December News Digest

November 30, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Police Advisory Committee Approved

After months of debate, Harrisburg City Council has approved creating a new citizen’s body that will focus on police accountability.

At a virtual council meeting last month, council approved Bill 8, which establishes a Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee to review actions of the Harrisburg Police Bureau.

After hearing hundreds of public comments and then making amendments to the bill over nearly five months, council voted in favor of it, six to one. Council President Wanda Williams did not support the bill.

“I am in full support that there needs to be a process to reform,” Williams said. “But we cannot weaken the very system that protects us.”

What began as a proposed board to improve relations between the bureau and city residents was modified, since June, to reflect some community members’ desire to have more of a check on police.

Through lengthy meetings and public hearings, residents continuously asked that the board be given more power and independence. Council granted administrative subpoena powers and removed the requirement that board members participate in a police ride-along and undergo police academy training.

For some, the changes weren’t enough as council was unable to grant everything they asked for. For example, some residents advocated for changing the advisory board to a review board. City Solicitor Neil Grover said that Harrisburg doesn’t have the authority to do that.

In related news, Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced last month a proposal for the city to create 12 new positions in the bureau for “community service aides” to assist the police.

The aides would fall under the community services department of the bureau and would work alongside officers to engage with residents, assist the police with low-level calls, and help with report writing, among other duties.

These positions must still be voted on by City Council as part of the 2021 municipal budget. Papenfuse said that applications wouldn’t go out until at least January.

Fit on Market Debuts

Downtown Harrisburg has a new place to break a sweat.

Fit on Market opened last month in Strawberry Square as a “boutique” fitness center, according to building owner Harristown Enterprises.

“We are very excited to have a fantastic new downtown fitness facility to serve both our workforce and residential populations here in the city,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO.

Strawberry Square’s previous fitness studio, Fitness U, closed in June.

Fit on Market is located on the Market Street side of Strawberry Square and is accessible both from inside and outside, allowing members to enter the facility even when the building isn’t open.

Fit on Market offers new, state-of-the-art Matrix cardio and strength training equipment, in addition to newly constructed locker and shower facilities. Harristown has installed bipolar ionization equipment to continuously disinfect the air and surfaces, Jones said.

According to Harristown, memberships are limited in number, available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $45 per month, billed quarterly.

The facility is unstaffed, but safety systems are in place to protect members, including connections to on-site security and emergency responders, as well as personal safety devices that can be used while working out, according to Harristown.

Members are issued their own access cards to allow entry to Fit on Market, located at 312 Market St., during facility hours, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

“Tiny House” Community for Veterans Proposed

A nonprofit group took a first step last month towards creating a “tiny house” village aimed at helping homeless veterans.

Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania presented its plan to the Harrisburg Planning Commission for a five-acre site in south Harrisburg.

“This model for homeless veterans is popping up all over the country,” said Tom Zimmerman, the group’s president.

Under the proposal, 15 detached houses would contain basic necessities—a sleeping area, a half bath, a desk, a small sitting space, etc. A community center would have meeting space, a dining area, activity rooms, a laundry and other amenities.

“The idea behind it is that veterans don’t succeed when you put 30 or 40 of them in a room in a big, communal setting,” Zimmerman said.

Harrisburg philanthropist Peggy Grove and her son, Michael, under an entity called the Green Chair Trust, own the land, but have agreed to donate it to the organization, according to Zimmerman and Planning Bureau documents.

Currently, the Capital Area Greenbelt runs through the land in the area commonly known as Phoenix Park, where industrial ruins from a steel mill still are visible.

Grove would be willing to move the Greenbelt trail to just north of the site, a plan supported by the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, according to the Planning Bureau.

The bureau has recommended project approval, but with conditions. It would like to see several significant changes to the site plan, including a more grid-style configuration, a smaller parking lot and a smaller overall footprint.

At the Planning Commission meeting, the issue was tabled until the January meeting so that Veteran’s Outreach can consider the city’s desired changes, Zimmerman said.

Catalyst Winners Announced

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Joe Arthur is among a half-dozen recipients this year of the Harrisburg Chamber’s prestigious Catalyst awards.

Arthur, the food bank’s executive director, is being recognized for his work locally and nationally in fighting hunger, especially responding to unprecedented demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis.

Arthur will receive the Catalyst of the Year award, which each year honors a person or organization that serves as a catalyst for positive change in the greater Harrisburg area.

Other 2020 awards and winners include:

Athena Award to Sharon Ryan of Dasher Inc. for mentoring women in all stages of their careers.
Business Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award to George Fernandez of Latino Connection for his service and dedication to Pennsylvania’s Latino communities.
Corporate Citizen of the Year Award to Highmark Blue Shield for their response during the COVID-19 crisis.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Todd Phillips of True Legends Barbershop for his dedication to the community and mentoring of Black youth.
Small Business of the Year Award to Viscul Creative for their innovation in the field of food and beverage in response to the pandemic.

