HBCU “Battle of the Bands” to come to Harrisburg High School to perform, recruit

August 11, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

HBCU Band Program Committee President Vinie Davis and local officials announced “Battle of the Bands” on Friday at Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus.

A musical event will march into town this month.

The Harrisburg-based HBCU Band Program Committee will bring bands from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus for a day of music, fun and inspiration.

“Marching bands from historically black colleges and universities will be right here to perform on Aug. 26 and they will do what they do best,” said the band program committee President Vinie Davis, at a press conference on Friday. “This will be a treat for the entire family.”

The “Battle of the Bands,” which will take place on Harrisburg’s Severance Field, will feature performances by three HBCUs, vendors, food and entertainment for the family. This is the committee’s third year of hosting the event in Harrisburg.

Event organizers also seek to inspire high school students who are interested in participating in a band at the college level. College recruiters will be on-site during the day, as well.

“This event is going to help send our kids to historically black colleges and universities,” Mayor Wanda Williams said.

Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the event will help the band program committee provide scholarships for students to attend HBCUs. The committee, a local nonprofit, helps connect high school students with college opportunities.

Tickets can be purchased online for $10 online or for $15 at the gate. The gate for the event will open at 12 p.m. and the “Battle of the Bands” will take place until around 4 p.m.

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Harrisburg-area home sales drop, prices hold steady in latest monthly report

August 11, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Home sales dipped though prices inched up in July, according to the latest report on previously owned homes in the Harrisburg area.

For the three-county region, sales totaled 517 homes compared to 675 sales in July 2022, as the median price rose to $264,900 versus $255,000 last year, stated the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 245 homes sold last month against 344 the prior July, as the median price fell slightly, to $235,000 from $239,800, said GHAR.

Cumberland County reported 236 home sales, a drop from 303 last July, while the median price rose to $292,000 from $290,000, according to GHAR.

Perry County had 30 home sales, a decrease of eight units compared to July 2022, as the median price shot up to $267,500 versus $218,750 a year ago, GHAR said.

GHAR also reported that houses were selling a bit slower in July, as the “average days on market” rose to 19 days compared to 15 days in July 2022.

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Broad Street Market receives significant donation to support vendors, rebuild

August 10, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

PSECU officials present Harrisburg and Broad Street Market officials with a check to support the market. (From left) Megan Giles, market assistant, Tanis Monroy, market executive director, Barb Bowker, PSECU chief of member experience, Mayor Wanda Williams and Kristin Paradise, central region director for the Pennsylvania Governor’s office.

Harrisburg’s Broad Street Market has received some financial assistance to help it bounce back after tragedy.

On Thursday, PSECU presented market and city officials with a $10,000 check to help with rebuilding efforts after the market’s brick building was heavily damaged by fire in July.

“This is really important to PSECU to give back to the community,” said Barb Bowker, chief of member experience for PSECU. “Our roots are really deep here in the Harrisburg community.”

The funds will go towards not only rebuilding, but also towards equipment for vendors who will set up in a temporary structure the city plans to construct.

“I’m sure the market vendors are really excited that we have $10,000 more dollars coming into the coffers,” Mayor Wanda Williams said.

City officials have shared their plans to build a tent-like structure, with flooring, plumbing and electricity, in the grassy lot across from the market at N. 3^rd and Verbeke streets. This week, City Council approved those plans.

According to Matt Maisel, communications director for Harrisburg, the city hopes to have the temporary location set up and ready to go by Labor Day weekend. When the space will officially open, depends on when vendors are ready, he said.

Maisel said that the city has selected a company to rent the structure from and that construction will likely take around two to three weeks.

So far, a majority of the vendors displaced from the brick building have said they plan to set up in the temporary structure, Maisel said.

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

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

August 10, 2023 | 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: Dinosaurs invade Harrisburg Worth noting: Steelton Fest, The Weekender Block Party, loads of live music, last few chances for outdoor movie nights Things on my agenda this weekend: Heading to New Hope, PA. Send recs!

For your weekend(ish) planning

How to help the Broad Street Market and its displaced vendors
Great Catering Option for all your Summer Events
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Lovedrafts in SoMa! Visit sip @ soma this month (before it moves … ???)
Add the August Block Party (8/31) to your calendar now
My top picks at Market on Market
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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Harrisburg School District weighs hiring several new principals, partners with city for crossing guards

August 9, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District’s Lincoln Administration Building

The Harrisburg School District soon may have new officials leading day-to-day operations inside several of its buildings.

