State, local officials to cut the ribbon on new federal courthouse in Harrisburg this week

A rendering of the completed federal courthouse (credit: U.S. General Services Administration)

After a years-long planning and construction project, the federal courthouse in Harrisburg appears to be nearing an opening.

Officials will cut the ribbon on the newly constructed courthouse on N. 6th Street this week, announced the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) on Monday.

The building has been under construction since January 2019, as part of a $200.9 million project to relocate the Harrisburg courthouse and provide a larger, updated building. The existing Ronald Reagan Federal Building in downtown Harrisburg no longer had the space to meet federal requirements or the increasing caseload, according to the GSA’s website. The N. 6th Street location was chosen in 2010.

The new 243,000 square-foot Sylvia H. Rambo United States Courthouse is located at N. 6th and Reily streets. It contains eight courtrooms and eleven chambers and will house the Pennsylvania 3rd Circuit U.S. Courts, U.S. Courts, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Trustees, Homeland Security and Federal Public Defender.

The ribbon cutting will take place on Friday at 10 a.m. and attendance is by invitation only.

According to Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel, Mayor Wanda Williams will be in attendance.

GSA did not specify exactly when courthouse personnel will begin to work from the new building.

For more information, visit the U.S. General Services Administration’s website.

 

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

 

Continue Reading

Project to make Harrisburg’s MulDer Square safer, greener nears completion

A new roundabout was recently constructed at the intersection of Mulberry and Derry streets in Harrisburg.

A project to make a Harrisburg neighborhood safer and greener is getting closer to completion.

Harrisburg announced on Monday that road construction in MulDer Square, the area where Mulberry and Derry streets meet, will largely be finished this month. The corridor will likely reopen to traffic on Dec. 23.

The project began in July, closing off Mulberry Street, from the Mulberry Street Bridge to Derry Street.

“This is one of the areas that had high fatalities due to accidents, so the point is to slow down any type of negative congestion in the area,” the city’s project manager Percy Bullock said.

According to Bullock, the construction included installing a roundabout at the intersection of Mulberry and Derry streets, making sidewalks ADA-accessible and updating street lighting. Side streets Nectarine and Evergreen were also paved and Nectarine Street was transformed into a pedestrian-focused green walkway.

Additionally, the city is also working on a project to transform the Derry Street cul-de-sac, which was previously a vacant, blighted area, into a linear park and pathway. The park will stretch from Sylvan Terrace to S. Cameron Street and include benches, ADA-accessible features, new trees and landscaping.

The park project will likely reach completion in April or May, according to Bullock.

The MulDer Square Redevelopment Project is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to reduce pedestrian fatalities.

For more information on the MulDer Square construction and other Vision Zero projects, visit the city’s website.

 

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

 

 

Continue Reading

New flavor celebrates 70 years of Farm Show milkshakes

The new orange cream milkshake

If you live in the Harrisburg area, there’s a good chance you’re a fan of Farm Show milkshakes.

Well, the PA Dairymen’s Association has some big news for this year’s Farm Show: a new flavor.

To celebrate seven decades of the iconic milkshake, the association will expand its lineup of flavors to include an orange cream milkshake.

“2023 will be extra sweet as we celebrate our 70th birthday of serving our famous Farm Show milkshakes with our new delicious, limited-edition orange cream milkshake for all to enjoy,” said PA Dairymen’s Executive Director Dave Smith.

The new flavor joins the long-time offerings of chocolate, vanilla and a mix.

In case you can’t wait for the Farm Show itself in January, the association is hosting “Milkshakes on the Moo-ve” birthday pop-up events this month. They include:

  • Friday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., West Shore Plaza, 1200 Market St., Lemoyne, (directly across from Karns Foods), which includes a 70th Birthday Milkshake Toast at 10:45 a.m. with PA Dairy Princesses.
  • Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stauffers of Kissel Hill Fresh Foods, 1050 Lititz Pike, Lititz
  • Friday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Cross Roads Sale & Market, 5415 PA-25, Gratz
  • Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Karns Foods, 6001 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg
  • Thursday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Kennie’s Markets, 217 W. Middle St., Gettysburg

In addition, the first 50 milkshakes at each pop-up will be free, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA.

Proceeds from these events support PA Dairymen’s philanthropic efforts. Over the past four years, they have donated more than $1 million to programs including The Calving Corner; agricultural and educational projects; initiatives and scholarships; the Fill A Glass with Hope® fresh milk campaign for neighbors in need; the Choose PA Dairy consumer education and awareness campaign; the PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Education Lab that travels to schools; the PA Dairy Princess and Promotion Program and others.

The 2023 PA Farm Show runs Jan. 7 to Jan. 14. The food court opens a day earlier, at noon on Jan. 6.

For more information, visit www.PADairymens.com.

