🌱 How will a $500K grant reshape youth safety programs in Reading?
Good morning to you Reading! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How will a $500K grant reshape youth safety programs in Reading?
- Heading to City Park Saturday? Here’s what Earth Day offers.
- How a Reading triple homicide case ended with three life sentences
Also on today's calendar: Purcellville Music and Arts Festival and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 79 and low of 57 degrees.
- Saturday: Very warm with some sun, temps: high: 79, low: 52.
- Sunday: Windy and cooler with showers, with a high of 58 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Guzman announces nearly $500,000 Grant for Reading Violence Prevention Initiative (pahouse.com) — Nearly $500,000 in state funding is launching EMPOWER Resilience, a new violence-prevention program for Reading youth run by the Olivet Boys & Girls Club. Serving about 1,000 kids ages 5–18 across six local club sites, the initiative will expand after-school and summer mentoring and supervision in higher-risk neighborhoods. 
2. 2026 Earth Day Berks Celebration Returns to City Park (bctv.org) — City Park in Reading will host the 2026 Earth Day Berks Celebration this Saturday, April 18, from noon to 6 p.m., starting with a tree planting and proclamation. Expect three stages of entertainment, including Reading High School Jazz Band, Native American performers, environmental speakers, kids’ activities, and a petting zoo. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations for Helping Harvest and explore eco-focused vendors.
3. PA Triple Homicide: Mom Shot, Baby Drowned, Dad Killed Ends With Guilty Plea (dailyvoice.com) — A Reading man has pleaded guilty and received three life sentences for the murders of a local couple and their young son, whose disappearances and deaths shook Reading and nearby Ontelaunee Township in 2025. Investigators detailed how the victims were last seen in Reading, where one body was found and key evidence recovered, bringing a grim but final resolution to the case.
4. Healthy Kids Day & Kids Color Fun Run Offer Families Activities to Kick Off Spring (bctv.org) — Families can head to the Berks County Heritage Center in Reading on Saturday, April 25, for the YMCA of Reading & Berks County’s free Healthy Kids Day and $5 Kids Color Fun Run. Kids 12 and under can enjoy a color run, inflatables, games, food trucks, and program sign-ups, while parents explore local resources and summer camp options.
5. West Reading chocolate factory explosion: PA legislation addresses natural gas safety concerns (mcall.com) — State lawmakers have advanced a natural-gas safety bill written in direct response to the deadly West Reading chocolate factory explosion, aiming to prevent similar tragedies. The measure would require natural gas alarms in homes, businesses, and other buildings, and follows two earlier pipeline-safety bills from Reading Democrat Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz. The package now heads to the Senate for further action.
📸 Around Reading
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Reading
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
The Wild Hymns at West Reading Motor Club
West Reading Motor Club, 416 Penn Ave, West Reading
7:00 pm
Friday April 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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ForeRunners Young Men's Ministry serving at Hope Rescue Mission
Hope Rescue Mission , 645 N 6th St , Reading
6:15 pm -
Passport Fair
Reading Public Library , 100 SOUTH FIFTH STREET , Reading -
Berks History Day
Berks County Heritage Center , 1102 Red Bridge Rd , Reading
10:00 am -
slAy dAy 2026 - Empow(HER)ed
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading , 701 Penn St , Reading
12:00 pm -
Fit For An Autopsy
Santander Arena , 700 Penn St , Reading
6:00 pm -
Sunset Beach
Painting with a Twist , 4370 Perkiomen Ave , Reading
7:00 pm -
Computer class NW
Reading Public Library , 901 Schuylkill Avenue , Reading
3:30 pm -
Purcellville Music and Arts Festival
250 S. Nursery Ave. , Purcellville
12:00 pm
Friday April 17
Saturday April 18
Wednesday April 22
Saturday April 25
📣 Reading Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church , 1001 E Wyomissi , Colony Park
9:00 am -
Mother Goose on the Loose
Wyomissing Public Library , 9 Reading Blvd , Wyomissing
10:30 am -
Paschal Vespers
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church , 1001 E Wyomissi , Colony Park
4:00 pm -
Food Truck Fridays At Maidencreek Community Park
Maidencreek Community Park , 753 Park Rd , Blandon
4:00 pm
Friday April 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Small company looking for laborers and skilled carpenters.
Must have transportation to get to the office. We are building decks and minor hard scaping. Can start asap. Pay is based off of performance . (Nextdoor Exeter) - It’s a shame , on Kutztown Rd there’s a house next to Craft 2700 parking lot , 2 people sitting on a step on the side of the house , had a black dog no leash , Barking vicious at-people walking to school ,etc.
be a responsible pet owner and have a leash , that dog could have ran out in the road and got injured or caused a traffic incident (Nextdoor Hyde Park)
- Price Rite posted a job opening for Price Rite - Grocery Lead Clerk - Full Time (PRRC) Salary Range $18.00 - $26.00/hr in Reading. Apply here.
- Genesis Healthcare posted a job opening for Dietary Aide in Reading. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reading here.
Ok Reading! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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