Italian Lake tree lighting goes virtual due to new coronavirus restrictions

December 11, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Italian Lake in Harrisburg

An outdoor tree lighting planned for this weekend has become a virtual event, according to organizers.

The Italian Lake event on Saturday now will take place virtually, given Gov. Tom Wolf’s order yesterday limiting outdoor gatherings, said event sponsor Bethesda Mission.

“We ask everyone to please stay home and watch the live stream of the ceremony on our Facebook page,” Scott Dunwoody, executive director. “We appreciate your cooperation in this, and we apologize for inconveniences and disappointments.”

According to Bethesda Mission, Tom Russell, chief meteorologist from CBS21, will host the ceremony, and Cindy Mallow, Bethesda’s director of development, “will share the meaning of Christmas.” Shelley Brooks, director of Bethesda Women’s Mission, will share what’s happening at the shelter, and there will be a special appearance by Women’s Shelter guests as they light the tree, according to Bethesda.

On Thursday, Wolf issued an order that re-imposed certain restrictions due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. These include limits on outdoor gatherings to fewer than 50 people, leading to the change in plans for the event.

The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday on Bethesda Mission’s Facebook page.

For more information, please visit ChristmasItalianLake.com. Donations can be given at BethesdaMission.org/Donate.

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New COVID-19 cases continue climb in PA over past week, reach pandemic highs

December 11, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health

COVID-19 infection rates continued to soar over the past week in PA, with the average new case count now exceeding 10,000 per day.

Since last Friday, the commonwealth recorded an average of 10,204 newly diagnosed cases per day, according to the state Department of Health.

This compares to an average of 7,855 new daily cases last week and 6,429, 5,914, 4,348 and 2,633 new cases per day for the prior four weeks, respectively. This week’s totals are the highest new-case counts in PA since the pandemic began in March.

The department also reports that testing has increased substantially over this time (see chart).

Locally, diagnosed cases are now as follows since the pandemic began:

Adams County: 2,792 cases (prior Friday, 2,292)
Cumberland County: 7,182 cases (prior Friday, 5,973)
Dauphin County: 10,133 cases (prior Friday, 8,618)
Franklin County: 6,229 cases (prior Friday, 5,232)
Lancaster County: 21,192 cases (prior Friday, 18,478)
Lebanon County: 6,613 cases (prior Friday, 5,891)
Perry County: 1,018 cases (prior Friday, 778)
York County: 15,879 cases (prior Friday, 12,777)

Today, the health department reported 12,745 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight. The positivity rate statewide now stands at 14.4%. Last week, it was 11.7%.

With today’s update, 470,034 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 71,434 over the past week, according to the health department. Active cases number 197,874. Currently, 5,852 people are hospitalized in PA with coronavirus, compared to 5,071 last Friday, and 1,191 are in intensive care.

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 73,836 total cases. Allegheny County ranks second with 38,029 cases, and Montgomery County is third statewide with 27,434 cases.

The health department also reported an additional 1,122 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 12,235 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March. Fatalities totaled 879, 595, 465 and 249 over the prior four weeks, respectively.

Around central PA, COVID-19 fatalities now stand as follows since the pandemic began:

Adams County: 53 deaths (prior Friday, 49)
Cumberland County: 207 deaths (prior Friday, 161)
Dauphin County: 235 deaths (prior Friday, 224)
Franklin County: 158 deaths (prior Friday, 128)
Lancaster County: 582 deaths (prior Friday, 545)
Lebanon County: 128 deaths (prior Friday, 119)
Perry County: 16 deaths (prior Friday, 14)
York County: 287 deaths (prior Friday, 260)

PA nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 7,425, or 60.7 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there have been 42,380 resident cases of COVID-19, and 7,841 cases among employees, for a total of 50,221 at 1,381 distinct facilities in all 67 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 16,424 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 3,479,544 individuals have had coronavirus tests, with 3,009,510 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 3,291,921 people had been tested for the virus.

The state reports a total of 6,305,909 PCR tests, which includes many people, such as health care workers, who have been tested more than once.

The health department continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
Wear a mask whenever out of your house.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Currently, we are providing a COVID-19 update weekly, each Friday, or as breaking news warrants.

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Harrisburg extends trash collection to Penbrook, Paxtang

December 11, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Harrisburg trash cans

Harrisburg’s neighboring municipalities will soon see new faces on trash pickup day.

At a special legislative session on Thursday, Harrisburg City Council approved two resolutions to begin collecting trash and recycling for Paxtang and Penbrook boroughs.

In total, the city now has intergovernmental agreements with three boroughs for waste pickup. Since June 2019, Harrisburg has handled Steelton’s refuse.

