Community members, family of teen killed in crash involving Harrisburg officer call for justice, transparency

November 6, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Community members and members of Marion Holmes’ family gathered outside of Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center on Monday.

Outside of Harrisburg’s city hall on Monday evening, community members gathered to mourn a loss and call the city to action.

A group of several dozen people organized a press event following the death of Marion Holmes, a local 18-year-old who was killed in October in a fatal car crash that involved a city police officer.

On Oct. 3, in the area of 19^th and Holly streets, a Harrisburg Police Bureau vehicle collided with a car, as the officer driving the car was on their way to assist another officer in the area. Holmes, the front-seat passenger of the car that was hit, was killed.

According to PennLive, witnesses said that the officer was driving the wrong way down a one-way street and ran a stop sign.

Since the incident, the Pennsylvania State Police has taken over the investigation of the crash, which is still ongoing. Neither the city nor the state police have released the name of the officer involved, and many of the details about the incident remain unknown.

“The incident that occurred on Oct. 3 was extremely unfortunate,” said Terrance Webb, who organized the event. “We want answers, and we want accountability.”

Several members of Holmes’ immediate family attended the press conference on Monday, including his mother, Tesha Sweet, who said that the past month has been “rough.”

“It was terrible, you never expect to get a call that you lost your son,” she told TheBurg. “I just want justice for my son.”

Sweet said that she had not heard directly from any city officials following her son’s death.

On Oct. 6, the city posted a video to social media in which Mayor Wanda Williams offered condolences to Holmes’ family and shared that the incident was being investigated and that the process would “ensure accountability.”

However, speakers at Monday’s event stated that they felt the opposite has been happening.

“We are confused […] why is it so quiet; why aren’t we getting the same responses that we get for everything else in our city when it comes to somebody losing their life,” said Tone Cook, activist and founder of community organization PUSH. “The city of Harrisburg police department needs to be held accountable.”

Cook shared that he believes this incident has furthered the divide between the police and residents.

“We’re inviting the officers to come,” he said. “We are inviting them to come change the perspective that we have with the police, but this is just a major setback.”

No elected city officials were present at the event on Monday.

Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel issued a statement earlier on Monday.

“The city of Harrisburg is in favor of any peaceful protest or press conference planned at any time, regardless of the topic,” he said. “Mayor Williams made public remarks on this incident a few weeks ago that can be found on our social media channels. The investigation surrounding Mr. Holmes’ death is still under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office, and out of respect for their work, we will not have any further comment regarding the case at this time.”

While the investigation continues, Holmes’ family and many community members feel they are left waiting, without answers.

“I just want to get some type of answer, that’s what everybody is here for—something, anything,” said Vicki Sweet, Holmes’ grandmother.

“We need to stand together,” Cook said. “We need justice for Marion.”

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Harrisburg to start search for architect for Broad Street Market rebuild

November 6, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Inside the Broad Street Market’s brick building in July

The Broad Street Market is inching closer towards a restoration and rebuild.

Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel shared on Monday that the city soon will begin the search for an architect to design the rebuild of the market’s brick building, which caught fire in July.

For months, investigations by the city’s and each individual market vendor’s insurance companies have stymied the city from beginning the restoration process. Those investigations are finally wrapping up, Maisel said.

Now, Harrisburg will prepare to seek bids from architects for the project.

Last Tuesday, Harrisburg City Council discussed a resolution that would include moving $4.3 million that the city received in insurance funds for the brick building into its general fund to be used for the restoration. Another about $61,000 in insurance funds would be moved to the general fund for expenses relating to the city’s temporary location for market vendors. Council is slated to vote on the resolution at its Nov. 14 legislative session.

In August, council approved the use of $500,000 in initial insurance funds to assist with fire-related expenses, such as costs to secure the damaged building and for the lease of the temporary market structure.

Temporary structure for market vendors

The city is currently in the process of constructing a tent-like structure, which includes electricity and utilities, in the grassy lot across the street from the market. Once completed, it will house the displaced vendors. According to the city, the opening has taken longer than expected due to labor issues and unexpected delays for some critical parts.

According to the city, the rebuild of the brick market building will likely take around two years to complete.

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Burg Review: The past rings present in Theatre Harrisburg’s charming, rollicking “Fiddler”

November 4, 2023 | by Gina Napoli

A scene from “Fiddler on the Roof” (photo: Theatre Harrisburg)

The classic, multi-award-winning musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” by Joseph Stein might be set in in the tiny village of Anatevka, Ukraine, in 1905, but the storyline feels all too familiar, given the chosen people’s chronic condition of political and social unrest throughout history.