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

Continue Reading

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Grace United Methodist Church on State Street will host one Harrisburg’s three winter overnight shelters.

Our December issue of the magazine came out this week! Grab a copy and find tons of holiday stories behind our cheery cover art. But first, find all of this week’s news, below.

Apricot Lane Boutique owner Jillian Tompkins strives to offer clothing items for every woman who visits the store, our magazine story reported. The boutique opened this summer in Camp Hill.

Dauphin County announced its 2023 proposed budget, which was significantly lower than last year’s budget, our online story reported. The $221.6 million general fund budget doesn’t include a property tax increase.

Dauphin County Library System announced that it will eliminate late fees in an effort to make reading more accessible, our online story reported. The system joins libraries nationwide that are going fine-free.

December events are just getting started in Harrisburg. Find a full list of holiday-themed activities in our Happenings column, and even more in our Community Corner.

Governor-elect Josh Shapiro will make his way to Harrisburg in January and our editor welcomes him. In his column, he shares hopes for a renewed relationship between the state and city.

Harrisburg made the list of “most neighborly cities in America,” and our editor agrees that it’s a pretty friendly place to live. Read what he has to say about “neighborliness” in his editor’s note.

Harrisburg’s Narçisse Theatre Company announced that it soon will have a home of its own, after years of performing in local venues, our reporting found. The theater will be located at 312 Chestnut St. downtown.

Jawns on Fire recently opened in Lingelstown selling sneakers, streetwear and more, our magazine story reported. The shop offers an inclusive environment for old and new sneakerheads.

Santa Claus is coming to Harrisburg this month, our online story reported. The city will hold its annual “Santa In The Park” event in the Reservoir Park Mansion on Dec. 10.

Sara Bozich has lots of activities to get you in the holiday spirit this weekend. Find them all, here.

Utility bills are set to rise for Harrisburg customers in 2023, our reporting found. This week, Capital Region Water passed its budget with new rates for next year.

Winter overnight shelters opened this week in Harrisburg offering a warm place to stay for unhoused residents, our reporting found. Downtown Daily Bread and Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area will operate the three shelters through the end of March.

 

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here! 

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Continue Reading

New lunch, breakfast eatery slated for Strawberry Square food court

The future home of Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack in Strawberry Square

Here’s something tasty to look forward to in the new year—a new burger and chicken place inside Strawberry Square.

Owner Mina Gabriel plans to open Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack in the food court during the first quarter of 2023, according to Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square.

“We are excited to become part of the fabric of downtown Harrisburg with this new venture,” Gabriel said. “We look forward to providing delicious fresh breakfasts and lunches to Strawberry Square’s customers.”

The menu will include made-to-order burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros and falafel wraps, plus a variety of side dishes, including loaded fries and onion rings. Fresca also will offer all-day breakfast, serving items like bagel breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast.

“The downtown community has long expressed interest in a burger joint in the Square,” said Brad Jones, president & CEO of Harristown Enterprises. “Fresca answers that call with fresh, made-to-order burgers as well as other sandwiches, salads and sides. They will also provide customers with another breakfast option here in the Square.”

For more information on Strawberry Square, visit their website.

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

Continue Reading

“I Like Myself Now”: How Capital Blue Cross, UPMC in Central PA are helping make Harrisburg healthier

Xtreme Hip Hop class

Monika Ross wasn’t too high on herself in early 2020.

“I was 220 pounds,” Ross said. “I was hypertensive. I was pre-diabetic. My cholesterol was 265. So, I was looking for programs to help me manage that.”

What Ross found was Healthy Harrisburg, a UPMC in Central PA program piloted by the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation and generously supported by Capital Blue Cross. The foundation’s mission is, in part, to provide the resources to help UPMC’s most vulnerable patients, to promote health and lifelong wellness in our communities, and to support the workforce so the region can attract, train and retain the best and brightest talent.

What Ross rediscovered through Healthy Harrisburg was her health, her happiness and herself. More than two years into the program, she has lost 53 pounds, and her hypertension, pre-diabetes and cholesterol are all under control.

“So, I’m still doing it,” Ross said recently before an “Xtreme Hip Hop” class that is a regular part of her Healthy Harrisburg regimen. “And because I’m still doing it, emotionally, I like myself now. When you’re 220, and you’re not feeling healthy, you kind of look at yourself differently.

“But now that I’m healthy, I’m happier. I like myself.”

 

Standing Together, Making Things Better

Ross’ health journey is not unlike others who have joined Healthy Harrisburg, which offers regular line dancing, strength training, African dance and Xtreme Hip Hop step classes, along with an annual, citywide Juneteenth celebration.

And it’s all free, to all participants, thanks largely to Capital Blue Cross’ support.

