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GOVERNMENT
Teen birth rates: A look at the numbers in Reading, Berks
READING, Pa. - Recent studies show that the teen birth rates in the City of Reading and Berks County are dropping. One local organization has teamed up with other community partners to create programs to educate teens on comprehensive sex education. . 'Berks Teens' organizers said...
Coca-Cola Park to host ‘Illumination!’ holiday lights event
Coca-Cola Park will be decked out with more than a million holiday lights during the IronPigs off-season later this year. The IronPigs organization announced in a news release Wednesday that the park will become home to “Illumination!,” a walk-through holiday lights display between November and January. In addition to viewing the lights, guests will be able to make s’mores at fire pits, get ...
Allentown firefighters mourn loss of one of their own
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Fire departments across our region are mourning the loss of one of their own. Allentown Fire Marshall Jeff Tomczak died after a more than 15-month battle with pancreatic cancer. 69 News paid a visit to the Allentown Central Fire Station on West Chew Street on Friday, where...
PennDOT reveals plans to fix dangerous Route 309 intersection
PennDOT wants your thoughts on a proposed interchange between Route 309, Center Valley Parkway and West Saucon Valley Road in Upper Saucon Township. The proposal would change the intersection, which relies on traffic lights, into a grade-separated interchange. Bridges would carry four lanes of Route 309 over the road, and motorists would connect with Center Valley Parkway and West Saucon ...
Lehigh Valley officially on the way to becoming a Blue Zone
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An initiative to make the Lehigh Valley a healthier place to live, work and play is officially underway. Over the next few years, local officials are committed to making the area a Blue Zone. Blue Zones are places around the world where people are reaching age...
Berks County Board of Elections responds to concerns over Robesonia election fliers
READING, Pa. – The Berks County Board of Elections voted Thursday that no action should be taken on what appeared to be the illegal distribution of election fliers within the Borough of Robesonia. Cody K. Kauffman, solicitor to the board, said he was recently contacted by the South Heidelberg...
Highway renamed to memorialize fallen New Tripoli firefighters
The names of fallen New Tripoli firefighters Marvin Gruber and Zachary Paris will forever be remembered by everyone driving into New Tripoli. Route 143 in Lynn Township, from the intersection of Route 309 to Berks County, has been renamed Heroes Highway in their memory. Gruber and Paris died in the...
Frederick Sheeler appointed Board President of Berks History Center
The Berks History Center has announced the appointment of Frederick (Fred) Sheeler as its new board president, effective June 25, 2024. “Fred brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to our mission of preserving and sharing the rich history of Berks County,” said BHC Executive Director, Benjamin Neely. “I am confident that under his leadership, the Berks History Center will continue to thrive and expand its impact on the community. We look forward to the exciting opportunities and growth that lie ahead.”
In swing state Pennsylvania, middle class struggles to get by
The giant steelworks that greets visitors to Allentown, Pennsylvania once symbolized the city's success as an industrial hub. - More visitors at food pantries - On Friday, all eyes will be on new inflation figures from the US government.
Swimming area reopens at Blue Marsh Lake
BERN TWP., Pa. - Officials at Blue Marsh Lake say the swim area is once again open a week after high bacteria levels caused its closure. As of Friday, swimming restrictions at the Dry Brooks Day Use Area swim beach have been lifted. Officials say water samples taken daily for...
Berks Encore receives grant from Meals on Wheels America to address unmet need in Berks County
Berks Encore has announced that it has received $32,500 from Meals on Wheels America, the national leadership organization supporting community-based programs across the U.S. dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger, to help bridge gaps in the availability of essential nutrition services in Berks County, PA. Berks Encore was awarded...
'It's just going to keep going up': Spikes in voter registration being seen locally, across the country
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - It may only be July, but the folks at the Lehigh County Elections office are busy. "Three months in advance of the November election we are at 28,000 requests," said Chief Clerk Tim Benyo. "It's just going to keep going up." Benyo says he anticipates around 100,000...
PA Turnpike to get rid of traditional tolls on this stretch of highway
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced Wednesday that tolls on the turnpike east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension would switch to open road tolling in January 2025. What is open road tolling?. Open road tolling systems charge tolls via sensors overhead and in the roadway that determine each vehicle's...
Coopersburg Seeks Community Feedback for 10-Year Plan
The borough of Coopersburg is currently gathering community feedback for a comprehensive plan for the next decade that will make recommendations for land use, housing, transportation, community development, preservation, facilities and other policies. Est. Read Time: < 1 min. The borough of Coopersburg is currently gathering community feedback for a...
Allentown, facing financial troubles, will ask voters to OK deed transfer tax hike
Allentown, facing financial troubles in next year’s budget, will ask voters to allow an increase in the city’s deed transfer tax to help bolster revenue. The proposal comes as early 2025 financial projections indicate a budget deficit of up to $6 million, finance director Bina Patel said, because the city’s existing revenue sources cannot cover increasing expenses like contractual raises for ...
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