Good morning, Reading.

Helping Harvest held its third annual Celebration of Community and Hope on Thursday at the DoubleTree by Hilton, where nearly 500 donors, volunteers, and community leaders joined to honor the food bank’s work in feeding local neighbors.

The event also showcased the new Community Kitchen at GoggleWorks II, which is already preparing 15,000 Thanksgiving meals this month + despite recent federal funding cuts, the organization remains optimistic about its future efforts.

Four fieldhouses in Reading have been upgraded for better energy efficiency and service as the city invites residents to attend open houses — the renovations aim to improve community facilities.

Pendora Park Fieldhouse will welcome visitors tomorrow from 10 to noon and Baer Park Fieldhouse from one to three, while Schlegel Park Fieldhouse is open Tuesday from four to six and Keffer Park Fieldhouse is open the following Tuesday from four to six — officials say the new improvements are part of a larger plan to support local needs.

The district held a ribbon cutting today for the updated playground at South 5th Avenue and Chestnut Street near West Reading Elementary Center.

Wyomissing will host its Spooky Hollow Halloween Carnival at Happy Hollow Playground on October 25 from 2 to 5 p.m.—if it rains, the event will move to October 26.—Families can enjoy carnival games, crafts, food from local vendors, a Haunted Pavilion, and a screening of The Addams Family animated movie.

City officials announced that Reading will receive a $250,000 state grant from PA SITES to study the 50-acre former Dana site—located at 1 Berkshire Place in Riverview Industrial Park—for future business use and job creation.

The grant is one of 11 statewide projects chosen to make sites shovel-ready for private investment.

Reading Science Center will unveil its new exhibit Energy in a Box on Oct.

18 at 11 a.m.—created by dozens from East Penn Manufacturing to show how battery plates work together to power engines and encourage recycling while offering free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Reading will begin collecting loose leaves on Oct.

13 to repurpose them as construction fill and landfill cover. Residents must rake leaves to the curb or bag them in biodegradable paper bags for scheduled pick-up by public works crews—collection will continue by zone until Dec. 5.

On Oct 4, the Reading Fire Department held its Medal Day ceremony at Tower Health School of Health Sciences to honor firefighters for brave acts during emergencies such as reviving patients and saving lives at fires.

The ceremony also posthumously recognized retired firefighter Keith Sarge Eschleman—his award was presented to his family.

Shillington officials rejected a proposal from Cumru Commissioner Greg Miller to exchange fire services for discounted recreation access — they noted that a 4% rise in fire calls and higher recreation costs did not justify dissolving the current fire department.

Borough council and recreation board members said the decision protects public safety and preserves a historic part of Shillington's service legacy.

Today, the Berks boys soccer tournament quarterfinal games are held at the higher seed fields as Conrad Weiser meets Tulpehocken at 2 p.m., Wilson faces Schuylkill Valley at 2 p.m., Oley Valley plays Kutztown at 3:30 p.m., and Exeter takes on Muhlenberg at 7 p.m.—the semifinals will be on Oct. 14 at the top seeds’ sites and the championship is set for Oct. 16 with details pending.

Berks Catholic beat Columbia 37-0 on Thursday night at the Forino Sports Complex—using 367 rushing yards and a shutout defense that limited Columbia to 86 total yards.

The Saints improved their record to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in Section 5 play with key scores by Jeremiah Camara, Aidan Curley, and quarterback Johnny Sauppee.

The Reading Royals host a preseason game at Santander Arena tonight to support Slapshot Charities and help local youth learn hockey—fans can enjoy free parking at the 4th & Cherry lot with a suggested $5 donation.

Berks high school football games showed varied leads this week as Wilson scored 21 to Penn Manor’s 7 and Exeter held a 22 to 14 advantage over Hempfield by the third quarter—other games reported scores at halftime.

The game between Twin Valley and Wyomissing will begin today at 1:30 p.m.

Today, the BCIAA girls soccer tournament quarterfinals take place at the higher seed's site with four matches (Exeter vs Wyomissing at 10 a.m., Schuylkill Valley vs Conrad Weiser at 11 a.m., Wilson vs Hamburg at noon, and Gov. Mifflin vs Twin Valley at 5:30 p.m.).

The semifinals will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the higher seed's site, and the championship is set for Thursday, Oct. 16 (site and time to be determined).

Wilson Bulldogs defeated Penn Manor 42-7 on Friday at West Lawn—extending their winning streak to five games in the Section 1 matchup.

Coach Doug Dahms said the team improved after early mistakes and will play McCaskey next in a game that may decide the Section title.

X Revolucion Salsera Live

9 p.m. — El Primo Bar & Grill — Ticket prices vary — Dance the night away with X Revolucion Salsera and enjoy drink specials.

Yellow Brick Joel: Face To Face Tribute

7:30-9 p.m. — Santander Performing Arts Center — Event rate parking available — Celebrate the legendary hits of Billy Joel and Elton John performed live.

Reading Hospital Road Run

12:00 – 3:30 PM — 420 S 6th Ave, West Reading, PA — Check registration for fees — Participate in the 1/2 marathon, 5K, or fun run to support the community.

How AI is Changing Photography

7-9 p.m. — Berks Photographic Society — $10 donation — Explore the transformative impact of AI on photography and enhance your creative potential.

Fall 2025 Job Fair

1-5 p.m. — Redner's Event Center — Free entry — Connect with local employers and explore exciting job opportunities on your career journey.

Halloween Bash

12-2 p.m. — Bernville Area Community Library — Free entry — Celebrate Halloween with crafts, snacks, and a live concert by the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra.

Michael Jackson Tribute by Who's Bad

7:30-9 p.m. — Santander Performing Arts Center — Ticketed event — Experience a power-packed tribute to the King of Pop with the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band.

Reading Royals vs. Trois-Rivières Lions

3:00 – 4:30 PM — Santander Arena — Group Tickets from $10 — Enjoy an exciting hockey matchup with affordable group outings available.