“We’re so happy to hear stories like Monika’s,” said Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash, who recently joined UPMC in Central PA President and CEO Lou Baverso to visit Ross’ Xtreme Hip Hop Class and celebrate the program’s success.

“Monika’s results and those of so many others in Healthy Harrisburg exemplify why we so proudly support this program,” Shamash said. “It mirrors our mission to go the extra mile to improve access to healthcare and community health and well-being.”

Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash, center left, and UPMC in PA President and CEO Lou Baverso are flanked by colleagues and program participants during a recent Xtreme Hip Hop class in Harrisburg.

“It was wonderful to see a Healthy Harrisburg class in action,” Baverso said. “We’re truly grateful to Capital Blue Cross for helping bring this program to the public. Healthy Harrisburg isn’t just about fitness. It’s about challenging health disparities, and addressing chronic disease in underserved populations.”

 

Healthy Numbers

Jankail Adams beams when discussing Healthy Harrisburg.

“We have incredible stories,” said Adams, UPMC in Central PA’s project manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion. “We have one participant who actually e-mailed me and said that she was in an extremely depressive state before she started classes, (having) really suicidal thoughts. Now, she just recently got her MBA.”

Healthy Harrisburg began in 2020 with 25 participants. As a sign of the program’s ballooning popularity, it now serves between 130 and 150 participants per quarter, with the most recent enrollment reaching 152. Adams expects that number to grow in 2023.

Jankail Adams

Thanks to regular health assessments of about 100 participants per quarter, Adams can rattle off additional stellar results: The last two cohorts have dropped over 250 combined pounds, and about 10% of participants have weaned off prescription medication.

“We’ve also seen numbers in diabetes drop,” Adams said. “We’ve seen numbers in hypertension drop, which is extremely critical, especially to the Black and brown communities, because heart disease is the No. 1 killer of black and brown women in particular.

“So, those victories are the things that we really look for.”

She said Capital’s contribution is key to keeping the program free, which in turn draws participants and, person by person, helps make Harrisburg healthier.

“We don’t turn anyone away,” Adams said. “So we’ve had people come as far as from York, Mechanicsburg and Hershey. And it’s those funds that allow us to open up this program and grow it.”

 

Sisterhood of Success

Nearly all Healthy Harrisburg registrants are women, and their closeness – through classes and other activities and conversation – builds a unique bond, said April Robles, another original member who started with the inaugural 2020 group.

“This is a sisterhood,” Robles said. “I love it.”

Classes like instructor Robin Marshall’s Xtreme Hip Hop – designed for all ages and fitness levels, and with a focus on both physical and mental health – are a big reason why.

“At my class,” Marshall said, “we have a good time.”

Instructor Robin Marshall

Which may explain why many participants have been with her since the program began. Robles is among them and is another case study in Healthy Harrisburg’s effectiveness.

She has lost 52 pounds since joining, lowered her blood pressure, and realized far more than physical benefits.

“I have anxiety, and this program has calmed it all the way down,” Robles said. “I’ve had no anxiety, no blood-pressure issues. Mentally, this is awesome.”

She said she’ll continue the program as long as it remains free.

“You meet a lot of good people in here, and it’s a very supportive group,” Robles said. “As long as this is open for me, I will be here and be a part of this. Because my whole life depends on this program, pretty much.”

For more health and wellness news and information that can benefit your business and employees, visit thinkcapitalbluecross.com.

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

Continue Reading

2023 utility bills to rise average of $2.55 monthly for Harrisburg customers

Capital Region Water at work (file photo)

Harrisburg utility customers will see their wastewater rates rise in 2023, though drinking water and stormwater rates will be unchanged.

On Wednesday, Capital Region Water (CRW) passed its 2023 budget with new rates for next year.

Under the new rate structure, drinking water rates will be unchanged at $10.34 per 1,000 gallons consumed. Likewise, the stormwater fee will remain the same at $6.15 per month for most residential customers.

The wastewater rate represents the sole increase for next year. For Harrisburg residents, it will rise by 68 cents per 1,000 gallons consumed, from $8.56 to $9.24. That represents an increase of about $2.55 per month for the average residential customer who uses 45,000 gallons annually, according to CRW.

The overall increase for a Harrisburg residential customer is roughly the same as for 2022, when average rates rose by about $2.60 a month.

“It’s a testament to our leadership that we’ve been able to keep rates predictable this year,” said Capital Region Water CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer, in a statement. “Even through inflation and supply chain issues, we are focused on finding equitable and responsible ways to repair the aging infrastructure, both seen and unseen.”

Katzenmoyer added that the spending plan commits $58 million to capital projects aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows, addressing localized flooding and runoff, and meeting state and federal clean water requirements.

“This also comes at a time in which we have doubled the investment in our Customer Assistance Program,” she said.

