Reading
Morning News
Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Reading. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Volunteers from local churches and fire companies hosted traditional New Year’s Day dinners on Jan. 1 in Berks County, serving pork, sauerkraut, and beans to between 200 and 350 people while raising funds for their organizations. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Brecknock Township Fire Company held its annual New Year's Day pork and sauerkraut dinner yesterday, serving 280–360 meals at $15 dine-in ($13 for takeout) as volunteers including firefighters logged 30 hours. West Lawn United Methodist Church also hosted its traditional dinner to raise funds for shelter meals and community outreach. Reading Eagle
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A small barn on a Spring Township property caught fire Thursday morning near Gelsinger Road and the blaze claimed one goat while rescuers saved a horse and two other goats — investigators will resume the inquiry Monday. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Fire officials responded to a barn fire in Spring Township just after 7:30 a.m.—icy roads meant crews needed help salting to rescue a mare and two goats while one goat died, and the fire marshal is investigating the scene. WFMZ-TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State funds from PA's Green Light-Go program will modernize traffic signals for safety in West Reading, Leesport and Boyertown. West Reading upgrades intersections for $220K, Leesport installs video-controlled cycles and emergency preemptors, and Boyertown will replace aging signals with nearly $700K in funding. WFMZ-TV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ At 2:39 a.m. today, Reading Hospital welcomed its first baby of 2026 in Berks County. The newborn marks a joyful start for local families. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ On Jan. 1, 2026, Phoenixville Hospital welcomed its first New Year baby when baby boy Christopher was born at 10:48 a.m. to Madelyn and Levi; Reading Hospital also had its first baby girl, Mariana, born at 2:39 a.m. to Nyasia and Jaheim. Reading Eagle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Berks County hockey player Jackson Sizer of Daniel Boone High School, who was once told he could not play due to autism, will soon represent the USA in the United World Games in Austria. He also mentors special needs teams to build inclusion in sports. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Thursday, Penn State announced that six players would return for the 2026 season while six others, including quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and J'ven Williams, headed for the transfer portal. Former wide receivers coach Marques Hagans accepted an assistant position at Michigan. Reading Eagle
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Gary Owen Live Comedy Show
8-10 p.m. — Santander Arena — Tickets required — Experience two decades of sharp observational humor and fearless storytelling from comedian Gary Owen.
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Greensboro Gargoyles vs. Reading Royals Hockey Game
7-8:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Watch on FloHockey — Cheer for your favorite team in this exciting hockey matchup.
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Annual Schnitzelfest
6-8 p.m. — Reading Liederkranz — $40 members, $50 guests, $12 for children 5-12 — Indulge in a delicious variety of schnitzel toppings while voting for your favorite to earn a spot on the permanent menu.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Reading Morning News
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