Author Archives: Maddie Conley

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

September 5, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

The scene at Kipona Festival after a van drove through barriers and hit three people. Photo courtesy of Ed Jaroch.

This week was a short one, but there was still plenty of news. We’ve covered it all and compiled our stories for you, below.

Downtown Daily Bread announced its new executive director, Kristen Herman, who will oversee the organization, our online story reported. Harman brings with her more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership.

Governor’s Square now has a court-appointed receiver to oversee operations and improvements at the affordable housing development, our story reported. At a meeting, Harrisburg City Council questioned the receiver and weighed entering an agreement with him.

Harrisburg officials have proposed making changes to the city’s curfew ordinance to address an increase in disorderly behavior by youth, our online story reported. However, City Council, at a meeting, doubted that the change would be effective or fair.

Kipona Festival ended tragically, when a woman drove onto Front Street, bypassing barriers and hitting three people, our online story reported. Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams issued a statement calling the incident “an unthinkable act.”

Live music is in full swing for September, bringing something from every genre. Our columnist has her top recs, here.

Sara Bozich has a long list of happenings this weekend, including jazz, yoga and bingo. There’s something for everyone, here.

September is full of special community events, which are listed in our Community Corner. In our Happenings section, you’ll find even more goings-on in and around Harrisburg.

Theatre Harrisburg launches its 100^th season this month. In our magazine story, read about the history of the community theater and its evolution.

A York Haven woman was charged with aggravated assault and DUI in connection with the incident at Kipona when a van drove into a crowd. The woman faces a dozen charges, our online story reported.

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Harrisburg proposes increases to curfew hours, fines; council doubts effectiveness, fairness

September 3, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Commissioner Tom Carter and Deputy Chief Kenny Young presented proposed curfew amendments at a City Council meeting. Screenshot from meeting livestream.

Harrisburg police on Tuesday proposed changes to the city’s curfew to deter youth from getting into trouble, but council members weren’t on board.

At a City Council meeting, police bureau officials shared a proposal to make curfew hours longer and fines heftier in an attempt to curb recent incidents, specifically downtown. Council was largely dissatisfied with the plan.

Harrisburg currently has an ordinance that outlines curfew hours for minors in the city, as well as the penalties for breaking curfew. However, at Tuesday’s meeting, police and council officials recognized that curfew hasn’t historically been enforced, due to shortages and officers and resources.

But police Commissioner Tom Carter said that within the past year, the issue of youth causing disturbances and engaging in illegal behavior downtown, around 2^nd Street’s restaurant row, has increased. To address that problem, the city has proposed updating and cracking down more on curfew rules.

The proposed amendments would change curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Sunday to Thursday, during the school year, to 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The current hours of 12 to 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays would change to 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Additionally, the 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew would be in place every day during the summer.

Fine guidelines would also change, changing the current $200 to $500 range, based on the number of offenses, to a $300 to $1,000 range.

The ordinance would, however, introduce a new option for community service as a penalty, which wasn’t in the legislation before.

The changes to times and fines already went into effect downtown when Carter issued a temporary order that took effect Aug. 22. The proposal before council would solidify those updates and extend them to all of Harrisburg.

According to Carter, the measures have already helped lower problems downtown.

“It seemed to have worked since this has gone in,” he said. “We’ve seen less issues with juveniles downtown.”

Council members said that they understood the situation and the need to address it, but were not in favor of more penalties for youth.

Council member Lamont Jones questioned how officers would identify people who are under 18 and expressed concern about increasing negative interactions between officers and youth.

“How is this going to be implemented?” he said. “We want to minimize as much contact with our young people as we can without them being a nuisance or causing any problems in our community.”

Carter clarified that police wouldn’t be driving around looking for young people, but would more likely be interacting with youth if a call came into the police, at which time they may ask their age. Deputy Director Kenny Young added that, in many situations, no citation is even issued because of the time and resources it would take, and officers simply send the kid home.

“We’re trying to get them back home without going through that process,” he said. “If we have no choice then we’re trying to find out other avenues. The citation is absolutely the last thing that, I can guarantee you, that they’re doing.”

Several council members took issue with the increase in fines, stating that it could place a financial burden on parents

“Hopefully it’s meant to be a deterrent, but I’m sure you guys know that our residents—a $100 fine would hurt some of these people,” Jones said. “I would rather see more restorative than punitive.”