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC will host the Catalyst Awards virtual ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Tickets are available at www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org.

Residential Sales, Prices Strong

The local housing market continued to show strength, as both residential sales and prices rose in October.

For the month, 789 homes sold in the Harrisburg area, compared to 710 houses in the year-ago period, while the median price increased to $206,100 from 190,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 369 housing units, compared to 309 last October, as the median price rose to $182,000 from $170,000, said GHAR. Cumberland County saw sales rise to 374 homes versus 343 a year ago, as the median price increased to $230,165 from $218,900 in October 2019.

Perry County also experienced gains, with 38 homes sold, an increase from 37 last year, while the median price shot up to $197,800 versus $179,900 in the year-ago period, according to GHAR.

Meanwhile, it took less time for houses to sell. GHAR reported that the average house was on the market for 31 days, a drop from 46 days a year ago.

In GHAR’s coverage area, the housing market has been consistently strong following the expiration of a pandemic-related business suspension in the spring.

So Noted

Dauphin County Library System last month received a $750,000 state Department of Education Keystone Grant to help renovate the historic Haldeman Haly House. Last year, the library acquired the 208-year-old Front Street building, located next door to the main McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg, and is raising funds for the $3.5 million restoration.

Deborah Sibbering was hired last month as Harrisburg’s new diversity officer. According to the city, Sibbering has a background in human resources and local government.

Harrisburg University has added a venue to its popular HU Presents concert series. Starting in 2021, HU will also host shows at The Englewood, a new music venue, restaurant and brewery located just outside of Hershey. HU is also rescheduling many of the shows for 2021 that it had to cancel this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrisburg University’s e-sports team, the HU Storm, has won the Tempest Award for “Best College Esports program” for a second straight year. The annual program honors the e-sports industry’s most innovative companies and executives.

Mary Kuna has been named the new executive director for the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. Kuna returns to Cumberland County having served since June 2018 as the deputy executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of Pittston, Pa.

The Millworks reopened last month following a lengthy closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sprawling restaurant/brewery/art space in Midtown Harrisburg first closed in March for two months, but then closed again in July after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus.

Riverfront Park in Harrisburg has been named a “2020 Great Public Space.” The Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Organization bestowed the honor on the 4.5-mile long linear park along the Susquehanna River, as well as on two other designees—the Arboretum at Penn State in Centre County and the Allegheny Commons Park Northeast Fountain in Pittsburgh.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2464: S. Moll & J. Wilson to NHP Real Estate Developments LLC, $45,672

