Wyomissing Family Wins $50,000 On ABC’s ‘Great Christmas Light Fight’

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tim and Katie Macrina of Wyomissing can finally mail their Christmas cards.

The ABC-TV crew came to their door weeks ago to let them know they’d won $50,000 on the network’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” a five-episode series. In each episode, four families battle to create the best Christmas lights display for a prize of $50,000.

The Macrinas couldn’t leave the news off their Christmas cards, but were sworn to secrecy until the show aired Monday night.

“Tim sent them out today,” Katie, 35, said Monday night.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20131224/NEWS/312249910#.UrmwSvRDsxI

Former Gov. Mifflin Swim Coach, Exeter Teacher Guilty Of Molesting 4 Female Students

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Wyomissing man who formerly taught and coached in two Berks County school districts pleaded guilty Wednesday to molesting four female students between 2003 and 2011.

Jonathan D. Bell, 31, faces a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison followed by 10 years of probation under a plea agreement.

Bell is a suspended art teacher at Exeter Senior High School. He was fired from his position as the water polo and swim coach at Gov. Mifflin School District.

Berks County President Judge Paul M. Yatron ordered the state Sexual Offender Assessment Board to conduct an evaluation before Bell’s sentence is imposed to determine if he is a sexually violent predator.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20131218/NEWS/312199965/1052#.UrJo-fRDsxI

Japanese Manufacturer Moving North American Headquarters To Wyomissing

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Japanese manufacturer is moving its North American headquarters to Wyomissing.

Seibu Giken Co. Ltd.’s North American operation, SG America Inc., Owatonna, Minn., is relocating to 220 N. Park Road and initially creating 15 to 20 skilled jobs in production, logistics, assembly and engineering.

The operations in Owatonna will close.

“Relocating to the greater Reading region from Owatonna was a strategic decision for SG America,” said Ray Suhocki, general manager, North American operations.  “The Mid-Atlantic location provides access to a larger labor pool and allows us to take advantage of greater Reading’s lower cost of doing business.”

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=505234

Wyomissing Wins State AA Football Championship

Wyomissing defeated Aliquippa 17-14 to win the PIAA Class AA football championship today at Hershey.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=436335

Related story –   Spartan pride swells for state title game:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=436220

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thousands Without Power In Berks County

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Met-Ed spokesman R. Scott Surgeoner said utility crews from as far away as Michigan were fanning out this morning across Berks County assessing the damage from the remnants of Tropical Storm Sandy.

By 9:15, Met-Ed reported more than 67,000 customers were without power, including more than 8,800 in Reading; nearly 5,800 in Exeter Township; and more than 4,000 in Cumru Township.  PPL Electric Utilities reported about 4,000 outages, of which about half were in Wyomissing.

In order to get a jump on storm damage, Met-Ed had crews out Monday night and early today during the height of the high winds and sometimes heavy rains.

“Once the winds reach 40 mph we can’t have anyone in a bucket up in the air,” Surgeoner said.

“We still had crews out doing ground work.”

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=424274

West Reading Committee Weighs Police Options

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A committee formed by West Reading officials last month is looking into the possibility of consolidating the borough’s police force.

James Gallen Jr., a borough councilman and committee member, said the committee – rounded out by Council President Kevin M. Conrad, Councilwoman Elizabeth Heckler and Mayor Shane J. Keller – will enter into discussions with neighboring municipalities and the state police regarding the future of West Reading’s troubled police department.

“We’re exploring consolidation as a cost-saving measure,” Gallen said, adding that Wyomissing would be “a natural fit.”

The talks will extend to other nearby departments, which could include Shillington, and Cumru and Spring townships, he added.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=420092

New Signs To Point Way To Reading’s Penn Corridor Attractions

Finding attractions along Penn Avenue and Penn Street will soon be a bit easier.

Representatives from the Penn Corridor Initiative on Tuesday shared with City Council plans to install way-finding signs along the corridor, pointing people in the direction of spots like the Reading Public Museum, Reading Hospital and the Sovereign Center.

“A lot of people coming into the city see the Miller Center right there and say ‘How do I get there?’ ” said John Weidenhammer, chairman of the initiative.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=412888

Many Wilson Students Will Go To Different Buildings

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When classes resume Monday in Wilson School District, many students will find themselves in new surroundings.

Students at the now-closed Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing elementary schools will move to other buildings.

In addition, a redistricting effort impacts students at two more elementary schools and both middle schools.

To ease the transition for about 600 students, Wilson has scheduled open houses, tours, orientations and demo bus rides.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=411361

Bachman Selling Its Snack Brands To Utz

Wyomissing-based snack maker Bachman Co. announced Saturday that it has sold its brands and certain assets to Utz Quality Foods Inc., Hanover, York County.

Brands such as Bachman, Jax, Thin’n Right and Chipitos, distribution rights to the brands and an Ephrata plant are part of the sale.

No purchase price was disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the next 30 days, according to a statement from Utz.

Scott Carpenter, Bachman president, said the company will change its name to Savor Street Foods Inc. and retain its Hyde Park plant.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=411372

Community’s Generosity Helps Ease Crunch At City School

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  The “feel good” story for today 🙂

Facing a districtwide budget crunch and the melding of two schools into one, teachers at Millmont Elementary School are likely feeling the crunch trying to get ready for the upcoming school year.

But thanks to the generosity of a handful of local businesses, things should be a little easier come opening day.

Merra Lee Moffitt, senior partner at Good Life Financial Group in Wyomissing, led a campaign to collect and donate school supplies to the teachers at Millmont.

“We like being involved in the community and giving back,” she said.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=410378

Wyomissing Seeking Borough Manager

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wyomissing is in the market for a borough manager following the unexpected departure of Kevin R. Tobias after nearly six years at the helm.

Tobias recently submitted a resignation letter, and his final day as manager was June 13.

“It was to pursue other interests. That’s about all I can tell you,” Councilman Thomas M. Moll said of the reason for Tobias’ resignation.

Tobias could not be reached for comment.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=395377

Wyomissing School Board Accepts Krem’s Retirement

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  That didn’t take long!!!!!!!

The Wyomissing School Board has accepted the resignation of Superintendent David P. Krem and hired his successor.

Krem submitted his resignation for the purpose of retirement Monday night. His final day with the district will be June 29.

Krem will be replaced by Julia R. Vicente, the district’s assistant superintendent/ director of elementary and secondary education.

The magnitude of the moves was belied by the mechanism, a board vote to approve a personnel report that spelled out the administrative changes.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=386236

Wyomissing To Replace Red Oak Trees

Editor’s note:  Now this is a well thought out street tree philosophy.  Imagine the idea that trees have a “life-cycle” and need to be replaced at a certain point.  Wyomissing also employs two certified arborists to maintain their trees!

 

Driving through Wyomissing, one immediately notices the tall, sturdy trees that line the streets, providing shade and suburban character.

But Jim Babb, borough public works and property manager, wants to make it clear that some of these octogenarian red oak trees are nearing the end of their long lives.

Soon, they will have to be replaced by baby red oaks that will take decades to reach the height attained by the current trees.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=367538

Crossover Country Cutie Taylor Swift Breaks Record

19 year old Taylor Swift (born in Wyomissing) now has the longest charting album of the CENTURY with her 2006 self-titled ablum Taylor Swift.  The album is in week 157 on the Billboard top 200!

Interesting fact I found on the internet.   Thought I would share since she hails from the Reading area.

Hint: Jon and Kate…this is how you go about actually having a career…pay attention!