Good morning, Reading.

At a recent Amity Lions Club meeting, centenarians Dorothy Trate and Ralph Rapposell were honored when State Rep. Mark Gillen presented citations.

The award celebrated their long lives and contributions to the local community.

Barb, a single mom in Boyertown studying radiology, balances work and school while her kids help her study and the community backs Operation Holiday (a 35-year program) to provide food and gifts to families.

The program has teamed with 21 agencies to refer 199 families for holiday assistance.

American Crane donated over 27,000 mac and cheese meals on Dec.

11, 2025 during its annual GRIT Day to help families in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Stephanie Delibertis led the event as part of the Hoist Up! Outreach Initiative + partnered with Helping Harvest for distribution.

At Thursday's commissioners meeting in Bern Township, county officials accepted a $27,000 check from the Society for the Preservation of the Gruber Wagon Works to support preserving the yellow wooden landmark at the Berks County Heritage Center.

Commissioners praised past local efforts that kept the wagon works in Berks.

Pennsylvania’s online casino revenue hit a record $312 million in October 2025, fueling local debate as tax dollars from this digital boom support community funds — state regulators credited smoother account verification and streamlined payment tools with the surge.

Emma Pehote, selected as student marshal for Penn State Berks fall commencement, will speak at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec.

20 at Santander Arena in downtown Reading + she earned awards as a learning assistant and plans to work in a hospital before returning to her studies.

A study estimated over $60 million is needed to upgrade Riverside Elementary in the Reading School District.

Superintendent Khalid Mumin said the board will review proposals to modernize the school + create better learning spaces.

The state Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh visited the Patton Avenue Learning Center in Oakbrook on Dec.

11, 2025 to celebrate a $25 million boost in child care funding. The funding will provide $450 bonuses to 55,000 workers and support recruitment for 3,000 open positions.

State officials approved easements on four farms in Berks County that total 376 acres to keep the land in agricultural use; the state invested over $1.1 million (with $767,159 from state funds and $366,352 from the county) as part of a broader preservation effort.

St. Luke’s University Health Network is exercising its option to purchase Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital in Orwigsburg pending regulatory approval (patient care quality and staffing remain unchanged) as officials said additional details of the transition will be shared soon.

Thursday night, Berks Catholic beat Gov. Mifflin 47-38 in a BCIAA Division 1 game led by Kingston McKoy + 17 points and Carmelo Harper + 12, while Wilson won 64-34 over Twin Valley and Exeter overpowered Conrad Weiser 65-49.

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.