Allison Ct., 4: J. Adams to Lemoyne Land Corp. Inc., $57,000

Balm St., 36: Super Fun Real Estate Yes LLC to C. Salazar & J. Vega, $35,000

Balm St., 37: A. & M. DePietro to Shutter Real Estate LLC, $35,000

Bartine St., 929: S. Binner Jr. to 608 N. Third LLC, $73,000

Bellevue Rd., 1940: V. Rivas to J. & J. Lugo, $40,000

Benton St., 605: B. Neiss to D. Candelaria, $100,000

Berryhill St., 2447: B. Moody to M. Serpe, $66,000

Boas St., 110: A. Seig to D. & E. Schmotzer, $150,000

Boas St., 219: A. Moyer to J. Nicholson, $162,000

Boas St., 235: D. Kergick & A. McHugh to M. Ruiz & K. Hillman, $194,900

Boas St., 421: M. Berlin to J. & E. Hojnacki, $159,000

Briggs St., 205: A. Brett & T. Granada to Trip Aces LLC, $126,000

Calder St., 108: W. Nattress & F. Hummert Jr. to B. Yasin, $165,000

Camp St., 635: T. Fenderson to Integrity First Time Home Buyers LLC, $30,000

Capitol St., 1202: P. Clymer to O. Levine & B. Brace, $110,000

Carnation St., 1613: S. Hite to A. Pachero, $38,000

Chestnut St., 1844: 4880 East Prospect LLC to R. Emeregildo, $46,000

Chestnut St., 2113: J. Dos Santos to J. Rawls & J. Caesar, $250,000

Croyden Rd., 2951: A. Smith to B. Krahn, $100,000

Cumberland St., 209: L. Brush to M. & C. Ritchey, $132,500

Cumberland St., 1319: G. Domon to D. Mota & L. Rodriguez, $75,000

Curtin St., 628: NVNG Properties LLC to A. Matai, $44,000

Derry St., 2341: W. & T. Cassel to M&D Express LLC, $37,000

Dunkle St., 554 & 556: D. Brooks to GFG Properties LLC, $47,500

Forster St., 123: Heit Holdings LLC to 123 Forster St. LLC, $540,000

Forster St., 1818: V. Rivas to B. Estrella, $60,000

Green St., 1713: M. Banks to S. & A. Hyder, $199,900

Green St., 1907: G. Buchen to W. & M. Cusick, $152,000

Green St., 1932: M. Roos to A. Quick, $235,000

Green St., 3228: D. Schwab to S. & D. Kaplan, $104,000

Hale St., 405: D. Washington to J. Espinosa, $89,900

Hamilton St., 426: J. Tang to JMR Ventures LLC, $80,000

Harris St., 207: K. Clark to M. Haragan & M. Erford, $174,900

Herr St., 405: T. & M. Ziegler to R. & G. Ziegler, $80,000

Herr St., 1509: R. & K. Lehman to D. Boyle, $38,000

Hoffman St., 3205: H. Novinger to A. Winch, $130,000

Hudson St., 1152: Amboy MAA Properties LLC to D. Jones, $119,000

Hummel St., 434: D. Quigley to Rumers Corp., $53,500

Jefferson St., 2243: C. Brannon to K. Moulds, $76,000

Jefferson St., 2714: D. Henry to Jhonleo Home Renovations LLC, $41,000

Kensington St., 2310: M. Williams to C. Grant & M. Rinaldi, $65,000

Kensington St., 2403: A. Nguyen to T. Dinh, $47,000

Kensington St., 2432: G. Ravenel to K. Murray, $79,900

Lenox St., 1910: R. Do to R. & A. Ortiz, $103,000

Linden St., 135: E. Green to K. Leslie, $70,000

Logan St., 2029: D. Carrero to Dream Property Group LLC, $43,000

Logan St., 2035: CR Property Group LLC to C. Baltazar, $135,000

Market St., 1151: Twin House Real Estate Associates LLC to B. Paulino, $46,500

Mulberry St., 1919: Bigfoot Properties LLC to R. Emeregildo, $46,000

N. 2nd St., 607: DelPenn Partners LLC to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $485,000

N. 2nd St., 920: Tang Liu Realty LLC to AON LLC, $365,000

N. 2nd St., 1513 & 1515: S. Cooper to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $375,000

N. 2nd St., 1523: Mussani & Co. to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $112,500

N. 2nd St., 1908: J. Benson & F. Felbaum to S. Jusufovic, $130,000

N. 2nd St., 2308: E. & A. Cyrtyn to A. & K. Moyer, $216,000

N. 2nd St., 2327: B. & S. Rash to C. & J. Clabaugh, $138,500

N. 2nd St., 2731: T. Schmitt to M. Martin, $264,000

N. 3rd St., 1608: J. Tang to JMR Ventures LLC, $130,000

N. 3rd St., 1712: J. Yonker to L. Heisick & C. Chang, $160,000

N. 4th St., 1725: T. & V. Williams to D. Moore Sr., $152,500

N. 5th St., 2216: CR Property Group LLC to C. Menches, $109,900

N. 6th St., 2426: D. Leaman & JD Investments to Eden Bridge Foundation, $95,000

N. 6th St., 2439: Iglesia Dedios Pentecostal & S. Castro to Archie Group, $155,000

N. 6th St., 3218: D. Herr to B. Finley, $95,000

N. 14th St., 1217: A. Rodriguez to J. Minaya, $90,000

N. 15th St., 1301, 1500 Boas St., 2446 Rudy Rd. & 2515 N. 5th St.: Donegal Properties to Capital Realty Guild LLC, $1,100,000

N. 16th St., 1315: Blandy Family Trust to A. Murphy, $155,000

N. 16th St., 1318: J. Alvarado to Y. Cruz, $139,000

N. 18th St., 40: J. Holmes to M & Sons LLC, $38,500

N. 20th St., 37: American Rental Homes LLC, OJK Enterprises LLC & C. Texidor to E. Jacox, $57,500

N. Front St., 1323: P. & A. Ballantine to DM155 Enterprises LLC, $217,500

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 509: E. Cimbala to D. Kyle & D. Holland, $175,000

Norwood St., 945: J. Gilmore to M. Serpe, $66,000

Park St., 1821: Robert Rothbard LLC to C. Asare, $40,000

Parkway Blvd., 2437: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to KMM Development LLC, $85,000