Ultimately, Carter said that the ordinance is just a guideline and the amount that someone is fined is up to the magisterial district judges.

“The codified ordinance is just an ordinance; the district justices don’t have to follow this. But we have to put something in place to maintain some sort of law and order with what our young people are doing,” Carter said. “We’re not out there trying to hurt juveniles or juveniles’ parents. We just want compliance and we’re just looking out for the safety of our youth.”

Council member Ralph Rodriguez brought up the fact that the current curfew ordinance isn’t strongly enforced as it is, and questioned why the city needs to update it.

“What would be the difference between enforcing the curfew we already have now instead of raising the penalty? Why couldn’t we just really go hard and enforce it as it is now?” he said.

Deputy Solicitor Tyrsa Cameron explained the amendments as a way to further discourage crime, without giving youth more serious charges. A curfew citation would be a summary offense.

“I think the intention of the amendment was to give the police another tool in their toolbox to handle [the issue],” she said. “I mean, people forget that these teens very easily at their age could get a disorderly conduct criminal charge, so I think the curfew aspect was a way to try to go away from criminalization, give the parents some input and say, because, what is your mom going to say if she gets a fine?” she said.

Rodriguez pushed back.

“Something has to be done, right? I just don’t know if this is quite it, when we already have something on the books that we can’t quite fully enforce to begin with,” he said.

Council member Jocelyn Rawls said that she would rather see thought and resources go to more programming for young people to address root causes of behavioral issues.

“I just don’t think it’s going to work. It hasn’t,” she said. “I think making this amendment isn’t going to make a difference because there’s a bigger issue. We need to redirect our resources in different ways for our youth, we need to give them more opportunities. There are so many more things we could do. And this is just not the answer.”

Carter said that he was open to discussing with council other options to address the issue, if they were not satisfied with the curfew amendments.

Jones moved to keep the bill in committee, meaning it is not scheduled to be voted on at this time.

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Harrisburg nonprofit names new executive director to lead homelessness support efforts

September 3, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Kristen Herman

A Harrisburg service provider has a new leader to guide its homelessness assistance programs.

Downtown Daily Bread announced on Wednesday that Kristen Herman would serve as the new executive director, bringing over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership.

Herman most recently served as the director of prevention services at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, leading statewide initiatives for 10 years. Before that, she directed community-based domestic violence prevention efforts with CHILD, Inc. in Delaware.

A Susquehanna Township resident, Herman received her master’s degree in public health from George Washington University and her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Delaware.

Herman takes the position previously held by Corrie Lingenfelter, who left earlier this year after serving in the position since January 2023.

“I am extremely pleased that Kristen will be leading Downtown Daily Bread,” said Sue Wilson, chair of the DDB search committee. “We conducted an extensive consultant-led search with many excellent candidates, and we are thrilled that Kristen is willing to join us. We are very excited about her leadership skills in moving us forward to expand our services to the hungry and homeless in Harrisburg.”

Additionally, the DDB board promoted staff member Amanda Berman to the role of director of operations. She has worked at DDB for three and a half years, previously serving as client assistant, administrative manager and, most recently, as shelter coordinator.

“Amanda is an extremely productive employee in meeting the needs of DDB clients,” said Jay Himes DDB board president. “Her passion for serving our clients is amazing. We are fortunate to have such dedicated staff at DDB.”

For more information about Downtown Daily Bread, visit their website.

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Court-appointed receiver for troubled Governor’s Square apartments shares plan with City Council

September 2, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Receiver Justin Heinly (left) answered City Council members questions about Governor’s Square, at a work session on Tuesday.

After years of setbacks, a plan to help turn things around at a neglected Harrisburg housing development is in the works.

City Council on Tuesday weighed entering an agreement with a local company that has been appointed by a Dauphin County judge to serve as receiver for the Residences at Governor’s Square. At the council work session, the appointed receiver shared his plans.

Justin Heinly of Midtown Asset Consulting was appointed in an order from a judge of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas on Tuesday, following a Friday hearing, according to city officials. As receiver, Heinly will work to bring the beleaguered affordable housing community back into a financially and physically stable position.