At a school board meeting on Tuesday, the district weighed the hiring of several new principals at the high school and elementary school levels.

The district announced the potential hiring of Laquan Magruder as the new principal of Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus.

District Receiver Dr. Lori Suski still must officially approve the hiring at the board’s Aug. 22 meeting. If approved, Magruder’s employment would be effective on Aug. 1, at a salary of $120,152.

Magruder would replace former principal Michelle Felton, who transferred to the role of supervisor of professional development for the district in July.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda was a request to appoint James Snyder as the principal of Ben Franklin Elementary School at a salary of $114,812. If approved, Snyder’s employment would be effective Aug. 7. Snyder replaces Nicole Snook, who transferred to assistant principal of Foose Elementary School in July.

Additionally, Suski will consider approving the appointment of Jason Rawls as the new principal of Scott Elementary School at a salary of $115,000. Rawls’ start date would be effective upon release from his current employer. The hire would fill a long-time vacancy in the position.

At a June 27 board meeting, Suski also approved the transfer of former Rowland Intermediate School assistant principal Darnell Montgomery to principal of Camp Curtin School at a salary of $103,920.

According to Suski, the district is encouraged to see hiring outweighing resignations to start the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.

“This year, we see far more names listed under new staff for employment than we do for resignations,” she said at Tuesday’s meeting. “So, that is really a positive trajectory for the district.”

Also at the board meeting, Suski approved entering into an agreement with the city to employ 12 part-time school crossing guards. The pilot program will run for the upcoming academic year, with the city funding 40% of the cost of their salaries and the district supporting 60%.

Harrisburg City Council approved the agreement with the district at its Tuesday legislative session.

Finally, Suski approved reinstating a contract with Harrisburg-based Wildheart Ministries for the operation of the district’s Joshua Farm property. At a June 27 board meeting, Suski terminated the contract, which was originally instated in May, explaining then that the district had concerns with the way the organization used the property, located at 213 S. 18^th St.

However, on Tuesday, Suski said that the district had learned that Wildheart Ministries had received a federal grant for use at Joshua Farm.

“As with any decision in life, when new information is brought to you, you reconsider that information and reevaluate,” Suski said.

The agreement with Wildheart will extend through December 2024.

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Harrisburg City Council OKs plan, provides funds for temporary Broad Street Market structure

August 8, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday

Harrisburg has taken a significant step forward in its strategy for the Broad Street Market, voting to proceed with a plan for a temporary home for displaced vendors.

City Council voted on Tuesday to authorize the city to move forward with lease agreements related to constructing a temporary structure for market vendors displaced by last month’s devastating fire.

A July fire, caused by a ceiling fan malfunction, heavily damaged much of the market’s brick building. However, city and state officials have pledged to rebuild.

In the meantime, Harrisburg can now move forward with renting a temporary structure to be constructed on a grassy lot across the street from the market, as approved by council. City officials also have said that they plan to lease the land from the Millworks owner, Josh Kesler, at the corner of Verbeke and N. 3rd streets. Council’s vote allows Harrisburg to enter into that agreement, as well.

According to City Solicitor Neil Grover, under that lease, the city will likely only pay for property taxes for the lot while using it.

Council’s approval also gives the city the ability to enter into an agreement with the Broad Street Market Alliance, which runs the operations of the city-owned market buildings, to oversee and manage the temporary structure.

Grover said that he expects that rebuilding the market’s brick building will take around two years.

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

Council also approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Harrisburg School District to employ school crossing guards. The program will run as a pilot program for the upcoming academic year and will employ 12 part-time crossing guards. The city will fund 40% of the cost of their salaries and the district will support 60%.

Additionally, council voted in favor of allowing the city to enter into a long-term lease agreement with the school district for the Jackson Lick pool. According to Grover, the last lease agreement with the district expired around a decade ago. Harrisburg must have an up-to-date agreement in order to proceed with a project to renovate the pool using Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant money.

