Harrisburg Police to deploy DUI patrol on St. Patrick’s Day

March 14, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Police Bureau vehicle

Harrisburg is preparing for the upcoming holiday weekend, making sure people stay safe while having fun.

The city announced on Thursday that the police bureau would deploy DUI patrols on St. Patrick’s Day to encourage safe driving and to catch potential drunk drivers.

The increased police presence will run from Saturday, March 16 at 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. on Sunday, March 17.

“We like to call it ‘proactive policing,’” said Sgt. Tony Elliott of the police bureau. “If you plan on going out, make sure you also have a plan to safely get home.”

Harrisburg will be one of 11 local municipalities taking part in Dauphin County-wide impaired driving enforcement operations for the holiday.

According to the city, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest nights of the year for downtown Harrisburg.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place downtown earlier that day at 2 p.m.

The legal alcohol limit for drivers in the commonwealth is a .08 blood alcohol level.

“Every time you have something to drink and you get behind the wheel of a car, it’s a murder in progress,” Elliott said. “You just don’t know who the victim is.”

A nearly $650,000 PennDOT grant, which reimburses local police departments for special enforcement duties, will pay for the extra coverage on St. Patrick’s Day.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

March 14, 2024 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Book Club Pop-Up in SoMa tonight Worth noting: 3rd in the Burg Friday; Beach Weather at XL Live; St. Patrick’s Day Parade Things on my agenda this weekend: See above

For your weekend planning

Book Club Pop-Up in SoMa Thursday
3rd in the Burg Friday
HU Presents Beach Weather on Friday at XL Live
Read our review of The Vagina Monologues at Oyster Mill Playhouse
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Our return to Strawberry Square was a success! Catch us in April for a Clock Box Happy Hour!
Plants + Pints tickets are now on sale! Just $20 benefiting Downtown Daily Bread!
Enter to WIN a 4-pack of tickets to KIDZ BOP at GIANT Center!
You can now sponsor the Weekend Roundup! Ask me how!
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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

Harrisburg-area girl receives trip to Disney World through Make-a-Wish Foundation

March 13, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Make-a-Wish recipient Shelby (middle) was honored at a special ceremony.

Surrounded by princes and princesses, a local child received a magical gift on Wednesday.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation and Capital Blue Cross presented 8-year-old Mechanicsburg resident Shelby, who has a blood disorder, with a trip to Walt Disney World.

“This celebration marks a joyful milestone in the wish journey for Shelby and her family,” said Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash. “And helping to make this dream come true, sharing this opportunity to see her joy and her smile, it really doesn’t get much better than that.”

Shelby with parents Michelle and Adam.

Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley will fund the trip for the family in April. Shelby was presented with her wish at a special Disney-themed event at Capital Blue Cross’ headquarters in Susquehanna Township. Staff and local drama students dressed in costume for the event, as well. One local student also sang a song to Shelby.

Shelby said she looks forward to seeing her favorite Disney princess, Mulan, because she is from China like she is.

“This is such a special trip,” Shelby’s mother Michelle said. “She has done a lot of hard work to earn it. This just feels so overwhelmingly joyful.”

Shelby is escorted down the red carpet at Make-a-Wish presentation.

To learn more about Make-a-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, visit their website. For more information about Capital Blue Cross, visit their website.

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

Harrisburg School District employees fight in front of students, officials address incident

March 13, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District Superintendent Eric Turman during a press conference on Wednesday.

Shortly after the school day started on Wednesday morning, two Harrisburg School District employees were involved in a fight.

The district issued a statement today, confirming that a Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus teacher and a safety monitor got into a verbal and physical altercation during a class period early this morning.

“I want to make it clear that this incident is entirely unacceptable,” Superintendent Eric Turman said at a press conference. “This is highly unusual and is not at all representative of our faculty and staff who take responsibility as role models for our students very seriously.”

According to the district, the safety monitor entered the classroom and confronted the teacher about a personal issue before the brief fight took place. Other safety monitors, staff and one student attempted to break up the fight, Turman said.

No one was injured in the altercation.

A video of the incident was posted on social media.

The district escorted the staff members from the building and placed them on paid leave while they investigate the incident.

According to Turman, the teacher worked for the district for two years and the safety monitor was employed by the district for the past seven years. Neither had prior issues recorded in their personnel files, Turman said.

The high school principal spoke to students on Wednesday, and district social workers are on site to speak with students as well.

