Author Archives: Alexandra Jones

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 16, 2026 | by TheBurg Staff

Shelly Lipscomb-Echeverria, MLK Day chairperson with MLK365, issued a call for volunteers with the group Monday.

A lot happened in Harrisburg this week, from reviews of financials and facility upgrades at city meetings to a local volunteer organization’s call for hundreds of volunteers this MLK Day. Check out our coverage of it all below:

Broad Street Market Alliance’s recently passed 2026 budget showed a yearly deficit. At a meeting this week, members discussed ways to stabilize the nonprofit’s finances. Click here for more.

Dauphin County approved contracts this week that give a sneak peek at its upcoming summer and fall festivals, our online story reported.

East Shore YMCA launched a new strategic plan, according to our January magazine story.

Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors reported that the median sales price dipped in December for homes in the three-county region, according to our online story.

Harrisburg City Council’s public comment period brought forward several community members concerned that ICE was in the area, who implored council to take action to protect residents. Read more here.

Harrisburg School Board members reviewed a plan to tackle school infrastructure upgrades. Our online story noted officials would like to create a new soccer field for the varsity girls’ soccer team on a portion of the 27-acre campus linked to William Penn.

Local parks officials say layering is a great way to keep kids safe from the cold while they play outside, as seen in our January magazine article.

MLK365 called for volunteers for various service projects happening around Harrisburg. Read our story here.

Sara Bozich has consolidated the best events happening around town this weekend, including closing day of the PA Farm Show and a fitness open house at the Jewish Community Center. For a full list, click here.

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Dauphin County approves contracts for summer and fall festivals

January 14, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

The Dauphin County Commissioners met Wednesday.

Offering a glimpse of events and entertainers coming to Dauphin County parks this year, the county board of commissioners unanimously approved a dozen entertainment contracts Wednesday.

For the 2026 Jazz & Wine Festival, slated for Fort Hunter Park on Sept. 12 and 13, the county approved contracts for musical acts.

Slated entertainers include a jazz trio made up of keyboardist Brian Simpson and saxophonists Marion Meadows and Jessy J ($12,500); Chelsey Green & The Green Project, led by violinist and vocalist Chelsey Green, ($7,500); pianist Kofi Boakye ($6,500); Phaze II, a six-piece jazz ensemble from Washington D.C., ($3,500), and Best Kept Soul, a Delaware band that plays jazz ($3,250).

For the 2026 BrewFest, a beer and music festival put on by the county, musician Mark DeRose is slated to perform ($600). The event is planned for July 18 in front of Fort Hunter Mansion.

The county also secured a contractor to provide movie and screen audio for its family friendly, 12-week Sunset Music and Movie Series that will run June through August at Fort Hunter Park ($7,350).

The county also approved a professional race timing contract with a vendor ($1,100) for its annual Run Wild for Wildwood 5K/10K and a contract with Ryan “The Bug Man” Bridge to give insect presentations at a nature-themed kids day camp ($770).

The 5K/10K race is held at and that raises money for Wildwood Park. Nature Explorers Day Camp, also held at Wildwood Park, for kids aged 6 to 8 begins in July.

County commissioners Justin Douglas, Mike Pries and George Hartwick approved the entertainment contracts alongside many other line items Wednesday.

The money for these contracts, which were all budgeted for, comes from the Dauphin County Community Fund.

To learn more about the Dauphin County Commissioners visit this website.

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Harrisburg School District to vote soon on infrastructure upgrades

January 14, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

The Harrisburg School District met on Tuesday.

Upgrades for school buildings and a new soccer field may soon be in the works for the Harrisburg School District.

At a meeting Tuesday night, the school board pushed forward a laundry list of facility improvements that will be up for a vote on Jan. 27.

On the roll of 2026 to-dos are roof upgrades for Sci-Tech, Lincoln Elementary, Camp Curtin and Foose Elementary ($2 million) and renovations at Camp Curtin Middle School to create six new classrooms and an expanded cafeteria ($1.7 million).

