Latest news with #CentralMiddleSchool
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Reading man arrested in weekend burglary of middle school
A 25-year-old city man was arrested Tuesday after Reading police said security camera footage shows him breaking into Central Middle School over the weekend. Brandon McCurdy, 25, roamed the school for about an hour after breaking in through a second-floor window Friday night just before midnight, city police said. He stole two cellphones and a pair of scissors from a classroom, and later used the scissors to try to break into the register in the cafeteria before taking some snacks, they said. The footage shows the intruder leaving the building through the cafeteria about 1 a.m. The break-in was discovered Monday morning when school personnel discovered a window screen leaning against a wall in the corner of a classroom. According to court records: Police identified McCurdy as the suspect with the help of facial recognition software, investigators said. Officers went to his residence in the 1200 block of Elm Street, which is adjacent to the school on North 12th Street, to talk to him about the burglary. He denied taking the phones and said he was never in the school. A witness in the home, however, recalled that McCurdy had brought two iPhones to the residence Saturday. The witness told McCurdy she didn't want the phones in the house, and he took them down the alley. McCurdy later admitted that he placed the phones on the back porch. He showed the officers where he left them, but they were gone. Police said a student owned one of the phones, an Apple iPhone 16 valued at more than $1,200. It wasn't clear to whom the other phone belonged. McCurdy was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail to await a hearing after arraignment Tuesday night before District Judge Steven M. Chieffo in Reading Central Court. He faces charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, receiving stolen property, and theft by unlawful taking.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Reading School District invests $110 million in facility upgrades
The Reading School District is continuing a long-term project to enhance the learning environments of its 18,100 students, the district has announced. Since the start of the 2020-21 school year, the district has invested more than $110 million in facility upgrades. The recent upgrades, largely funded by federal COVID-19 relief funds, have prioritized critical improvements to HVAC systems, security and overall facility modernization, the district said in a release. 'These improvements are part of our ongoing commitment to providing safe and high-quality learning environments for our students and staff,' Dr. Jennifer Murray, superintendent, said in a statement. 'We are grateful for the federal funds that helped make this possible, and we look forward to continuing this work in the years ahead.' A districtwide facilities study will guide future capital planning to ensure infrastructure needs continue to be addressed, the district said. The district's 23 buildings — including 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, one high school, additional satellite high schools, and a virtual academy — range in age and condition. The oldest school, Central Middle School, a former hospital building, was built in 1873, while the newest, Millmont Elementary School, was completed in 2007. Many of the district's older buildings have required significant updates in recent years, the district said. At Reading High School, built in 1925, more than $33.2 million has been invested in renovations, including improvements to the Geigle gymnasium, Castle Café, and senior café. Other updates include a new turf field, softball dugouts, renovated bathrooms, and ongoing improvements to mechanical systems throughout the building. Planned projects at the high school include renovations to the auditorium, locker rooms, and the addition of a secure entryway. Updates at the middle schools include more than $12.6 million at Northwest Middle School, where a new HVAC system, roof replacement and renovated auditorium were completed. Many of the middle schools have received HVAC upgrades, weapon scanners, additional classrooms and water bottle filling stations. Planned improvements include elevator and boiler replacements, and a new flexible space at Central Middle School that can convert from a gymnasium to an auditorium; auditorium renovations at Northeast Middle School; replacing the cafeteria floor and improving stairwell handrails at Southern Middle School; and roof and public-address system upgrades at Southwest Middle School. At the elementary level, Glenside Elementary School has seen nearly $8.1 million in improvements, including a new high-efficiency boiler, ADA-compliant elevator, renovated gymnasium, secure entryway and updated bathrooms. Other elementary schools have received similar upgrades, such as repaving playgrounds, replacing outdated HVAC systems, new water bottle filling stations and enhanced security with updated entryways and lighting. Future projects at elementary schools include expanding classroom and cafeteria spaces, improving HVAC systems, adding more ADA features and modernizing lighting, flooring and playgrounds. 'Renovating and upgrading facilities in a large district like ours is an ongoing effort,' said Wayne Gehris, district chief financial officer. 'We're committed to preserving the history of our buildings while making the necessary improvements to provide safe, modern learning environments for our students and staff, both now and in the future.' With COVID relief funds expiring, the district said it will prioritize essential facility upgrades moving forward.
Chicago Tribune
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Parade goers celebrate new Teehan's in downtown Tinley Park
The stoop is no longer there. That was the only mild complaint Mike Maus, of Tinley Park, had. For the last 10 years or so, Maus and his wife, Cindi, would watch the Tinley Park Irish parade at the top of a stoop at Teehan's tavern. It was a family tradition. But last year, the 171-year-old building that housed the popular bar was torn down weeks after the 2024 running of the parade. They were there for the final day at Teehan's and felt sadness. But swiftly a new Teehan's was built just in time for this year's parade at 17329 Oak Park Ave. The Maus couple set up shop on the sidewalk where the stoop used to be. They also enjoyed a pre-parade celebration inside Teehan's and both were impressed with the place. 'This place is beautiful — isn't it sharp?' Mike Maus said. 'The new floor, the new ceiling, the new walls … yeah, this is great.' The 25th running of the parade had 88 entrants and officials were hoping for 40,000 people on a sunny day that was north of 50 degrees. Last year, under cooler conditions, it drew an estimated 33,000 people. Last year, people were mourning the demise of the old Teehan's. This year people were celebrating the new place, which was open Sunday but will have an official grand opening at 5:30 p.m. on March 17. Many enjoyed the soft opening the day of the parade, including the Maus family. The idea was to give the new place a similar atmosphere as the old bar and it appeared to have succeeded. 'The old place had so much character and so many memories,' Mike Maus said. 'It was so nostalgic. Anybody who would come to Tinley Park was familiar with Teehan's. 'With the new place, it's time for a new chapter in town and making new memories in town. I think people are going to make memories here.' Cindi gave a verbal thumbs up on the new Teehan's. 'I absolutely love this place,' she said. 'Teehan's has been a staple in Tinley Park forever. But times change and things change. We're very happy for what is happening in Tinley Park and in the downtown area.' Erin Kissane, or Orland Park, also made Teehan's her home for the Irish Parade for the last 10 years. 'I like how authentic it is,' she said of the new digs. 'They kept the tradition and the character of the Irish Teehan's. They kept everything alive.' She called the former Teehan's 'vintage' and appreciates that the same people who worked at the old Teehan's are also at the new tavern. Teehan's is a part of Harmony Square and village officials hope to open the rest of it in June. It's going to be a multi-use plaza that will host concerts and other events. The parade had a slight change, with the starting point formerly at Central Middle School moved north a few blocks to 179 Street and Oak Park Avenue. Kassie Kopach, of Willow Springs, has worked as a teacher at Memorial School and Fulton Elementary School for the past 13 years but had never been to the parade prior to Sunday. She brought her family including her son, Cassius, who turned 2 Sunday. She was smart of enough to get there early thanks to the advice of her friend, Jaclyn Crescent of Mokena. But she was also lucky to get a spot near the new starting point because she didn't know about the change. Crescent, a 13-year teacher at Memorial, said she has been coming to the parade for five years. 'I love all the candy,' she said with a smile. 'I also love all of the floats. It's fun to see all of the families enjoying the day.' She said she also goes to the South Side Irish Parade next weekend in Chicago and the Fourth of July parade in Mokena. The Irish Parade offers unpredictability in the weather. 'Today is great,' Crescent said. 'Last year wasn't bad, either. But there have been times I wore a winter coat and was freezing.'
