Good morning to everyone except those who don’t enjoy the taste of a fresh slice of watermelon!

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Santander Performing Arts Center to Host Blues Traveler's Fall Tour in October

Ticket go on sale Friday June 9th at 10 AM EDT

The upcoming "Blues Traveler Fall 2023 Tour" is set to grace the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading, with its presence on October 25th. Enthusiasts can secure their spots starting this Friday at 10 a.m. by purchasing tickets at https://bluestraveler.com/tour/.

Audiences can anticipate a melodious journey through Blues Traveler's extensive discography, reaching back over three decades. The setlist will incorporate chart-dominating singles like "Hook" and "But Anyway", as well as fresh interpretations of cherished classic blues tracks. These revamped classics, originally by acclaimed artists like Aretha Franklin, Freddie King, Big Mama Thornton, and Little Willie John, feature on Blues Traveler's latest Grammy-nominated album, "Travelers Blue's".

Joining them on this musical voyage as a special guest will be Americana singer-songwriter and producer Jono Manson.

It's been 36 years since the original quartet of Blues Traveler - John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and the late Bobby Sheehan - first convened in their drummer’s parent’s basement in Princeton, New Jersey, for a jam session. What emerged from these humble beginnings was a band with an impressive repertoire of 14 studio albums, four gold, three platinum, and one six-times platinum, resulting in over 10 million global sales.

Boasting a prolific career, Blues Traveler has showcased their talents in more than 2,000 live concerts, captivating over 30 million spectators. They made history with "Run-Around", which held the record for the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, and won them a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

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DA Dismisses Charge After Video Review of Street Preacher's Arrest at Reading Pride Event Sparks First Amendment Controversy

A preacher named Damon Atkins was arrested for protesting during a Pride Month rally in Reading, Pennsylvania. The incident, which took place on June 3, gained attention when a video of it was shared on YouTube. In the video, Atkins can be seen holding a sign that says "Jesus said go and sin no more" while quoting Bible verses. Despite warnings from law enforcement officers not to disrupt the event, Atkins refused to stop preaching, claiming he was on public property. Sgt. Bradley McClure then arrested Atkins, charging him with disorderly conduct for "yelling derogatory comments to people at the event."

The Berks County District Attorney's Office later dismissed the charge after viewing the footage. Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, was relieved at the decision, stating Atkins should never have been arrested and criticizing the police for violating the First Amendment. Steinbaugh also challenged the assertion that Atkins's "volume" constituted "unreasonable noise", and suggested the police were more concerned with preventing potentially offensive speech than with noise levels.

West Pottsgrove Man Sentenced for Child Pornograpghy

James Lucas Hinz, a 21-year-old man from West Pottsgrove, has been sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in jail

James Lucas Hinz, a 21-year-old man from West Pottsgrove, has been sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in jail after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges of possessing child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility. The charges relate to incidents that took place between December 2020 and February 2021. Judge Thomas P. Rogers, while acknowledging the "horrendous" gravity of the offenses, also ordered Hinz to complete three years of probation following parole and refrain from contacting minors.

Furthermore, Hinz's internet usage will be monitored and restricted by probation officials during his parole and probation periods. Hinz will also be required to register his address with state police for 15 years as part of Pennsylvania's Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The investigation into Hinz began in February 2021 following a tip from Tumblr to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about potential child pornography. This led to detectives tracing the user’s internet address to Hinz's account and the discovery of several images of preteen girls who were nude or in various stages of undress.

Hinz, who had participated in over a year of inpatient treatment and is continuing with outpatient treatment and counseling, acknowledged his wrongdoings in court. His defense lawyer Nicholas Reifsnyder had sought a probationary sentence, pointing out Hinz's commitment to improving himself and taking responsibility for his actions.

However, Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Glenning argued for a jail sentence, stressing that the crimes were not victimless and each viewing of a child pornographic image or video re-victimizes the child involved.

$300,000 Gift to Reading Area Community College Boosts Nursing Program Scholarships

Neag Foundation's Contribution Set to Fund Full Scholarships for the Next Two Years.

The Neag Foundation has donated $300,000 to the Reading Area Community College (RACC) to fund full scholarships for students in its nursing and practical nursing programs over the next two years.

This investment aims to support the training of new nurses, a profession that remains the largest in the health care sector.

The foundation's donation is a continuation of the legacy of Carole Neag, a former nurse and advocate for the nursing community. Dr. Susan Looney, RACC President, highlighted that this contribution would immediately benefit prepared nursing students entering the regional healthcare workforce.

Business

New Online Tool by Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Links Consumers with Local Farmers

A fresh online tool has been developed to link consumers with local farmers, cultivators, and other agri-businesses in Berks County.