“I really believe that this regional approach to the delivery of services is particularly well suited for Pennsylvania where we have so many different municipalities in close proximity,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said during a previous council work session. “We don’t all need to be duplicating services.”

Over the next five years, the city will gain over $2 million in annual revenue from the agreements, Papenfuse said during his budget presentation on Nov. 24.

Services will begin on Jan. 1, according to Isaac Gaylord, deputy city solicitor. Trash containers will be distributed by the end of the month, Papenfuse added.

Both Penbrook and Paxtang will pay Harrisburg directly, and according to Papenfuse, the cost is less than they would’ve paid to a private hauler. Residents in those boroughs will pay for trash collection as part of their property taxes. Papenfuse said that this guarantees the city will receive the full amount due because they aren’t relying on individual households to pay their trash bills.

An additional six sanitation workers and one sanitation manager will join the city’s Department of Public Works to assist with the new routes.

“I totally agree with the vision of shared services within municipalities as a benefit to the entire region,” council member Dave Madsen said.

In other council action, Harrisburg will continue a professional services contract with Maverick Strategies for lobbying-related services. The resolution passed with a 4-3 vote. The contract will last one-year at a cost of $5,000 per month.

Additionally, council voted to apply for a Driving PA Forward—Level 2 EV Charging Rebate. If granted, the amount of $36,000 would go towards installing four electric vehicle charging stations on City Island.

Council also chose to continue an agreement with the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area to provide services to Harrisburg’s Animal Control Program for another year.

To watch past Harrisburg City Council meetings, visit the city’s YouTube channel.

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Departing 2020, with Art: The Burg Podcast, December 2020

December 10, 2020 | by Karen Hendricks

In this special holiday edition of TheBurg Podcast, we wrap up 2020 by unwrapping some creative “gifts” from an artistic lineup of guests.

Artist Amie Bantz explains her inspiration behind TheBurg’s December magazine cover.

Megan Caruso, co-founder of Sprocket Mural Works, previews the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival—an expansion of our magazine story, “Walls of Hope.”

Three of the Yams, from Harrisburg band Yam Yam, stop by with an exciting holiday gift: They debut a new song from their upcoming album, on the podcast.

Bob MacGinnes, who writes Bob’s Art Blog for TheBurg, paints a picture of “the year in art.”

And editor Lawrance Binda pops by with his “most Harrisburg thing” for December.

TheBurg Podcast is hosted by Karen Hendricks, a lifelong journalist who also dabbles in PR/Marketing. Visit her website here.

TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pa.; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor.

Interested in sponsoring TheBurg Podcast? Contact Lauren ([email protected])

Meet some of the Harrisburg area’s most fascinating people, and hear their own authentic stories, expanded from every month’s magazine, on TheBurg Podcast—because there’s always “more to the story.”

Restrictions re-imposed on restaurants, gyms, gatherings through the holiday season

December 10, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Gov. Tom Wolf during the virtual press conference on Thursday

Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday tightened restrictions once again on certain businesses and on indoor gatherings as we head into the height of the holiday season.

In a virtual press conference, Wolf said that an unrelenting surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths in PA forced him to re-impose restrictions not seen since the initial statewide lockdown in March and April.

“The work we do now to slow the spread of COVID-19 is not only crucial to keeping our fellow Pennsylvanians safe and healthy,” said Wolf, who recently tested positive for the virus. “It will help all of us get back to normal, and back to all of the things we’ve missed, faster.”

The new restrictions begin at midnight on Saturday and are slated to last more than three weeks, through Jan. 4.

The newly imposed restrictions include a ban on indoor restaurant dining and the closure of gyms and entertainment venues, such as theaters, museums and casinos. Outdoor and takeout dining and takeout alcohol sales will still be allowed.

Most other businesses may remain open at 50% of maximum capacity.

In addition, indoor gatherings and events of more than 10 people are prohibited. Religious observances are an exception, though religious groups are “strongly encouraged” to find alternatives to indoor worship. Outdoor gatherings and events are limited to a maximum of 50 people.

All K-12 and youth sports will be suspended, though collegiate sports can continue according to CDC and health department guidelines.

“With these measures in place, we hope to accomplish three goals: First, stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Second, keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed. And third, help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season—and closer to a widely available vaccine—as safely as possible,” Wolf said. “This is a bridge to a better future in Pennsylvania.”

Coronavirus cases have been growing steadily since late September and now are at their highest levels since the pandemic began in PA in March.

Just today, the commonwealth announced 11,972 new cases and 248 newly reported fatalities from the disease. This brings total diagnoses to 457,289 and deaths to 12,010 in PA.

“Each of the last two days we have reported the highest number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic,” Dr. Rachel Levine said.