Uptown Partners, the owner of Governor’s Square, which is located near N. 5^th and Maclay streets, filed for bankruptcy in May 2023. For years, the city issued code citations and condemned properties, and residents complained of quality-of-life issues in units. City officials have previously shared that over half of the 222 units have become vacant and the area has dealt with crime and safety issues.

After unsuccessful attempts to sell the property, and claiming not to have enough money to maintain it, Uptown Partners filed a motion to have a receiver appointed. Heinly said that city Solicitor Neil Grover approached him with the request to take on the project, and the city brought his name forward to the county judge. As receiver, Heinly will step in to control and oversee improvements at the property, while Uptown Partners remains the legal owner.

Heinly, who also serves as the owner of Harrisburg-based Midtown Property Management, shared his plan for Governor’s Square at council’s work session on Tuesday.

“Our mission in our affiliate business is to manage properties with integrity and respect for our tenants, our owners and our community. And this aligns with who we are as a company and as members of our community,” Heinly said.

In March, council approved allocating $250,000 as seed money to help the receiver get started with work at Governor’s Square. According to the resolution, the city will pay the receiver portions of that money monthly and will expect to be reimbursed as money becomes available through rent revenue.

Heinly shared that his plan for Governor’s Square would span 10 years and three phases. The first phase would include securing the property and spending six months evaluating the need and creating a restoration budget and plan. In phase two, the receiver would begin implementing the plan and working to get the property to financial stability, which could take two years. The final phase would focus on seeking grants and funding to make capital improvements, Heinly shared.

His first priority—visiting each occupied unit, making sure residents are safe, and relocating any tenants whose property is not livable.

“Each resident that’s up there, if they’re listening tonight, they are going to have a home,” he said.

As of now, the current property management company, Winn Residential, will continue rent collection and maintenance while Heinly reviews their contract.

The current monthly rent roll at Governor’s Square is $46,382, of which only about $39,000 is being collected. In total, there is $838,000 in delinquent rent payments, Heinly said.

Council members asked Heinly many questions, several voicing concern that the city would get its investment back.

“I’m just concerned about this project, I mean, we definitely know that we need it done […] but financially, this is a huge task,” said council member Lamont Jones.

Heinly assured council that, as money begins flowing into the property, the city will be repaid. He also noted that he would seek county and state grant funding for support.

“This is going to be a very long, very arduous task, but I am confident that we will be successful,” he said. “I am confident the city will get repaid. I am confident that the city residents are going to be served in this evolution, but we just need time.”

Council members also asked about Governor’s Square’s affordable designation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The requirement that the property remain affordable is part of the property deed. Heinly said that he believes that lasts for at least 10 more years, and that he would seek to get that extended.

“I have no intention of this going market rate,” he said.

While council members had concerns, most agreed with the need for action and did not object to Heinly as receiver.

“Some of those properties are beyond repairable,” council member Ralph Rodriguez said. “Some of those homes don’t even have the complete bricks on the outside […] It’s much more than an organization or a company taking this process and these hurdles and just jumping through it as a receiver. There’s a lot of families involved and people that depend on that […] I hate to say this, but you’re kind of the savior at this point.”

The resolution will be on council’s next legislative agenda for a vote.

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Mayor responds to tragic incident at Harrisburg’s Kipona festival

September 2, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Harisburg police taped off a section of Front Street after a car broke through barriers and hit three people. Photo courtesy of Ed Jaroch.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams issued a statement on Tuesday, addressing a tragic incident on Labor Day.

At the city’s Kipona Festival on Monday, a red minivan drove through barriers that blocked off N. Front Street for the festival, injuring three people in what Williams called “an unthinkable act.”

The vehicle struck an adult woman in a wheelchair, a 6-year-old boy and a city Public Works employee, all of whom sustained serious, but not fatal, injuries, according to the city.

The incident took place on the final day of the three-day festival, in the evening, as the event was ending and vendors were closing.

“First and foremost, my heart, my prayers and the prayers of our entire city are with the victims and their families,” Williams said in a statement. “Let me be clear: Harrisburg will not tolerate reckless disregard for human life. Our police and emergency responders acted swiftly and courageously, and the individual responsible is now in custody. Justice will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law.”

Local news has reported that 37-year-old Elizabeth Bohrer was arrested in relation to the incident and is being held at Dauphin County Prison.

