The Latest For Berks and Lancaster 01/04

>>The Latest

(Undated) -- Here's the latest news:  The Reading School District is keeping its students home this week for virtual learning. After a precautionary day off for students Monday, school officials in Lancaster say everyone will be coming back to class for the rest of the week, beginning Tuesday. A former boyfriend is charged with shooting her and one of her children inside an Atglen Borough home.

>>Reading School District Opts for Virtual Learning This Week

(Reading, PA) -- The Reading School District is keeping its students home this week for virtual learning. District officials say the move is due to an increase in COVID cases and in illnesses in general. The doctor who is chair of pediatrics at Reading hospital tells WFMZ-TV they're seeing an increase in all age groups for several different kinds of ills, including COVID and flu cases.

>>Lancaster Schools To Be Back in Session Tuesday

(Lancaster, PA) -- After a precautionary day off for students Monday, school officials in Lancaster say everyone will be coming back to class for the rest of the week, beginning Tuesday. A district spokesman says that given the surge in COVID over the holidays, officials weren't sure how many students and especially staff might be out sick. Now that they have a better understanding of that, they've elected to let learning continue in-person. He also says the latest CDC guidance, which allows people who are vaccinated and boosted not to have to quarantine after an exposure, will be a big help in keeping schools open.

>>Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Woman, Two-Year-Old Shot And Injured

(Chester County, PA) -- Chester County Authorities say a man is facing several charges including attempted murder after a woman and a two-year-old were shot and injured inside a home. It happened Sunday in the 400 block of Main Street in Atglen Borough. The woman was shot in the leg and one of four children present also was hit. Both victims were treated and later released from the hospital. Authorities say they determined the victim's ex-boyfriend, John Russell McNeal the second is the suspect in the case - he had fled the scene before police got there but was later taken into custody in Philadelphia by state troopers. McNeal faces charges including, attempted murder and attempted homicide, among other counts. He's being held in the Chester County Prison in lieu of bail.

>>Berks County Man Arrested On Firearms Charge

(Reading, PA) -- A man who is prohibited from having a gun due to a mental health commitment 20 years ago has been arrested for having a gun on New Year's Eve. State Troopers had responded to the 100 block of Schlossburg Road in Berks County to find Peter Schreier having fired the gun. He showed authorities were he'd hidden it under a pillow in the living room sofa. Schreier was free on a 10-thousand dollar bond awaiting, arraignment on Friday. 

>>Columbia Borough Police Searching For Gray Mercedes Involved In Hit-And-Run On New Year's Day

(Lancaster County, PA) -- Columbia Borough Police are looking for the driver of a gray Mercedes sedan they say was involved in a hit-and-run on New Year's Day. Authorities say the crash happened at 2:20 p.m. on the 200 block of Cherry Street. The early 2000s sedan will have front end damage as the crash caused considerable damage to the other car. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information about the car or the owner is requested to call the Columbia Borough Police.