Paxton St., 1619: NAR Investments LLC to C. Barboza, $195,000

Penn St., 814: E. Derricks to Senior Parking LLC, $134,900

Penn St., 1405: KAB Rentals to C. Halpert, $68,500

Penn St., 1526: M. Dodson to Heinly Homes LLC, $52,600

Penn St., 1622: E. & J. Mallory to V. Kauffman, $178,000

Penn St., 2211 & 2213: PA Deals LLC to N. Seneviratne, $99,900

Penn St., 2411: D. Wendt to B. Carter & D. Ramsey, $110,000

Pennwood Rd., 3210: Lexicon Government Services LLC to Z. Huynh, $137,100

Radnor St., 682: K&F Property Investments LLC to S. & G. Rodriguez, $50,000

Reily St., 339 & 341: J. Webb & J. Sorzano to N. Luong, $142,000

Rolleston St., 1123 & 1125: J. & C. Bowker to O. Lujan & K. Ramos, $100,000

Rudy Rd., 2115: C. Fratelli to C. Jackson, $145,000

Rudy Rd., 2343: E. & L. Gutierrez to T. Orr, $184,900

S. 12th St., 1519: R. Do to 1&H LLC, $70,000

S. 13th St., 30: Lynn & Ryan Investments Properties LLC to DAG EKG Properties LLC, $195,000

S. 16th St., 540: A. & C. Burgos to B. Ortega, $40,000

S. 16th St., 802: Sutliff Enterprises to Shannon Investments LP, $1,000,000

S. 16th St., 939: C. Kearney to T. Carter, $118,000

S. 19th St., 1101: Ambay MAA Properties LLC to J. Espinal, $110,000

S. 19th St., 1338: Q. Ly to N&R Group LLC, $60,000

S. 25th St., 710: I. Green to N. Rijo, $98,000

S. 27th St., 653: E. Dale & D. Housel to T WY Enterprise LLC, $45,000

S. 27th St., 655: S. Sullivan to B. Dehning, $100,600

S. Cameron St., 712, Units A, A1, A2, B, C, D & E: N. Perakis to Boas Street LLC, $650,000

S. Cameron St., 724, Units A, B, C & D: N. Perakis Trust to Boas Street LLC, $350,000

S. Cameron St., 1160: Lindawn Partners to AT Properties LLC, $299,900

S. Front St., 615: C. & E. Conner to M. Sensenig & J. Wilshire, $210,900

State St., 231, Unit 503: G. Shook to A. & B. Pasechnyk, $147,500

State St., 231, Unit 705: Crist Property Management LLC to Nye & Golub Rentals LLC, $144,000

State St., 1516: KBT Enterprises LLC to M. Jiminez, $42,000

Valley Rd., 2311: P. Garland to I. Kucukaydin, $215,000

Walnut St., 132: J. Howett & S. Parker to Second and Locust Investors LLC, $275,000

Walnut St., 1810: I. Druker to VV Real Estate Developments LLC, $46,000

Wiconisco St., 632: D&F. Realty Holdings LP to F. Romero, $35,000

Woodbine St., 334: CR Property Group to R. Kumar, $105,000

Woodbine St., 622: J. Bryan to CR Property Group, $31,000

Harrisburg property sales for October 2020, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Unwrap a Roast: Give porchetta a try for an Italian twist to the holiday meal

November 30, 2020 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

The holidays are coming, despite the lingering sadness and frustrations of the pandemic.

Christmas dinner for our family will be a very small gathering and, most likely, I will be cooking our traditional prime rib with crispy roast potatoes, sugary glazed carrots and something “green.” It’s the same every year.

But, recently, during a rare lunch out with a good friend, I asked her what she makes for Christmas dinner. Honoring her husband’s Italian heritage, she said they always make “porchetta,” and that it is wonderful. Now, I am a veteran of roasting pork—it’s a great Sunday dinner. And, for my family, it wouldn’t be New Year’s Day without pork and sauerkraut. But neither I, nor my mother, have ever made authentic porchetta.

I know that porchetta is a popular “street food” in Italy, especially in the area around Rome, where it is sold from vans and often as a sandwich (panini). A whole pig, sometimes stuffed with garlic, fennel and other herbs, is roasted on a spit with all its skin and fat. (Maybe we could bring a porchetta food van to Artsfest on the river when it returns. It might challenge “chicken on a stick”!)

I asked my friend if she would share her recipe with me. She and her son have been happily working together on their Christmas porchetta for some time now. They know the routine so well. Buy a large, fresh bone-in pork shoulder weighing anywhere from seven to 10 pounds. They tell me that the pork must have a bone and that, with it, the flavor is better. From there on, the directions seemed to get a little “loosey goosey.” So, what I did was combine my friend’s recipe with what I found in my old “Soprano’s Family Cookbook” and came up with a hybrid process for “Tony Soprano’s Roast Pork Sunday Dinner and Annie and Chris’s Holiday Porchetta.”

