Reading
Morning News
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Good morning, Reading. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Help a Girl Out drive concluded its fifth annual campaign by collecting 138,367 hygiene items for women and girls in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Schools & social services can order supplies until March 31, and volunteers will prepare orders on April 11 at Helping Harvest in Spring Township. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Today, Giant donated 200 hams to Helping Harvest Food Bank in Reading — the retailer will donate a total of 3,000 hams to local food banks this spring. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ FirstEnergy restored power for nearly 1.1 million customers after Friday’s windstorm — over 97 percent have service, and crews are setting times to fix remaining outages in eastern PA and northern New Jersey. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Habitat for Humanity dedicated a newly rehabilitated home on Tuesday afternoon at 924 Douglass St. for Guadalupe and her family, marking its first project in the 9th and Douglass neighborhood while local leaders, students, and community partners worked together to revive the area. Berks Weekly
- ➤ On March 9, more than 30 local employers gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 701 Penn St for a Connections Work job fair that supported locals with criminal records in finding new job opportunities. Volunteers assisted with applications and mock interviews to help job seekers start fresh. Reading Eagle
- ➤ The Giant Company donated 200 hams to Helping Harvest for Easter in Berks and Schuylkill. Volunteers at a Spring Township food bank on Tuesday boosted the annual drive — the chain will donate 3,000 hams to 14 hunger-relief groups in PA, MD, and VA. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Following a storm that left many without power, the Earl Township Fire Station opened its social hall Monday night for residents to warm up, charge devices, and access water, while fire crews managed downed wires and a brush fire on Tuesday (over 500 customers remained without power by noon). WFMZ-TV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Reading Theater Project debuts world premiere of Adam Richter’s play Banshee from May 1 to 10 at the WCR Center for the Arts on N. Fifth St in Reading. The production is directed by Jody Reppert and features original music — by Marty Bonk — and talkback sessions after each show. Berks Weekly
- ➤ Reading hosts a busy weekend with the 35th annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Festival featuring headliners like Chris Botti + Emmet Cohen’s Miles tribute, while the Reading Choral Society celebrates America’s 250th anniversary Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading. Reading Eagle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Twin Valley High School's theater department presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella this April at its auditorium. Performances are on April 10 at 7 p.m., April 11 at 12 p.m. & 7 p.m., and April 12 at 2 p.m., with tickets costing $15 for adults and $10 for students. Berks Weekly
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Strong wind gusts reached 68 mph during a storm Monday night in Berks County—knocking down trees, power poles, and causing outages for over 11,000 residences. Utility crews worked to restore service while Albright College canceled classes after a utility pole fell behind campus. Reading Eagle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A local group opposing a federal plan to convert a Berks warehouse into a detention center is hosting a town hall Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Shartlesville Fire Company (5636 Old Route 22) to discuss community impacts with Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. and activist Gene Stilp leading questions. Reading Eagle
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Gary Gulman Live Comedy Show
3:30-6:30 p.m. — Miller Center for the Arts — Tickets starting at $68 — Experience a night of laughter with Gary Gulman’s comedic energy.
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Phil Wickham Concert
7-8 p.m. — Santander Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience uplifting worship music with Phil Wickham live in Reading.
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Gerald Veasley's Unscripted Jam
3:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading — Buy ticket — Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Berks Jazz Fest with a night of unscripted jazz featuring renowned artists.
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Berks Sinfonietta: Gershwin Comes Alive
6-9 p.m. — Miller Center for the Arts — Ticketed event — Experience Gershwin's magic brought to life with the Berks Sinfonietta and Lars Potteiger, plus a performance by the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band.
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Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals
3-4 p.m. — Santander Arena — Cost info not specified — Watch an exciting hockey game as the Norfolk Admirals take on the Reading Royals.
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Romeo Santos & Prince Royce Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Santander Arena — Cost varies — Enjoy an evening of captivating Latin music from two of the genre's biggest stars.
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MTB Try-it Day!
6-7:30 p.m. — The Nature Place at Angelica Park — Free event — Perfect for students to discover mountain biking, regardless of experience level.
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Wheeling Nailers vs. Reading Royals
7-8 p.m. — Santander Arena — Stream available — Watch an exciting hockey clash as the Nailers take on the Royals live.
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Wheeling Nailers vs. Reading Royals
7-10 p.m. — Santander Arena — Watch the game live on FloHockey with replays available for subscribers.
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Reveal the authorAbout Reading Morning News
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