Author Archives: Maddie Conley

Dan Miller wins GOP nomination for Harrisburg mayor as write-in, weighs general election bid

May 28, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Dan Miller (center) at his election night party at The Millworks on May 20.

The runner-up Democratic challenger for Harrisburg mayor in last week’s municipal primary election may run on the Republican ticket in November.

City Treasurer Dan Miller lost the Democratic nomination against incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams on May 20, but received enough write-in votes for the Republican nomination—which he says he will consider.

“Before making any decisions, I must assess community support for a fall campaign,” Miller said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “The election would be a runoff between the top two candidates. One candidate of the status quo, and my candidacy of change and progress. If sufficient support exists along with a reasonable winning strategy, my candidacy will continue. I will look to everyone for support.”

Miller, one of five mayoral candidates, won 1,642 votes in the primary, narrowly losing to Williams who won 1,725 votes. However, Miller also received more than the 100 votes as a Republican write in needed to secure that party’s nomination. No Republican candidate ran on the primary ballot.

“Thank you to all city Republicans who gave me their write-in vote. Although I am a long-time registered Democrat, I am now the qualified Republican nominee,” Miller said in his statement. “Considering both D and R city votes, this race is a dead heat. Even though 65% of Democrats voted for change, winning on the Republican ticket will be a difficult task. It will require a considerable amount of fundraising, volunteer effort, and increased professional strategy.”

Miller will eventually need to decide if he will accept the Republican nomination to have his name on the November municipal general election ballot.

In 2013, Miller likewise lost the mayoral primary, but captured the Republican nomination through write-in votes. In the November general election, he lost to the Democratic nominee, former Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

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Former Harrisburg judge sentenced to over a decade in prison for attempted murder

May 28, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Courthouse

A former Harrisburg judge found guilty of attempted murder has been sentenced to over a decade in prison.

On Wednesday in the Dauphin County Courthouse, Sonya McKnight, 57, was sentenced to 13.5 to 30 years in jail for shooting her ex-boyfriend Michael McCoy in the head while he slept.

At the sentencing McKnight also resigned her position as a Magisterial District Judge in Harrisburg and was barred from serving in the future. McKnight had been suspended from her role since November 2023 based on misconduct allegations from the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania.

Out-of-county Judge Howard Knisley, of Lancaster County, imposed the prison sentence over a month after McKnight was declared guilty on one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault by a jury. McKnight was originally arrested in February 2024 in relation to the shooting.

“It’s the sentence we were basically hoping for and asked for,” Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack told TheBurg. McCormack’s office took on prosecution of the case, due to McKnight holding a position as judge in Dauphin County.

Before the judge’s decision, McCormack argued that McKnight has shown no remorse for her actions, has permanently disabled McCoy and has tried to direct blame towards others. He said that, during the pre-sentencing investigation, McKnight stated that she believed local officials were conspiring on a way to get her out of her judge seat.

Knisley, upon his sentencing, echoed several of McCormack’s statements.

“The defendant is totally without remorse for her actions,” he said. “These are the actions of a calculating individual.”

Just before that, McKnight herself spoke for the first time during the courtroom hearings, dressed in jail clothes and hands chained, and said that her “character stands firm.”

“I just want you to know who I am, who I truly am. There’s not two sides to me,” she said in response to a claim made by McCormack. “I have not a monstrous side at all.”

Several family members and friends also spoke on McKnight’s behalf, painting a picture of a teen mom who faced challenges in life, but rose to become a judge, woman of faith and respected, well-known member of the community.

“Sacrificing and serving was the theme of her life,” McKnight’s eldest son, who will act as her power of attorney, said. “At the end of the day, I couldn’t ask for a better mother.”

McKnight’s attorney, Cory Leshner, maintained that McKnight was innocent and said that “the appeal process will be ongoing.”

In the end, McKnight was sentenced according to the sentencing guidelines, not receiving a lower sentence within the mitigated range, despite her the statements from her family and friends. Knisley stated that he believed McKnight had a full understanding of her actions and the consequences, is intelligent and has a work history that shows her knowledge of the criminal justice system.

“This is an unbelievable and sad day for all involved,” Knisley said.

The 13.5-year sentence will serve as the minimum amount of time that McKnight will be in prison before she is eligible for parole. Thirty years is the maximum amount of time she can serve. The time McKnight has already spent in prison will count toward her total sentence.

McKnight cried, hugging family and friends following the sentencing.

McCoy attended the hearing, but chose not to speak, leaving it to a few friends and family members to share how the shooting has impacted his life.

