Bar Decision Appealed
Harrisburg is appealing a judge’s ruling that requires it to issue a business license to an embattled city bar.
The city administration last month provided notice that it intends to appeal a decision by Dauphin County Judge Andrew Dowling, who mandated that Harrisburg issue a 2016 business license to the Third Street Café. It did not immediately cite the grounds for its appeal.
In July, Dowling rejected the city’s argument that the Third Street Café is a magnet for trouble. He also said that state regulations override city rules for establishments that hold a liquor license.
Harrisburg has been trying to shut down the Midtown bar since early last year, when it revoked its 2015 business license. It then refused to issue the bar a 2016 business license, leading the bar to file suit.
The administration has successfully closed two other bars after revoking their business licenses. Those bars did not appeal the decision to the court.
Calls for Healing, Peace
Both the city and the family have issued calls for peace following the police-involved shooting last month of a Harrisburg resident.
Police shot and killed Earl Shaleek Pinckney in his Uptown home after responding to a call that the 20-year-old man was threatening his mother, Kim Thomas, with a knife. Last December, Thomas requested court protection from Pinckney after he allegedly threatened to kill her, and he was arrested several times last year for domestic incidents.
Thomas later disputed the police department’s version of events, stating that her son didn’t have a knife at her throat and that there was no need to shoot him.
Nonetheless, she asked the community to come together and not resort to violence during a meeting at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church. City Police Chief Thomas Carter and other city officials also spoke at the meeting.
Thomas had her harshest words for demonstrators, saying that she didn’t want outsiders causing trouble in Harrisburg, as well as for the media, which she said provided misleading information and exploited the situation.
Shortly afterwards, a group called This Stops Today Harrisburg sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for an independent investigation of the incident.
Samarin Pleads Guilty
The man who posed as a Harrisburg High School student pleaded guilty last month to a litany of charges that could lead to his deportation.
Artur Samarin, a citizen of Ukraine, admitted guilt on fraud and sex-related charges and said he planned to plead guilty to federal fraud charges, as well.
For several years, Samarin posed as a teenager named Asher Potts, attending high school and receiving numerous academic accolades. In fact, he was in his 20s and in the country illegally after his visa expired.
He faces sentencing this month in Dauphin County court on several charges, including allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl he met in school. The federal case relates to alleged passport and Social Security violations.
Housing Sales Up
Area housing sales continued a yearlong climb in July, with unit sales and median prices both rising 4.8 percent, according to the Greater Harrisburg Area Association of Realtors.
GHAR reported that sales totaled 938 units compared to 895 units in July 2015, while the median price climbed to $175,500 from $167,500 for the area that includes Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry countries and portions of York, Lebanon and Juniata counties.
In Dauphin County, sales edged up to 308 units versus 307 units in the year-ago period, while the median price rose to $155,900 from $155,000. Cumberland County saw significant increases, with unit sales totaling 374 units against 335 units in July 2015 and the median price rising to $217,642 from 216,646.
In Perry County, sales increased to 34 units from 33 last July, while the median price rose to $187,400 from $155,000.
So Noted
Bollywood Bar & Grille opened for dining last month in the heart of “restaurant row” in downtown Harrisburg. The Indian-style restaurant serves both lunch and dinner at 110 N. 2nd St., the long-time home of Zia’s at Red Door.
Buddy Boy Winery has begun offering samples and selling bottles from a satellite location in the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. The Perry County-based winery has become known for its sweeter wines, its fruit wines and its irreverent names and labels.
Harristown Enterprises last month previewed its two newest apartment buildings: Fifteen @ Twenty-Two and SoMa on Third. The buildings are across the street from one another in downtown Harrisburg and both begin leasing this month. Earlier in the summer, Harristown began accepting tenants for its first apartment project, the Flats @ Strawberry Square.
The Millworks last month opened its rooftop beer garden and its new brewery, run by brewmaster Jeff Musselman. No reservations are needed for rooftop tables, as it’s first-come, first-served in the space at 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg.