Earlier this year, the CRW board approved an agreement with regulatory bodies to slash pollutants flowing into area waterways. The utility plans to spend about $200 million over the next 10 years to stem the flow of untreated water into creeks and the Susquehanna River during wet weather events.

For more information on Capital Region Water, visit their website.

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

Continue Reading

Santa Claus coming to Harrisburg’s Reservoir park to meet families, accept wish lists

Santa Claus in the 2021 Holiday Parade in downtown Harrisburg

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Harrisburg announced on Thursday its plans for the annual “Santa In The Park” event at Reservoir Mansion on Dec. 10, where families can meet Mr. Claus.

“Santa and Mrs. Claus are preparing for the Santa in the Park event,” said Parks and Recreation Manager Kevin Sanders in a statement. “Santa’s team is very excited to spend this day with the community of Harrisburg!”

In addition to meeting Santa, the city will offer face painting, cookie decorating, hot dogs and hot cocoa. The event is free and will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees can also bring letters for Santa, as the city will participate in “Operation: Santa,” a service provided by the United States Postal Service. The program accepts letters from children and adults who write to Santa with Christmas gift wishes. USPS then posts the letters to its website, where people from around the country adopt a letter, find a gift and ship it to a participating post office location.

Letters must be in an envelope addressed to:

Santa Claus
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888

The city will place postage on the letters for event attendees. A return address must also be on each envelope. Those who wish to mail their letter directly can do so, but postage is required.

According to Parks and Recreation Director Dave Baker, adoption of each letter is not guaranteed.

For more information, visit Harrisburg’s website. To learn more about “Operation: Santa,” visit their website.

 

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

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! Scroll down or use the menu links to find ideas for your weekend.

For something new: Lots of great holiday events for the whole family!

Worth noting: Holiday Harrisburg Flea — 70 vendors at Strawberry Square!

Things on my agenda this weekend: Wet Leg at XL! HBG Flea! Unpacking in the new house!

For your weekend planning

    • “Holidays in Hummelstown” Historic Harrisburg’s Elegant Progressions is this weekend — Don’t sleep on the under 40 pricing if you qualify!
    • See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

Things to Do in Harrisburg + Central PA | Weekend Roundup | Sara Bozich

Be in the know.
Sign up to receive news and updates from Sara Bozich.
Nicely done. 🙌🏽
 

A Look Ahead

    1. Add to calendar: Downtown Camp Hill’s ‘Twas the Night Before on Dec. 8
    1. Add to calendar: HU Presents Bob Moses at XL Live on Dec. 8
    1. The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
    1. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

    • HU Presents Wet Leg at XL Live (SOLD OUT)
    • Beer Release! Lancaster Winter Warmer Ale Release at LBC

Saturday

    • Pennsylvania Regional Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Scottish Rite Theatre

Sunday

    • Pennsylvania Regional Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Scottish Rite Theatre

What are you doing this weekend around Harrisburg? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Like this content?

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

Continue Reading

Dauphin County Library System eliminates late fees in effort to decrease burden, increase access

McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg

Overdue library book?

With Dauphin County Library System’s new fine-free policy, you don’t need to sweat it.

The system announced on Wednesday that it would continue its no-late-fee policy, which it began at the beginning of the pandemic, in an effort to remove a barrier to access.

“Our number-one mission is to serve our community by connecting people with the knowledge and resources they need,” said Karen Cullings, the library system’s executive director, in a statement. “Unfortunately, libraries have found that late fees and fines end up being roadblocks to those who need our services the most.”

Dauphin County joins a growing number of libraries statewide and nationally that are eliminating late fees.

According to Cullings, fees often affect lower-income residents. She cited the Memphis Public Library as an example, which decided to go fine-free after research showed that households making less than $25,000 held 33% of the unpaid fines.

To continue encouraging responsible borrowing, if a member has over what would have been $10 in fines, the library will not allow them to check out materials or borrow laptops, access online e-books, audio books and music or reserve meeting rooms.

Additionally, if an item is not returned within 48 days from the due date, members will receive a bill and be required to pay a replacement fee. The account will be forwarded to a collection agency for those with unpaid balances of $45 or more. People can return items up to a year after the billing date to have replacement charges waived.

Members can also receive five renewals on an item if there are no hold requests.

“With our new “fine-free” policy, we want to remove any roadblocks while encouraging members to use our resources responsibly,” Cullings said.

According to Cullings, the late fees do not make up a large part of the library’s budget. However, they are asking community members to “pay it forward” and donate to support the new policy.

“We hope that many in the community will help us ease the burden on those who may have overdue books but fear returning to the library because they can’t pay the fines,” Cullings said. “Members who return an item late and no longer have to pay a fine can pay it forward by donating to help us continue the policy.’’

For more information or to donate, visit the Dauphin County Library System’s website.

 

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

 

Continue Reading