Tag:

Reading, PA

$18K, 2.5 Pounds Of Marijuana Seized In Pennsylvania Drug Bust: DA $18K, 2.5 Pounds Of Marijuana Seized In Pennsylvania Drug Bust: DA
$18K, 2.5 Pounds Of Marijuana Seized In Pennsylvania Drug Bust: DA A Reading man was caught with thousands in suspected drug money and pounds of marijuana following an investigation, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, March 7. Edgar Anthony Colon, 33, was arrested after authorities executed a search warrant on his body, vehicle, and residence at 1035 Marion Street, according to Chief Detective Michael Gombar. The Berks County DA’s Drug Task Force and Reading Police had been investigating Colon since August 2024. During the search, investigators seized approximately 2.5 pounds of marijuana—both in bulk and packaged for distribu…
Over 200 Child Porn Images Found On Pennsylvania Man’s Devices: DA Over 200 Child Porn Images Found On Pennsylvania Man’s Devices: DA
Over 200 Child Porn Images Found On Pennsylvania Man’s Devices: DA A Reading man is behind bars after investigators uncovered over 200 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his electronic devices, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday, March 3. Morrell L. Williams, 52, was charged with Sexual Abuse of Children – Possession of Child Pornography and Criminal Use of a Communications Facility after authorities traced explicit online uploads to his cellphone, detectives said. The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) flagged disturbing CSAM files being uploaded through “Synchr…
PA Middle School Social Worker Showed Nude Selfie To 14-Year-Old Student: DA PA Middle School Social Worker Showed Nude Selfie To 14-Year-Old Student: DA
PA Middle School Social Worker Showed Nude Selfie To 14-Year-Old Student: DA A Reading school social worker is accused of showing a 14-year-old student a picture of his genitalia and asking her to send him an explicit photo, Berks County authorities announced on Thursday, Feb. 27. Brenden D. Lindsey, 30, of Reading, was arrested after a child abuse referral to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office sparked an investigation into his alleged misconduct at Central Middle School, prosecutors said. Detectives determined that in January, Lindsey displayed an explicit image on his phone to a student during a private meeting in his office and requested she send him a p…
Registered Sex Offender In PA Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook: DA Registered Sex Offender In PA Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook: DA
Registered Sex Offender In PA Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook: DA A convicted sex offender in Berks County was busted with hundreds of child pornography files, including images and videos he shared on Facebook, authorities announced on Thursday, Feb. 27. Daniel R. Kromer, 60, of Reading, was already a lifetime registered sex offender in Pennsylvania when investigators uncovered his online activity, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office said. Kromer’s criminal history includes convictions for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault, both in December 1999. The charges stemmed from incidents on January 1, 1994, and April 15, 1999, r…
PA Parents Identified In Murder-Suicide That Left Infant Injured PA Parents Identified In Murder-Suicide That Left Infant Injured
PA Parents Identified In Murder-Suicide That Left Infant Injured A man and woman killed in an apparent murder-suicide that left their infant critically injured in Reading have been identified by their families. Jesus Peñaloza Cruz shot Selena Zavala-Hernandes, their two-month-old child, and himself inside a home on the 1200 block of Locust Street, according to authorities. Police responded to the residence on Monday, Feb. 16, after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots. The child was rushed to a Philadelphia hospital and remains in stable but critical condition. Loved ones have launched GoFundMe campaigns to assist with funeral expenses and to transport …
Big Bucks: $1M Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At PA Business Big Bucks: $1M Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At PA Business
Big Bucks: $1M Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At PA Business Someone in Pennsylvania just hit the jackpot—literally! A Jumbo Bucks scratch-Off ticket worth $1 million was sold at an unexpected spot: Berks Beer Distributing Co. in Reading. The lucky ticket was purchased at the distributor, located at 211 South 9th St., Reading, where the celebration is surely brewing. As a bonus for selling the million-dollar winner, Berks Beer will receive a $5,000 reward. Jumbo Bucks is a $10 game that features a top prize of $1 million, proving once again that dreams (and dollars) could just be a scratch away. Scratch-Off prizes expire one year from the game’s…
'Shark Tank' Looking For Next Big Investment In Philly: Here's How You Can Pitch 'Shark Tank' Looking For Next Big Investment In Philly: Here's How You Can Pitch
'Shark Tank' Looking For Next Big Investment In Philly: Here's How You Can Pitch Innovators, it’s time to sink or swim with the Sharks in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia. The hit ABC television show "Shark Tank" will hold an open casting call in Philly on Friday, Apr. 11. The Emmy-winning program will host it at The Event Center at Rivers Philadelphia, in partnership with Philly's ABC affiliate WPVI-TV. This will be the first "Shark Tank" casting call in the city since 2017. "We’re eager to return to Philly after so many years to see how the entrepreneur community has grown," said Mindy Zemrak, the supervising casting producer since the show debuted in 2…
Next Of Kin Sought For Edwin Pacheco, 48, Found Dead In Reading: Coroner Next Of Kin Sought For Edwin Pacheco, 48, Found Dead In Reading: Coroner
Next Of Kin Sought For Edwin Pacheco, 48, Found Dead In Reading: Coroner The Berks County Coroner’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a man's next of kin. Edwin D. Pacheco, 48, was found dead in Reading. His body was discovered on Tuesday, Feb. 18, officials said. His last known address was on the 400 block of S. 5th Street in the city. Anyone with information about his family is urged to contact the Berks County Coroner’s Office at 610-478-3280.
