Reading
Morning News
Friday, December 5th, 2025
Good morning, Reading. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 5th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Reading Royals and 69 WFMZ-TV are hosting their 2nd annual coat drive at Santander Arena as temperatures drop, accepting new or gently used coats—especially for elementary students—and donors will receive a five-dollar game ticket voucher for Dec. 14. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Fleetwood Bank’s annual Gift Basket Bingo raised $14,240 and donated proceeds evenly to nonprofits including Hannah’s Hope Ministries, Pawsitive Hearts, Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance and VOiCEup Berks—supporting local family, pet, and mental health services; the bank will host next year’s event on Oct. 25 at Oley Fair Centre. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Local organizations are preparing for very cold weather today in Reading. The Animal Rescue League warns pet owners to bring animals indoors — while Berks Encore and the Hope Rescue Mission open warm shelters and offer meals for vulnerable residents. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Operation Holiday is gathering donations to help 199 families with 403 children referred by local agencies and will provide gift cards for food and presents in a program that has served thousands since 1991 (donors gave nearly $85,000 last year). Reading Eagle
- ➤ Reading Area Community College hosted a holiday toy drive today at the Miller Center in Reading - students and volunteers gathered to pick up and wrap toys to support busy community college students during the season. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Boscov's partnered with the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department on Thursday night for a 'Shop with a Firefighter' event. Twenty students from the local school district shopped for family holiday gifts at Boscov's and met Santa Claus. WFMZ-TV
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Firefighters from Spring Township and Wyomissing fire departments were honored at the Spring Township fire station for their lifesaving response during the March 2023 West Reading chocolate factory explosion caused by a natural gas leak; they received valor and meritorious service medals after rescuing a trapped victim amid dangerous conditions. Reading Eagle
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Penn Entertainment rebranded its online sports betting app to theScore Bet on Tuesday morning, now live in 21 regions including Missouri. It also opened a second hotel tower at Las Vegas’ M Resort Spa Casino after Nov. 3 funding from Berks-based Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Reading Eagle
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Centre Park Historic District’s 39th Christmas House Tour returns with two options for visitors. The Moonlight Guided Tour is on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at Harbster mansion (742 Centre Ave.) with 60 tickets available, while the self-guided tour is set for Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reading Eagle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Berks County Commissioners voted Thursday to opt out of the state's assisted outpatient treatment for mental health for 2026 in response to funding challenges. Administrator Pamela Seaman said the decision was made to ease burdens on judges and assessment teams (flat funding remains a key issue). WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Exeter Township Supervisor Amanda Johnsen hosted a meeting at Dunn Community Center on Monday to address water bills following Pennsylvania American Water’s takeover that increased costs from $86 to over $300 per month as residents were urged to file complaints with the PA Public Utility Commission. Reading Eagle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Reading Hospital's Dr. Christopher Valente advised residents to dress in layers and watch for signs of frostbite as temperatures near freezing, noting the risks of falls and carbon monoxide indoors. He urged people to stay home if ill and be extra cautious with winter activities. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Reading Hospital celebrated its record-breaking No-Shave November fundraiser, raising over $80,000 for the McGlinn Cancer Institute. The wrap party honored top fundraisers from employees, local businesses and community members who joined the campaign. WFMZ-TV
-
Kuarantine - KISS Tribute with Chris Jericho
7-9:30 p.m. — Nightclub Reverb — $25 ADV | $30 DOS — Experience the world’s best non-makeup KISS cover band with a rock n roll party featuring Chris Jericho.
-
A Charlie Brown Christmas
7:00 – 8:30 PM — Santander Arena — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a beloved holiday classic brought to life on stage in Reading.
-
Champions of Magic
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Tickets from $27 — Experience an enchanting evening filled with extraordinary magic performances.
-
Adirondack Thunder vs. Reading Royals
7-8:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Tickets starting at $13 — Watch an exciting matchup in the AHL as Thunder take on the Royals.
-
World Ballet Company's The Nutcracker
1:00 – 2:30 PM — Santander Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices may vary — Experience a magical ballet performance this holiday season.
-
Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals
4-5:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Group tickets starting at $10 — Catch the thrilling action as the Admirals take on the Royals in this exciting hockey matchup.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Reading Morning News
Welcome to the Reading Morning News, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Reading, Pennsylvania community. If you like the Reading Morning News, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Reading.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Reading and across Pennsylvania. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Reading Morning News
A free Reading community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://readingmorningnews.com/sitemap