Directed by Theatre Harrisburg’s Kevin L. Biddle and debuting musical director Marina Cherepinsky, “Fiddler on the Roof” invites you to take part in the rich Jewish traditions of the extended mishpachah (Hebrew for “family/social group”). Amidst the turmoil of the time and place, traditions and family roles remain constants for the villagers to cling to. Traditions keep order. Traditions maintain the balance.

And the tradition of marriages arranged by a matchmaker and blessed by the father keep social order fueled for generations to come. Daughters in poor families need to take what they can get. After all, even the worst husband is better than no husband at all.

But Tevye’s (Marc Lubbers) daughters have other ideas. Instead of following matchmaker Yente’s (Darlene Hein) well-worn pre-marital traditions that feel more like transactions, the daughters want to marry for love, no matter what their parents think.

The whole schpiel is explained in the song “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” by daughters Tzeitel (Rebekah Woods), Hodel (Hannah Paymer), and Chava (Laney Dixon), who nicely blend their ranges together. Suitor Motel (Joel Colvin) shines in the song “Miracle of Miracles.” An extra mazel tov to Woods for her hilarious impression of Yente.

Lubbers has a rich voice that projects easily. If his mic were cut, the audience wouldn’t have missed a note. In “If I Were a Rich Man,” he incorporates both an operatic style and livestock noises into the same song, making my favorite number from the soundtrack that much better. With his unrefined mannerisms, impatient manner and tendency to misquote “The Good Book” every chance he gets, Lubbers makes an astonishingly convincing Tevye.

Tevye has a practical dynamic with his wife, Golde (Bryden McCurdy). McCurdy etches a squinting scowl into her face for the entire show to bring us a sarcastic, deadpan, fiercely no-nonsense lady with a high sense of duty for all things tachlis. Then McCurdy lets her guard down to bring forth Golde’s vulnerability in the tenderly harmonized duet, “Do You Love Me?” with Lubbers.

All together, the chorus ensemble delivers seamless melodies in the musical’s signature song, “Tradition,” and “The Dream.” The song, “Sabbath Prayer,” during the Shabbos observance lilts on the ears like a heavenly hymn. Also reminiscent of a prayer is “Anatevka,” a stoic and somber tribute to their village. For some comic relief, all the men at the local watering hole belt out the rollicking “To Life,” and the villagers play their version of the telephone game in “The Rumor.”

The show’s dancing is quite rustic – a salt-of-the-earth effort. In my mind, it lends the show overall authenticity and suspended disbelief to watch dance numbers with real people giving it their best rather than professional dancers who are too polished. For example, if I’m at a Jewish wedding watching someone’s druncles dance live, they aren’t busting a move like a perfectly rehearsed dance mob. They’re a little klutzy, a little soused with alcohol and chutzpah. They would struggle to lift the bride and groom for the traditional chair dance, or stumble through the Horah, or they’re doing that Russian Sailor’s Dance that makes my knees kvetch when I watch. It’s all real, without pretense.

In addition to the excellent musical score and authentic dancing, “Fiddler on the Roof” has charming characters who speak their minds, with the gossip and pettiest squabbles of the day holding interest. Then the world creeps in with issues looming large, making simple lives more complicated. Everything goes all meshuggeneh and fukakta.

You don’t have to be a rich man to score tickets, but on the other hand… I heard from the butcher that tickets are selling like cheese out of the back of the milkman’s cart. L’chaim!

“Fiddler on the Roof” runs through Nov. 19 at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information on show times and tickets, visit https://theatreharrisburg.com/shows/fiddler-on-the-roof/.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 3, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

The state Capitol Complex

Our November issue of the magazine hit the stands this week and, so far, our feathered cover model is the star of the show. If you haven’t already, grab a copy and read all of our great small business feature stories this month. But first, catch up on our local news coverage from the week, below.

Capital Region Water CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer reflects on the past decade of the organization’s infrastructure improvements in Harrisburg. In her community comment, read about the capital projects that CRW has completed in the community.

ChatGPT took over our publisher’s column this month, and what it had to say about Harrisburg was interesting. Find out how AI would write a column about development in the city and about our publisher’s favorite topic, Forster Street, here.

Cordier Auctions announced that a Nov. 11 consignment and estates auction will feature numerous pieces tied to Harrisburg history, our online story reported. The sale will include vintage items, art, antiques and collectibles.

