Dauphin County accepting applicants to fill various boards

Dauphin County Administration Building

Dauphin County is asking residents to volunteer by bringing their voices and perspectives to the table.

The county commissioners on Friday issued a statement saying that they are looking for applicants for a number of boards and commissions.

The following boards have open seats:

  • Affordable Housing Board (3 positions)
  • Agricultural Land Preservation Board (3 positions)
  • Council on Aging (6 positions)
  • Capital Resource Conservation & Development Area Council (3 positions)
  • Children & Youth Advisory Board (6 positions)
  • Conservation District Board (2 positions)
  • Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority & Susquehanna Reg. Transp. Authority (1 position)
  • Drug & Alcohol Services (5 positions)
  • General Authority Board (1 position)
  • Harrisburg Area Transportation Study Technical Committee (1 position)
  • Library System Board of Trustees (2 positions)
  • Mental Health, Autism, & Developmental Programs Advisory Board (3 positions)
  • Merit-Based Hiring System Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel (1 position)
  • Dauphin County Planning Commission (1 position)
  • Redevelopment Authority Board (1 position)
  • Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (5 positions)
  • Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (1 position)

Interested county residents are encouraged to apply. Commissioners will then make appointments.

Applications are due by Dec. 5 and will be considered in early 2026.

To apply for Dauphin County boards and commissions, or for more information, visit their website.

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Crow dispersal to prevent roosting at Capitol begins next week 

Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex.

Pennsylvania will launch its annual crow dispersal program next week, marking its yearly effort to avoid damage inflicted by crow droppings to the State Capitol building’s historic structure. 

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services announced Friday that Harrisburg-area visitors may hear exploding shells and whistling devices, deployed to scare off crows, beginning on Monday, Nov. 10. 

The program will continue through the next few months, between 5 to 7 p.m., until the crows have been effectively dispersed. 

“Our goal each year is to balance the needs of Capitol operations with respect for our community,” said Jason Snyder, deputy secretary for property and asset management. “We want to ensure residents and visitors are aware of the program so they’re not alarmed, while also keeping the grounds safe, clean, and enjoyable for all.” 

The Capitol’s crow dispersal efforts also aim to reduce slippery walking conditions that can be caused by accumulated crow droppings on sidewalks at the Capitol complex.  

The state Capitol has done a crow dispersal every fall since 1998. The state credits the program with significantly reducing the number of crows roosting at the Capitol.  

For more information, visit the Department of General Services’ Crow Dispersal Program website. 

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Plant Family is hosting a pop-up all weekend; the new Wild Game & Mushroom menus have launched at Fire & Grain and Revelry at the Hershey Lodge; Tröegs Lager is here!

Worth noting: Meeka Fine Jewelry hosts its holiday open house on Thursday; Autos & Ales is Friday; Enders Marathon is Sunday — loads more below!

Things on my agenda this weekend: Book Fair with the kiddo, TBD on the rest of it!


🆕 Quick Weekend Links: ThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday


New + Noteworthy

you know, ICYMI

Sara’s Top Picks

for the group chat

  • Restaurant to revisit: Cafe Fresco. With a new young chef, people are chatting, and it’s good. Check out my latest visit here.
  • Someone want to be my date to this?
  • 📤 Share this with the friend who always asks, ‘What’s going on this weekend?’
  • 👨‍💻 Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday


Extras

  1. Did you take my reader/follower survey?
  2. I just finalized my 2026 Event Schedule! 👀
  3. Want to share an ‘extra’? Email Sara with interest! 
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Burg Blog: Five Takeaways from Election Day

Harrisburg city hall on Election Day

In Harrisburg, another election is in the books, so what have we learned? Here are my five takeaways from a surprisingly interesting evening watching the polls from the 2025 municipal election.

Williams Knows How to Win
Despite how you voted, you must give credit where it’s due: Wanda Williams knows how to win elections. Sometimes, she squeaks by, as in the last two mayoral primaries. Sometimes, she dominates, as in the last two general elections. She also won repeatedly earlier in her political career, as a long-time member of City Council and school board. A Harrisburg native, she has built a strong base of support through a lifetime of connections and service, and she leverages that network to turn out her voters. I’ve sometimes called myself a “turnout guy.” Sure, things like messaging, candidate quality and style matter in campaigns—I don’t doubt that. But you must have the political savvy and on-the-ground capability to turn out your core voters, something that Williams and her team have perfected.

