Rodent droppings abound during Berks food safety inspections The rodent activity at one store was accompanied by numerous droppings.

The rodent activity at one store was accompanied by numerous droppings. trib.al/5Pw9iAH

Sixers Notes: No walls boxed in VJ Edgecombe in stellar rookie year Looking at his stats and contributions, if there was a rookie wall, he bounded it with ease.

Looking at his stats and contributions, if there was a rookie wall, he bounded it with ease. trib.al/HKbWlmG

Phillies forced into another bullpen move with Zach Pop to IL; Kyle Backhus recalled Zach Pop was placed on the injured list on Wednesday, retroactive to Monday, with a right calf strain. Lefty Kyle Backhus was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Zach Pop was placed on the injured list on Wednesday, retroactive to Monday, with a right calf strain. Lefty Kyle Backhus was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. trib.al/NBuk1yW

Flyers’ Sean Couturier relishing long road back to playoffs to face Penguins Sean Couturier was just 19 years old when the bright lights of his first Stanley Cup playoffs shone directly in his eyes. He didn’t blink.

Sean Couturier was just 19 years old when the bright lights of his first Stanley Cup playoffs shone directly in his eyes. He didn’t blink. trib.al/Rfk9ATO

Sosa reignites debate over his role with the Phillies The Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa continued to make his case for more playing time.

The Phillies' Edmundo Sosa continued to make his case for more playing time. trib.al/RgWL3UM

Vehicle damages country store in Rockland Township A vehicle crashed through the wall of The Market at Boyer’s Junction, reports said.

A vehicle crashed through the wall of The Market at Boyer's Junction, reports said. trib.al/XtGONIi

Crews battle brush, shed fires in Berks The fires were in a field in Richmond Township and a shed and surrounding area in Brecknock Township.

The fires were in a field in Richmond Township and a shed and surrounding area in Brecknock Township. trib.al/YLbwc2v

Patton Avenue Learning Center earns top Keystone 4 Star rating Opportunity House facility advances from 1 Star to highest designation within months, expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care in Reading’s Oakbrook community.

Opportunity House facility advances from 1 Star to highest designation within months, expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care in Reading’s Oakbrook community. trib.al/2k0biZf

Flyers notebook: Porter Martone playing above his pre-arrival hype Rookie has played a key role since joing the team in the late stages of the season

Rookie has played a key role since joing the team in the late stages of the season trib.al/fnw3Ml8

Rep. Manny Guzman to host job fair Friday in Reading Guzman said the job fair is designed to help residents cut through red tape and directly connect with employers who are ready to hire.

Guzman said the job fair is designed to help residents cut through red tape and directly connect with employers who are ready to hire. trib.al/L1wjz2W

Taco Fest returns to downtown Reading with food, music and Cinco de Mayo 5K Third annual event on Penn Street will feature live entertainment, cultural performances, vendors and a free community run.

Third annual event on Penn Street will feature live entertainment, cultural performances, vendors and a free community run. trib.al/yVFRIPu

A ‘bittersweet’ decision: Berks County Jail warden is leaving post After a nearly 20-year career at the Berks County Jail, Warden Jeffrey Smith has made the decision to step away.

After a nearly 20-year career at the Berks County Jail, Warden Jeffrey Smith has made the decision to step away. trib.al/FFxV9kM

Daily docket: April 15, 2026 Today’s daily thought and birth announcement

Today's daily thought and birth announcement trib.al/GC6pBLv

Hope Springs Clubhouse in Reading earns international recognition The psychiatric rehabilitation program offers support for people ages 16 to 25 with mental health issues.

The psychiatric rehabilitation program offers support for people ages 16 to 25 with mental health issues. trib.al/aBvgAW6

UGI issues another scam alert Utility is noticing increase in effort to trick customers into making unnecessary payments.

Utility is noticing increase in effort to trick customers into making unnecessary payments. trib.al/WOgEiqS

Chester County business named SBA 2026 Small Business Week honoree Buona Foods in New Garden, is Pennsylvania’s Small Business Person of the Year.

