If you’ve been scrolling through social media or catching the local broadcast this morning, you already know things are a bit hectic around Reading. It's one of those days where the headlines feel like a mix of "wait, really?" and the usual Pennsylvania winter grind. From an exotic cat chase that's gripped the county for weeks to some major budget moves that’ll actually hit your wallet, there is a lot to catch up on in Berks County news today.
Honestly, the biggest story everyone is talking about is still the wildcat situation. You might remember the storm damage back in late 2025 that let those African Servals loose from the Cricket Wildlife Center. Well, the latest updates aren't exactly what anyone wanted to hear. While two were caught a while back, the search for the third took a tragic turn when it was confirmed that one was struck and killed by a car. It’s a sad end to a saga that had neighbors on edge, especially those in the more rural pockets of the county who were worried about their pets.
The Roadwork Headache Is Starting Early
If you’re planning on hopping on 422 or I-78 this week, you’ve been warned. PennDOT just dropped their schedule for the week of January 19, and it looks like a mess of lane restrictions.
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Basically, if you’re driving between Penn Street and I-176 in Reading or Cumru Township, expect to see crews out there from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Tuesday. They’re doing bridge repairs, which we all know can turn a ten-minute commute into a thirty-minute crawl. There's also a ton of brush cutting planned for I-78 out by Tilden Township and Bethel. It's weather-dependent, of course, and with some snow flurries potentially in the mix for the Delaware Valley today, those schedules might shift.
Big Wins and Big Changes in Reading
It isn't all traffic jams and escaped animals, though. There’s some genuinely good stuff happening in the local education and health sectors.
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- Alvernia University just snagged a digital equity grant. They’re getting 120 laptops to help close the "digital divide." It’s part of a massive $20 million state initiative, and for students in Reading who struggle with tech access, this is a game-changer.
- Berks Community Health Center is expanding too. They’ve added four new providers recently, which is a relief because let's be real—trying to get a doctor's appointment in this county can sometimes feel like winning the lottery.
- Reading Public Museum is leaning into the "cool factor" with their new Towers of Tomorrow LEGO exhibition. It just opened, and if you have kids (or you're just a grown-up who still loves building stuff), it’s probably the best way to spend a cold Sunday afternoon.
The 2026 Budget: What It Means for Your Taxes
The Berks County Board of Commissioners officially adopted the 2026 budget just before the New Year, but we’re only now starting to see the administrative shifts. One of the handiest changes? The expansion of online real estate tax payments. If you live in Adamstown, Earl Township, or New Morgan, you can finally pay your county taxes online. More districts are supposed to be added soon, which is great because nobody actually wants to mail a physical check in 2026.
On the darker side of the news cycle, the Reading Police Department has been busy. They recently pulled off a large-scale drug seizure following what started as a "simple" traffic stop on January 7. It’s a reminder that even when things seem quiet, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to keep the streets a bit safer.
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Why Agriculture Still Rules the County
The 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show just wrapped up in Harrisburg, and Berks County basically owned the floor. People like Rachael Harze from Lazy-Day Farm in Boyertown were there showing off Babydoll Southdown sheep. It sounds like a niche thing, but agriculture is still the backbone of our local economy. Governor Shapiro’s administration also just designated a bunch of new "Century Farms," including the Angstadt property in Kutztown. Seeing families keep these farms running for over 100 years is honestly pretty impressive in a world that’s moving toward everything being a strip mall.
Actionable Insights for Berks Residents
If you're looking to make the most of your week or just stay out of trouble, here’s the "to-do" list:
- Check your commute: If you use 422 or I-78, add 15 minutes to your travel time starting tomorrow morning. The bridge work is no joke.
- Verify your tax district: If you’re in one of the new online-eligible areas, set up your account on the Berks County website now to avoid the last-minute rush later this year.
- Support local arts: The Berks Broadway Cares fundraiser is coming up on February 12 at Adler Brewing. Tickets are $20 and support the LGBT Center of Greater Reading. It’s a good cause and a better night out.
- Stay Weather Aware: Watch the sky today. The "Next Weather" alerts are calling for potential snow showers, which could turn those slushy Berks backroads into a skating rink.
Things move fast in this corner of PA, but keeping an eye on Berks County news today is the only way to avoid being the person stuck in a three-mile backup on the bypass. Check the PennDOT portals before you leave the house and maybe go see those LEGO skyscrapers at the museum while they’re still fresh.