The first step, of course, is to find a pork shoulder roast. I went searching. The nicest ones I found were at Wegman’s—very fresh looking, pink, plump and streaked with marbling (nicer than saying “fat”). You can search other places, as well. Try the farmers markets (Broad Street or West Shore) or even places like Costco and BJ’s.

Roasted Porchetta

Ingredients

7 to 10 pound bone-in pork shoulder
8 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
Olive oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place the garlic cloves, rosemary, sage, and basil (if using) in the bowl of a food processor and chop finely.
Drizzle enough olive oil into the food processor to form a paste.
With a small, sharp knife, score the pork skin, cutting a quarter-inch deep crosshatch pattern over the roast.
Poke deep pockets into the surface of the pork with the knife. Rub the paste into the cuts and over the entire roast if there is any remaining.
Place the pork in a large roasting pan, preferably over a rack, and add a small amount of water to the bottom. Cover the roast loosely with aluminum foil.
Roast the pork for about 3 hours.
After 3 hours, tip the pan carefully and remove the excess fat.
Continue roasting until the skin is crisp and a deep nutty brown, removing the foil during the last hour of roasting. Remember, total roasting time will depend on the size of the pork shoulder, but anticipate at least an additional 1½ to 2 hours.

My friend promises that, at the end of long, slow roasting, the pork will be succulent and slice easily. She serves it with her red sauce over pasta. But how wonderful it would be with creamy polenta or served on rolls for a holiday buffet.

I suspect that turkey, roast beef and ham will grace most Christmas tables. But Italian porchetta would be a fun way to welcome in the New Year.

Thank you, Annie and Chris for sharing your recipe. And Buon Natale to all our readers.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 27, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Craig Ward opened Ward of Health in the Broad Street Market.

We at TheBurg hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! While you enjoy your leftover food, catch up on any news you may have missed this past week, below.

Bob’s Art Blog reviews the Susquehanna Art Museum’s exhibit, “The Modernists: Witnesses to the 20th Century.” He also has the scoop on artists to support by visiting the Millworks gift shop and studios this weekend.

Capital Region Water passed its 2021 budget and new rates, our online story reported. Utility bills in Harrisburg will be slightly higher as drinking water and wastewater rates will increase.

Christy Hoover strives to make her boutique inviting and welcoming for all. Christy Concept Jewelry at the West Shore Farmers Market has an inventory of fashion and fine jewelry. There’s something for everyone. Read more in our magazine story.

COVID-19 cases rose again this past week with an average new case count now exceeding 6,000 per day. To see the numbers by the county, read our weekly pandemic reporting.

Dauphin County introduced its $191.4 million preliminary budget on Wednesday. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the county does not expect to raise property taxes for 2021, our reporting found.

Gov. Tom Wolf signed the fiscal code bill passed by state legislature last week, our online story reported. Under the bill, Harrisburg is able to keep its current earned income tax (EIT) and local services tax (LST) at rates higher than typically allowed for third-class cities in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg found a long-term solution to its structural financial problems, our online story reported. State legislature passed a bill that allows the city to retain an elevated local services tax (LST) for 15 years and permanently extend its 2% earned income tax (EIT) rate.

Harrisburg-area retailers were hit hard by the pandemic, but have managed to stay afloat. Our magazine story tells of the creative ways some have found to survive.

Harrisburg’s Police Use of Force General Order was evaluated and revised over the past five months. Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced the changes, including a requirement for officers to intervene when a fellow officer is using excessive force, our reporting found.

Local businesses struggling during the pandemic have another chance to receive assistance, our online story reported. A second round of the “Neighborhood Business Stabilization Grant” that directs funds to businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is coming.

Many small businesses in Harrisburg have found a unique niche during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out our magazine story that features a food truck owner, a pair of plant lovers, a face mask artist and the owner of a food delivery service.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced the proposed 2021 Harrisburg general budget this week. The plan would increase expenses but does not include a property tax hike, our online story reported.

The former M&T Bank on N. 7^th Street in Harrisburg may become the new headquarters for the city’s engineering and traffic departments, our reporting found. While City Council approved purchasing the building, funds for the renovation are within the 2021 budget, which will face a vote in December.

Paxtang and Penbrook boroughs’ trash may be soon collected by The City of Harrisburg, our reporting found. Mayor Eric Papenfuse proposed entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the boroughs—a move he says will pay off for the city.

Sara Bozich has your list of weekend fun! As COVID continues to spike, she encourages people to enjoy outside events or virtual ones at home.

TLC Construction & Renovations plans to build eight apartments on a vacant lot on Kelker Street. The project will provide much-needed housing to the Uptown area, our online story reported.