Buona Foods in New Garden, is Pennsylvania’s Small Business Person of the Year. trib.al/wKBAMAV

Hamsters prefer large metal exercise wheels [Ask the Vet] Most hamsters enjoy their wheels, although some don’t, just like some people don’t relish jogging on a treadmill.

Most hamsters enjoy their wheels, although some don't, just like some people don't relish jogging on a treadmill. trib.al/gngohnF

Bullpen falters as Phillies fall to Cubs Carson Kelly hit a three-run homer, Colin Rea pitched six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the Phillies 10-4 on Tuesday night.

Carson Kelly hit a three-run homer, Colin Rea pitched six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the Phillies 10-4 on Tuesday night. trib.al/rjRF4r0

Weekend events roundup: Theater, music and comedy in bloom around region Things to do in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Things to do in southeastern Pennsylvania. trib.al/IOsepgd

Oliver Bonk scores first NHL goal, Flyers finish with win over Montreal The Flyers rested a bunch of their regulars and still managed to come away with a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The Flyers rested a bunch of their regulars and still managed to come away with a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens at Xfinity Mobile Arena. trib.al/NNDPzID

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler fans nine, walks none in rehab start with Reading Zack Wheeler hurled 5.2 strong innings for Reading in a rehab start at Somerset.

Zack Wheeler hurled 5.2 strong innings for Reading in a rehab start at Somerset. trib.al/YZgyoPv

Phillies Notebook: Phillies add Chase Shugart, option Seth Johnson The Phillies made a bullpen roster move for the second straight day Tuesday, optioning Seth Johnson in favor of Chase Shugart ahead of a game against the Chicago Cubs.

The Phillies made a bullpen roster move for the second straight day Tuesday, optioning Seth Johnson in favor of Chase Shugart ahead of a game against the Chicago Cubs. trib.al/scN1Tul

Berks nonprofit American Hero Wishes letter drive celebrates America’s 250th birthday The public can send a single-page letter of gratitude or donate items to help American Hero Wishes reach their goal.

The public can send a single-page letter of gratitude or donate items to help American Hero Wishes reach their goal. trib.al/nDkHSsP

Eagles GM Howie Roseman blasts criticism of Jalen Hurts Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had strong words in defense of quarterback Jalen Hurts ahead of the draft.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had strong words in defense of quarterback Jalen Hurts ahead of the draft. trib.al/LOBHTXT

Berks sports roundup: Schuylkill Valley, Twin Valley roll to victories in softball Games played on April 14

Games played on April 14 trib.al/pyBZDAi

Sixers ready for ‘great opportunity’ of play-in date with Magic It’s not a win-or-go-home game but the players seek that level of intensity. “All excuses are off the table,” Tyrese Maxey says.

It's not a win-or-go-home game but the players seek that level of intensity. “All excuses are off the table,” Tyrese Maxey says. trib.al/hi4uEfX

Flyers Notebook: Veterans like Nick Seeler relish end to playoff drought There is a handful of Flyers who have waited the full five years to return to the playoffs, and they’re the ones who can appreciate it best.

There is a handful of Flyers who have waited the full five years to return to the playoffs, and they're the ones who can appreciate it best. trib.al/Kd3PulA

Major Pa. newspaper has found a buyer that will keep it open Barely two weeks before it was due to shut down, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Tuesday it had found a last-minute buyer — a successful nonprofit journalism operation.

Barely two weeks before it was due to shut down, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Tuesday it had found a last-minute buyer — a successful nonprofit journalism operation. trib.al/Nz5eecK

Goalie Dan Vladar wins Bobby Clarke Trophy for Flyers’ MVP Vladar also won another award and Travis Sanheim won two awards

Vladar also won another award and Travis Sanheim won two awards trib.al/dVJaIiE

Reading man get 3 life sentences for 2025 triple homicide Jose Rodriguez pleaded guilty to killing a husband and wife, along with their 1-year-old son.

Jose Rodriguez pleaded guilty to killing a husband and wife, along with their 1-year-old son. trib.al/mJe4gaU