Berks Weekly

Rick Perez, a Reading native, is the CEO of the Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading & Berks County. Having first connected with Olivet as a young member during a pivotal time in his life, Rick's journey has now come full circle as he leads the organization that once helped shape his future. Known throughout the community for his tenure as the head coach of Reading High's boys basketball team—where he guided the team...

Chris Rothermel is a retired Captain of the Reading Police Department, bringing over 25 years of law enforcement experience to his campaign for Berks County Sheriff. His career began in the trades as an electrician before transitioning into policing, where he rose through the ranks.

Throughout his career, Rothermel was deeply involved in community outreach, serving as Vice President of Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet for ov...

Gavin Milligan is a dynamic young leader from Maidencreek Township with a deep passion for community development and engagement. At just 21 years old, Gavin has already made a significant impact as a business development manager at his family’s company, Advanced Comfort Specialist, while serving on over 14 nonprofit boards and committees throughout the county. A graduate of the Berks Career and Technology Center, he is also the boa...

Alexa Freyman, a Berks County native and Millennial, grew up hearing family stories about the “good old days,” sparking her passion for uncovering local history. In 2017, she created Berks Nostalgia, a multimedia project that uses writing, videography, photography, and drone technology to explore and share the rich history of Berks County from a fresh perspective.

A Wilson High School (’09) and Philadelphia University (’13) grad...

Ryan Bradley is the Clean City Coordinator for Reading, where he has lived since 1996 and takes pride in calling home. With a background in counseling and case management in the drug and alcohol field, Bradley's commitment to community well-being is evident both personally and professionally. Starting with cleaning up his own block, he inspired neighbors to join him, and now leads city-wide clean-up efforts through initiatives ...

JD Turner is a dedicated advocate and entrepreneur who has played a pivotal role in enhancing the skateboarding community in Berks County. As the owner of Holistic Skate Shop in West Reading, JD has spent the past decade tirelessly advocating for the creation of a free, public, concrete skatepark designed by skaters, for skaters. His vision culminated in the establishment of the Reading Skatepark Association in 2016. JD's relen...

Kelly Barber is a seasoned ballet professional from Reading with a rich background in both performance and teaching. She began her dance journey at Carol Ennis Dance Arts, eventually joining Berks Ballet Theatre as a soloist. Kelly danced with Ballet Theatre of Maryland, where she performed leading roles in classics like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty. After returning to Reading, she became Artistic Director of Berk...