Ward of Health opened in the Broad Street Market, offering vegan food with a twist, our online story reported. Owner Craig Ward puts his spin on lo mein, burgers, mac and cheese and tacos, to name a few.

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!

Harrisburg introduces rent relief program to help tenants in debt

November 27, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

A sign at N. 3rd and Kelker streets.

For many Harrisburg residents, staying on top of rent or mortgage payments during the pandemic hasn’t been easy.

However, the city offered some hope recently as officials announced a rent relief program to help prevent evictions and assist struggling tenants and homeowners.

“If you’ve gotten yourself in a hole and you’re behind on your rent […] this could be an opportunity to use grant money to get caught up,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said in his weekly Facebook Live event.

Through federal Emergency Shelter Grant COVID (ESG/CV) funds, Harrisburg has a total of $500,000 for residents in need.

The funds can go towards six months’ worth of back rent, future rent payments, mortgage or utility payments, said Lillie Williams, interim director of the Department of Building and Housing Development. Residents can receive up to $5,000 in funds.

She said that the program will also help with teaching residents how to budget and get on track with rent payments.

“This could make a big difference in the city,” said Caleb Cossick of Greater Harrisburg Tenants United, an organization that seeks to educate and advocate for renters.

The Centers for Disease Control’s moratorium on evictions expires on Dec. 31. So, many Harrisburg tenants could face immediate eviction and piles of debt, Cossick explained.

“This could be the difference between the eviction happening and the debt being settled,” he said. “Anything that can be done to eliminate debt is encouraging.”

Cossick said that he and his team are looking into ways of getting word about the program out to residents in need.

All that is needed to qualify for the program is proof of residency in Harrisburg and paperwork that shows payments for rent, mortgage or utilities have not been met.

Residents will need to apply for the rental assistance and landlords can decide to comply by completing a W-9 form. Payments from the city will be made directly to landlords, mortgage companies or utility companies.

Williams said that the program will likely kick off the second or third week of December.

DBHD also plans to roll out a food assistance program to provide people with funds to purchase groceries. Williams said that they are looking to partner with local churches and nonprofits to administer the $300,000 in total funds. This program is expected to launch around the same time as the rental relief program.

For more information on the Department of Building and Housing Development in Harrisburg, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/office-of-building-housing/.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

New COVID-19 cases rise again in PA over past week, exceed 6,000 per day

November 27, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

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

COVID-19 infection rates continued to surge over the past week in PA, with the average new case count now exceeding 6,000 per day.

Since last Friday, the commonwealth recorded an average of 6,429 newly diagnosed cases per day, according to the state Department of Health.

This compares to an average of 5,914 new daily cases last week and 4,348, 2,633, 2,134 and 1,641 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: 1,908 cases (prior Friday, 1,636)
Cumberland County: 4,831 cases (prior Friday, 4,017)
Dauphin County: 7,481 cases (prior Friday, 6,637)
Franklin County: 4,262 cases (prior Friday, 3,582)
Lancaster County: 15,890 cases (prior Friday, 13,564)
Lebanon County: 5,105 cases (prior Friday, 4,444)
Perry County: 649 cases (prior Friday, 553)
York County: 10,604 cases (prior Friday, 8,875)

Today, the department reported 7,360 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight. The positivity rate statewide now stands at 11.1%.

With today’s update, 343,614 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 47,828 over the past week, according to the health department. Active cases number 134,171. Currently, 4,087 people are hospitalized in PA with coronavirus, compared to 2,952 last Friday.

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 59,738 total cases. Allegheny County ranks second with 26,821 cases, and Montgomery County is third statewide with 21,071 cases.

The health department also reported an additional 595 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 10,234 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March. Fatalities totaled 465, 249, 191 and 159 over the prior four weeks, respectively.

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

Adams County: 46 deaths (prior Friday, 45)
Cumberland County: 130 deaths (prior Friday, 102)
Dauphin County: 214 deaths (prior Friday, 211)
Franklin County: 104 deaths (prior Friday, 91)
Lancaster County: 513 deaths (prior Friday, 504)
Lebanon County: 106 deaths (prior Friday, 95)
Perry County: 9 deaths (prior Friday, 9)
York County: 241 deaths (prior Friday, 233)

PA nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 6,459, or 63.1 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 33,947 resident cases of COVID-19, and 6,553 cases among employees, for a total of 40,500 at 1,249 distinct facilities in 63 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 14,336 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 3,129,689 individuals have had coronavirus tests, with 2,786,075 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 2,944,656 people had been tested for the virus.

The state reports a total of 5,458,940 PCR tests, which includes many people, such as health care workers, who have been tested more than once.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

About 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 3 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 6 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 13 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
About 21 percent are aged 50-64
Nearly 20 percent are aged 65 or older

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. However, the health department has emphasized that, increasingly, younger people are being diagnosed with COVID-19.

