Lenhartsville
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 ...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
‘Unparalleled’: Allentown fire marshal, longtime Montgomery County firefighter, dies of cancer
A longtime fire official in Allentown died recently after more than a yearlong battle with cancer. On Friday, the Allentown Fire Department announced that fire Marshal Jeffrey Tomczak, who had been in that position since 2018, had died. Allentown Firefighters Local 302 IAFF said on social media that Tomczak died peacefully after a roughly 15-month battle with cancer. Tomczak, who was hired in ...
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...
Berks Summer Fest returns to Reading this weekend
READING, Pa. - Berks Summer Fest returns to FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading Saturday. Organizers say gates open at 10 a.m. "It's gonna be a lot of fun and you couldn't ask for better weather. It is Summer Fest," said Amanda Ehst, community programs director for Berks Arts. The Fest won't...
'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...
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...
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.”
Pennsylvania Turnpike to Launch Open Road Tolling in 2025
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced plans to switch to Open Road Tolling (ORT) east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension in January 2025. This move caps a 15-year transition aimed at enhancing travel convenience and safety. ORT charges tolls electronically. Drivers pass under...
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visits Boys & Girls club of allentown to celebrate bipartisan state budget win for millions in afterschool funding
Shapiro-Davis Budget Creates New “Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time” (BOOST) Program as Part of Comprehensive Approach to Making Pennsylvania Communities Safer. Allentown, PA – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis grew up going to a Boys & Girls Club in his hometown of McKeesport, and today he visited the Boys...
Lehigh Valley officials launch housing initiative to bolster affordability, availability
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — With high prices and a shortage of homes fueling a housing crisis in the Lehigh Valley, officials from across the area are embarking on an ambitious mission to quickly develop a regional housing plan. A team of Lehigh County’s top officials launched the Housing and Attainability...
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