“This is not what is expected for teachers or staff members of the Harrisburg School District,” Turman said.

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Food, beverage event returns to downtown Harrisburg for the vegan curious, committed

March 13, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg will host Pints + Pints.

If you’re thinking of making a healthy change, you can start exploring your options at a major event next month in downtown Harrisburg.

In April, Plants + Pints returns to Strawberry Square with a family-friendly event highlighting local vegetarian and vegan vendors, food producers, farms, restaurants, craft beverages, wellness and other plant-based products in the community.

Proceeds benefit Downtown Daily Bread, which helps to feed Harrisburg’s unhoused population. The event is presented by Members 1st Credit Union and is produced in partnership with Harristown Enterprises and Sara Bozich Events.

“We so appreciate the Plants + Pints event,” said Corrie Lingenfelter, executive director at Downtown Daily Bread. “With Sara’s efforts, this fun event will bring much needed funds and support to our hungry and homeless populations through Downtown Daily Bread.”

Guests will be able to sample and purchase food and drink from local restaurants, food purveyors and breweries, and shop from vendors who promote locally made and plant-based products.

“We’re excited to return Plants + Pints to Strawberry Square,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown, in a statement. “We’ve seen how interest in a healthy or plant-based lifestyle has grown, and the Harrisburg area has so much to offer. This festival allows vegans, vegetarians, and the veg-curious, to shop, sip, and sample from local vendors in a fun, inviting space — while giving back to the community.”

Plants + Pints Harrisburg takes place on April 14, 1 to 5 p.m., inside Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. Tickets are $20 (adults) and $10 (under 21; kids under 12 are free) at www.sarabozich.ticketleap.com/plants–pints-2024. A full list of vendors can be found at www.sarabozich.com/event/plants-pints-2024.

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Harrisburg residents ask City Council to support call for cease-fire in Gaza

March 12, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

City Council meeting on Tuesday

Dozens of community members attended a Harrisburg City Council meeting on Tuesday to speak out against the war in Gaza.

Residents packed the council chambers, many urging council to bring forward a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza as Israel wages war with Hamas.

“If you vote yes to this resolution, the voices of 50,000 Harrisburg residents will be added to the list of cities who have called for a permanent and immediate cease-fire,” said resident Nicole Wooten. “I urge you, make sure this beautiful city of Harrisburg is on the right side of history.”

The two sides have been at war since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants attacked several Israeli communities, killing over 1,100 people. The subsequent war has killed over 30,000 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry.

On Tuesday, a number of Harrisburg residents spoke about the horrors of war and death, the lack of access to medical care and the effect on women and children.

“More than 30,000 people are dead,” Wooten said. “To put that in perspective, the population of Harrisburg is only about 50,000 people. Everyone in this city can sense the devastation when even a single life is taken.”

A member of Harrisburg’s Religious Society of Friends, Kay Pickering, also shared that her organization supports peace and nonviolence and that other religious organizations should, as well.

“We are deeply troubled by the suffering and injustice caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said Pickering. “We support the call here.”

Many also stated that, while the war is overseas, people in the United States should advocate for justice.

“I have to stress the urgency,” resident Brian Keisling said. “We need something that is immediate. We need something that is permanent, and it has to be bold. Our city has to take a stance that is bold because we understand that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.”

Also on Tuesday, council voted to approve two resolutions allowing the city to hire contractors for a project to upgrade FNB Field on City Island. Harrisburg-based Alexander Building Construction Co. will serve as construction manager, at a cost of $712,888 and EwingCole will serve as the architect for the project, at a cost of $1.06 million.

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Harrisburg’s St. Patty’s Day Parade returns this weekend with music, dance, floats

March 12, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will return to Harrisburg this weekend. Photo from the 2022 parade, courtesy of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District.

Get your green garb ready. St. Patty’s Day is right around the corner!

Harrisburg’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, hosted by the Downtown Improvement District, will take place on Saturday, March 16, featuring music, dance groups and floats.

“We are pleased to be hosting this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and are excited to show off more of our downtown business community,” said Todd Vander Woude, executive director of the DID. “We invite you and your family to join us for a great day downtown.”

The parade will include an authentic Irish pipe and drum band, fire trucks, animals, festive floats, famous characters, Irish dance groups, local bands and more.