Officials would also like to create a new soccer field for the varsity girls’ soccer team, currently practicing in the outfield of the school’s boys’ baseball field. The new soccer field would be installed on a portion of the 27-acre campus attached to William Penn, a vacant 100-year-old building that once served as a vocational school ($896,000).

Other upgrades include electronic locks for doors at Camp Curtin Middle School ($393,000) and Marshall Math Science Academy ($261,000); LED lighting for hallways at John Harris High School ($150,000); new carpet for Sci-Tech Campus ($120,000); and a new electronic sign for Melrose Elementary ($37,000).

The list comes out of an aggressive, existing long-term roadmap, dubbed the “Capital Improvement Plan,” that catalogs the district’s needed facility upgrades, as well as the funds required.

“It lists what’s planned and how we hope to possibly be able to pay for it,” school board member Doug Thompson Leader said at the meeting.

Thompson Leader praised the plan Tuesday for “doing an excellent job bringing our buildings up to snuff with such a limited budget.”

“I really appreciate how that document was laid out,” he said.

The 2025-2030 plan helps the district manage its substantial backlog of needs, including infrastructure updates for its aging portfolio buildings—many of which date back to the early 1900s. Prior to 2021, the plan notes that the district had failed to maintain its building portfolio for more than 10 years.

Because the district’s debt management policy strictly limits its borrowing capacity, all money for projects comes from the district’s capital reserve and general fund accounts. The plan also makes use of grants, where available, for projects.

Over the past few years, the district has already made several high-price-tag repairs to its aging infrastructure, including the full renovation of Steele Elementary School and a major gymnasium renovation at John Harris, complete with new maple floors and scoreboards.

The district entered a five-year state monitoring period to ensure that it stays on the path to financial stability after its exit from state receivership in June 2025.

While the soccer field’s on William Penn’s campus are budgeted for, the district has yet to decide what to do with the school building after weighing its options at a November meeting.

For more information on the Harrisburg School District, visit www.hbgsd.us.

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MLK Day of Service to return next week, group highlights volunteer opportunities

January 12, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

Shelly Lipscomb-Echeverria, MLK Day chairperson with MLK365, calls for volunteers.

Want to volunteer on on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

MLK365 put out a call Monday for hundreds of helpers for a variety of service projects happening next Monday, Jan. 19. The group’s annual Central Pennsylvania MLK Day of Service volunteer campaign asks Harrisburg residents to serve their communities on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“It’s really important to give back to our friends and neighbors, particularly where we live and work,” Marisa Tokarsky, MLK365 community organizer, explained. “Even the smallest effort can put a smile on someone’s face.”

MLK365 has more than 15 service projects listed on its website with active signup lists for volunteers, and Tokarsky said volunteers can look forward to feeling good about their work.

“The amount of self-pride and smiles that you’re going to get from giving back and helping others? There’s nothing like it,” she said.

For example, Wildheart Ministries is asking for help with spring cleaning. The First Baptist Church of Steelton needs volunteers for painting and drywall installation. The West Shore Theater is calling for hands for an alley cleanup. Other volunteer requests include those from Beahive Affordable Housing Outreach, “FLOW” For the Love of Women and Caitlin’s Smiles.

Volunteers will be able to give blood as part of the day of service this year. On Monday, the Central Penn Blood Bank will be taking blood donations at the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, and the Red Cross will be taking donations at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church.

MLK365’s theme for service day this year is “Illuminating Voices of Courage and Hope.” Shelly Lipscomb-Echeverria, MLK Day chairperson, explained the group hopes to shed light on the power of donating to those in need.

“I tell my kids that I might not be able to have much influence on what’s going on in the world or the nation, but what I can do is ask people for donations and use that money to help buy hats for people who are cold, help buy food for people who are hungry,” Lipscomb-Echeverria said, “and do projects like we’re going to do on the 19th to help bring hope to members of our community.”

This is MLK365’s 17th year championing volunteer efforts on MLK Day to help those in need.

