“Hoop It Up Harrisburg” basketball tournament to give residents a chance show what they’ve got

April 27, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

For basketball lovers, an upcoming Harrisburg event will be a slam dunk.

On June 4, the city will host “Hoop It Up Harrisburg 3×3 Street Fest,” a single-day basketball tournament on City Island. The event is in partnership with Kevin Garnett’s Hoop It Up, powered by 3×360 Sports.

From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 28 basketball courts will be set up on City Island’s south parking lot, along with music and food vendors. Participating teams can win up to $1,000 in cash prizes.

Hoop It Up is open to youth, men and women. Divisions include: Under-8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, 19+, 31+ and 45+, along with a Men’s FIBA (Federation of International Basketball) Pro Am bracket.

“Although basketball and my career have taken me out of the area, I grew up here,” said Drew Dawson, a Trinity High School graduate and co-founder for 3×360 Sport. “Harrisburg is home, and I have many great memories, family, and friends, as well as old teammates throughout central Pennsylvania.”

Prizes will be awarded to all winners. Champions of the 3×3 Pro Am will receive $1,000 and second place will win $500.

Youth and adult divisions cost $150 to register, while Pro-Am teams cost $200. Teams may have no more than five members.

According to Dawson, a portion of the proceeds will support a Harrisburg-based charity that is to be determined.

A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, June 5.

To register for the “Hoop It Up Harrisburg 3×3 Street Fest,” visit their website.

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Local Ukrainian native to hold fundraiser dinner to benefit her home country

April 27, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Photo from a former rally to support Ukraine hosted by Mariia Anosova (middle, far right).

Mariia Anosova, a local resident, has always loved to cook and share meals with her family and friends.

“Ukrainian food and cooking is a love language,” she said.

When thinking of ways to support her native country during a time of war, it was this “love language” that she wanted to draw upon. On May 14, she will hold a dinner fundraiser and educational event to benefit Ukraine.

The fundraiser, to be held at Slate Hill Mennonite Church in Camp Hill, will include a cultural presentation and cooking demonstration featuring three traditional Ukrainian dishes. Following the presentation, guests will be served a three-course dinner of beet borscht soup, vareniki (similar to perogies) and blini pancakes.

Growing up in Ukraine, Anosova’s family would always eat at least one meal together each day, she said. Food brought them together. Now, most of her family is still living in Ukraine; some have recently sought refuge in Poland. Anosova came to the United States as an exchange student and remained here since.

“It’s been intense,” she said. “I’m trying to find a way to help even though I’m far away.”

She hopes she can do that through the fundraising event, as well as by spreading cultural awareness.

“Experiencing culture will help people understand that we are all human and we are all here for peace,” she said. “I want to make it more relatable.”

Registration for the dinner is required and costs $40 per person. All proceeds will go to the charitable organizations Come Back Alive and Stay Safe Ukraine. The event is limited to 40 participants.

Anosova plans to hold another fundraiser dinner on June 18, possibly with more to follow.

“People should come if they want to learn more, love to cook, or are willing to help Ukraine,” she said.

Slate Hill Mennonite Church is located at 1352 Slate Hill Rd., Camp Hill. To register for the Ukrainian fundraiser dinner, email [email protected].

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Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons receives key to Harrisburg, again

April 26, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams presented Micah Parsons with the key to the city.

Almost a year ago, Micah Parsons received a key to the city of Harrisburg, soon after he was drafted into the NFL as a first-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys.

On Tuesday, he was awarded a second key. According to Parsons, he misplaced the first.

In front of a small audience at city hall, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams recognized Parsons, a Harrisburg native, for his achievements.

“Here is a man who is making the city of Harrisburg proud,” Williams said. “He’s a role model for young Harrisburg Cougars in the city.”

Parsons grew up in Uptown Harrisburg, attended Harrisburg High School and later played football for Penn State University. In 2021, he was unanimously named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.

He was awarded his first key to the city in May 2021 by former mayor Eric Papenfuse at a meet-and-greet event at H*MAC in Midtown.

“I was pretty upset when my first key went missing,” Parsons joked. “To some, it’s just a key, but to me, it means everything because of how much Harrisburg means to me. I hope I can be that person people can look up to.”

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Harrisburg’s Young Professionals of Color among recipients of statewide Juneteenth celebration funding

April 25, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

State and local officials announced the recipients of the Journeying Toward Freedom grant, on the state Capitol grounds

Several Pennsylvania organizations will receive state funding to support Black history celebrations in the coming months.

Among the recipients is the local group, Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg (YPOC), which has secured funding for its Juneteenth event, officials announced on Monday.