Harrisburg resident Ed Jaroch said that he was on site at the time of the incident and noticed the car driving down Front Street, toward State Street. He said that the car was driving and honking its horn, as a man, likely a city employee, in a golf cart, attempted to slow the van down. Jaroch said that the van came to a stop at State Street for a few seconds before “flooring it.”

“It was unbelievable,” he said. “I didn’t think at all that when she stopped that she was going to move again.”

Jaroch said that he immediately called 9-1-1, and said that the police were at the site within a minute.

Williams said that she will review the incident “thoroughly” with law enforcement and public works and strengthen protective measures for future festivals.

“Kipona has been a hallmark of Harrisburg for more than a century. It is where families gather, neighbors reconnect, and traditions thrive along the beautiful Susquehanna River,” she said. “One reckless act cannot overshadow the spirit of this festival nor the unity of our community. But it is a reminder that safety will always remain our top priority.”

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

August 29, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Officials announced Harrisburg’s Kipona Festival at a press conference on Monday.

Does anyone else feel like summer went too fast? To celebrate the end of the season, Harrisburg will hold its annual Kipona Festival this weekend, and we just dropped our September issue of the magazine. There’s lots to be excited about. In case you missed any of our stories from this week, find them below.

Colleges and universities in the Harrisburg area share their thoughts on recent federal discussions and policies surrounding international students, in our story. Local students also share their fears and concerns.

Hotel Hershey Executive Chef Bart Umidi has had a unique professional journey to get to where he is now. In our magazine story, read about his background, as well as the vision and expertise he brings to Hershey.

Kipona Festival returns to the riverfront this weekend, with food trucks, live music, cultural celebrations and more. Find out all you need to know, here.

Nonprofits and local organizations are losing federal funding, jeopardizing their programming and futures. In his column, our publisher implores the community to support these institutions.

PennDOT announced that it would begin blasting on a portion of I-83 in Harrisburg on Sept. 8, our online story reported. The construction will impact the area around 19^th Street.

Our publisher, in his September note to readers, shares how TheBurg is thriving due to community support and introduces the art-focused issue of the magazine.

Sara Bozich has all of the events you need to know about for your Labor Day weekend, here.

Tattoo artists share their passion for the craft, in our magazine story. The art, they say, is both about technical skill and personal expression.

Transit in the Harrisburg area is evolving, following a troubled past. To find out what updates the bus system has planned, read our feature.

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission will bring back its Sober Ride Home program for the Labor Day weekend, our online story reported. The initiative offers free Uber vouchers to bar and restaurant patrons.

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I-83 blasting to impact corridor, traffic in Harrisburg

August 29, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

PennDOT project site map.

Construction on I-83 will soon impact a Harrisburg corridor.

PennDOT announced on Friday that blasting will begin on I-83, around 19^th Street, on Sept. 8 and rolling stops will be implemented in each direction of the highway.

The blasting, needed for excavation, is part of the I-83 Capital Beltway Project, which is expanding the roadway and rebuilding several bridges. Blasting will take place between 12 to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, as needed, for several weeks.

Rolling stops will be in place in both directions of I-83, between Route 581 in Cumberland County and the Eisenhower Interchange in Dauphin County, for safety purposes. Delays should be expected, PennDOT said.

Additionally, PennDOT reminded motorists that the ramp from 19^th Street to northbound I-83 is closed, with a long-term detour in place. The detour takes drivers from Paxton Street east to 32^nd Street, turning left on 32^nd Street, then turning right at Wayne Street and proceeding to the ramp to northbound I-83.

The ramp closure will be in place until the 19^th Street bridge is replaced.

All of this roadwork is part of the first of two contracts for the East Shore Section 3 of the Capital Beltway Project. The first contract includes widening and reconstructing parts of I-83, as well as reconstructing bridges at 19^th and 29^th streets and other interchange and corridor improvements. The work is expected to be complete by Oct. 12, 2027.

The second contract, which is expected to be under construction from 2025 to 2028, also includes I-83 widening and reconstruction of the 13^th Street bridge and the 17^th Street interchange.

For more information about the East Shore Section 3 and the I-83 Capital Beltway Project, click here.