Explicit Video Shown To Students, Threatened Teen By Pennsylvania Paraprofessional: DA Explicit Video Shown To Students, Threatened Teen By Pennsylvania Paraprofessional: DA
Explicit Video Shown To Students, Threatened Teen By Pennsylvania Paraprofessional: DA A Reading School District employee showed sexually explicit material to middle school students, inappropriately touched a 13-year-old boy, and threatened another teen, the Berks County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Stephanie Quintero-Ochoa, 19, of Reading, was charged with unlawful contact with a minor, indecent exposure, dissemination of explicit sexual material via electronic communication, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children. The investigation began in December 2024 after multiple ChildLine reports alleged that Quintero-Ochoa was en…
PA Dad Used Pen Camera To Record Victims In Bathroom, Sexually Abused Boys: Affidavit PA Dad Used Pen Camera To Record Victims In Bathroom, Sexually Abused Boys: Affidavit
PA Dad Used Pen Camera To Record Victims In Bathroom, Sexually Abused Boys: Affidavit A Harrisburg dad is accused of sexually abusing two boys and secretly recording videos of them and another family member using a hidden pen camera, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Kemish A. Soto-Munet, 29, was charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, sexual abuse of children, invasion of privacy, and corruption of minors, according to investigators. **WARNING THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ARE DISTURBING** The investigation began on Sunday, July 28, 2024, with a Childline referral alle…
Jehovah's Witness Sexually Abused Family Member Under 7 Years Old: PA AG (UPDATE) Jehovah's Witness Sexually Abused Family Member Under 7 Years Old: PA AG (UPDATE)
Jehovah's Witness Sexually Abused Family Member Under 7 Years Old: PA AG (Update) A former Jehovah’s Witness from Butler County has been convicted of sexually assaulting a young family member over several years, beginning when the victim was just seven, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Friday, Jan. 17. Shaun Sheffer, 45, was found guilty this week of multiple charges, including rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and corruption of minors, according to the AG's Office. The assaults took place between 1995 and 2000, during which Sheffer had a close relationship with the victim. Authorities said the abuse began wh…
Toddler Killed; Mom And Suspected Drunk Driver Hospitalized: PA State Police Toddler Killed; Mom And Suspected Drunk Driver Hospitalized: PA State Police
Toddler Killed; Mom And Suspected Drunk Driver Hospitalized: PA State Police A toddler was killed and two adults were hospitalized after a DUI crash on Bernville Road (Route 183) in Penn Township, Berks County, early Friday morning, Jan. 3, Pennsylvania State Police said. The crash happened in the northbound lane of the 5900 block of Bernville Road, at 4:59 a.m. on, PA State PoliceReading detailed in a release. A 2017 GMC Savanadriven by 55-year-old Bernard Scherr,  was heading south when he crossed the double yellow line and struck a 2008 Ford Edge head-on, PSP Trooper Joseph Guiliano explained. Scherr's vehicle caught fire after the collision. He had been …
Unique New Year’s Eve Drops And Celebrations Across Pennsylvania: Ring In 2025 Unique New Year’s Eve Drops And Celebrations Across Pennsylvania: Ring In 2025
Unique New Year’s Eve Drops And Celebrations Across Pennsylvania: Ring In 2025 Pennsylvania communities are ready to ring in 2025 with quirky traditions, family-friendly fun, and exciting celebrations—from dropping bologna to raising a Hershey’s Kiss. Here’s a roundup of free and public events happening across the region to welcome the New Year. Adams County Gettysburg Gettysburg started a new tradition a few years back: the raising of Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat to count down to midnight in Lincoln Square. The event, "From Times Square to Gettysburg Square," starts at 4 p.m. with family-friendly activities, including a holiday movie, face painting, balloon animals…
These 64 PA Big Lots Stores Are Among Nearly 1,000 Closing Nationwide: Here's When These 64 PA Big Lots Stores Are Among Nearly 1,000 Closing Nationwide: Here's When
These 64 PA Big Lots Stores Are Among Nearly 1,000 Closing Nationwide: Here's When Big Lots, the popular discount retailer, is officially going out of business. The company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September, has announced plans to close all 963 of its remaining stores nationwide, including the remaining 64 locations in Pennsylvania. Big Lots had 73 stores located in the Keystone State when they declared bankruptcy over the summer. More than 6% of all Big Lots were located in the commonwealth, with the most stores located in Texas.  The last day of business is expected to be in mid-February, according to sources familiar with the closures. While offi…