For more information or to volunteer, visit MLK365’s website. To host a service project, fill out this form. Projects are added to the MLK365’s site as they are submitted by organizers.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 9, 2026 | by TheBurg Staff

Department of Agriculture secretary Russell Redding with a Benjamin Franklin reenactor at the 2026 PA Farm Show.

From the 2026 PA Farm Show’s launch to a $750,000 grant for the Capital Area Greenbelt to a lawsuit Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams filed against City Council, a lot happened in Harrisburg this week. Check out our coverage of it all below:

Dauphin County commissioners ratified Park Harrisburg’s 2026 budget Wednesday as creditors, our online story reported.

Harrisburg City Council members were sworn in Monday. Council voted for Danielle Hill to serve as council president for another two years and elected Lamont Jones as vice president. Full story here.

Harrisburg police officers were sworn in by Mayor Wanda Williams at a city hall ceremony. Read the story here.

Harrisburg won a $750,000 grant to support the relocation of the Capital Area Greenbelt in south Harrisburg, our online story reported.

Howard University’s gospel choir will perform in downtown Harrisburg next month, our online story reported.

Mayor Wanda Williams was sworn in for a second term on Monday, our online story reported.

Mayor Wanda Williams sued City Council for defunding top city positions on Thursday. Our story has the details.

PA Farm Show’s 2026 butter sculpture features a scene from 1776 Philadelphia. Learn more here.

Our music columnist has suggestions for live performances to catch this month in her January magazine article.

Sara Bozich compiled all the best events happening around town in her Weekend Roundup.

Realtor.com announced that the Harrisburg region ranked second in the country for first-time homebuyers in 2026, our online story reported.

Wildwood Park’s amateur photography competition needs votes from the public to determine its “People’s Choice Award” winners. Learn more in our online story.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

PA Farm Show butter sculpture takes us back to nation’s founding

January 8, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

The Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, founding fathers and Betsy Ross are featured in the PA Farm Show’s 2026 butter sculpture.

State officials and dairy industry leaders unveiled the 2026 PA Farm Show’s butter sculpture on Thursday.

The 1,000-pound sculpture shows a scene from 1776 Philadelphia with several founding fathers—including Benjamin Franklin— signing the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross holding an American Flag.

The sculpture was created by husband-and-wife team Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Montgomery County with butter donated by the Land O’Lakes plant in Carlisle. It celebrates the Farm Show’s 2026 theme, “Growing a Nation,” which honors the Keystone State’s influence on the United States.

“Philadelphia was at the very, very center of our national interest in science and agriculture,” Department of Agriculture secretary Russell Redding explained Thursday. “Our farms led the cities and sustained the Continental Army, powered the industry and built the strong rural communities that continue to anchor our economy.”

The Farm Show theme frames Pennsylvania as an agricultural powerhouse, tracing its legacy back to the nation’s founding.

The PA Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 10 to 17, will also serve as the official kickoff event of America250PA, which counts down to the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4, 2026.

In honor of America250PA, the PA Dairymen’s Association will offer red, white and blue milkshake flights in strawberry, vanilla and blue raspberry flavors. The Farm Show food court will be open to the public on Friday, Jan. 9 from noon to 3 p.m., ahead of the weeklong event.

The Farm Show is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition. It spans 1 million square feet, hosts 6,000 animals and boasts more than 12,000 competitive and 250 commercial exhibits.

“It invites every visitor to connect more people with the products and the places that make agriculture thrive,” said Redding.

Department of Agriculture secretary Russell Redding with a Benjamin Franklin reenactor.

To learn more about the PA Farm Show, visit this website

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Dauphin County OKs Park Harrisburg’s 2026 budget as creditor, discusses grant money for homelessness

January 7, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

From left: Dauphin County commissioners George Hartwick, Justin Douglas and Mike Pries at Wednesday’s commissioners meeting.

Dauphin County ratified the approval of Park Harrisburg’s 2026 budget at a meeting Wednesday.