“Mike didn’t deserve this,” one woman shared.

McCoy underwent several surgeries following the shooting and remains legally blind in one eye as a result of his injuries.

“She betrayed the community that she served,” McCormack said during the hearing. “She can’t take back the absolute terror that she sent through Mike McCoy’s family.”

Throughout the early April trial, testimony by McCoy and the prosecution maintained that he did not shoot himself, despite insinuations by the defense that he may have. McCoy never said that McKnight shot him, but that he didn’t know because he was asleep when he was shot and blinded when he awoke. However, he did say that he and McKnight were the only ones in his house where he was shot.

In the end, the jury took less than two hours to deliberate and unanimously find McKnight guilty.

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Midtown apartment proposal gets zoning change; council makes appointments to water utility, law enforcement boards

May 27, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Proposed apartment project site (file photo)

A project to construct a large apartment building in Midtown has faced several delays and setbacks, but took a step forward on Tuesday.

Harrisburg City Council approved a zoning change for a swath of land around 320 Reily St., 1511 N. 3rd St. and 329 Harris St., a necessary step before developers can move forward with a proposed 144-unit apartment building.

The zoning modification changes the land from institutional zoning to commercial neighborhood zoning.

The project, proposed by Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development, originally received zoning variances and special exceptions in 2021, but a land development plan was never filed. Then in February 2024, GreenWorks received new zoning approval, but the Zoning Hearing Board excluded parking relief from the approval.

Currently, the proposed project site is occupied by parking and vacant lots. The area was long zoned institutional as HACC was slated to use the space as part of its Midtown campus in the early 2000s, but later abandoned the plan.

The proposed apartment building also would include first-floor commercial space and amenities for residents.

Also on Tuesday, council made several board appointments.

Council appointed Shea Zwerver, by a vote of 5-2, and Pierre MaCoy, by a vote of 4-3, to serve on the Capital Region Water board.

Several council members voted against the appointments, saying that they seemed qualified, but they wanted to give other community members a chance to volunteer for the board. They cited the fact that Zwerver currently works part-time for the city’s forestry program and that MaCoy sits on the Harrisburg Parking Authority board.

“I do believe that there should be more opportunity for other residents who have extensive backgrounds in the same field, in the same area, that would be assets to the board of directors of Capital Region Water, and offer some diversity within the board,” council President Danielle (Bowers) Hill said.

Zwerver will serve a term until 2027 and MaCoy will fill a seat until 2028. They will fill one vacant board seat and replace board member Nate Davidson, who resigned on Tuesday. Davidson (D-103) also serves as a member of Harrisburg’s state legislative delegation.

Council also appointed Leon Hueston Sr. and Amechie Walker Sr. to the city’s newly formed Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board.

In other business, council approved a professional services agreement with Batta Environmental Associates to provide environmental and geotechnical consultant services on the Hall Manor Aquatic Facility project. The project will use funds made available to the city under the federal American Rescue Plan Act to replace and upgrade the Hall Manor pool.

Finally, council approved a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program for up to $5 million to make safety improvements along Division Street.

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Proposed pay-what-you-can restaurant concept for Midtown revived under new owner

May 27, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

The future site of the Thrive restaurant, housing and resource center.

A Harrisburg housing organization plans to expand their mission to include another basic necessity—food.

Thrive Housing Services told TheBurg that they will open a pay-what-you-can restaurant in Midtown Harrisburg in hopes of addressing local food insecurity and giving youth a place to get work experience.

The nonprofit was gifted the building at 1120 and 1122 N. 3^rd St. in March from the former owners of Heartshine, which renovated the property and had also planned to open a pay-what-you-can restaurant, but did not. Thrive Executive Director Dee Allen said that Thrive paid Heartshine a sum of money to help them dissolve the company in exchange for the building. Allen said that the previous owners requested that Thrive stick with the restaurant concept.

Thrive currently provides housing for young adults experiencing homelessness and has opened and planned several new housing developments recently. This would be their first entrance into the food service world, but Allen believes the concept fits with their mission by filling hungry bellies and giving youth job training.

“It’s basically going to be a place where anybody can eat,” she said. “It will be an opportunity to serve the community.”

The building, which sits on two land parcels, will house the restaurant, as well as five apartments for young adults and a drop-in resource center for young people. The center will allow people to get mail, wash clothes and connect with agencies and assistance.

Allen also views the restaurant as a resource for Thrive’s clients, as it gives young people a place to work that will train them and help them build a resume, while being understanding of their life circumstances and struggles.

