Evan Brandt
@pottstownnews.bsky.social
I have been a newspaper journalist for more than 35 years, 27 of those years at The Mercury in Pottstown, PA.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/04/l... “We’ve held the line for so many years now, and the price of everything is going up.”
Lower Pottsgrove budget could raise taxes more than 11%
“We’ve held the line for so many years now, and the price of everything is going up.”
www.pottsmerc.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:34 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/04/l... “We’ve held the line for so many years now, and the price of everything is going up.”
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/04/i... Performances run through Dec. 21, and audiences are encouraged to visit Steel River’s website for specific show dates and to reserve seats.
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ opens Dec. 5 at Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown
This beloved holiday classic returns to the Pottstown stage with heartfelt storytelling and a cast that brings new warmth to a timeless tale.
www.pottsmerc.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/04/i... Performances run through Dec. 21, and audiences are encouraged to visit Steel River’s website for specific show dates and to reserve seats.
Reposted by Evan Brandt
Important @motherjones.com piece here:
Trump’s DOJ is building a voter purge machine—powered by your private data
The federal agency ordinarily would prevent attacks on voting rights. Now it’s carrying them out.
www.motherjones.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Important @motherjones.com piece here:
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/05/w... “I’m so glad, I picked Pottstown.”
Weand looks back after 16 years on Pottstown Borough Council
“I’m so glad, I picked Pottstown.”
www.pottsmerc.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/05/w... “I’m so glad, I picked Pottstown.”
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
December 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/02/m... The jury also convicted Ciccoli of a charge of simple assault in connection with the assault of his girlfriend.
Man draws prison for assaulting Pottstown cop who was shot during scuffle
A Pottstown man faces more than two decades in prison for assaulting a borough police officer who was shot and seriously injured when the man tried to disarm him during a scuffle as the officer inv…
www.pottsmerc.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/02/m... The jury also convicted Ciccoli of a charge of simple assault in connection with the assault of his girlfriend.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/03/c... Both concerts will feature “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian Carlo Menotti.
Coventry Singers to perform 2 holiday concerts this weekend
Both concerts will feature the Amahl and The Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti.
www.pottsmerc.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:28 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/03/c... Both concerts will feature “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian Carlo Menotti.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/03/b... In the fall of 2020, PFAS was detected in the groundwater beneath the landfill, as well as in additional residential wells, and even more was found in additional residential wells in May of 2023.
Boyertown Landfill contamination meeting set for Dec. 10
In the fall of 2019, PFAS was detected in residential wells surrounding the landfill site.
www.pottsmerc.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/03/b... In the fall of 2020, PFAS was detected in the groundwater beneath the landfill, as well as in additional residential wells, and even more was found in additional residential wells in May of 2023.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/03/p... "this last-minute change creates the appearance that the discussion was being advanced without full community awareness or scrutiny.”
Pottsgrove School Board votes to borrow $12 million for stadium
“A superintendent’s contract renewal is one of the most consequential decisions a school board will make.”
www.pottsmerc.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/12/03/p... "this last-minute change creates the appearance that the discussion was being advanced without full community awareness or scrutiny.”
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/30/p... From 3 to 6 p.m., the newly formed downtown Business Improvement District will hold its inaugural Ugly Sweater Party in the parking lot by the clock tower at the corner of High and Charlotte Streets.
Pottstown planning impressive offering of holiday events
The newly formed downtown Business Improvement District will hold its inaugural Ugly Sweater Party in the parking lot by the clocktower at the corner of High and Charlotte Streets from 3 to 6 p.m.…
www.pottsmerc.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:41 AM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/30/p... From 3 to 6 p.m., the newly formed downtown Business Improvement District will hold its inaugural Ugly Sweater Party in the parking lot by the clock tower at the corner of High and Charlotte Streets.
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/28/u... Contributions will help cover costs related to the concert, and the artists will share a portion of the proceeds with Ukrainian war-relief efforts.
Ukrainian music concert will benefit war relief effort
Stetsenko-Skitko has many family members and friends in Ukraine where they are persevering through the daily hardships created by Russia’s invasion in 2022.
www.pottsmerc.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:11 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/28/u... Contributions will help cover costs related to the concert, and the artists will share a portion of the proceeds with Ukrainian war-relief efforts.