Nest Egg Interiors relocated last month from Marysville to Cumberland County. The home décor and specialty furniture shop is now located at 315 Bridge St., New Cumberland. Grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pikowski’s Pierogi Place debuted last month to brisk business in the stone building of the Broad Street Market. Owner Carolyn Pikowski offers a wide assortment of the Polish staple, some traditional and others quite creative.
Changing Hands
Alricks St., 650: K. Gautsch to Consolidated Holdings International LLC, $160,000
Boas St., 428: C. Brown to B. Weber, $128,600
Brookwood St., 2408: J. McPherson to K. & M. Walter, $92,900
Caledonia St., 1917: S. Sabella to J. Gerena, $86,500
Chestnut St., 1940: PA Deals LLC to C. Austin, $63,000
Emerald Ct., 2450: J. Seaton & S. Beckner to E. Manly Spain, $67,000
Forster St., 212: J. & J. Spagnolo to N&R. Group LLC, $43,500
Forster St., 1600: A. & B. Briley to R. Lopez, $161,000
Green St., 1614: J. & MJ Hess to N. Foote & A. Schwarzl, $144,000
Green St., 1932: WCI Partners LP to M. Roos, $205,000
Harris St., 344: C. Wilson to PA Deals LLC, $45,000
Herr St., 215: Crested Enterprises to Z. & W. Zogby, $110,000
Kensington St., 2246: S. Duong to D. Tran & N. Nguyen, $61,000
Kensington St., 2341: Donald L. Pong Trust to I. Trigueros, $45,000
Market St., 2448: K. Haas & D. Maguire to B. Wilson, $110,000
N. 2nd St., 1426: M. & K. Moosa to C. Albers, $153,000
N. 3rd St., 2419: M. & S. Kreines to F. & K. Wilson, $154,900
N. 3rd St., 3027: R. Finck to D. Myers, $127,000
N. 3rd St., 3113: New 4 You Property Solutions LLC to J. & L. Kincaid, $107,500
N. 4th St., 1632: K. & K. Leaver to A. Fiorucci, $87,500
N. 4th St., 1725: LSF9 Master Participation Trust to PA Deals LLC, $54,900
N. 4th St., 3209: C. DePauli to M. Schuessler, $106,500
N. 5th St., 1630: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to R. Williams, $45,000
N. 6th St., 3115: A. Starr to A. Smith, $30,000
N. 6th St., 3205, 3209 & 3205 N. 7th St.: D. & J. Klaiber to SBN LLC, $310,000
N. 7th St., 3205 & 3133: Bass Pallets Realty LLC to Consolidated Holdings International LLC, $810,000
N. 16th St., 1100: T. Simpson to HSBC Bank USA, $92,000
Paxton St., 118 & 109 Vine St.: R. Aronson, D. Stern & C/O Service Oil Co. to R. Aronson & R&D Landholdings LLC, $275,000
Penn St., 924: D. Roberts to L. Felix & E. Smith, $35,000
Penn St., 1723: Pennymac Corp. to PA Deals LLC, $78,000
Pennwood Rd., 3207: J. Fry to C. Gaither, $104,000
Reily St., 223: M. Jameson to J. Chadwick, $149,900
Rudy Rd., 2413: PA Deals LLC to G. & J. Modi, $134,900
Rumson Dr., 321: J. Quinlin to S. Nguyen, $64,900
Rumson Dr., 2772: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to PA Deals LLC, $32,250
Rumson Dr., 2801: R. & M. Gingrich to R. Adams, $74,000
S. 18th St., 1014: G. Stevenson to T. Martin, $112,000
S. 19th St., 258: S. Sugden to A. Santos, $30,000
State St., 231, Unit 503: LUX 1 LP to G. Shook, $167,400
State St., 231, Unit 605: LUX 1 LP to A. Neilay, $160,000
Swatara St., 2045: COBA Inc., Oreo TD Bank NA & TD Bank NA to R. Williams, $47,000
Sycamore St., 1807: A. Williams to R. & V. Thompson, $30,000
Wiconisco St., 524: PA Deals LLC to S. Orr, $60,000
Harrisburg property sales for July 2016, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
Author: Lawrance Binda