“A lot of kids don’t have the marketable things that people are looking for,” she said. “Now we are helping to accommodate them […] so they can successfully transition out of homelessness.”

Additionally, Allen believes that the unique restaurant model will help Thrive serve the community in a new way by providing hot meals and de-stigmatizing food insecurity. Patrons will be seated, given menus to order from and served like any other restaurant, regardless of their income level and ability to pay. Breadcoin, food voucher tokens, will be accepted.

However, she’s hopeful that community members of all economic statuses will come to dine.

According to Allen, the exterior of the building is in decent shape, but the interior of much of the structure is essentially “a shell.” Thrive will need to work to renovate the restaurant and apartment spaces.

She estimated that the restaurant may be ready to open in fall 2026.

Thrive has already received some grant funding, but is currently seeking additional grants and donations for the project.

To donate to Thrive’s project or for more information, visit their website.

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Harrisburg poet to teach young writers to tell their stories through free library workshops

May 27, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Juelz Davenport at the Madeline Olewine Memorial Library

A local poet will help students put pen to paper to tell a story this summer.

The Dauphin County Library System has partnered with Harrisburg poet and author Julian “Juelz” Davenport to offer teens free writing classes.

“We are trying to make the library cool,” Davenport said. “It’s an asset to the teens that want to write. It’s just like therapy for writers.”

The six-session “My Society: Written Proof” course will allow 12- to 18-year-olds to brainstorm ideas, collaborate with their peers, learn writing techniques from Davenport and even record spoken word poetry at HACC’s podcasting studio.

Participants will meet at the Madeline Olewine Memorial Library in Uptown Harrisburg and will be provided with journals and writing supplies. Classes run from June 5 to July 17 and have space for 25 students.

Davenport said that he plans to share his story with students, as well as how he has developed as a writer and author of several poetry books and a recently released novel, “Who is Shawn.”

He hopes that students will be encouraged to dream big and envision their own artistic future.

“I want them to know that with their story, you don’t know who you are going to inspire,” he said.

Davenport likened the course to a sports summer camp—an opportunity to hone your craft. He noted that he’s spoken with several parents who are looking for ways to get their children involved in creative outlets—something that is harder to find in an often sports-focused society.

“I didn’t know so many parents were seeking places for their kids,” he said.

The program will also introduce students to the many resources that their local library offers, Davenport said. He’s grateful for the opportunity to partner with the library, as a Harrisburg native himself.

“Them giving me this opportunity to have the space to do this […] that’s important to me,” he said.

For more information and to register for the program, visit the library’s website. To find out more about Julian “Juelz” Davenport and his work, visit his website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 23, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Mayor Wanda Williams celebrated her primary election win for the Democratic nomination for mayor.

It was election week here in Harrisburg, so if you fell behind on the news with all the political hubbub, don’t worry. We have all of our stories from the week, including Election Day coverage, below.

The Cheesesteak Guy, a former Broad Street Market vendor, relocated to a new Lemoyne location, our magazine story reported. At the shop, the owners serve Philly-style cheesesteak sandwiches, burgers and breakfast sandwiches.

Faye’s Ice Cream Parlor opened at the end of March inside the former Hanna’s Ice Cream Shoppe on Bridge Street in New Cumberland, our magazine story reported. The shop promises “vintage vibes and fresh flavors.”

The Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival returns this month for its 30^th year, our magazine story reported. The festival will include a showing of the documentary “Shari & Lamb Chop,” along with other movies.

Incumbent Wanda Williams won the Democratic nomination for mayor of Harrisburg on Tuesday, our online story reported. Williams narrowly defeated four challengers, saying that she was “elated.”

“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” will play at Midtown Cinema this month, our magazine story reported. The movie follows a clumsy Parisian bookseller named Agathe who dreams of being a successful writer.

Sankofa African American Theatre Company and Open Stage will present “The Colored Museum” May 31 through June 19. In our magazine story, find out more about the show, which highlights the complexities of Black American identity.

Sara Bozich has plenty of ideas for how to spend the long weekend in Harrisburg. Find her list of events, here.

State and local officials announced that they will work together to create a comprehensive revitalization plan for downtown Harrisburg, our online story reported.

Voters headed to the polls on Tuesday for the municipal primary election, our online story reported. Harrisburg residents shared what issues informed their vote this year, as well as which candidates they preferred.

Voter turnout dropped this year compared to the 2021 municipal primary election. In his blog, our publisher discusses how better campaigning by candidates could’ve changed that.

