new chapter at Penn State after a high school career marked by academic success, athletics and leadership. The Pennside native served as class president, competed in soccer, basketball and baseball, and was named Antietam’s Most Outstanding Athlete in 2026.

Now studying biology at Penn State, Shrem reflected on the experiences and challenges that shaped his years at Antietam and shared his goals for the future, including plans to pursue a career in dentistry.

Yocum Institute for Arts Education is bringing two theater-based mental health programs back to Berks County schools this fall at no cost. “I’m OK” serves second- and third-grade students, while “At Some Point - We Have to Talk” is designed for high school students.

The programs follow a spring pilot that reached more than 3,400 students, faculty and staff across Berks County.

Photo courtesy of Yocum Institute for Arts Education.