Good morning, Reading.

Boyertown's 19th annual Oktoberfest starts Friday at 5 p.m. in the town center parking lot and runs Saturday.

Organizers forecast up to 9,000 attendees with a visit from the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and local music headliner Stephanie Grace to support downtown preservation efforts.

Brian Winterstein (a veteran first responder) recalled his 9/11 work at Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, where his team spent two weeks with hundreds of dogs to locate IDs.

Now chief of Berks County Search and Rescue Station 2, he said the effort brought closure to families.

The Oct. 3 Story Lane Book Fair & Market at the Reading Public Library will bring local and nationally recognized authors, including keynote Javier Ávila at 4 p.m., with children’s activities starting in the early afternoon and an outdoor market continuing until 9 p.m.

Berks Nature received $190,000 from the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund to upgrade a Perry Township beef farm and restore nearly 6,000 feet of streamside habitat across local watersheds.

The projects will reduce runoff and improve water quality by adding stormwater controls and native trees.

Food safety inspectors in Berks County recorded nine violations at two restaurants inspected between Aug.

25 and Sept. 8 & one location showed evidence of rodent activity that requires follow-up to improve sanitation.

Berks County commissioners reflected on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the lessons of kindness and unity during their recent meeting.

They announced commemorative events today at City Park (8:43 a.m.) and in front of the County Services Center (10:00 a.m.), with additional ceremonies tonight.

Kuljeet Sangha, a 17-year-old from Shillington, was chosen (by State Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr.) as the youth delegate for the 127th District during a special session at Congress Hall on Wednesday, where more than 80 students celebrated key anniversaries and learned about state government.

Reading Hospital earned national recognition as a high-performing facility among the top seven regional hospitals for excellence in orthopedics and additional specialties, while Phoenixville Hospital was recognized for rehabilitation and heart attack treatment; both honors were awarded by U.S. News & World Report.

Reading Fightin Phils need one more win to clinch a playoff spot as their game Thursday night — a chance to earn their first postseason berth in six seasons — will decide their fate.

The ballpark also plans Oktoberfest, fireworks Friday and Saturday, and Dinosaur Day on Sunday.

Former Exeter standout Joey Schlaffer — seeking more play time — transferred from Penn State to Temple; he played in the Owls' 38-14 season opener over Rhode Island and will face 16th-ranked Penn State Saturday at noon at Lincoln Financial Field.

Wyomissing Spartans will host Twin Valley Raiders for a non-league football game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday as Raiders (ranked sixth in 5A) test their skills against the Spartans (fifth in 3A) before league play begins.