Without discussion, the Dauphin County commissioners unanimously voted to ratify Park Harrisburg’s 2026 operating budget alongside 11 other line items at its weekly meeting. The parking vendor has projected $25.6 million in revenue for 2026.

Park Harrisburg’s annual budget requires approval from its creditors, which includes Dauphin County. The county is a signed creditor on series B parking debt as well as a section of its series C parking debt.

The board also approved a month-to-month contract with the new owner of a credit card processing vendor used by the Dauphin County prothonotary’s office.

Commissioner George Hartwick said his top priority for the board this year is the effective management of Dauphin County’s budget.

In December, county commissioners passed, 2-1, a $221.9 million general fund budget, which included a property tax hike for the second year in a row. Commissioner Mike Pries voted “no” due to the 9.75% tax increase, which was below the 15% hike initially included in the county’s proposed budget.

The $221.9 million budget marked a $172,671 decrease from 2025’s budget of $222 million.

Hartwick said Wednesday that the budget would be tightly monitored.

“Every dollar will be justified, every expense will be scrutinized, and every efficiency will be pursued before asking taxpayers for a single additional dollar,” he said.

He added that the goal was to protect Dauphin County residents from a future tax increase.

“Protecting residents from a future tax increase is not optional. It is our responsibility and this budget and its management will reflect that in this upcoming year,” he said.

At the meeting, commissioners also noted that Dauphin County had not received the level of funding expected through an Emergency Solutions Grant for homelessness services. The grant provides federal money to the county for such services through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Commission chairman Justin Douglas called the ESG grant funding “critical to our region.”

“I’m looking forward to continuing to champion the reinstitution of that grant because we certainly need that,” Douglas added.

Hartwick said that state legislators have been responsive to commissioners’ requests to appeal the amount given and gain access to more funds.

Hartwick further clarified that nowhere in the county code does it say the county is responsible for providing homeless services.

“But because the issues exist and because we want to treat everybody in this community in a way that provides dignity and access to a level of service, the county tends to be the place where we are, unfortunately, finding the majority of the solutions,” he said.

Chief Clerk Eric Hagarty indicated that Dauphin County commissioners will attend a retreat Thursday to plan for the year.

“We’ll collectively engage in a SWOT analysis, identify major ongoing or upcoming projects and map out our work for 2026 in an effort to try to become more proactive in our work, instead of being reactive,” he said.

To learn more about the Dauphin County Commissioners visit this website.

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Cast Your Vote: Friends of Wildwood’s amateur photo contest is ready to be viewed, judged

January 6, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

Friends of Wildwood’s annual photo exhibition is on display now.

Only a few weeks remain to walk through this year’s amateur photography exhibition at Wildwood Park—and cast your vote for its “People’s Choice Award” winners.

While a panel of professional photographers awarded first, second and third place winners in December, members of the public get to cast votes on their favorite entries for “People’s Choice.”

The annual public photo contest spotlights shots taken around Dauphin County parks by visitors. The contest seeks submissions of observed flora, fauna and other natural beauty.

Pictured: Photo entries in Friends of Wildwood’s annual photo contest.

Many of this year’s entries feature captured sightings of birds, deer, snakes, frogs and insects. Others capture landscapes.

Rick Price of West Hanover said that he submitted two photos this year, including one of a white ibis he saw in 2025 at Wildwood Park.

The photo was interesting to him because the birds are typically found further south, along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The first time he saw a white ibis, he said, was in the Florida Keys.

“They’ve been coming further north every year,” he explained.

Price comes to Wildwood weekly to shoot birds and to lead bird walks with his wife Peggy. He said that he enjoys seeing what park visitors have photographed around the county in the annual contest.

“It gives you an opportunity to see what other people have done,” he said.

Price entered his photos, the other of a yellow flower called a spatterdock taken on Wildwood’s canal towpath, in the experienced photographer category.

Photo contest entrant Rick Price at Wildwood Park.

Adult submissions are split into beginner and experienced categories. There is also a youth category for those under 16.