Accept Your Losses
For the fourth straight mayoral election, a Democrat who lost in Harrisburg’s primary ran again in the general election—and lost again. In fact, for Dan Miller, history just repeated itself. He did the same thing in 2013: lost the primary, got the Republican nod through write-ins, accepted the nomination and lost in the general, at that time to former Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Papenfuse himself (2021) and former City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts (2017) both launched write-in campaigns in the general election after losing in the primary. In my view, the lesson to future mayoral candidates is clear. Go all out in the primary, campaign like mad, leave nothing on the field. If you lose, accept the outcome with grace and maybe try again next time. In Harrisburg, oddly, the opposite often happens. Candidates run weak, barely visible primary campaigns then, after losing, put more effort into extremely long-shot general election campaigns, running as Republicans or write-ins. This is completely backwards, with predictably dismal results in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

Dissatisfaction Displayed
Williams won re-election handily, with about 56% of the vote. That said, Miller received an impressive 42% of the vote in a surprisingly high-turnout general election—on the Republican side of the ticket. His vote total was much greater than I expected, which, to me, demonstrates that many city residents are not satisfied with how things are going. It’s my hope that, in her second term, Williams will take dissenting viewpoints openly and seriously. A second term should consist of assessing what went well in the first term, building upon that, and then thoughtfully addressing what didn’t go so well, making changes where necessary.

New Democratic Era?
A while back, registered Democrats began to outnumber registered Republicans in Dauphin County. Still, for years, you couldn’t tell that from the results, as Republicans continued to win nearly every countywide election. In fact, a few years back, I wrote a blog openly questioning why that was—and took a lot of heat from local Democrats in return. My, how things have changed. Several cycles ago, Democratic candidates began to creep up on their Republican opponents, even if they still lost in the end. Then, in 2023, the three-member county board of commissioners surprisingly flipped to become a Democratic majority, a trend affirmed yesterday with Democrats winning two row offices and two judgeships. Democrats also showed gains in other municipalities and counties, as the Harrisburg area continues its long, gradual makeover from red to blue.

Midterms Up Next
In my view, area Democrats seem well-positioned to perform well in next year’s midterm elections. Of course, I can’t read the future, and unexpected events can—and often do—intervene to change political fortunes. However, several factors seem to be converging to continue favoring Democratic candidates locally. As mentioned above, the greater Harrisburg area has become increasingly blue. Moreover, midterm elections nearly always favor the out-of-power national party, and the backlash to President Donald Trump’s policies seems especially strong based on yesterday’s election results nationally. This could well impact our area’s marquee race for next year—the battle for the 10th congressional district. Last year, Democrat Janelle Stelson came enticingly close to unseating long-time incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Perry, solidly outperforming Democratic candidates nationally. I’m not one to make electoral predictions (at least not publicly), but thirsty Democrats now must be eyeing our district as one of their top prospects for a flip in 2026.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

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PennDOT to soon begin demo on Harrisburg bridge

Map of detour for 19th Street bridge demo. Graphic provided by PennDOT.

A Harrisburg bridge is scheduled for demo in the coming days.

PennDOT announced on Wednesday that it would demolish the 19th Street bridge over I-83 on the night of Saturday, Nov. 15, as part of the Capital Beltway Project.

The 19th Street bridge closed to traffic on Oct. 26, as PennDOT plans to reconstruct the bridge, as it did to the 29th Street bridge, which recently reopened. Both bridge projects are part of the East Shore Section 3 portion of the highway widening plan.

Traffic on I-83 will be detoured starting at 11 p.m. that Saturday. Demo and clean up are expected to be completed overnight and the corridor back open to traffic by 8 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. There will be lane restrictions on I-83 and on westbound Route 322 approaching the project area starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with a full closure of I-83 taking place at 11 p.m.

PennDOT will begin prepping the bridge for demo during nighttime hours during the week of Sunday, Nov. 9. Lane restrictions will be in place as needed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., between the 13th Street and Paxton Street interchanges.

PennDOT will implement the following detours during the Nov. 15-16 demo:

  • Northbound I-83 traffic should take Exit 42 to 2nd Street, then continue on 2nd Street to Paxton Street, turn right onto Paxton Street and continue east to Eisenhower Boulevard, turn left on Eisenhower Boulevard and continue north to northbound I-83.
  • Southbound I-83 traffic should take Exit 45 (Paxton Street/Bass Pro Dr) to Paxton Street, then continue west on Paxton Street to 17th Street, turn right on 17th Street, then left onto the ramp to southbound I-83.

PennDOT expects the bridge to be closed for about a year, with ramps not reopening until spring 2027.

For more information on the I-83 Capital Beltway project, visit their website.

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Williams re-elected Harrisburg mayor, will serve another four-year term; strong night for Democrats in Dauphin County

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams (center) celebrates her re-election victory.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams won a second term on Tuesday, besting the city’s treasurer for a second time this year.