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Free Uber vouchers will offer bar patrons a “Sober Ride Home” during the holiday weekend

August 29, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Officials announced the Sober Ride Home program in July 2024.

As the holiday weekend approaches, a local program encourages people to have fun—responsibly.

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) announced on Friday that it will bring back its Sober Ride Home initiative for Labor Day weekend, offering free Uber vouchers to bar and restaurant patrons.

“The goal is to prevent tragedies for people who may be out celebrating over the holiday weekend,” said Andrew Bomberger, executive director of TCRPC.

According to the organization, they decided to bring back the initiative following an increase in participation over the July 4^th weekend. Sober Ride Home is aimed at preventing DUI accidents and fatalities, organizers said.

According to Bomberger, 40% of the region’s fatal crashes involve impaired drivers, as do 30% of serious injury crashes.

Through Sober Ride Home, people who have consumed alcohol at bars and restaurants in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties can access a free Uber voucher worth $20. Vouchers are available from 7 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Aug. 31.

Vouchers will be available by visiting the Sober Ride Home website and scanning a QR code. Local bars and restaurants will be promoting the program.

Sober Ride Home vouchers will be available while supplies last. Users must have an active Uber account with a credit card on file to access a voucher.

TCRPC partners with the Federal Highway Administration and the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, Commute PA and Uber on the initiative.

For more information, visit their website.

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Filling Bags, Filling Needs: Small food pantries make a big impact

August 28, 2025 | by Susan Ryder

Volunteers stock Grace Giving Pantry

A group of small but mighty food pantries has been assisting the people of central Pennsylvania, mostly going unnoticed except by the people they serve.

Heather Simpson is one of those people. What sent her to a food pantry?

“I was a newly single mom with a really tight income, and I needed to be able to provide for my kiddos,” she said.

Simpson visits Grace Giving Pantry at Grace Lutheran Church in Camp Hill weekly if her schedule allows. It’s open on Wednesday afternoons.

“When people come, we provide a meal that they can take home to cook, fresh fruits and veggies, breads and sweets, shelf stable food, refrigerated items, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and diapers provided by the Healthy Steps Diaper Bank,” said Jackie Behney, co-coordinator of the pantry.

Grace Giving Pantry is one of several small food pantries around the Harrisburg area, often run from churches. You may not hear about them as much as the larger food banks, but they play a vital role in helping to curb hunger throughout the region.

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on 17th Street in Harrisburg is another small pantry. It supplies the same types of food as Grace, but a bit differently. On the first and third Tuesdays of each month, Lisa Harris, pantry coordinator, prepacks about 20 bags for visitors.

“I give them a bag of dry goods, frozen food and meat, and this week I’ll have produce,” Harris said.

They’ve been doing this for 30 years.

Then there’s Mountain Be Removed Outreach Center (MBROC), which distributes its food outside in the parking lot of the Church of God in Penbrook.

“We’re out there 11 months out of the year, unless it snows, unless it’s pouring down raining,” said Samonia Whisonant, co-founder and executive director. “So, we’re out there in zero or below zero.”

MBROC decided to have its 14-year-old pantry outdoors because it’s less intimidating and gives them exposure to people who need help but may not know that they are there. Whisonant is grateful for the collaboration with the Church of God.

Collaboration allows these pantries to do their work. The food they distribute comes from a multitude of places.

“Midwest Food Bank is probably the largest place that we get food,” Behney said.

The pantries also get food from Panera, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Aldi, Weis Markets and Giant. Each pantry’s corresponding church also provides financial donations.

“Sometimes, the best donation we get from our congregation is a financial one because, that way, we can fill in the gap by purchasing things we’re not able to have donated,” Behney said.

Ingenuity helps too. One volunteer from Grace Giving Pantry heads to Root’s Country Market and Auction in Manheim late Tuesday evenings to get rock bottom prices on produce.

Greater Options

All these donations go to many people for many reasons, including seniors, people facing illness, those who have lost a job, and those who simply can’t make ends meet.

During each distribution, MBROC serves about 60 families, Grace Giving Pantry about 25, and St. Paul’s about 20—not huge numbers, but huge to those who need the help.

Janice Reinke, manager of food procurement and distribution at Midwest Food Bank in Middletown, said that, of its 230 partner organizations, 80% are smaller sized.