Volunteer Rudy Gornika noted that the beginner’s photography, in particular, caught his eye.

“I was really impressed,” he said.

Gornika, who has been volunteering with Wildwood since 1999, appreciated how they captured wildlife subjects, especially one of a heron.

Twenty-year Wildwood volunteer Ann Pacey echoed this.

“I could not pick a favorite photo this year,” Pacey said. “There were too many good ones.”

The public has until Saturday, Jan. 24, to view the exhibit at the Olewine Nature Center and cast votes. Wildwood will announce the “People’s Choice” winners in February.

The photo contest is run by the Friends of Wildwood organization, a nonprofit that supports Wildwood Park. All photographs were taken at Wildwood, Fort Hunter, Detweiler, Wiconisco Creek or Lykens Glen parks.

Pictured: Photo entries in Friends of Wildwood’s annual photo contest. The bottom two are Rick Price’s white ibis and spatterdock entries.

To learn more about the annual Friends of Wildwood photography contest visit this website.

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Prominent Howard University choir to sing in Harrisburg next month

January 5, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

The Howard Gospel Choir

Howard University’s prominent gospel choir will perform next month in downtown Harrisburg, marking the group’s first appearance in the city in a decade.

The Market Square Presbyterian Church will host the Howard Gospel Choir on Sunday, Feb. 15 for a 4 p.m. show. The show is arranged by the church’s Arts on the Square committee, which puts on a series of musical performances each year.

“We are so proud to be bringing this group to Harrisburg audiences, especially during Black History Month,” said Tyler Canonico-Dilley, artistic director for Arts on the Square.

The choir will be accompanied by rhythm musicians, musically directed by Reginald Golden.

The Howard University group, founded in 1968, has been performing gospel music as an ensemble for roughly 50 years.

Tickets are available both in advance and at the door. General seating costs $25. Preferred seating is $30. Tickets for students and children are $15 and $10, respectively.

Free parking is available in the adjacent Market Square Garage.

The Market Square Presbyterian Church is located at 20 S. Second St. in Harrisburg. For more information, visit artsonthesquare.net.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 2, 2026 | by TheBurg Staff

The Al-Huda School purchased 3301 Front St., which used to house the Jewish Community Center.

We’re excited to wish everyone a Happy 2026! As you settle into the New Year, be sure to catch up on our latest coverage of Harrisburg.

Last year wrapped up with disagreement between city officials over Harrisburg’s 2026 general fund budget, the million-dollar sale of the old Jewish Community Center on the Susquehanna River and updates on the Broad Street Market’s brick building rebuild. Kicking off this year, our editor has made a few city-themed resolutions. Find it all below:

Bella Sicilia Bakery & Deli in Camp Hill offers authentic Italian pastries, gelato and deli favorites. Read more in our December magazine story.

Broad Street Market’s wall that collapsed during construction on its fire-damaged brick building in mid-December will be rebuilt, according to Harrisburg’s spokesperson, our online story reported.

Community events happening this month include a Birds & Coffee meetup at Wildwood and an LGBTQ+ Book Club by the Dauphin County Library System. Find the full list in our January issue.

Harrisburg hosted its annual New Year’s Eve party, complete with the strawberry drop and fireworks, our online story reported.

Harrisburg-area happenings—like swing dance classes at the Abbey Bar and Baby Rhyme Time at the Fredricksen Library—are consolidated here, as seen in our January issue.

Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg sold its old community center to an Islamic school for $1.1 million, our online story reported.

Mayor Wanda Williams vetoed portions of Harrisburg’s general fund budget in an effort to block City Council from zeroing out or significantly reducing salaries for several top city officials. After City Council overrode her vetoes in a special legislative session, Williams said she will explore a lawsuit to reinstate the salaries. Our online coverage details it all.

Our editor made some New Year’s resolutions, with his city in mind, in this blog post.

TheBurg’s top 10 stories of 2025 were ranked by our editor for our January issue. Can you guess what made the list?

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