Strategic Value Partners, LLC a global alternative investment firm with approximately $22 billion of assets under management today announced that its managed funds have completed the acquisition of a stake in Birdsboro Power a 485-megawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle generation facility located in Berks County natural gas-fueled CCGT utilizing GE’s advanced 7HA.02 gas turbine It is a key baseload asset providing reliable low-cost power to customers in Pennsylvania and the broader PJM Interconnection region SVP Funds made this investment in Birdsboro Power as part of the strategic partnership SVP formed in 2024 with EverGen Power (“EverGen”) a power generation investment and asset management firm to acquire and manage power assets across North America “We are excited to partner with SVP in its investment in Birdsboro Power which is an environmentally advantaged plant with efficient new turbine technology that is well-positioned to serve its customers in a period of significant forecasted demand growth,” said Ari Barz “We look forward to working with our partners in optimizing the operational and commercial performance of this important facility and continuing to deliver reliable flexible and efficient power in the region,” added Dave Freysinger “Given EverGen’s and SVP’s industry expertise we were able to move quickly and provide deal certainty while executing on a bilateral basis,” said David Geenberg Head of North American Corporate Investments at SVP “We have worked closely with members of the EverGen leadership team since 2018 has potential to unlock further efficiencies with the benefit of renewed engagement and operational oversight.” SVP has deep investing expertise across a number of real asset sectors and has invested approximately $3 billion in power assets since 2001 In addition to holding majority ownership of GenOn Holdings SVP Funds have made significant investments in several energy assets and companies and together has over 75 years of experience in the power generation sector © Copyright 2012 - 2023 | citybiz | All Rights Reserved Mostly cloudy with a few scattered showers lingering overnight Officers went to a residence to speak to the suspect who informed them he set a fire in the attic of the home - A Birdsboro man is under arrest and facing multiple charges following a domestic incident that ended with several police officers being assaulted police were dispatched to the area of 6th and Union streets in the Borough of Birdsboro for a report of a woman yelling for help responding officers found a woman involved in an earlier domestic dispute lying on the ground the victim allegedly told police the suspect Officers went to a residence in the 500 block of Union Street to speak to Speckhart who then informed them he had set a fire in the attic of the home He immediately stated that he set the attic on fire and then as the officers were trying to get additional information he grabbed one of the officers and pulled him to the ground," said Chief Todd Trupp with Birdsboro Police Department Investigators say that's when the suspect punched one officer in the head and shoved another causing them to fall and strike their head on the ground one of the officers was able to deploy their stun gun which incapacitated Speckhart to a degree where police were able to handcuff him police on scene confirmed the attic was on fire and a lighter was fond in the suspect's possession Fire extinguishers from the officers' vehicles proved inadequate and Birdsboro Union Fire Department responded to fully extinguish the flames "The Pennsylvania State Police sent a fire marshal and the Birdsboro Union Fire Dept They determined it was arson," Chief Trupp said Police say Speckhart was then transported to Reading Hospital for evaluation he allegedly became so aggressive towards EMS personnel that the ambulance had to pull over so an officer could ride in the back to ensure everyone's safety "He's not one of our regular people that we have a problem with We have very little interaction with him or that household so this certainly was out of character for him," Trupp added Two police officers injured during the incident were treated at Reading Hospital and later released Speckhart is charged with four counts of assault of a law enforcement officer risking a catastrophe and related offenses Online court records state he's in custody at Berks County Jail on $100,000 bail A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 15 Email notifications are only sent once a day By GARY GERARD HAMILTON - Associated Press Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Bringing talent from around the world to local audiences Stadium seating with high-back rocking chairs Family-owned Mediterranean restaurant serving authentic cuisine in West Reading Pay-what-you-can café serving ethically grown coffee and locally sourced foods West Reading family-friendly diner serving American classics daily from 7am-9pm Community theater venue featuring house productions of diverse plays & musicals Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently intercepted multiple shipments of counterfeit goods in Allentown including a large batch of fake Sharpie markers destined for Birdsboro which also included counterfeit luxury skincare products highlight the risks associated with purchasing knockoff consumer goods CBP officers confiscated 3,000 counterfeit Sharpie felt-tip pens that had been shipped from China to an address in Birdsboro officers seized multiple shipments of counterfeit anti-aging skincare products from Hong Kong and China These included fake versions of well-known brands such as Estée Lauder with a combined retail value of nearly $28,550 had they been authentic The shipments were bound for addresses in Allentown and Whitehall Authorities warn that counterfeit cosmetics pose serious health risks as they have been found to contain harmful chemicals “The global marketplace has allowed unscrupulous vendors to peddle counterfeit consumer goods as authentic products to unsuspecting consumers and profit handsomely while placing consumers’ health and safety at risk,” said Cleatus P He urged consumers to buy from reputable retailers to avoid potential health hazards Each of the intercepted shipments was flagged by CBP officers who worked with intellectual property experts and brand holders to confirm the goods were counterfeit The seizures were conducted under CBP’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement program which aims to prevent the sale and distribution of knockoff goods that undermine legitimate businesses and could pose safety threats CBP officials continue to monitor shipments for counterfeit merchandise and encourage the public to report suspected counterfeit goods via e-Allegations For more information on counterfeit goods and consumer safety, visit CBP’s Fake Goods, Real Dangers campaign website locally owned digital newspaper covering the latest regional news and headlines in the City of Reading and Berks County Cloudy with more rounds of showers and possibly some downpours or a t-storm Initial emergency dispatches called structure fire with possible entrapment and has crews anticipating a long night ahead of them Our 69 News crew happened to be in the area at the time that the fire broke out