Crow dispersal will begin on Nov. 6 at the state Capitol Complex, our online story reported. The annual program uses methods of discharging exploding shells and whistling devices to deter crows from roosting on the buildings.

Harrisburg officials addressed a weekend shooting that left three children injured, our online story reported. Officials pledged to create an action plan for preventing violence and increase police presence in the area of the shooting, following the incident.

Harrisburg police arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting incident on Sunday that left three children injured, our reporting found.

The Holiday Parade will return to Harrisburg on Nov. 18, featuring music, dance and floats, our online story reported. This year’s parade theme is “Rockin’ Around the Burg.”

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, hosted locally by Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area, will shine a light on the need, our online story reported. During the week, the community will have opportunities to volunteer with the organization and donate.

November brings plenty of fall events to the Harrisburg area. Find them all in our Happenings column, with some special selections in our Community Corner section.

Our publisher shares some recent Burg news and staff changes in his November Publisher’s Note. Click here to read it.

Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads opened in the Broad Street Market this week, our online story reported. The vendor offers a variety of pizzas topped with BBQ meats.

Sara Bozich has compiled a list of all the best events happening in the Harrisburg area this weekend. Find her picks, here.

The SoMa Christmas Market will debut on Nov. 25 on S. 3^rd Street, featuring a variety of artists, crafts people, food trucks, beverage vendors and entertainment, our online story reported.

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Harrisburg to form Parent Task Force to discuss youth safety, concerns

November 3, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center

Harrisburg is employing the help of local parents to address an important issue.

Following a shooting on Sunday, which left three children injured, Mayor Wanda Williams announced on Friday the creation of a Parent Task Force to discuss youth safety and violence prevention.

“So many of the issues we face in this city start within the walls of someone’s home. In some cases, families don’t even have that much,” said Williams in a statement. “We cannot parent from city hall, but we can be a helping hand and a listening ear, and that is what I want to come out of this task force.”

The task force will include Williams, City Council member and chair of the public safety committee, Ralph Rodriguez, Capt. Russell Winder, who oversees community policing in the Harrisburg Police Bureau and a representative from the Harrisburg School District. City parents can sign up to participate, here.

The city will hold the first meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in council chambers in Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center, 10 N. 2^nd St.

Successive meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of every month, starting on Jan. 10.

At the meetings, parents will be able to speak with city and school district officials to discuss neighborhood and family concerns, and to help seek ways to prevent violence, according to the city.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

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Harrisburg police arrest suspect in connection with shooting that injured three children

November 3, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Police Bureau vehicle

After a shooting this past week involving Harrisburg youth, police have arrested a suspect.

On Friday, city police arrested Mandjou Sylla, a 20-year-old male, in connection with a shooting incident on Oct. 29, which left three children injured.

Last Sunday afternoon, police arrived at N. 18^th and Regina streets to investigate reports of shots fired. There, officers located an 11-year-old girl, a 3-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy, all who had been shot. The 11-year-old was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but after surgery was said to be in stable condition, according to police. The other two children sustained minor injuries and are expected to recover, police said.

Police have charged Sylla with four counts of criminal attempt homicide, five counts of aggravated assault, seven counts of recklessly endangering another person and counts for carrying a firearm without a license and for not being permitted to carry a firearm, according to information released by the bureau.

At a press conference on Monday, Lt. Kyle Gautsch shared that police believed that the 13-year-old may have been with someone who was possibly the intended target, when the shooters, who were on foot, began firing in the area. They do not believe that the 11- or 3-year-old were intended targets.

Following the shooting, Mayor Wanda Williams shared that the police bureau deployed around 30 to 40 additional police officers, along with help from other agencies, as part of a saturation detail in the community.

City officials also shared that they would work on creating an action plan to address preventative measures to address gun violence.

On Friday, Williams announced the formation of a city Parent Task Force in response to the recent violence involving youth. The group will consist of city officials and residents who will meet monthly to discuss youth safety.

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Bob’s Art Blog: Special Edition

November 3, 2023 | by Bob MacGinnes

A wall at EsōArts

Extra, extra! Breaking news!

It’s especially fitting that Lancaster County Magazine made the announcement for “Art Gallery of the Year” on All Souls Day, Nov. 2. And serendipitous that the honor went to EsōArts in its first year of operation.

The gallery at 317 North Queen St. is truly an art haven for “all souls,” especially the “huddled masses” looking for the right space to show and be recognized for their creative endeavors. In showcasing “art of the people, by the people and for the people,” EsōArts stands apart from other art venues.