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Juneteenth celebrations to return to Harrisburg with first-ever parade honoring the holiday

May 23, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Juneteenth 2024

Juneteenth celebrations in Harrisburg just keep getting bigger.

This year, the organizers of Juneteenth HBG are introducing the city’s first-ever parade to recognize the holiday and honor local Black history.

“I’m excited,” said Airis Smallwood, parade organizer and Juneteenth HBG committee member. “It’s been a dream of mine to see this happen.”

This marks Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg’s sixth year hosting city-wide, weeklong events for the holiday, including educational opportunities, concerts and festivals.

The parade, which will march around the state Capitol on Saturday, June 14, is the newest addition to the lineup. Dance groups, bands, Black Greek-letter organizations, nonprofits, businesses and officials will participate in the parade at noon.

Smallwood is especially happy that the parade will bring awareness to the history of Harrisburg’s Old Eighth Ward, a historic Black neighborhood that was razed to build the Capitol complex.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of the Eighth Ward and the things that the people who lived there contributed to the city of Harrisburg,” she said.

Throughout the week of June 14 to 21, there will be plenty of other opportunities to celebrate the national holiday.

The organization’s biggest event is on the actual holiday, Thursday, June 19, featuring live music, vendors, food and family activities for Juneteenth Jubilee at Soldiers & Sailor’s Grove Park at the Capitol.

“Harrisburg deserves this celebration. It is something fun and educational and celebrates the Black community,” said YPOC co-founder Dr. Kimeka Campbell. “We deserve to have fun.”

The day before, there will be a Juneteenth Summit at Harrisburg University, where speakers Texas Congressman Al Green, Corey Minor Smith and Michael Eric Dyson will discuss economics and political engagement.

Additionally, the team has planned several community and cultural events, like a special Juneteenth SoMa Block party on June 20, a “Hip-Hop & Harmony” concert at H*MAC on June 21 and a tailgating event at the Kendrick Lamar and SZA “Grand National Tour” at the Hershey Stadium on June 16.

Everyone is invited to Juneteenth events and encouraged to learn more about Harrisburg’s significance in the historic fight to freedom for the Black community, Campbell said. She highlighted the fact that the commonwealth was the first state in the country to adopt partial abolition laws.

“It’s important to celebrate what we’ve accomplished as a people,” Campbell said of the Black community. “It is something to celebrate, despite the issues; people have persevered.”

For more information about Juneteenth HBG and to get tickets for events, visit their website.

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Voters trickle to polls; cast ballots for Harrisburg mayor, council, informed by issues like crime, finances

May 20, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Campaign signs outside Camp Curtin Middle School.

Harrisburg polling places were quiet Tuesday morning, with those voters who did trickle in saying they cast their ballot based on city issues such as safety, finances and the state of the Broad Street Market.

On the morning of Tuesday’s municipal primary election, voters turned out in modest numbers, with a percentage of voters also expected to vote by mail, to vote for local offices, such as Harrisburg mayor, City Council and school board.

Dauphin County typically has a lower turnout for municipal election years, especially for primaries. However, in Harrisburg important seats for offices such as the mayor and council are typically determined by the primary, as Harrisburg is a heavily Democratic city. This year, all five candidates for mayor and all 13 council candidates are Democrats, meaning that they will have no competition on November’s ballot.

At one of the typically busiest polling places in the city, Camp Curtain Middle School in Uptown, campaign volunteers told TheBurg that only around 30 people had come to vote by about 9 a.m. Volunteers at Second City Church in Midtown estimated the same.

Several voters said that they always voted in local elections. Many shared that they were voting in hopes to see change and improvements in the city.

“The gun violence in Harrisburg is very disheartening to me and I would like to see something solutions-based,” said Craig Gittens, who works in juvenile services.

Gittens said that he voted for activist Tone Cook for mayor, believing that he would be able to relate to the city’s youth, as he’s also had experience with the criminal justice system.

Two residents, Mari-Beth DeLucia and Kelly O’Neill, said that they too were concerned about crime, but also road safety on N. Front Street and the city’s handling of the Broad Street Market rebuild, which has not yet begun construction after a July 2023 fire in the brick building.

Both said that they voted for current City Treasurer Dan Miller, O’Neill adding that Miller has financial management experience.

“He’s the most qualified to deal with that here in the city,” she said.

Voter and local artist Reina “R76” explained that she was supporting current councilman Lamont Jones for mayor, and volunteering for his campaign at the polls, because she believes he will support the art community in Harrisburg.

“He was willing to sit with me and visit my studio,” she said. “He supports my art agenda.”