Next Of Kin Sought For Wyomissing Man Found Dead: Coroner's Office Next Of Kin Sought For Wyomissing Man Found Dead: Coroner's Office
Next Of Kin Sought For Wyomissing Man Found Dead: Coroner's Office The next of kin for an 81-year-old man is being sought by the Berk's County Coroner's office , according to a release on Wednesday, Nov. 27.  The 81-year-old Terrence P. Grady was found dead at his home located at 1743 Reading Boulevard, Wyomissing, PA 19610 on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, according to the coroner. Officials say he may have also lived at 1300 Lancaster Avenue, Reading, PA 19607. Anyone with information about Grady's family is urged to contact the Berks County Coroner's Office at 610-478-3280.
CEO Charged With DUI After Stop On Route 222: Police CEO Charged With DUI After Stop On Route 222: Police
CEO Charged With DUI After Stop On Route 222: Police The CEO of Optimum Controls Corporation has been charged with driving under the influence after a traffic stop in Lancaster County, police announced on Saturday, Nov. 23. Michael Galiyano, 76, of Sinking Spring, was pulled over near mile marker 47 on Route 222 North in Denver at approximately 9:38 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, according to East Cocalico Township Police. Officers reported that Galiyano appeared impaired, and a breath test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .187%, more than double the legal limit of .08%. Galiyano leads Optimum Controls Corporation, a Reading-based company t…
Grammy 2025: Taylor Swift, Post Malone Among Nominees With Pennsylvania Connections Grammy 2025: Taylor Swift, Post Malone Among Nominees With Pennsylvania Connections
Grammy 2025: Taylor Swift, Post Malone Among Nominees With Pennsylvania Connections Several artists with ties to Pennsylvania are among the nominees for the 2025 Grammy Awards, announced today, showcasing the state's powerful influence on the music industry. From hometown pop icons like Taylor Swift to collaborations that span genres, Pennsylvania's imprint is undeniable in this year's top categories. The 2025 Grammy nominations, announced Friday, Nov. 8, feature several artists with connections to Pennsylvania. Notably: Taylor Swift, 34: Born in Reading and raised in Wyomissing, Swift has secured multiple nominations, including Album of the Year for "The Tortured Poets D…
All Eyes on Governor Shapiro for Essential ID/A Funding All Eyes on Governor Shapiro for Essential ID/A Funding
All Eyes on Governor Shapiro for Essential ID/A Funding As the dust settles from the 2024 election, Pennsylvania’s leaders must now prepare for the 2025 Legislative Session and the forthcoming Fiscal Year 24/25 budget debate, as families, caregivers, and individuals in the Intellectual Disabilities and Autism (ID/A) community look to Governor Josh Shapiro to champion crucial funding needs. Last year’s budget delivered a historic funding boost for ID/A services, reflecting Governor Shapiro’s deep commitment to this essential community. However, the final enacted budget fell $93 million short of the Governor’s proposed funding—a shortfall that cont…
First Lady Jill Biden Making Several Stops In PA For Harris Campaign First Lady Jill Biden Making Several Stops In PA For Harris Campaign
First Lady Jill Biden Making Several Stops In PA For Harris Campaign First Lady Jill Biden will be making several campaign stops in Pennsylvania to support Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday, Nov. 3. The First Lady will be stopping in Bethlehem, King of Prussia, and Harrisburg to "encourage Pennsylvanians to make a plan to vote at iwillvote.com/PA," a news release states. Her first campaign stop will be in Bethlehem at 11 a.m. followed by the King of Prussia event at 1 p.m., according to the news release. The Harrisburg stop is scheduled for 3 p.m.  The exact locations where each event will be held was not released at press time. At around th…
Harris, Trump To Hold Dueling Campaign Events In PA On Eve Of Election Day Harris, Trump To Hold Dueling Campaign Events In PA On Eve Of Election Day