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Harrisburg City Council candidate Lamont Jones to remain on ballot after removal effort fails

August 8, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council candidate Lamont Jones spoke to supporters outside the Dauphin County Courthouse following his hearing on Tuesday

A Harrisburg City Council candidate will remain on the November general election ballot, as a lawsuit that attempted to kick him off failed.

Lamont Jones will have his shot in November at earning a seat on council, ruled Judge Jeffrey Engle during a Tuesday hearing in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.

A lawsuit was filed in July by plaintiffs Katherine Knapp and Sherron Roy to attempt to remove Jones, a Democratic candidate, from the ballot, based on his past criminal convictions dating back over 20 years. The lawsuit also listed the Dauphin County Board of Elections as a defendant.

However, in front of a courtroom packed with Jones’ supporters, Engle sustained the defendant’s preliminary objections to the lawsuit and stated that “the defendant should remain on the November election ballot.”

“I feel encouraged,” Jones said, surrounded by supporters cheering outside the courthouse, following the hearing. “This is a huge day today. We can go into November and remain on the ballot.”

During the hearing, Marco Attisano, the attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case, argued that Jones had misrepresented his eligibility for office and said that his prior convictions should be considered “infamous crimes,” offenses that could disqualify someone from assuming office. If Jones were elected and later found to be ineligible for office, city council would choose a replacement, which would take away the voters’ power to select their representative, Attisano argued.

The plaintiffs were not present at the hearing.

Jones’ attorney, John Bravacos, countered that the challenge to Jones’ nomination petition fell outside the statutory filing period of seven days after the petition filing deadline. Bravacos also argued that state election code law does not allow the court to force a candidate to withdraw his name from the ballot.

Kelly Summerford, elections chair for the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, testified during the hearing, stating that Jones was upfront with the committee about his criminal convictions during the committee’s interview process.

Jones was unanimously endorsed by the committee before the May primary election.

“He has redeemed himself,” Summerford stated. “I can’t think of a better candidate. I was amazed and disturbed that this even happened.”

Bravacos also spoke to the fact that Jones has applied for a pardon from the commonwealth and received support from the Dauphin County district attorney and a former secretary of corrections.

In 2022, Jones applied for a pardon and was denied, based on outstanding fines, according to Brandon Flood, former secretary of the state Board of Pardons and founder of The Lazarus Firm, which provides re-entry-based services. However, Jones has since reapplied and, in July, received support from a board majority during a merit review hearing. Flood is providing council to Jones on the clemency process.

Jones is seeking pardon for his past criminal convictions, including a misdemeanor in 1997 for false reports to law enforcement, and two felonies, once in 2004 and 2005, for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Jones is scheduled to go before the Board of Pardons in November for a public hearing. Ultimately, Gov. Josh Shapiro will have the final vote on whether or not Jones receives a pardon.

Based on his experience, Flood is confident Jones will be successful.

“It is safe to say Mr. Jones has checked all the boxes off, so to speak,” Flood said. “If I was a betting man, I would say Mr. Jones has a very high probability of receiving support from the board.”

Flood also noted that the pardon process may be expedited and a decision on the pardon could possibly be made before the Nov. 2 election.

Prior to the court hearing, both the Democratic committee and the Pennsylvania Working Families Party released statements in support of Jones.

Community members and Lamont Jones supporters gathered outside the Dauphin County Courthouse following Tuesday’s hearing

Harrisburg voter Bradley Wainwright joined several dozen other community members on Tuesday to support Jones.

“He’s a symbol that anyone who makes mistakes can go and better their lives,” Wainwright said. “Lamont has already been doing what an elected official should do, and he’s been in the community.”

Jones has spoken publicly about his past convictions and uses his platform, as the founder of Jones Resources, to assist people re-entering society after prison.

Jones and those involved in his campaign said that they hope this case has shown the need for legislative change when it comes to people with criminal histories being allowed to hold office. They also hope it encourages people who have turned their lives around after prison and want to run for public office.

“This shows we have to continue to make changes to the law,” said Ana White, a member of Jones’ campaign team.

Jones responded to the absence of the plaintiffs at the hearing, saying that it “speaks volumes.” Jones and members of his campaign team have shared that they believe long-time Harrisburg political actors are behind the lawsuit.

While speaking to the crowd outside the courthouse, following the hearing, Jones brought Autumn Fair onto the steps with him to speak. Fair filed a petition to run for magisterial district judge for District 12-1-02, serving Midtown and Uptown, but her name was taken off the primary ballot due to a lawsuit challenging her petition signatures.