“The need is great,” Reinke said. “So, the more options, the better.”

And these pantries are low- or no-barrier, meaning they have few requirements to get food.

“They just need to tell us their name, where they live, and how many people are in the household,” Whisonant said.

St. Paul requires identification, due to donor organization requirements, but “we serve whoever comes through the door,” Harris said.

There is no income requirement for the pantries, which is helpful to people like Simpson.

Simpson does receive SNAP, but, since she is self-employed, her income can vary greatly, pushing benefits down disproportionately to her increased income.

“There were times when I wasn’t getting enough benefits,” she said.

The pantry took the pressure off.

Whisonant pointed out that it’s not just about income. It’s also about bills.

“I think that, when it comes to groceries, it doesn’t matter where your income is at, because everybody is in a different spot, in a different situation,” Whisonant said.

She spoke of a time when there were three incomes coming into her house, but they still didn’t have enough for food. That’s what drove her to begin helping others, because her family was helped at one point.

Having a variety of small pantries offers people options of when, where and how frequently they can get food.

“They can come out on Saturdays, because most people are off on the weekends,” Whisonant said.

These three pantries aren’t one-trick ponies. Between the three, they either serve food to the homeless weekly, distribute food to seniors, or have a community meal at the church. They also have relationships with the folks who come to be served.

“They share their lives with us,” Behney said. “They share their prayer needs with us. We hear their life stories.”

Sometimes, the recipients become volunteers or donate to the cause.

These pantries represent just a portion of smaller pantries operating in the Harrisburg area. Others are tucked away in organizations’ basements and neighborhoods, quietly getting to know and serve those who need an extra hand. Filling people’s bags also benefits the giver.

“It fills my heart,” Behney said.

Editor’s note: Heather Simpson’s name was changed to protect her identity.

Where There’s Food

Where can people access small food pantries? Here’s information on the pantries mentioned in the story, plus a few others.

Mountain Be Moved Outreach Center
Church of God, Harrisburg
Second Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Grace Giving Pantry
Grace Lutheran Church, Camp Hill
Every Wednesday, 2 to 5 p.m.

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Harrisburg
First and third Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Middletown
Mondays and Thursdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Crossroads Christian Ministries, Oberlin
Third Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

One80 Ministries, Mechanicsburg
First and third Fridays, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Salem Shares Food Pantry
Fishing Creek Salem UMC, Etters
First Thursdays, 3:30 to 6 p.m.

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September Publisher’s Note

August 28, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda

I read tons of news industry information—data, trends, articles—so recently came across a story that stated that lots of people still like to read print newspapers.

My reaction: I could’ve told them that!

This particular article breathlessly related how nine community members in suburban Indianapolis, fed up with the area’s chain-owned “ghost newspapers,” teamed up to launch their own old-fashioned, subscription-based print paper.

Two years in and, at least according to the story, their back-to-the-future news experiment has proven a success (“Stop the Press? Does Print Have More of a Future in Media Than We Think?” Local News Initiative, Northwestern/Medill, Aug. 4, 2025).

Well, TheBurg is 17 years old, and our print product is more popular than ever. We print as many copies as we can afford to publish and distribute, but demand always outstrips supply. Each month, we run out quickly, especially at our most popular locations. [Note to Wegman’s shoppers—believe it or not, we restock there every week, but you scoop up Burgs as fast as we can stack them.]

This is not to diminish our online news product, which is also popular. We publish most breaking news only online, so please bookmark and visit our website on a regular basis to enjoy everything we offer.

In other words, we have a hybrid model, which combines our award-winning print magazine with our online daily reporting. Every news outlet must make its own decision on how best to run its business (print vs. digital, free vs. paid, etc.), and we find that this model works for us.

With that, welcome to our latest issue of TheBurg. We pride ourselves on coverage of the local arts scene 12 months a year, but, each September, the arts truly take over our monthly magazine. This month, you’ll find stories on theater, music, visual arts, the written word and more—always all original and all local.

On a parting note, I’d like to circle back to that Indianapolis start-up, which, importantly, is run by community members. Indeed, we believe a key to our success is local ownership, as our partners all live in the Harrisburg area and, in fact, work for TheBurg. That’s an intangible that no chain newspaper could ever replicate.

Lawrance Binda
Publisher/Editor

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