Harris, Trump To Hold Dueling Campaign Events In PA On Eve Of Election Day Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are holding dueling campaign events across Pennsylvania on Monday, Nov. 4. The two presidential candidates will be making stops all over the Keystone State on the eve of Election Day, including Allentown, Reading, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. The former president is also expected in Lititz on Sunday morning.  The Harris-Walz Campaign The Harris Campaign is scheduled for a stop in Allentown sometime in the early afternoon, according to a news release. Exact details on the location were not released as of press time. Harris …
PA Mom Who Googled 'Methods Of Killing' Same Day She Hanged Her Kids Gets 2 Life Sentences PA Mom Who Googled 'Methods Of Killing' Same Day She Hanged Her Kids Gets 2 Life Sentences
PA Mom Who Googled 'Methods Of Killing' Same Day She Hanged Her Kids Gets 2 Life Sentences A Reading mom who Googled "methods of killing" before hanging her two children in her basement has been sentenced to life in prison, the Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams announced on Thursday, Oct. 17.  Lisa Snyder, 41, was found guilty of the following on Tuesday, Sept. 24; 2 counts of First-Degree Murder, 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of Children, and Tampering with Evidence, the Berks County DA explained in the release. The charges stem from an investigation into the Sept. 2019 death of her 8-year-old son, 4-year-old daughter, and the family…
Sword-Wielding Drug Dealer Convicted PA Murder: DA Sword-Wielding Drug Dealer Convicted PA Murder: DA
Sword-Wielding Drug Dealer Convicted PA Murder: DA A convicted drug dealer is back behind bars again, this time for murdering a man with a sword, the Berks County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, Oct. 10. William Smoot, 50, Exeter Township, was convicted of First-Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder for stabbing DelCollo multiple times with a sword on Thursday, Oct. 10, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office. Smoot has been held in the Berks County Prison while awaiting sentencing, the district attorney's office said. A sentencing date was not available at the time of publication. Smoot's accompl…
Body Cam Footage Of PA Dad Shot Dead By Police Appears To Contradict DA Body Cam Footage Of PA Dad Shot Dead By Police Appears To Contradict DA
Body Cam Footage Of PA Dad Shot Dead By Police Appears To Contradict DA Graphic body camera footage showing police shooting a Reading father of six dead has been released, and it appears to contradict the DA and police statements.  The family of 50-year-old Damon Scott Stern Sr., also known as DJ Nomad, along with their attorney held a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 19. During the conference they shared videos from the body cameras worn by the two officers called to Stern's home in the 400 block of Windsor Street, Reading at 3:37 a.m. on Monday, March 25. The Air Force Veteran was having suicidal thoughts and was holding a knife, according t…
Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA
Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA A 32-year-old man from Berks County has been arrested in connection with the rape of two girls at a home in Reading, one when she was 11 years old, authorities said on Friday, Sept. 6. Janson G. Paz-Ochoa of Shillington was charged with rape, rape of a child, and multiple other offenses, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office. He was arrested on Aug. 27 and is due to reappear in court on Sept. 13, court records show. Berks County District Attorney’s detectives received a childline referral on April 12 from the state Department of Human Services which reported that a&n…
PA Dad ID'd After Fatal Motorcycle Crash On I-81: State Police PA Dad ID'd After Fatal Motorcycle Crash On I-81: State Police
PA Dad ID'd After Fatal Motorcycle Crash On I-81: State Police The motorcyclist killed in a crash on Interstate 81 was identified by the Pennsylvania State Police and his family on Monday, Sept. 2. Glen "Jose" Leon Veliz, 38, of Reading, died at the scene of the crash near mile mark 82 on Interstate 81 South in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County at 5:16 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 31, PSP Jonestown Trooper Jordan Seiler detailed in the release. Traffic was detoured at exit 85 in South Hanover Township, reopening around 9:19 p.m., according to a statement by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesperson Fritzi Schreffler and as Daily Voice previ…
The Top 5 Best Places To Retire Are All In Pennsylvania: Study The Top 5 Best Places To Retire Are All In Pennsylvania: Study