“This is such a blessing,” said Dr. Kimeka Campbell, co-founder of YPOC. “One of the hardest things is getting funding. This is a relief.”

YPOC is one of seven organizations to be awarded money from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office’s Journeying Toward Freedom grants to support Juneteenth celebrations in the commonwealth. Juneteenth, June 19, is recognized as the day when the last African American slaves were freed in the United States.

This is the state’s first year implementing the grant program, established in partnership with Chester County-based Voices Underground, an organization that helps communities promote Black history. In total, the state awarded $89,000 through the program.

YPOC received $15,000 to assist with the group’s week-long Juneteenth HBG event, slated for June 12-19, with events in May, as well. Campbell said that the money will support their Juneteenth conference, concert and Juneteenth Jubilee. The theme for the entire event is “One city. One team. One economic impact.”

“Juneteenth is about restoring economic impact and returning money to the Black community,” Campbell said.

With this in mind, Campbell, along with state representatives, hope the Juneteenth celebrations also help bring light to the importance of Black tourism to the commonwealth.

“The tourism office set an ambitious goal to make Pennsylvania the nation’s leader in African American cultural heritage tourism,” said Carrie Fischer Lepore, deputy secretary for marketing, tourism and film for the state Department of Community and Economic Development. “We want to be the state that best depicts the Black culture and history within our borders. The Journeying Toward Freedom grants […] are one step towards that goal.”

Recipients of the grant funding are as follows:

Juneteenth Lehigh Valley, $10,000
NAACP Johnstown Branch, $4,000
Sherman Theater, Monroe County, $15,000
Stop The Violence, Pittsburgh, $15,000
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, State College, $15,000
Welcome America, Inc., Philadelphia, $15,000
Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg, $15,000

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Numerous Harrisburg-area projects to receive significant state funding, as redevelopment grants announced

April 22, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Dauphin County Library System is slated to receive a $1 million state redevelopment grant for a project that includes renovations to the McCormick Riverfront Library (pictured) and the neighboring Haldeman Haly House.

Numerous Harrisburg-area projects are slated to receive state funds as the commonwealth has announced its latest phase of redevelopment grants.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants announced on Friday complete the state’s 2021 funding round, which was awarded in two tranches—the first in December and the second on Friday.

Many Harrisburg projects denied money last year in the first tranche received funds in the second. These include:

The Dauphin County Library System for renovation of the Haldeman Haly House and expansion of the McCormick Riverfront Library downtown ($1 million)
Harrisburg Events Center for the continued renovation of the historic King Mansion ($500,000)
Harrisburg Scottish Rite Cathedral for renovations and theater preservation ($1.02 million)
400 Reily Street Management for a new apartment building and parking garage at 400 Reily St. ($2 million)

As previously reported, The Bridge Ecovillage also received RACP funding in this round, obtaining $4 million for the first phase of its project at the former Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg.

In addition, the Atlas, a mixed-use redevelopment project at N. 6^th and Maclay streets in Harrisburg, will receive $2 million more, adding to the $2.5 million it received in December for such needs as core infrastructure work, a new sprinkler system, additional green space and more parking.

Another 2021 RACP recipient, Hamilton Health Center, had its $2.5 million grant request fully funded in December for a 20,000-square-foot satellite location as the final component of the Steel Works project.

Elsewhere in Dauphin County, the following projects receive RACP funding in the second tranche:

Hidden Still Distillery in Derry Township for extensive renovation work ($1 million)
Rotunda Brew Pub in Derry Township for renovations and upgrades ($1 million)
Penn State College of Medicine Comparative Medicine Research Facility in Hershey II for construction and renovation ($1 million more, for $4 million total)
Susquehanna Union Green, a mixed-use development in Susquehanna Township ($2 million more, for $4.5 million total)
Swatara Township Municipal Complex Facility for a new public safety building ($1 million more, for $1.6 million total)
West Hanover Township Municipal Complex for construction of a new, 15,000-square-foot building ($500,000 more for $1.5 million total)

“I’m pleased to announce this state support for upgrades to public facilities and economic development,” said state Sen. John DiSanto (R-15), in a statement. “It’s important to me to bring state tax dollars back to our region for critical, but expensive, projects and help ease the burden on local taxpayers.”

For the 2021 RACP round, Cumberland County recipients included the Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center ($1.26 million for center renovations); Penn Harris Hotel in East Pennsboro Township ($1 million for interior and exterior improvements); Sadler Health Center in Hampden Township ($2 million for building renovations); and Koloman Development ($1 million for removal of blight and redevelopment of Carlisle Pike intersection).

RACP is a state program for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. It is a match-grant program, meaning that 50% of project funds must come from non-state program sources.