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury.
November 28, 2025 at 10:45 PM
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury.
Happy Thanksgiving to All.
November 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to All.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/24/c... Sensory Friendly Night for Special Needs will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The show will be steadily lit, except for a few props. Music will be at a lower volume. Quiet room available too.
Carnival of Lights returns with a ‘Christmas in Coventry’
Returning this year, Dinner and a Show, sponsored by Piccolo Mondo Italian Restaurant, is held Saturday, Dec. 13.
www.pottsmerc.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:28 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/24/c... Sensory Friendly Night for Special Needs will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The show will be steadily lit, except for a few props. Music will be at a lower volume. Quiet room available too.
The front (and back) pages of today's print edition of The Mercury. Pottstown always has a lot of helpers.
November 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The front (and back) pages of today's print edition of The Mercury. Pottstown always has a lot of helpers.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/26/3... Our loyalty is to our Constitution and the American People whom we serve. Now is not a time for fear, nor is it a time for deference toward anyone who would seek to usurp that loyalty."
30 Pa. House members back resolution condemning Trump comments
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives reaffirms the constitutional and statutory obligations of all uniformed military personnel to obey only lawful orders, to protect th…
www.pottsmerc.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/26/3... Our loyalty is to our Constitution and the American People whom we serve. Now is not a time for fear, nor is it a time for deference toward anyone who would seek to usurp that loyalty."
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
November 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
www.timesherald.com/2025/11/24/p... Met-Ed customers will see an increase from $0.11905 to $0.12965 per kWh, or 8.9%. For PECO customers, the price will increase from $0.1040 to $0.11024 per kWh, or 6%
Pa. electricity prices rising Dec. 1: PPL, Met-Ed and PECO customers will see higher bills
Electric bills for those who do not competitively shop for their suppliers will increase starting Dec. 1, according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
www.timesherald.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:11 PM
www.timesherald.com/2025/11/24/p... Met-Ed customers will see an increase from $0.11905 to $0.12965 per kWh, or 8.9%. For PECO customers, the price will increase from $0.1040 to $0.11024 per kWh, or 6%
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/25/p... “It’s a whole process, and where this investigation ends up will depend on where the facts take us.”
Pottstown church fire cause investigation will take weeks says chief
“I have to eliminate possibilities. Was it a gas leak? Was it caused by an electrical problem? Were there carpenters working in there,” said Pottstown Fire Chief Frank Hand.
www.pottsmerc.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/25/p... “It’s a whole process, and where this investigation ends up will depend on where the facts take us.”
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/24/p... Maurkeece Foreman led a team of chefs that cooked up 29 turkeys (including a tangy jerk turkey) and six hams.
Pottstown provides free meals ahead of Thanksgiving holiday
The line of cars stretched around the church building, out onto Keim Street, and down to Jackson Street, said Rev. Vernon Ross, pastor of the church.
www.pottsmerc.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:21 AM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/24/p... Maurkeece Foreman led a team of chefs that cooked up 29 turkeys (including a tangy jerk turkey) and six hams.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/21/d... “Economic development is a team sport,” Siger said, “and we want local businesses and agencies to work with us and use the tools we offer to help communities thrive.
DCED Secretary: Budget passage means continuing PA’s economic progress
“We’ve created a business environment that is more certain and has more predictability and businesses are voting with their feet,” said Rick Siger, secretary of the Pennsylvania D…
www.pottsmerc.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/21/d... “Economic development is a team sport,” Siger said, “and we want local businesses and agencies to work with us and use the tools we offer to help communities thrive.
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/22/b... “As Rep. Houlahan has said many times over, there is no place for threats and political violence in our nation or our political discourse.”
Bomb threats made at offices of Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, Rep. Chris Deluzio
Houlahan and Deluzio, both veterans, were among 6 Democrats who posted a video urging military personnel not to obey “illegal orders” last week and were chastised by President Trump.
www.pottsmerc.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:24 PM
www.pottsmerc.com/2025/11/22/b... “As Rep. Houlahan has said many times over, there is no place for threats and political violence in our nation or our political discourse.”
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury
November 22, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The front page of today's print edition of The Mercury