and noticed the smoke very quickly start billowing from the home the smoke was horrendous," said Katrina Keyser A hurricane of smoke swirled the air and quickly filled the 200 block of Schuylkill Road "I was more worried about the wind and where it could take this fire the next thing I know he's running in tell me that there's smoke coming from our neighbors," said Keyser it just came out of nowhere," said Hunter Keyser It's not the first time firefighters have responded to a house fire in the area it's a shame that's happening again," said Steve Dragon Public Information Officer for the Birdsboro Union Fire Department Dragon said crews responded to heavy smoke showing from the second floor of a home just before 5p.m The fire struck a third alarm and officials say left quite the damage "Our biggest problem is that you just saw where the second floor of the middle unit lit off again Officials said the home was occupied at the time Crews from around the region responded within minutes Geigertown and Gibraltar are here," said Dragon We're told fire crews will continue to keep an eye on the home overnight because of the extent of damage the fire left behind The Fire Marshal said it's still early in the investigation The cause of the fire remains under investigation - The Red Cross says it's assisting six people following an apartment fire in Birdsboro three-alarm apartment fire broke out in the 200 block of Schuylkill Road just before 5:00 p.m Officials say a third alarm was struck after the second floor of the building began to collapse Fire investigators say the lack of fire breaks in the structure made it easy for the fire to spread By JILL COLVIN and JAKE COYLE - Associated Press By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY - Associated Press A resident in the area told 69 News she could hear authorities talking to someone on a loud speaker UPDATE: The standoff has been resolved - A community is on high alert Thursday morning as police and emergency officials swarmed a block in Birdsboro Police and a SWAT team are in the area of the 400 block of West Second Street and several neighbors have reported hearing gunshots A 69 News photographer on the scene reported that police fired tear gas into the home around 9 a.m and used a bullhorn to call someone inside the house to come out The Daniel Boone Area School District said in an alert on its website that it is aware of the "police incident" and that buses are avoiding the area until it is resolved Police have not released any details about what prompted their response "He was recklessly firing shots outside of his window." Prosecutors have withdrawn all but one charge against a Berks County man in a child pornography case The deal paved the way for Glenn Kriczky to plead guilty in Montgomery County court to a single count of corruption of a minor Kriczky was ordered to serve four years of probation He also does not have to register as a sex offender were arrested in April as part of a multi-state child porn bust traded nude pictures with a 13-year-old boy from Limerick Township 25-year-old Bailey Kriczky of Birdsboro was driving a motorcycle that crossed the center line and struck another vehicle - A motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle has left a Birdsboro man dead 25-year-old Bailey Kriczky of Birdsboro was driving a motorcycle that crossed the center line and struck a vehicle along a Union Township road Kriczky was taken to Reading Hospital where he died on the afternoon of September 23 from multiple blunt force trauma Union Township home hit in drive-by shooting State police are on the hunt for at least two people who pulled out a shotgun and opened fire on a house in Berks County "I was shocked," said neighbor Clifford Samsel "I was definitely shocked to hear that even happened." Someone riding in the front passenger's seat of an SUV stuck a shotgun out the window and fired two shots at a home on Union Street in Union Township and you could hear two distinct gunshots coming from the vehicle as they drive by the house," said Trooper David Beohm this vehicle may have been seen earlier in the day going by this place," Boehm added One of the shots hit the home; the other hit a vehicle "I would think that the house that was shot at was the intended target," Beohm said "I don't think anyone else needs to be concerned in that neighborhood other than that particular house." "That's very seldom that you hear anything it's the first that I've heard of anything of that nature around here Authorities said the people who live in the home have no idea why they were targeted is described by police as being dark green over tan with a large receiver hitch "Should be an easy thing to pick out," Boehm said "We think there may be some damage to the right front fender and it has a different kind of hitch on the back It kind of looks bigger than your normal hitch." Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Crime Alert Berks County via anonymous text to 847411 A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest Martin Holmes, TV Insider Berks County residents have a new destination for coffee The Reading Coffee Company cut the ribbon on its brand-new flagship café in Birdsboro on Saturday the café is an exciting addition to the company’s roastery all within its headquarters at the same address Saturday’s ribbon cutting was part of a larger kick-off party hosted by the company wine tastings and enter to win coffee giveaways “We’ve always wanted to provide a welcoming and inclusive space where our customers can sit back and enjoy the curated products we have to offer,” says Orman Patrons visiting the new café can expect to find a variety of high-quality coffee and tea including pour over options and cold brews and more that perfectly complement your beverage of choice and fine wines imported from throughout the world The new café space redefines the coffee experience by incorporating the latest in brewing technology State-of- the-art equipment ensures each cup is brewed to perfection advanced water filtration systems for optimal flavor extraction including the “Cyclops” brewer by Ground Control For the customers who want to test and sample coffees before purchasing the PourSteady system lets Reading easily feature every coffee available in the building There’s no limit – the café can brew any origin The café will be open Monday through Friday: 6:30 am – 5 pm Mobile ordering is available every day of the week The Reading Coffee Company offers free shipping and pickup options for orders placed through their website The Reading Coffee Company is a leading provider of top-tier coffee and tea products in both food service Known for its expertise and reliable service the company caters to enthusiasts and online shoppers offering various products designed to satisfy every palate the Daniel Boone Homestead hosted Kite Day It's a new event at the historic site for this summer While kids and their families sent the kites up is the anniversary of when Benjamin Franklin supposedly held his famed kite flying experiment in 1752 to see if a key attached to it would draw an electrical charge But there is uncertainty on the extent of the experiment Some historians have questioned whether it took place at all Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.