Click here for more information about the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and a spreadsheet of all 2021-round awards throughout the commonwealth.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

April 22, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

The Broad Street Market’s sign was repaired and reinstalled this week.

Better get out and enjoy the sunny weather while you can! It might not last long. This week’s news covered several spring and summery events, such as outdoor concerts, bike sharing and gardening. Find it all, linked below.

Bike sharing will return to Harrisburg this summer under Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, our online story reported. The previous bike share program was halted due to COVID.

The Broad Street Market’s iconic sign was reinstalled this week, after suffering significant damage over a year ago, our reporting found.

Capital Region Water is set to receive a significant loan from The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, known as PENNVEST, our online story reported. The funds will help CRW repair and replace water supply systems throughout Dauphin County.

On Earth Day, volunteers celebrated by cleaning up a portion of the Capital Area Greenbelt, our online story reported. The Capital Area Greenbelt Association stressed the importance of residents pitching in to keep the parks beautiful.

Harrisburg began paving N. 2^nd Street this week, taking another step forward in a project to transform the road from one-way to two-way, our online story reported. Their next step in the project will include constructing medians.

The Harrisburg School District announced that it will move its 5^th grade students from the middle school level back to the elementary level, our reporting found. According to the district, there have been negative declines from 4^th to 5^th grade in academic and behavioral data.

Hauson “Chops” Green is a barber at Heads Up barbershop on N. 6th Street. But more than that, he is a mentor to young men in the Uptown community. Read more, in our magazine story.

KALEO is set to perform in Riverfront Park on Aug. 17 as part of Harrisburg University’s summer concert series, our online story reported. For the summer concert, KALEO will be joined by punk band White Reaper.

Manor House Studio of Lemoyne specializes in kitchen design and remodeling. In our magazine story, read about their offerings and the history of the business.

Midtown Cinema is opening “We’re All Going To The World’s Fair,” a discomforting film showcasing the online community of horror fans. Read more about it, here.

Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program sends graduates into the field to help local residents know how to till, plant, tend and harvest. In our magazine story, read more about the program and what it takes to become a master gardener.

Sara Bozich has a listing of events for the sunny weekend ahead in Harrisburg. Take a look, here.

State Street construction came to a halt after residents expressed concern over the project, our reporting found. Harrisburg issued a cease and desist order for the road work and plans to redesign the project, with residents’ comments in mind.

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The Bridge receives $4 million state grant to spur renovation of former Bishop McDevitt building

April 22, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of the The Bridge Ecovillage, once completed

A proposal to renovate and repurpose the former Bishop McDevitt High School has new energy, as the state has announced a $4 million grant for the project.

On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced grants through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), including funds for The Bridge Ecovillage project at 2200 Market St. in Harrisburg.

According to the state, the grant would help fund the renovation of the first floor of the former high school into a facility called the JEDI (justice, quality, diversity and inclusion) Innovation Center.

Once completed, the center will include a community concert/lecture hall, library, co-working space, rooftop garden, community kitchen, fresh foods cafe and a full-service medical clinic, according to a release from state Rep. Patty Kim (D-103).

“This funding will allow for this unique building to once again house teaching, education and recreational opportunities for Harrisburg’s young people,” Kim said. “The creation of the JEDI Innovation Center is an opportunity to enrich the lives of our residents and make our city a better place to call home.”

The Bridge Ecovillage’s main building, the former Bishop McDevitt High School

Garry Gilliam, a Harrisburg native and former professional football player, heads up the Bridge as founder and CEO. He and several partners announced the project in late 2019 and ceremoniously broke ground on it in November 2020.

The grant would help finance the first phase of the build-out of the planned mixed-use project that includes numerous components, including housing, retail, urban agriculture, education and entertainment.

The 115,000-square-foot building served as Bishop McDevitt High School for about eight decades before the school relocated to a new campus in Lower Paxton Township in early 2012.

A representative for The Bridge could not immediately be reached for comment.

Click here for a related story on other projects that received RACP grants on Friday.

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Harrisburg teen summit announced to address, prevent community violence

April 22, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A youth summit next month plans to take on one of the most important issues in Harrisburg—crime and gun violence in the community.

Council member Jocelyn Rawls and the Kappa Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity are organizing an event called #OurLivesMatter, which will offer city youth a forum to engage in conversations with city police, Dauphin County judges and other community leaders.

“It is time to get feedback from our youth and young adults to see what we as a community can do to help them combat the recent rise in crime within Harrisburg,” Rawls said.

The summit is being organized to give Harrisburg youth a chance to talk about the violence they’re witnessing and experiencing, which also impacts their friends and family, Rawls said. She added that she hopes a setting with open dialogue will lead to solutions on ways to curb the recent crime spike in the city.