The parade will start on the Market Street Bridge, turn on N. 2nd Street and continue until turning left on North Street and traveling along Front Street until it meets up again on the Market Street Bridge.

To kick start the day of festivities, the Lucky Charm 4-Miler will send runners racing through city streets, starting at noon. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m.

Free metered street parking is available for four hours on Saturday by using the Parkmobile app and entering the code “LUVHBG.” Additionally, the Market Square Garage will offer $10 event parking all day. Downtown street parking is free after 5 p.m.

Street closures will take effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 16 at 2 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

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As weather improves, Greenbelt Association reminds cyclists, pedestrians to follow trail detour

March 12, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Detour map for the Capital Area Greenbelt

As the weather warms and people get outside, the Capital Area Greenbelt Association is reminding the community to follow a trail detour.

A portion of the Greenbelt along the riverfront in Harrisburg, which is currently closed off due to construction in the area, has been temporarily rerouted and officials are urging people to follow the signs.

The city’s detour directs users from S. Front to Sycamore to Cameron and then Shanois Street, before meeting up with the Greenbelt again near the train bridge. The trail, between the entry point south of the I-83 South Bridge and where the Greenbelt meets with Shanois Street next to the Paxton Creek, is closed to traffic.

There is detour signage posted along the route.

The city has re-routed the Greenbelt as Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania is currently constructing 15 tiny homes and a community center along the riverfront, past the PennDOT building. The path leading to the development is now blocked by a fence.

However, according to Dick Norford, spokesperson for the association, some Greenbelt users were unaware of the closure. He has also witnessed bicyclists and pedestrians who are climbing fenced-off areas and even crossing railroad tracks to access the Greenbelt. This, he said, is not permitted and is often dangerous.

Greenbelt Association officials don’t think that the detour is ideal, as it takes cyclists and walkers along portions of roadway where sidewalks are in disrepair and shoulder space is limited. However, they are urging the community to follow the detour rather than putting themselves in more danger.

“We want to direct people that way. Even though that’s a little dicey, going over the railroad tracks is worse,” Norford said. “We certainly don’t want someone to get injured.”

The city does not yet know how long the detour will be in effect.

The Greenbelt Association is working with the city and other partners to decide on the future path of the portion of the trail that is under development.

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HU Presents announces indie, country artists bringing summer concerts to Harrisburg

March 12, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Jenny Lewis

Harrisburg’s summer concert lineup is filling up as two shows bringing indie and country music to the city were just announced.

On Tuesday, Harrisburg University Presents shared that singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis would take to the stage, along with country artist Charley Crockett, this summer.

The newly announced concerts join several others that HU has recently publicized, including soul band Black Pumas and American musician Matt Kearney.

Lewis will perform in Riverfront Park as part of HU’s Summer Concert Series on June 21 at 8 p.m.

The artist, who has had a more than 20-year music career, released her fifth solo album, “Joy’All,” in 2023, which draws inspiration from soul to ‘90s R&B to country and classic singer-songwriter records.

Lewis has performed on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk and as a special guest for Harry Styles’ Love On Tour.

Additionally, Crockett will perform at XL Live on July 13 at 8 p.m.

Charley Crockett

The singer’s music combines sounds from country, blues, soul, Cajun, R&B and other parts of American Roots music. According to Rolling Stone, he is a “must-see live performer” and a “force to be reckoned with,” according to CMT.

Crockett’s upcoming album, “$10 Cowboy” is slated to drop on April 26.

His new music will follow his previous album, “The Man From Waco,” which Rolling Stone named the second-best Country album of the year in 2022.

Tickets for Jenny Lewis and Charley Crockett will go on sale to the public on March 15.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit Harrisburg University Presents’ website.

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Home sales, prices up in the Harrisburg area in February, says report

March 11, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Home sales inched up as prices recorded strong gains in the Harrisburg area in February, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county area, sales totaled 373 homes, compared to 368 in February 2023, as the median sales price rose to $264,000 from $234,950, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 171 homes sold, eight fewer than a year ago, but the median sales price increased to $220,000 from $205,000, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 185 home sales, versus 157 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price rose to $299,900 from $270,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, 21 homes sold, a decrease of two sales, as the median sales price went up to $260,000 from $215,000 in February 2023, according to GHAR.

The pace of sales was nearly unchanged from a year ago, with 31 “average days on market” compared to 30 days in the year-ago period, GHAR said.

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Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For your weekend planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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