Good morning, Reading.

Help A Girl Out hosted its 5th annual hygiene drive kickoff Wednesday night at three locations in West Reading, Reading + Schuylkill Haven.

The campaign, which has launched its new website, aims to surpass nearly 88,000 units from last year using 90 collection sites to quickly deliver essential products.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has teamed with Berks County police to encourage those drinking at Super Bowl LIX festivities to arrange a designated driver.

Officials advise party hosts to provide non-alcoholic alternatives (water and snacks) for a safe drive home.

Berks County Parks and Recreation offers a free lending program that lets residents borrow snowshoes for a day at county parks.

Interested residents must fill out a form and leave collateral, as the program—funded by a 2023 grant—provides a budget-friendly winter activity for all abilities.

A Pennsylvania Lottery retailer in Amity Township sold a Power Play ticket matching five numbers for a $2 million prize in Wednesday's drawing, earning the store a $10,000 bonus + without Power Play, the win would have been $1 million.

ARRO Consulting acquired Ott Consulting on Jan.

13, expanding its engineering and design services in eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. The move increases ARRO’s presence to 12 offices and 220 employees (including Ott’s staff) to better serve municipal and private clients.

A winning Powerball ticket sold in Amity Township matched all five white balls for a $2 million prize on Wednesday, Feb.

4 — Redner’s Warehouse Markets earned a $10,000 bonus and winners have one year to claim their prizes.

Berks County is launching the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) service today at its emergency communications center to reduce thousands of manual alarm calls and speed up emergency response.

The system is expected to streamline notifications and boost efficiency in operations.

Reading Hospital in West Reading is looking for daytime volunteers for its No One Dies Alone (NODA) program to offer comfort to patients nearing the end of life.

Volunteers aged 18+ must complete a Pennsylvania Criminal History Background Check and serve between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Mayor Eddie Morán and Alan Shuman signed a letter of intent on Thursday for a $52M redevelopment of Fifth and Penn, where historic buildings and a new mixed-use structure with 150 residential units and 53,000 sqft of retail space will be developed; construction will begin within 30 days.

Wilson Bulldogs secured a 70-67 win over Harrisburg on Thursday night as Peter Kelfalla scored 18 and Correll Akings 17, boosting their confidence as they gear up to defend their BCIAA title.

They will host Exeter in the quarterfinals Monday.

At Muhlenberg on Wednesday, the boys basketball team won 85—57 over Twin Valley with Eli Hemmings scoring 24; they face a non-league game today against Central Dauphin East and a BCIAA quarterfinal Monday.

Berks Catholic ended its season with a 60—38 win over Linville Hill Christian to claim Division 1.

BCIAA high school basketball tournaments were announced with girls playing quarterfinals this Saturday and boys starting on Monday.

Local schools host the early rounds while Santander Arena will hold semifinals on Feb. 11 and championships on Feb. 13 (match times vary).

Shiver by the River 2026

10 AM – 4 PM — Jim Dietrich Park — Free entry — Participate in a fun-filled day with races and post-race snacks.

Tropical Invasion Concert

8-11 p.m. — Santander Arena — All in prices available — Experience a night of vibrant Latin rhythms with Elvis Crespo and more.

Harlem Globetrotters Show

7-9 p.m. — Santander Arena — Tickets starting at $36 — Experience the legendary antics and skills of the Harlem Globetrotters live in Reading.

Sisqó Live in Concert

3-6 p.m. — Santander Arena — tickets available — Experience the smooth R&B vibes of Sisqó, the voice behind the iconic 'Thong Song.'

Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Reading Royals

7-9 p.m. — Santander Arena — Stream the thrilling ice hockey matchup between the Swamp Rabbits and Royals.

Old School Hip Hop Sunday Funday

3-5 p.m. — Santander Arena — Ticketed event — Celebrate the classic era of hip hop with performances from legends like Big Daddy Kane and more.

Good Thyme for Life Dining Week

Good Thyme For Life is an annual dining event in Berks County for Co-County Wellness Services, raising money for their mission of public health. This year’s event runs from March 2nd-8th and features 7 local restaurants each night, generously donating a portion of the evening revenue to support our work in education and advocacy.

Reading Anime-Fest

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading — Free entry for kids — A family-friendly event featuring voice actors, vendors, attractions, and a huge cosplay contest.