Charles Henderson also supported Jones, lauding his relationship with city council members, something that he believes is lacking with the current mayor, who is often at odds with council.

“You can’t have a bad attitude and not want to work with council because you need them,” he said.

Campaign volunteers advertising support for incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams were also stationed at polling places in their bright yellow “Wanda Williams” shirts. Williams’ husband Jerome Williams was also seen dressed in a suit, strolling into his Uptown polling location to vote.

Several homemade signs for mayoral candidate Lewis Butts were spotted around the city.

Candidates for offices such as city controller, Dauphin County clerk of courts, county prothonotary and county coroner are also on the ballot.

The polls are open until 8 p.m. tonight. Mail-in ballots can be returned to the county elections office at 1251 S. 28^th St. or to one of seven drop boxes and must be received by 8 p.m. After polls close, the Dauphin County Election’s Bureau will begin processing and posting the results to their website.

For more information, visit the county’s website or call 717-780-6360.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 16, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Mayor Wanda Williams, along with other local officials and artists, announced the details about Artsfest.

It has been another full week of news here in Harrisburg and we are happy to cover it, delivering valuable information to our readers. If you want to support our work, we would love to have you as a Friend of TheBurg. If you’re playing catch up on the news this week, look no further than our list, below.

Artsfest will return to Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park for Memorial Day weekend, our online story reported. The city said that there will be over 200 artists, 25 food trucks and live music, as well as kids’ activities.

Bob’s Art Blog shares information on several upcoming art shows and festivals and previews 3^rd in the Burg festivities.

The Broad Street Market announced that it was awarded a $500,000 grant from the commonwealth, our online story reported. The money will support upgrades and repairs to the market’s stone building.

Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Camp Hill is under new ownership as husband-and-wife duo Caleb Watters and Alexandra Shover have taken over, our magazine story reported. The couple also owns Valley Bistro in Enola and The Hershey Pantry in Hershey.

Division Street may be getting some safety upgrades in the coming years, our online story reported. Harrisburg is asking the public for feedback on several proposed design options.

Downtown Harrisburg has struggled to bounce back following the pandemic. However, restaurateurs and club owners have a vision to revive the 2^nd Street corridor, our magazine story reported.

Harrisburg School District announced its proposed 2025-26 budget that would include a property tax raise, our online story reported. The district shared that it would need to consider raising taxes to meet budget needs and to potentially exit state receivership.

Home sales in the Harrisburg area increased, as well as prices, since last April to this past month, our online story reported.

Moviate Underground Film Festival will return to Harrisburg from May 15 through 18, our online story reported. Over 60 films will hit the screens at Midtown Cinema during the weekend.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup includes everything you need to know for spending a fun weekend in the city. Find her list of events, here.

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Broad Street Market awarded large grant for stone building upgrades

May 16, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Broad Street Market

The Broad Street Market has received a significant grant to support building improvements.

The market’s board announced on Thursday that it was awarded $500,000 from the state, which will help pay for repairs, A/C installation and other maintenance work in the historic stone building.

“We are so grateful to Governor Shapiro and his administration for making this groundbreaking investment in the Broad Street Market,” said Eric Hagarty, chair of the market’s board of directors.

The grant comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which helps lower-income communities have access to affordable, fresh food. The market is required to make a 15% spending match on projects funded by the grant, which is a reimbursement grant. The funds must be used within a year.

Currently, the market’s stone building has failing heating systems, insufficient insulation, regular roof leaks and lacks air conditioning.

“Alongside a previously received $350,000 grant from the Department of Community & Economic Development secured by [state] Sen. Patty Kim and Rep. David Madsen, last week’s announcement of a $75,000 gaming grant, and our continued financial progress, this grant will be a true game-changer for our vendors and community which will allow us to make major improvements to the market’s existing stone building–giving the community the market it truly deserves,” Hagarty said.

The grant is solely for upgrading the 1860s-era stone building. Separately, the reconstruction of the market’s fire-damaged brick building is being managed by the City of Harrisburg, which owns the structure. Construction is slated to begin in September.

Additionally, Hagarty shared that he will be resigning his position as the market’s board chair, due to a job transition and personal reasons, he told TheBurg. At the most recent market board meeting, the board voted for Treasurer Tashia James to become the chair. Hagarty will serve as chair through the next board meeting and then become a board member emeritus.

“We are now at the point in the financial recovery that I am confident passing the baton to a new group of leaders and will still be on hand in an advisory capacity,” Hagarty said.

For more information about the Broad Street Market, visit their website.

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