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance has rolled out an interactive food directory and map at www.growtogetherberks.com, in collaboration with the county. This initiative aims to empower consumers with the knowledge needed to back local farmers and enables sourcing of food within their local vicinity, as per the official announcement.

"Berks County is privileged to have agriculture as a key propellant of our economy. Now, residents will have the opportunity to further support local businesses by purchasing items sourced locally, identified via the directory map," stated Deb Millman, GRCA's Vice President of Development.

The directory at www.growtogetherberks.com/directory offers two ways for visitors to search. Users can pinpoint agri-business locations using the map, which also provides a directory that, as of June 6, features 158 agri-businesses in Berks. On the map's left-hand side, consumers can utilize filters to identify exactly what they're seeking, sorting by product type (like honey, dairy, eggs, fruits, vegetables), business type, available products, and accepted payment methods.

Emily Wangolo, the Executive Director of the County Department of Agriculture, expressed her pleasure at collaborating with GRCA to offer these beneficial tools to Berks County. She highlighted that these tools would not only reinforce the local agri-business economy but also bolster community ties as residents connect with those producing their food and products.

Agri-businesses not yet on the map can visit the link to complete a form and get featured.

Besides the map, the site also provides an events calendar tailored for agri-related events, like fairs, festivals, baby goat yoga, and food preservation workshops. Visitors can browse and add their own events to the list by visiting www.growtogetherberks.com/events/community/add.

The website also hosts a "For Farmers" section, loaded with resources to aid farmers in directly marketing their products in Berks. The covered topics range from social media, business promotion, support, and financing for direct marketing.

Pottstown PA Weather

Events

Upcoming Local Events

• Retreat with the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy - June 10th - 9:30-3:13 PM EDT National Centre for Padre Pio, 111 Barto Rd, Barto PA

• 2023 Taste of Kutztown Wine & Beer Festival - June 10th 11:30-5:30 PM EDT Kutztown Community Park, 439 E. Main Street, Kutztown PA

• Girls Mountain Biking Day Camp - June 10th 9 AM-2 PM EDT, Warwick County Park, 191 County Park Road, Pottstown PA

• First Time Home Buyers Event - June 15th - 6PM EDT J.J. Ratigan Brewing Company 227 East High Street, Pottstown PAGot an upcoming event you want us to share?

Click Here to Let us Know About Your Upcoming Event

Sports

PHILLIES

Wheeler and Clemens Propel Phillies to 3-2 Victory Over Tigers for Fifth Consecutive Win

Zack Wheeler carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, with Kody Clemens delivering a decisive single that saw the Philadelphia Phillies come from behind to clinch a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night. This marks the Phillies' fifth consecutive win.

Brandon Marsh leveled the score in the ninth with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly for the Phillies, who are the current NL champions, boasting a 30-32 record.

Wheeler praised his team's tenacity, saying, "These guys never quit."

The Tigers, currently on a losing streak with six consecutive losses and eight in their last nine, saw Tyler Nevin break Wheeler’s no-hit attempt with a single in the eighth. The tide of the game turned in the ninth with Nick Maton's leading single following Nevin's disruption.

Bryce Harper kicked off the bottom of the ninth with a double against Alex Lange (3-2). After J.T. Realmuto struck out and Bryson Stott loaded the bases with an infield single, Marsh equalized the game with a hit to the deep left field. It was Clemens' 96 mph sinker to the right that sealed the game by scoring Turner from the second base.

Speaking about the game-winning hit, Clemens said, "It was amazing. Got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it."

Clemens’ father, baseball legend and seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, was seen watching the game from the stands. Following the win, he tweeted a congratulatory message with a flex and fire emoji.

The game had originally been scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed due to poor air quality from smoke arising from wildfires in Canada. Thankfully, conditions improved in Philadelphia, with the smoky odor clearing and the sky brightening as the game progressed.

Despite a throwing error from Josh Harrison that led to the breaking of his no-hitter, Wheeler's performance was lauded, striking out eight, walking one, and hitting one over 108 pitches. Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed admiration for Wheeler's efficiency, stating that he would have allowed up to 120 pitches had the no-hit bid remained unbroken.

The Tigers managed to level the score at 1-1 with Zack Short's bunt single off reliever Seranthony Dominguez. Short said of their loss, "Hurts all around. Just got to figure something out one way or another."

The Philadelphia Phillies wrap up their six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Dodgers, kicking off on Friday night. Phillies' left-handed pitcher, Ranger Suárez (1-2, with an ERA of 5.47) is set to face off against the Dodgers' right-handed pitcher, Michael Grove (0-2, with an ERA of 8.14).

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