Oley Valley Community Fair This Weekend

Issue #105

Author

Drew Griffin
21 Sep

In this Pottstown Local Scoop Issue…

🌤️ Pottstown PA Weather

 🥧 Oley Valley Community Fair Begins with Pumpkin Weigh-Off; Main Event to Follow This Weekend

 ⚙️ New State-of-the-Art Welding Facility at RMCTC Set to Forge Future Skilled Metal Workers and Boost Local Economy

🏛️ City Council Urged to Temporarily Close Pagoda Area Amid Safety Concerns and Escalating Repair Costs

 ⚖️ Philadelphia Man Convicted for Violent Metal Pipe Assault in Pottstown; Faces Up to 22 Years in Prison

⚾️ Castellanos' Heroic Catch and Double Homer Lead Phillies to Nail-Biting Victory Over Braves

⚽️ Union Clinches Playoff Berth with Dramatic Comeback in 2-2 Draw Against Charlotte

🏛️ Support Pottstown Local Businesses

 

Upcoming Local Events

Got an upcoming event you want us to share?

Pottstown PA Weather
Pottstown PA Weather September 21st, 2023

Oley Valley Community Fair Begins with Pumpkin Weigh-Off Tonight; Main Event to Follow This Weekend

The Oley Valley Community Fair is set to kick off this Friday, but festivities commence earlier with a pumpkin patch weigh-off.

The event, which is open to everyone, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Oley Fire Company Fairgrounds located on Jefferson Street. The main event of the fair, starting on Friday and extending through Saturday, promises a variety of attractions including food stalls, rides, and assorted activities for attendees to enjoy.

New State-of-the-Art Welding Facility at RMCTC Set to Forge Future Skilled Metal Workers and Boost Local Economy

The Reading-Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center (RMCTC) has inaugurated a new welding and metal fabrication facility aimed at training skilled metal workers to meet the demands of local manufacturers.

The facility, which features 25 advanced welding stations and can train 50 students in split sessions daily, was unveiled in a ceremony attended by local dignitaries and industry representatives.

Students who enroll in the three-year program, typically starting in the 10th grade, can earn a certification from the American Welding Society, with prospects of securing apprenticeships and full-time employment by their senior year.

The $5.6 million project, funded by the Reading and Muhlenberg school districts, also includes a precision-machine workshop in the main building where students learn to operate high-tech industrial machines. The initiative is seen as a significant step in fostering economic growth in the greater Reading area.

City Council Urged to Temporarily Close Pagoda Area Amid Safety Concerns and Escalating Repair Costs

The Foundation for Reading's Pagoda, represented by its vice president Jose Miranda, has urged the closure of the area surrounding the historic Pagoda until safety and maintenance issues are addressed.

During a recent City Council meeting, Miranda highlighted ongoing problems such as car racing, loud music, and other illegal activities that pose safety concerns in the area. These issues have persisted despite previous attempts by the city to curb them, including the installation of warning signs and gating the parking area at dusk.

The foundation noted a significant deterioration in the condition of the Pagoda and its surroundings over the years. The necessary repairs and safety upgrades to the 115-year-old building are estimated to cost around $3 million, with an additional $7.55 million required for the surrounding infrastructure. The interior of the Pagoda has been closed to the public since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the external area remains open, which is a cause for concern due to the crumbling infrastructure and potential safety hazards.

Miranda suggested that the city could use the closure period to undertake necessary repairs and safety upgrades, working in collaboration with the foundation to ensure public safety. He emphasized the need for a well-planned approach to address the issue effectively, possibly involving road closures, which might have legal implications. The Mount Penn Preserve Partnership, comprising officials from various local governments, has also initiated a study to explore the feasibility of nighttime road closures to prevent illegal gatherings and enhance safety in the area.

The foundation aims to restore the Pagoda, a historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to a safe condition for public education and enjoyment. Miranda expressed a collective desire to transform the Pagoda into a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.

LOCAL CRIME

CRIME

The Berks County Sheriff Office is on the hunt for 32-year-old Vincent Sanchez Jr., who is wanted in connection with a murder that occurred on July 21 in Reading.

The incident escalated from a verbal altercation to a physical one, ending when Sanchez allegedly shot the victim in the chest from his car, leading to the victim's death.

Sanchez, who is charged with first-degree murder, was last known to be residing at 107 S. Sixth St. in Reading. Authorities are urging anyone with information on Sanchez's whereabouts to come forward.

Philadelphia Man Convicted for Violent Metal Pipe Assault in Pottstown; Faces Up to 22 Years in Prison

A Philadelphia man, Richard W. Parker, has been found guilty by a jury of assaulting a Pottstown individual with a metal pipe during a disagreement.

The incident, which took place on February 9, 2022, saw the victim sustaining a severe head injury requiring 14 staples. Despite the defense claiming Parker acted in self-defense, the jury convicted him on several charges, including aggravated assault and terroristic threats, but acquitted him of attempted serious bodily injury.

Parker, who could face a sentence ranging from 11 to 22 years, is currently held without bail awaiting sentencing. The conviction was supported by substantial evidence, including a surveillance video corroborating the victim's account of the event.

PHILLIES

Phillies

Castellanos' Heroic Catch and Double Homer Lead Phillies to Nail-Biting Victory Over Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos played a crucial role in their 6-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves, which extended over 10 innings. Despite initial hesitations from his team and himself about catching a foul ball, Castellanos decided to catch it and successfully threw it home in time to prevent the Braves from scoring a potentially winning run.

Later, Bryson Stott secured the Phillies' win with a two-run double.

This victory strengthens the Phillies' position in the NL wild-card race, with a promising outlook for the playoffs. The game also featured Castellanos hitting two home runs, contributing to his season tally of 27.

Meanwhile, the Braves' starting pitcher Bryce Elder had a challenging game, reflecting the recent struggles of the Braves' rotation. Braves' reliever Jesse Chavez made a notable return, delivering a strong performance after recovering from a microfracture injury.

Union Clinches Playoff Berth with Dramatic Comeback in 2-2 Draw Against Charlotte

Philadelphia Union

The Union managed to secure a point in a 2-2 draw against Charlotte, a game that saw them coming back from a 2-0 deficit in the 61st minute. The late penalty scored by Daniel Gazdag in the second-half stoppage time, which was facilitated by a challenge on Olivier Mbaizo by Brecht Dejaegere, played a crucial role in the Union's comeback.

Despite Charlotte taking an early lead with goals from Justin Meram and Karol Swiderski, they couldn't maintain their advantage, continuing their trend of losing points from winning positions, leaving them at 13th place in the East.

The Union, on the other hand, secured their spot in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, holding onto the fourth place in the conference. The match also saw significant rotations in the Union's team, including changes in the forward line.

Please Support Our Local Pottstown Community Businesses

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Pottstown Region and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Pottstown Local Scoop with them! It’s simple! 👇👇👇

Reply

or to participate.