The Top 5 Best Places To Retire Are All In Pennsylvania: Study A new study ranking the best cities to retire has Pennsylvania taking six of the best 10 locales, including all five of the top 5.  Harrisburg is the best place in the country to spend your twilight years, according to US News & World Report. Reading, Lancaster, Scranton, and Allentown ranked second through fifth in the study respectively. Pittsburgh finished 10th, with Philadelphia coming in at 13th.  Researchers used a formula that examined the cost of living, happiness, quality of health care, taxes, and desirability of 150 cities across the country to create the list. They…
Teen Struck Dead By Train Crash Into Car: Berks County Coroner Teen Struck Dead By Train Crash Into Car: Berks County Coroner
Teen Struck Dead By Train Crash Into Car: Berks County Coroner Services are on Saturday, Aug. 10 for a 19-year-old man killed when the car he was riding in was struck by a train in Berks County. Meanwhile, family members are raising money for funeral expenses for Jazavier Phelps-Hines, of Reading. Phelps-Hines died on Saturday, Aug. 3 at about 3:40 p.m. when his car was struck by a train in Tilden Township, according to the Berks County Coroner's Office. "We are heartbroken to share that Jazavier Phelps has passed away unexpectedly in a tragic accident," a relative wrote on this GoFundMe page. "He was a beloved son, grandson, nephew and friend. T…
Uncle, Grandparents Locked 6-Year-Old With Dirty Diaper In Room For Days Before Death: Berks DA Uncle, Grandparents Locked 6-Year-Old With Dirty Diaper In Room For Days Before Death: Berks DA
Uncle, Grandparents Locked 6-Year-Old With Dirty Diaper In Room For Days Before Death: Berks DA Authorities in Berks County have charged the grandparents and uncle of a 6-year-old girl who died of dehydration earlier in May, they announced Monday, Aug. 5. The victim was in the care of her grandmother, Jazmine A. Rodriguez, her grandfather, Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., and her uncle, Manuel Rodriguez, Jr., in Reading when she died of dehydration and prolonged exposure to high ambient temperature due to child neglect on May 28, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said. All three were charged with Criminal Homicide, Unlawful Restraint/Serious Bodily Injury, Fa…
Felon From NJ Charged With Child Rape In Lebanon, PA: Affidavit Felon From NJ Charged With Child Rape In Lebanon, PA: Affidavit
Felon From NJ Charged With Child Rape In Lebanon, PA: Affidavit A New Jersey man with a felony criminal record in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey has been arrested on child rape charges police announced on Thursday, Aug. 1.  Jose Enrique "Enrico" Rivas, 47 of Newark, NJ, was arrested in New Jersey on a warrant issued by Lebanon City Police on Wednesday, July 31, as detailed in the police release. Rivas will be extradited to Lebanon, PA, the police explained.  A 13-year-old girl's guardian made the ChildLine call after the girl told them "I woke to his fingers in me and then he put his pp in me" and "I was just raped and he is still upstairs,…
Teen Who Escaped Detention Center Caught In Stolen Car In Levittown: PSP Teen Who Escaped Detention Center Caught In Stolen Car In Levittown: PSP
Teen Who Escaped Detention Center Caught In Stolen Car In Levittown: PSP The 16-year-old who climbed a fence at Berks County detention center over the weekend has been arrested, state police said Thursday, July 11. Dustin Lomas was taken into custody in Falls Township on Wednesday evening, July 10, troopers said. He was allegedly "an occupant" in a stolen car. Police said they took him to the Bucks County Youth Center. Lomas and 18-year-old Tyler Luntz escaped from Abraxas Academy in Morgantown on Saturday, July 6, troopers said previously. Luntz was arrested on Monday night, July 8 at a carnival in Tullytown where police said he was trying to blend in with …
PA Jehovah's Witness Member Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Girl While She Slept: AG PA Jehovah's Witness Member Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Girl While She Slept: AG
PA Jehovah's Witness Member Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Girl While She Slept: AG A 56-year-old Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to prison for sexual assault of a girl that began more than 20 years ago, officials said. Luis Manuel Ayala-Velasquez, 56, of Reading, was arrested last year after a grand jury investigation where sexual assault charges were recommended against more than a dozen members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, Attorney General Michelle Henry said. Ayala-Velasquez will serve 14 to 46 years in prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to five felony counts, including rape of an unconscious person, Henry said. He was sentenced Wednesday…