The testing positivity rate has also surged over the past two months and now stands at 14.4% over the past week. It was below 5% through much of the summer, but has risen steadily since. COVID-19 hospitalizations have also soared and now stand at 5,852 patients.

“We know that COVID-19 thrives in places where people gather together,” Wolf said. “Therefore, these mitigation measures target high-risk environments and activities and aim to reduce the spread of this devastating virus.”

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 10, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

If for some reason you need things to do this weekend around Harrisburg and central PA, we have some below. Recommended: virtual or outdoor events only. Things on my agenda this weekend: virtual SB holiday party (read: Me and Jimi FaceTime with some snacks), holiday decorating, and gift wrapping.

For your weekend planning:

#ShopLocal Gift Guide is here
The perfect gift for your favorite home cook.
Gifts for everyone (plus dinner)
See what else you missed on the blog.

Below are ample options for your weekend.

Weekend roundup | Things to do in Harrisburg and Central PA

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Top Weekend Recs

Plan your holiday feast with RG Hummer
Book a massage, give a massage at Polished Spa & Salon
Get wine delivered to your door (not a club! Discount with code BOZICH!)
Give an outdoor experience this holiday with Adventure Explorations
Upgrade your mise en place with Mangia Qui Pantry Pick-up
Drink Boneshire Holiday Reserve IPA
Drink PA cider! Ploughman Cider delivers to your door.
Binge Poured in PA: The Series
Shop online with Meeka Fine Jewelry.

COVID-19 Disclaimer: As always, please click through the links or call ahead to get the most up-to-date information about venues and/or events below. It should also go without saying, but I’ll say it — Mask up, follow the rules, and be nice. And tip extra!

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

Residents push back on significant increase in proposed Police Bureau budget for 2021

December 9, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Harrisburg’s mayor on Tuesday defended his proposal to add positions to the city Police Bureau, despite numerous public comments critical of increasing the department’s budget.

At the city’s first budget hearing on Tuesday night, Mayor Eric Papenfuse and members of the bureau explained how new non-uniformed positions would improve community relations, but numerous residents who submitted public comments disagreed.

Papenfuse has proposed investing more than $1 million in new civilian positions within the bureau. This would include the creation of a dozen “community service aides” who would assist the police with routine tasks, as well as foster relationships within the neighborhoods where they are assigned.

“One of the things we focused on, especially over the past months, was listening to the public and the feedback we received,” Papenfuse said during his previous budget presentation. He said that his administration wants to “restructure” the police department with a more robust community services department.

However, on Tuesday, some Harrisburg residents argued that the positions actually would be detrimental to the community.

“They may be civilian positions, but within the police department they would still uphold and carry out the violent and racist work of policing,” resident Amanda Arbour said in a public comment.

Other residents expressed similar sentiments, suggesting that funds would be better allocated to creating affordable housing or assisting tenants facing eviction due to the pandemic. Some demanded that the Police Bureau should make public certain documents, including ones with demographic information on those arrested and the police contract, before receiving any funds.

Deputy Chief of Police Deric Moody said that the bureau is preparing a new system that will make sharing police documents more accessible.

A proposed records management system manager position, part of the new funds proposed for the bureau, would also help with handling reports, Moody said.

In another effort to increase accessibility, the budget accounts for purchasing cell phones for each officer, as well as business cards, so that they can be directly contacted by residents.

In addition, the city hopes to hire two co-responders to work alongside officers who would bring greater expertise on mental health disorders. These city-funded positions will add to the one co-responder, already in the city, who works through a Dauphin County program.

While council members didn’t necessarily object to the proposed increase in spending for the Police Bureau, some expressed concerns. For instance, they wondered if it would be beneficial to have a more balanced number of co-responders and community service aides.

“I feel like a lot of people in the community feel like we need more people to co-respond,” council member Ausha Green said. “The [community service aides] sound more like police liaisons.”

Other proposed positions in the bureau include:

Technical Services Manager
Director of Community Relations and Engagement (Community Policing Coordinator Blake Lynch would likely fill this roll)
Body-Worn Camera & In-Car Video Manager
Community Policing Substation Manager
Captain-Community Services Division (Lt. Milo Hooper would likely fill this roll)
Captain-Technical Services Division (Lt. Todd Abromitis would likely fill this roll)

Adding to the increased budget for the bureau are 20 officer positions that are currently vacant.

“We are budgeting for those positions to be filled even though we know full well that we are not going to be able to fill all those positions,” Papenfuse said. “That’s just proper budgeting.”

Council members questioned whether those funds could be reallocated to other community needs, knowing they will most likely go unused.