With all precincts reporting, incumbent Williams received a tally of 5,096 votes versus 3,837 for Dan Miller, currently Harrisburg’s treasurer.

“Thank you for giving me another four years,” said Williams, at her victory party in Uptown Harrisburg. “I promise as I did before: a new Harrisburg. Now, who’s with me?”

Mayoral candidate Dan Miller tallied up votes as results came in.

Like Williams, Miller is a registered Democrat. However, he was running on the Republican ticket after narrowly losing the Democratic primary to Williams in May, but garnering enough write-in votes to secure the Republican nomination.

After conceding defeat, Miller said that he gave it his best but couldn’t overcome running on the Republican side in such a Democratic city.

“It’s so disappointing,” said Miller, at his election eve gathering of supporters at the Millworks. “You don’t know how many people told me you have to win. They know that Harrisburg is in a bad place.”

Lewis Butts Jr., who also lost in the Democratic primary in May, was running for mayor as a write-in candidate. Butts’ tally wasn’t available on Tuesday night, but it’s assumed he received all or most of the 93 write-in votes.

Other than the mayoral race, Harrisburg’s other general election races lacked competition in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

For City Council, Jocelyn Rawls, Ralph Rodriguez, Ausha Green and Rob Lawson all won running unopposed for four, four-year seats. For school board, Roslyn Copeland, Danielle Robinson, Brian Carter and Jaime Johnsen all won running unopposed for four, four-year seats, while Annie Hughes captured the lone two-year seat, also unopposed.

Democrat Karen Balaban, running unopposed, won a four-year term as city controller. She’ll replace long-time controller Charlie DeBrunner, who did not stand for re-election.

Dauphin County also had elections for several row offices and judgeships this year, with Democrats performing well.

For prothonotary, Democratic challenger Antonio Carreno of Harrisburg unseated the Republican incumbent, Matt Krupp, also of Harrisburg. For clerk of courts, Democrat Tina Nixon of Harrisburg bested the Republican nominee, John McDonald. For county coroner, long-time Republican incumbent Graham Hetrick squeaked past the Democratic nominee, John Harris Jr.

In close races for Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas judge, Democrats Katy Kennedy-McShane and La Tasha Williams defeated Republicans Fran Chardo and Jim Zugay.

All results in this story are preliminary until made official. TheBurg will update this story if necessary.

Maddie Gittens and Alexandra Jones contributed to this story. 

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Harrisburg residents cast votes for mayor, weighing incumbent and challenger on Election Day

Campaign signs at Camp Curtin Middle School, a polling place.

Today, residents will decide who will be Harrisburg’s top official for the next four years.

Voters headed to the polls for Tuesday’s municipal general election to cast a vote for either incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams or city Treasurer Dan Miller for mayor, among other city and county offices.

While several polls were slow, with a low number of voters trickling in, Second City Church in Midtown had a line at the door at open time and a steady stream after.

Campaign workers there said that 205 people had voted by noon, a number that they said seemed higher than usual.

Barbara, a resident who asked that her last name be omitted, exited the building around noon, saying that she cast her vote for Miller.

Miller is running on the Republican ticket, although he is a registered Democrat, against Williams, the Democratic nominee. Miller lost to Williams in the Democratic primary, but gained enough Republican votes to become their nominee. Miller has characterized the general election as a “runoff” election between himself and Williams, whom he lost to by about 80 votes in the primary.

Lewis Butts Jr., who has run for mayor several times, is running as a write-in candidate.

“We need a person who’s experienced in management and budgeting,” Barbara said of Miller, whom she voted for.

Several other residents shared similar reasons for voting for Miller.

“I’ve liked Dan for years. I think he’s a lot more fiscally responsible,” said Carrie Baker, who voted at Camp Curtin Middle School in Uptown.

Also at Camp Curtin, a group of three voters said they voted for Williams because they believe she knows the city better and they’ve seen her in their neighborhood regularly.

“We think her priorities are right,” said Dawn, who declined to provide her last name. “I think she does a great job.”

Another resident, Carter, said he voted for Williams because he didn’t want Miller to win, having heard negative things about him through friends.

At Lincoln Elementary School in Allison Hill, about 40 people had voted by a little before noon and at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Uptown, about 50 people had voted around 11 a.m., about on par with typical numbers, poll workers said.

TheBurg recently interviewed dozens of residents and found that many voters were either disengaged in the mayoral race or still undecided on who to vote for. Some cited “political tiredness” or explained they would likely vote for one candidate simply because they didn’t like the other.

Four Democratic Harrisburg City Council candidates are also running unopposed for four seats. Incumbents Jocelyn Rawls, Ralph Rodriguez and Ausha Green are on the ballot, with candidate Rob Lawson, who served on council previously.