Jones and Fair suggested that the same political actors may be behind both of their court cases.

“We know who is in the way and this is how we can beat them,” Jones said.

Jones’ name will appear as one of three Democratic candidates for city council, alongside incumbent council President Danielle Bowers and Crystal Davis, for three, four-year seats.

“This was about you guys having a voice and you made a conscious decision, knowing exactly what my background was and I really appreciate you guys believing in me,” Jones said to his supporters.

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Harrisburg African grocery store to “give back,” donating food to community

August 7, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Eniola Iruaregbon, outside her store in Harrisburg in 2022

For her birthday, a local entrepreneur has one wish: to help those in her community.

On Aug. 8, Eniola Iruaregbon, owner of Eniola African Food Store, will donate 100 bags of food to her neighbors in need, on her birthday.

“I want to give back to the community,” she said. “A lot of people need food.”

Iruaregbon opened her store, which sells African groceries, on Derry Street in Harrisburg in January 2022, hoping to fill a gap in access to African food in the area.

With her food giveway, Iruaregbon’s goal is the same, to make it easier for customers to find food from their culture, specifically those who can’t afford to purchase it.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Iruaregbon will hand out bags filled with items like bread, cereal, milk and vegetables, as well as African food staples. She included items to make it easy for someone to cook an African meal, she said.

According to Iruaregbon, her organization, Eniola’s Foundation, is the only one in the area that gives out specifically African food. When she first moved to the United States and received assistance from food banks, they didn’t have any of the cultural food that she was used to, she said.

Iruaregbon was inspired to fill the need and fulfill a promise that she made to her late mother.

“It was what my mom used to do back home in Africa,” she said. “She always gave out free food at her restaurant. She told me she wanted me to continue it.”

Iruaregbon first held a food giveaway last year and hopes to make it a quarterly event. However, she currently does not have any financial supporters and donates the food from her store. She hopes to eventually connect with a local food bank or nonprofit to support the event.

“I’m so excited to give back,” she said.

Eniola Africa Food Store is located at 1325 Derry St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Instagram page.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

August 4, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Senghor Manns, CEO of Harrisburg Housing Authority, along with other officials, announced The Weekender festival outside of the Hall Manor Community Center.

The weather has been perfect for getting out and exploring the city. Our August issue of the magazine came out last week, so make sure you visit one of our distribution locations to grab a copy while you’re out and about. In the meantime, find all of our local coverage from this week, below.

Community Corner has all of this month’s special events, including home tours, flea markets and concerts. For even more events taking place in the Harrisburg area in August, check out our Happenings section.

Concerts that you won’t want to miss are coming to Harrisburg this August, says our live music columnist. Find her recommendations, here.

A developer has proposed converting the former Federal Building in Harrisburg into apartments, our online story reported. Yasser Hellel, a New Jersey-based developer, has submitted a land development plan to convert the building into a 162-unit apartment building.

A downtown Harrisburg development project aimed at converting the former Federal Building into apartments received approval from the Planning Commission, our online story reported. Next, the land development plan will need Harrisburg City Council approval.

Harrisburg Fringe Festival launched for the first time last month in the city, featuring a unique array of artists. Our photo story captures some of the scenes from the wild weekend.

Lamont Jones spoke out against the lawsuit challenging his candidacy for Harrisburg City Council, our online story reported. Local political organizations, including the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, expressed support for Jones, as well.

Nature abounds in Harrisburg, and our publisher admires the mix of urban density and wildlife. In his column, he shares some ideas for how the city could even better care for and integrate the natural world.

PennDOT held an open house on Tuesday to gather public input on its Market Street Bridge rehabilitation project, our online story reported. At the meeting, several bicyclists shared that they supported PennDOT’s most recent proposal to include a new multimodal feature as part of the construction.

Sara Bozich has some fun summer events for your weekend. Take a look at her lineup, here.

UPMC President Lou Baverso will step down from his position on Sept. 8 to become chief operating officer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, our reporting found. Baverso has been with UPMC for 28 years, but just assumed the role of president last summer.