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.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Former M&T Bank eyed as new home for Harrisburg’s engineering, traffic departments

November 27, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

M&T Bank building on N. 7th Street.

N. 7th Street is slated for major construction next year and, if all goes as planned, Harrisburg engineers will have a birds-eye view.

The city expects to move its engineering and traffic departments to the former M&T Bank building on N. 7^th Street.

According to Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, part of the Department of Public Works building will be lost to eminent domain as part of PennDOT’s I-83 expansion project. The city’s traffic department, which is housed in the building, will need to move.

In addition, the engineering department will move out of the public safety building downtown, freeing up space for the proposed community policing team to have its main base there, closer to Commissioner Thomas Carter’s office.

In November, City Council approved the reallocation of 2020 funds to purchase the M&T building for $375,000. Papenfuse said that they received a significant discount from M&T as the building was appraised at $675,000.

Renovations and remodels of the building are part of the city’s proposed 2021 General Budget. Papenfuse said it would likely cost around $192,000 for demolitions, renovations, HVAC replacement and security additions, among other things.

The annual cost of utilities and maintenance for the building would be around $60,200, he estimated.

“This is the first new real estate acquisition for the City of Harrisburg, I guess, since the public works facility,” he added.

Papenfuse also discussed the possibility of using spare offices in the M&T building as a satellite location for the city’s expanding community policing department.

Just this month, the mayor announced a plan to create 12 new civilian positions in the Police Bureau. “Community Service Aides” would work to assist offices and improve relationships with the community.

In addition, the city has numerous major road construction projects planned for next year, including work on N. 7th Street that includes a new traffic circle near the new federal courthouse at the Reily Street intersection.

Harrisburg City Council plans to vote on the proposed 2020 budget, including the M&T building funds and the new positions in the Police Bureau, on Dec. 10.

Click here to view Harrisburg’s proposed 2021 budget.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Dauphin County introduces budget that holds the line on property taxes

November 25, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The Dauphin County Administration building in Harrisburg

Dauphin County does not expect to raise its property tax for 2021, despite challenges wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, the county commissioners introduced a $191.4 million preliminary budget that would keep the county portion of the property tax rate unchanged for a 16^th straight year.

“We realize that many of our residents are struggling because of the economic impact of COVID-19,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste, in a statement. “This board was committed to not raising taxes for next year, though increasing costs will make it tougher to keep holding the line in future budgets.’’

The pandemic raised costs this year for several county functions, especially for holding the recently concluded 2020 election.

According to the county, the election cost about $2 million to run, about $700,000 more than anticipated. The higher cost was due to mailing and printing more ballots than expected, in addition to hiring additional staff to verify and count results.

In Dauphin County, about one-third of voters cast their ballots by mail, an unforeseen expense when the 2020 budget was finalized last year.

The commissioners used $7.5 million in federal CARES Act funds to balance the budget. The county received $25.1 million from the CARES Act, with most of the money—$17.1 million—going to help municipalities, small businesses and nonprofits.

Additionally, the commissioners expect to receive about $1.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for countywide coronavirus-related expenses. Furloughs and leaving vacant positions unfilled saved about $5.5 million in 2020, according to the county.

The commissioners are expected to take final action on the budget next month.

For Harrisburg residents, this is the second announcement this week of stable property tax rates for 2021. On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Papenfuse introduced a city budget that does not raise the city portion of the property tax.

To view the Dauphin County budget, visit the website.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Capital Region Water passes 2021 budget, average monthly bill to increase by $1.80

November 25, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Capital Region Water works on a water main break on North Street earlier this year.

Utility bills in Harrisburg will be somewhat higher next year, as Capital Region Water has approved rate increases for both drinking water and wastewater.

At a board meeting on Tuesday night, the board approved both CRW’s 2021 budget and its new rates.

The board voted to raise the drinking water rate by 2% from $9.84 to $10.04 per 1,000 gallons, with a “ready to serve” charge of $7.93 for a standard residential customer.

The wastewater rate will increase by 3% for 2021 from the current $7.99 per 1,000 gallons to $8.23 per 1,000 gallons.

Under the new rate structure, the average Harrisburg customer consuming 45,000 gallons of water annually will pay about $1.80 per month more for water and wastewater services, according to CRW.

The new stormwater fee, which began last month, is unchanged at $6.15 per month for most residential customers.

These rates are the same as introduced at a meeting last week.

“Capital Region Water has and will continue to make prudent financial decisions that balance the need for critical infrastructure investments with the affordability challenges facing many of our customers,” said CRW CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer, in a statement. “This past year has presented unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing pandemic and I am extremely proud of the work this staff has done to adapt and adjust.”