Led by partners Andrew Silvius, Zachary Walter and Chris Dreisbach, the team took top honors by providing a viable alternative to fine art galleries. Groundbreaking in its approach, EsōArts is a crucial resource for up-and-coming artists, creators, entrepreneurs and those less seen. The gallery owes much of its success to its community-wide appeal and to Lancaster County’s established order that embraces its unique vision.

Andrew Silvius and Zachary Walter

In offering recognition of the award, Kathlene Carroll Sullivan, social media and engagement manager of Lancaster City Alliance, summed it up in a heartfelt tribute.

“EsōArts is a rare gem in the city of Lancaster,” she said. “Andrew, Zach and Chris have created a home and an affordable exhibit space for marginalized artists throughout Lancaster to be seen and appreciated. The trio wanted to ensure that the works of all artists could have a platform by removing the economic barriers that displace them. The wider community has responded in droves, packing the 4,100-square-foot space on First Fridays and for special events and exhibits. EsōArts’ success is a win for hundreds of artists, creatives, makers, and dreamers throughout Lancaster.”

Click here to read the feature story on EsōArts from our November magazine.

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Pork & Pies: Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads tops pizza with BBQ at the Broad Street Market

November 2, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Owners Kaci and Dave Shirey of Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads at the Broad Street Market

Pizza is back at the Broad Street Market.

Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads churned out its first pies, topped with BBQ meats, for hungry customers on Thursday at its new stone market building stand in Harrisburg.

Owners Dave and Kaci Shirey have operated their food truck, Piper Belles BBQ, named after their daughter, for the past nine years, traveling to local festivals and events. Over the years, the business grew a strong Harrisburg customer base.

“People were always asking when we were going to open a shop,” Dave said. “We love Harrisburg and wanted to be a part of the community here.”

Blending Kaci’s background of working in pizza shops and Dave’s BBQ specialty, the husband-and-wife duo decided to try something unique and start a second business, this time without wheels.

At the new market stand, which opened on Nov. 2, they pile their smoked meats and homemade BBQ sauces on flatbreads.

The menu includes pizzas like bourbon bacon brisket, brisket and brie, chicken bacon ranch, and “The Porky,” which is topped with pulled pork, gouda and bacon. White sauce and lobster tops “The Claw,” and “The Roasted Veg” features Brussels sprouts, artichokes and asparagus. For those looking for a classic pie, cheese and pepperoni are on the menu, as well.

Most of their offerings are simply a pizza version of menu items from their long-time food truck.

“Our customers already know what they love and now they can have it on pizza,” Dave said.

Piper Belles fans, however, will still see the food truck on the road, as it will continue to operate.

In addition to their homemade sauces, which are also sold in Giant grocery stores, Piper Belles makes their own fresh pizza dough and uses a smoker that can cook 1,000 pounds of pork at a time.

Piper Belles is located in the market where Knead Pizza operated, before closing in August 2022.

The new vendor brings pizza back to the market with a unique twist.

Kaci said that the couple did have some concerns about opening after the devastating July fire at the market that heavily damaged much of the brick building, which is now closed, and how that would impact business. However, she felt confident in the Harrisburg community’s support of the market, she said.

“We know the market is continually supported by the community, and the market is going to get back to where it was,” she said. “Everybody’s very welcoming here.”

Dave and Kaci have dreamed of opening their own brick-and-mortar location for a while and are excited that the market is the next big step in the continued expansion of Piper Belles, they said.

“It’s exciting to be part of this community,” Kaci said.

For more information, visit Piper Belles website.

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Community Comment: Capital Region Water marks 10 years of infrastructure, community improvements

November 2, 2023 | by Charlotte Katzenmoyer

Charlotte Katzenmoyer

When Capital Region Water formed in 2013, it inherited a water and wastewater system that was reeling from years of neglect and suffering under a massive backlog of deferred maintenance needs. Now, with the municipal authority marking its 10th anniversary this month, the city’s infrastructure is on the mend.

Over the last decade, Capital Region Water has invested more than $200 million in capital projects to restore failing infrastructure, improve the health of local waterways, and beautify neighborhoods through community greening.

And that is only the beginning. Over the next 10 years, more than $350 million will be invested to address localized flooding and fix aged and undersized infrastructure that long ago exceeded its useful life.

No one denies the challenges of maintaining and upgrading a water and wastewater system that is more than a century old in some places. Nearly 40 percent of Harrisburg’s sewer and stormwater (rainwater) infrastructure needs to be repaired or replaced.