The Weekender festival will return to Harrisburg after a pandemic hiatus with live music, education and entertainment, our online story reported. The two-day event will include a networking event at Harrisburg University and a community party in the Hall Manor neighborhood.

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Lamont Jones, supporters defend council candidacy in face of lawsuit

August 4, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Lamont Jones

Following a lawsuit aimed at knocking Lamont Jones, a candidate for Harrisburg City Council, off the ballot, several political organizations have voiced support for Jones.

Dauphin County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Rogette Harris issued a statement earlier this week reinforcing the committee’s support for Jones, despite an attempt to remove him from the November election.

A lawsuit was filed in July by plaintiffs Katherine Knapp and Sherron Roy who argued that Jones’ past criminal convictions disqualify him from holding public office in the commonwealth.

Jones, a Harrisburg resident, won one of three nominations for seats on council during the May primary election.

“I was heartbroken,” Jones said of the lawsuit, during a phone call with TheBurg. “Because I’ve done so much to change my life around. I’ve done so much work in the community.”

Jones has spoken publicly about his past convictions, which date back to 1997, 2004 and 2005, and has advocated for improved assistance for those re-entering society after prison through his organization, Jones Resources.

“These past criminal convictions that date back over 20 years should not define who I am today,” Jones said.

According to Harris, Jones was upfront about his history with the Democratic committee, which endorsed him prior to the primary election.

“Based on this information and answering the varied questions about what he has done to repay his community by giving back as a public servant and mentor, the Harrisburg City committee members determined that Mr. Jones has paid his dues and endorsed him accordingly,” she said.

The lawsuit stated that Jones committed “infamous crimes,” offenses that disqualify someone from assuming office, and should withdraw himself from the race. Jones’ most recent convictions include possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony. The lawsuit also lists the Dauphin County Board of Elections as a defendant.

According to Marco Attisano, an attorney with Pittsburgh-based Flannery Georgalis, who is representing the plaintiffs in the case, if Jones were elected to council and disqualified based on his past convictions, city council would be tasked with appointing a replacement to fill the seat. This would take away the voters’ power to choose their representative, he claimed.

The plaintiffs have requested that the court allow the state Democratic Party to select a substitute for the nomination.

Jones and the elections board have since responded requesting that the complaint be dismissed. Jones’ attorney, John Bravacos, argues that there is no basis in state election code law that allows the court to force a candidate to withdraw his name from the ballot. The elections board, in its response filings, similarly claims that the election code does not permit a county board of elections to “remove a candidate from a ballot based on ‘viability.’”

In Jones’ filings, he has also stated that the challenge to his nomination petition was outside of the statutory filing period, which includes the seven days after the petition filing deadline.

Jones said that he believed long-time local political figures were really behind the lawsuit, hiding behind the named plaintiffs.

“This is another example of political violence when people are trying to interfere with the outcomes of these elections,” he said.

Jones has also applied for a pardon from the commonwealth, according to his court filings, and received support from the Dauphin County district attorney and a former secretary of corrections. Jones’ hearing before the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons is slated to take place in November.

“The facts combine to support the conclusion that Mr. Jones reasonably anticipates receiving a pardon prior to the January 2, 2024, date when he would take the oath of office as a successful candidate for member of city council,” Jones’ court filings said.

In addition to the Democratic committee, the Pennsylvania Working Families Party also released a statement in late July in support of Jones.

“This lawsuit isn’t just an attack on Lamont,” the statement said. “It’s an attempt to overturn the will of Harrisburg voters. It’s also a slap in the face to so many people in Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania who have been through the criminal justice system and shown time and again that redemption is possible.”

Harris, in her statement, said that she will seek a legislative change to create a standardized and consistent policy for those with a criminal background seeking public office.

“Some have had to obtain a pardon from the Governor to serve in the office they were elected, and others have not,” she said. “I recognize this inconsistency and will advocate for a policy that applies to all.”

A court hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Dauphin County Courthouse.

“I am encouraged by the support from the community,” Jones said. “My community has already forgiven me and I have already been pardoned by them. I hope their votes count and are respected, but I won’t stop doing work in the community no matter what happens.”

The Lamont Jones for Council team, along with community stakeholders will hold a press conference in support of Jones on Aug. 6 at 3 p.m. at the Nativity School of Harrisburg, 2101 N. 5^th St.

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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(ish) planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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