The teen summit will take place Wednesday, May 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Camp Curtin Academy, 2900 N. 6^th St., Harrisburg. The event is free and open to the public. No registration is needed, but there is a 100-person capacity limit.

Rawls said that she also hopes to get 11 to 15 students and young adults to participate as panelists. Students from 11 to 21 years old who would like to be a panelist for the event are asked to contact Rawls at [email protected].

Parents are welcome and encouraged to join their children at the event, Rawls said.

“It takes a village to build a community that is safe and productive,” Rawls said. “Let’s start working together.”

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On Earth Day, volunteers clean up Capital Area Greenbelt, stress importance of pitching in

April 22, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Capital Area Greenbelt Association and COVANTA volunteers on the Greenbelt

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by helping to keep our planet clean?

On a sunny Friday, a group of volunteers did just that by picking up trash along the Capital Area Greenbelt in Harrisburg.

“We know how important Earth Day is, but we really need to do something about it, not just talk about it,” said Pam Holtzman, a Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) board member.

CAGA volunteers worked to beautify a portion of the trail, between 19^th and Cameron streets. Joining them were volunteers from COVANTA, a local waste management company that sponsors the portion of the trail by cleaning it regularly.

Partnerships like this keep Harrisburg’s trails beautiful and clean, Diane Kripas, CAGA events chair said. The Greenbelt is maintained by hundreds of volunteers each year, she said.

“The Greenbelt exists because of volunteers,” Kripas said. “The Greenbelt is one big volunteer effort.”

Every other week, COVANTA employees walk the trail, collecting trash. Since they’ve started volunteering, they’ve noticed a difference, said Kevin Conners, COVANTA facility manager.

“It’s a small way of giving back to the community,” he said. “Since we’ve been here, there’s been less trash.”

Trash collection is only a part of what Greenbelt volunteers do. They also plant new trees and plants, mow grass and restore walkways.

CAGA volunteer Donnie Zimmerman grew up in Harrisburg and remembers playing on the Greenbelt as a child. Now, as a retiree, he’s back at that same section of the trail, volunteering regularly so that his grandchildren and other kids can enjoy it.

“It’s a treat for me to come here,” Zimmerman said. “I’m retired. This gives me an opportunity to get out and exercise.”

CAGA has sponsors for all of its sections of trail, except for one. They are looking for an organization to sponsor and help maintain the portion from 19^th to 28^th street, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Garden.

“CAGA is committed to improving, protecting and maintaining the Greenbelt,” Kripas said. “We are hoping to be able to protect it for another century.”

For more information about the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, visit their website.

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Capital Region Water to receive significant state funding for infrastructure improvements

April 21, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Capital Region Water repairs a sewer line (file photo).

Capital Region Water soon will receive a significant flow of funds.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, known as PENNVEST, has approved a $41.6 million loan to the water and sewer authority for repairing and replacing water supply systems throughout Dauphin County.

“We have immense gratitude for the assistance this loan provides. This funding will help Capital Region Water invest in critical infrastructure, while offsetting the financial burden to our customers,” said Charlotte Katzenmoyer, chief executive officer of CRW.

CRW is one of 13 recipients statewide to receive a share of over $199 million in a recent PENNVEST initiative to invest in drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

With the loan money from PENNVEST, CRW has four planned phases for their project. They are as follows:

Drinking Water System Improvements Project: CRW will make drinking water system improvements in Allison Hill in Harrisburg by replacing around 6,300 linear feet of water main. Associated pipes, valves and hydrants will also be replaced.
Cameron Street Water Main Improvements: In a second phase, CRW will work to make water main improvements on Cameron Street in Harrisburg by rehabilitating about 3,500 linear feet of cast iron water main between State and Berryhill streets.
Water Meter Network Conversion Project: Next, CRW will replace the existing radio water meter read system with a remote read system consisting of new base stations and meters. This will take place in Harrisburg, portions of Susquehanna Township and Penbrook Borough.
DeHart Dam Improvements Project: This includes improvements to the Dehart Dam (Harrisburg’s primary water source) to provide greater flow of water, among other improvements. The project site is located in Rush Township, Dauphin County.

Water bills will not be affected because of this work, CRW said. The project is expected to begin on July 13 and be completed by June 2025.

According to Katzenmoyer, the PENNVEST loan will provide over $20 million in cost savings compared to a traditional bond financing, due to the low interest rate.

“The need to upgrade our water supply systems was necessary to provide safe and reliable access for all our residents,” Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) said. “Everyday access to safe water is essential to public health and safety.”

For more information, visit Capital Region Water’s website.

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