But these improvements are essential to our quality of life and economic growth. They also go a long way in ensuring we meet our environmental obligations.

A CRW crew performs inlet maintenance.

Recently, after months of negotiation and public comment, the U.S. Department of Justice approved a modification to the 2015 Partial Consent Decree among Capital Region Water, the city of Harrisburg, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This historic agreement defines the work we must do to continue improvements and ensure regulatory compliance.

More certainly needs to be done. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore some of the good work and significant investments that have been made over the years.

In 2016, Capital Region Water completed a $50 million biological nutrient removal (BNR) upgrade to our Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility. We demonstrated that the facility, which employs the most cutting-edge treatment processes in the region, can reduce total nitrogen in the outflowing water to better protect the Susquehanna River and downstream in the Chesapeake Bay.

We continue to further improve the facility as evidenced by an additional $15 million investment in screening and anaerobic digester rehabilitation projects undertaken since the BNR upgrade. Additional improvements to the energy recovery systems are planned over the next few years that will significantly increase the revenue generated from this facility.

Since 2014, Capital Region Water has repaired more than 100 sinkholes created by sewer pipe failures. Fixing old, cracked pipes reduces leakage that leaches into waterways. Our team also has cleaned and inspected all 4,000-plus storm inlets to collect runoff and prevent localized flooding. Many inlets had dirt that allowed weeds and even small trees to take root preventing proper rainwater drainage.

Capital Region Water works on the Front Street Interceptor project earlier this year.

Anyone who drives along Front Street has witnessed firsthand the investments being made in the city. Capital Region Water upgraded the Front Street Pump Station and work is wrapping up on the multi-phased Front Street Interceptor Rehabilitation Project.

In just the last few years, Capital Region Water has secured more than $141 million in low-interest PENNVEST loans from the state to complete many of the aforementioned projects, easing the burden on ratepayers.

Being able to obtain state and federal grants, low-rate loans, revolving loan funds at sub-market rates, and favored bond issues has been a hallmark of Capital Region Water’s independent five-member board, which despite being all volunteer has the relevant professional expertise to manage complex decisions and provide leadership to the 140-strong professional staff that manages daily operations.

That much can be seen in the financial turnaround of the system. When CRW assumed functions from The Harrisburg Authority, the water and sewer system essentially had junk bond status. Today, S&P Global has affirmed Capital Region Water’s A+ water and sewer bond ratings. Financial markets like predictability and stability.

CRW rebuilds a manhole.

Harrisburg’s water routinely ranks among the best-tasting water in the state, thanks to protections in place at the source at DeHart Dam, and we want to keep it that way. Safety improvements to the DeHart Dam are planned for 2024 and continued investments and improvements are being made to the water systems that supply that pristine water to our customers.

Managing stormwater runoff remains a priority. Capital Region Water’s stormwater fee generates about $5 million annually in dedicated funds to transform vacant lots into green spaces, improve parks, install raingardens and other stormwater infiltrating features, and manage stormwater with street-level planters that also calm traffic.

Looking back, residents should be proud of the work that has been accomplished over the last 10 years. It’s an impressive track record that should make us all realize that over the next 10 years, there isn’t much we can’t do when we do it together.

Charlotte Katzenmoyer is CEO of Capital Region Water. For more information on Capital Region Water, visit their website.

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Harrisburg to kick off the merry season with annual Holiday Parade this month

November 2, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s 2022 Holiday Parade

It’ll soon be time to deck out Harrisburg with holiday cheer.

The city announced that it will ring in the season with its annual Holiday Parade on Nov. 18, featuring music, dance and floats.

This year’s parade, with the theme “Rockin’ Around the Burg,” will take place on N. Front and 2nd streets, from Market to North streets, starting at 10 a.m.

Attendees can watch giant parade balloons, including Elmo, Where’s Waldo and a snowman, float down the street. Local marching bands and dance teams will also perform as part of the parade. Designated performance zones will be on N. 2^nd Street, in front of the stage beside Market Street and at State Street.

Judges will score and decide on which dance teams, marching bands and other community groups will be awarded cash prizes.

After the parade, visitors can head to Strawberry Square to meet Santa, enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies and find out which teams won the contest.

Attendees can use the code LUVHBG in the ParkMobile app for four free hours of parking downtown on Saturday. The Market Square Garage is $10 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., courtesy of Park Harrisburg.

The Market Street Bridge will be closed starting at 7 a.m. N. 2nd Street and Front Street will be closed from Market to Forster streets starting at 7 a.m.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

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