At its meeting last week, CRW also outlined infrastructure priorities for 2021. These include green infrastructure stormwater projects in the South Allison Hill and Camp Curtin neighborhoods, the continued rehabilitation of the Front Street interceptor and the ongoing improvement of stormwater collection sewers throughout the city.

In 2021, CRW also expects to complete the move into its new headquarters at 3003 N. Front St., including relocating the customer service center there.

For more information about CRW, visit their website.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Ward of Health opens in Broad Street Market, serves vegan food with a twist

November 25, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Craig Ward at his stand in the Broad Street Market.

If there’s ever been a good time to be vegan in Harrisburg, it’s now.

Craig Ward, owner of Ward of Health, opened on Wednesday in the Broad Street Market’s stone building. This comes just four months after House of Vegans opened nearby in Midtown.

“I’ve always been into being healthy,” Ward said. “I wanted to figure out how to reach other people.”

He realized the way to do that was by presenting people with food that didn’t necessarily look vegan.

Ward puts his spin on lo mein, burgers, mac and cheese and tacos, to name a few. His most popular dishes are his “Crunch Wraps” and “Save a Crab Cake” sandwiches.

At the Market, Ward sells grab and go items like wraps, grain bowls and smoothies. He also prepares meals for people to take home and cook.

All of the food is plant-based and vegan, Ward said.

“I have to be creative with what I’m giving to people,” he said.

As a kid growing up in Allentown, Ward learned to cook from his parents who were caterers. He later attended Milton Hershey School, where he was a student cook. After attending college in Baltimore, he moved to Harrisburg, where he was a cook and manager at places like Friendly’s, Texas Roadhouse, Rubicon and Café 1500. But, for Ward, that wasn’t enough.

“I decided to jump out the window and start my own thing,” he said.

When his mom was diagnosed with cancer, Ward saw the positive effect that eating well had on her health. This, along with seeing his daughter pick up some of his unhealthy eating habits, caused him to rethink what was on his plate.

About five years ago, Ward started cutting meat out of his diet and eventually made the switch to become vegan.

“I started to see a real difference in my health,” he said. “I wasn’t as tired, and my allergies went away. But the hardest thing for me was finding vegan food in our area.”

It’s been over a year since Ward of Health’s inception. Before opening at the Broad Street Market, Ward fulfilled customer’s orders out of his home kitchen. He offered meal prep and catering services, as well. He also participated in a few pop-ups at La Cultura and sold food at Little Amps Coffee Roasters.

During the pandemic, Ward of Health gained popularity as people sought a healthier lifestyle, Ward said. It was time to expand his business, and the Market was the perfect place to go.

“I’m trying to pass my healthy lifestyle to others,” he said.

The Broad Street Market is open Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on Ward of Health, visit their website.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg may begin trash collection in Penbrook, Paxtang

November 25, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Harrisburg trash cans

One borough’s trash is another city’s treasure.

At a City Council meeting on Tuesday night, Harrisburg announced a proposal to begin providing trash and recycling collection to Penbrook and Paxtang boroughs—a move the city administration says will pay off for the city.

“I think this is a really terrific story for Harrisburg,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “This represents over $2 million in new revenue sources that would be coming to Harrisburg over the next five years.”

If passed by council, Harrisburg will collect trash from three local municipalities in all. In June 2019, the city inked a deal with Steelton as its first intergovernmental agreement for garbage pickup.

Papenfuse said that the arrangement with Steelton has been “very successful.” Penbrook and Paxtang, he said, took note of that and have already declined bids from private companies, opting for Harrisburg’s services.

“I think this is great news for Harrisburg, not only as a revenue source, but also for the region,” he said. “It is really an example of that type of regional cooperation that we really need to see.”

In its agreement with Steelton, Harrisburg must bill each household for services, but Paxtang and Penbrook will be billed as municipalities. Residents in those boroughs pay for waste collection as part of their property taxes. This assures there is no delinquency on payments.

In Steelton there is a payment collection rate of over 97%, Papenfuse said. Harrisburg falls behind with an 84% rate of collection. Increasing the collection rate in Harrisburg by just 3% would enhance city revenues by $500,000, he said.

As part of his 2021 budget presentation, Papenfuse also proposed hiring a new lien officer to improve revenue collection.

In addition, Papenfuse proposed added six new sanitation workers and one sanitation manager to the Department of Public Works. They will increase the ability to collect waste from the added Penbrook and Paxtang boroughs, the mayor said.

Council will likely vote on the new intergovernmental agreements in December, Papenfuse said.

“This is great news,” he said. “We will get the benefit of increased capacity in our Public Works Department to do even more.”

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

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like