“I don’t think it’s an either-or,” Papenfuse said. “I think we can address community needs in the budget, we are, […] but it doesn’t necessarily have to be redirected in that way.”

City Council will continue its two-day schedule of budget hearings on Wednesday night. A vote on the 2021 budget will follow later this month.

To watch the first City Council Budget Hearing, visit Harrisburg’s YouTube channel.

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HU Presents adds Portugal. The Man to three-day concert blitz for 2021

December 9, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The Riverfront Park stage last year during a concert by Death Cab for Cutie

Harrisburg—are you ready to rock?

Harrisburg University Presents today added Grammy Award winners, Portugal. The Man to a long weekend of shows slated for September 2021.

First up will be Cage the Elephant at the outdoor stage in Riverfront Park on Thursday, Sept. 23. The next day, Sept. 24, Dawes will appear at XL Live. Portugal. The Man then will play in Riverfront Park on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Cage the Elephant was slated for a 2020 concert, but, like most events, it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HU Presents has rescheduled several other cancelled concerts for 2021, including Young the Giant, MisterWives and Jason Isbell.

These concerts will go forward only if permitted by CDC guidelines, according to HU Presents.

For more information and to purchase tickets for these shows, visit concertseries.harrisburgu.edu.

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Tree lighting, seasonal songs to bring holiday cheer to Italian Lake

December 8, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Italian Lake in Harrisburg

The Christmas season may seem like a shadow of its normal self this year, but a local nonprofit is bringing some of the traditional holiday spirit to Harrisburg.

On Saturday, Bethesda Mission will host a tree lighting ceremony, along with seasonal music and cheer, at Italian Lake.

“We are glad to be able to host the Christmas tree lighting and offer a bright spot in what has been for many, a tough year,” said Cindy Mallow, Bethesda Mission’s director of development. “It expresses everything that Bethesda truly stands for: family, relationships, bringing our community together, and of course, celebrating and sharing the true meaning of Christmas.”

For the past few years, Bethesda Mission has hosted “Christmas at Italian Lake,” a fundraiser that has featured an entire weekend of events, including sleigh rides, a Christmas market, a petting zoo and food trucks.

Due to the pandemic, mission officials scaled back the event significantly to a 90-minute ceremony, which will feature Christmas carols from the Brookfield Bible Church, in addition to the tree lighting. Cookies and hot beverages will also be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the mission’s work of helping the homeless in Harrisburg.

According to Bethesda Mission, the event was made possible through gifts from numerous sponsors, including Wendell Hoover of Iron Valley Real Estate, Good’s Tree and Lawn Care, Larry and Mitzi Means, HB McClure Co., Walter’s Services and Klock Entertainment.

“What a better time and place to both give hope to those who need our help, while enjoying the holiday together with our own friends and families,” Mallow said.

Christmas at Italian Lake takes place Saturday, Dec. 12, 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Italian Lake Park, N. 3^rd and Division streets, Harrisburg. For more information, visit ChristmasItalianLake.com. Donations can be given at BethesdaMission.org/Donate.

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Harrisburg Council race begins to take shape as Allatt declines run for 2021

December 8, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

City council member Ben Allatt, center, speaks during a meeting last January.

The political season in Harrisburg is off to an early start, as another office-holder has announced his intentions for 2021.

In a statement, two-term City Council member Ben Allatt said that he would not seek another term.

“After careful consideration, I have made the decision not to run for re-election to Harrisburg City Council,” stated Allatt, vice president of the seven-member body. “This is not a decision I make lightly because of my genuine love for this city and all of its residents.”

Previously, council’s long-serving member, President Wanda Williams, has told TheBurg that she does not intend to run for re-election in 2021.

In all, four, four-year council seats will be on the ballot for the May primary, including those held by council members Shamaine Daniels and Ausha Green, who have yet to publicly announce their intentions.

The race for mayor is also starting to take shape.

Online and in an ad in TheBurg’s December issue, David Schankweiler, the former publisher of the Central Penn Business Journal and the former chair of the state-appointed Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, said that he plans to challenge two-term Mayor Eric Papenfuse for the Democratic nomination. According to sources, former city council member Otto Banks also is weighing a run.

In his statement, Allatt, who currently serves as chair of council’s budget and finance committee, said that he was stepping back from public life to focus on his “personal life” and that we would continue to serve on the Governor’s Commission for LGBTQ Affairs.

During his council tenure, Allatt stated that he was most proud for being a “steward for fiscal responsibility” and cited the commonwealth’s recent decision to allow Harrisburg to retain its extra taxing authority as a major victory for the city.

“I would like to thank the residents of the city for the honor of serving you over the past seven years, and I look forward to my final year on City Council,” he said. “I am grateful that you entrusted me to guide the city toward a brighter future.”

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