Karen Balaban is running unopposed as the Democratic candidate for Harrisburg controller.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. For a list of Harrisburg polling places, click here. For election results, click here.

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Harrisburg City Council hears plans for two office reuse projects, weighs affordability

Polyclinic campus. Pennmark’s proposed phase one of an adaptive reuse project includes renovating the building on the left. The additional two buildings will be renovated in future phases.

Two adaptive reuse projects were up for discussion at a Harrisburg City Council meeting on Monday.

Council weighed developments that would turn the former Polyclinic Hospital building Uptown and a building that previously housed government offices downtown into apartments.

First up was a proposal by Pennmark Harrisburg Holdings, an affiliate of Montgomery County-based Pennmark Management Company, to transform the building that historically housed the Polyclinic Hospital at 2601 N. 3rd St.

Pennmark’s land development plan on Monday was for phase one of their three-phase proposal for the sprawling campus, which includes three buildings totaling over 271,000 square feet. The overall project would include creating 250 to 300 apartment units and commercial space.

Phase one, which council heard plans for, targets the northernmost building on the property, which formerly housed nurses’ quarters and more recently offices, according to Greg Hallquist of Pennmark. The developer would build out 96 market-rate units, including studios, one-, two- and three-bedrooms. The proposal also includes first-floor commercial space.

Council approved a zoning change for the entire property, from institutional to commercial, in July.

A few council members expressed concern over the affordability of the units, and whether or not Harrisburg residents who are lower income would be able to afford them.

“It still is a little high,” said council member Jocelyn Rawls. “I’m just trying to think about who could afford it.”

Council member Crystal Davis said that she saw the market-rate units as being affordable for local professionals.

Pennmark has already hosted five public meetings with the community and plans to host more to solicit feedback on the proposal.

333 Market Street

Next up, council heard a proposal from Harristown Development Corp. to renovate 333 Market Street, a 22-story building downtown that previously housed state government offices. Harristown has proposed renovating floors 11 through 19, which are currently vacant, and creating 81 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown, said that he was searching for an organization to master lease the units and provide senior housing, similar to the company’s project at 112 Market St.

Like the Pennmark proposal, council members were worried about affordability for lower-income seniors, especially those on a fixed income.

Jones said that the costs of the units would be up to the organization that will eventually hold the master lease.

“The whole thing should be affordable because it’s seniors,” said council President Danielle Hill.

Hill and others also were concerned that seniors wouldn’t feel comfortable living on the high-up floors.

Jones noted that the building has five elevators and a freight elevator.

“This building is almost overly served by elevators,” he said.

Council is slated to vote on the projects at its next legislative session.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Trick or treat in Harrisburg. File photo.

Happy Halloween from TheBurg! You know what’s really scary? Not reading your local news! Catch up on this week’s coverage below.

City Council approved an office-to-apartment conversion in downtown Harrisburg, our online story reported. Breneman Properties will turn three attached office buildings at 315 N. 2nd St into apartments.

Fall activities in Harrisburg are in full swing. Our magazine story highlights all things apples and wine.

Food banks and pantries in Harrisburg are bracing for a potential lapse of the federal SNAP program, our online story reported. Local officials are concerned about what they expect will be a surge in demand.

Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg announced that they constructed two new playgrounds at their Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life in Uptown, our online story reported.

Northeastern PA offers a mix of spooky, natural and historic attractions, perfect for fall. Our writer has recommendations for trails, haunted houses and museums, here.

November’s issue of the magazine just dropped this week. In his note, our publisher introduces the issue.

Outdoor activities are the beautiful in autumn, when the leaves are changing and the weather is brisk. In our magazine story, we have recommendations for trails and parks.

Police officials in Harrisburg shared that the bureau has made many new tech improvements recently, our reporting found. The city has mobile cameras at crime hot-spots and license plate readers to help solve cases.

Sara Bozich has lots of spooky and autumnal events on the schedule for this weekend, here.

Trick or treat night in Harrisburg was postponed to Friday, due to forecasted rain, our online story reported.

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Liverpool, Local Style, and the Joy of Discovery at Three Little Birds Boutique


When a national fashion powerhouse like Liverpool Los Angeles chooses your store as one of just 25 boutiques in the entire country to feature its coveted “shop-in-shop” experience, it says something special about the kind of brand you’ve built, it says – Exceptional.

At Three Little Birds Boutique (TLB) in Hershey, Pennsylvania, that distinction is more than a badge of honor—it’s a celebration of everything this locally owned boutique stands for: sophisticated taste, personalized service, and an unshakable belief that fashion should feel as good as it looks.

A California Icon Finds Its Perfect Home in Hershey

Known for its impeccable fit, effortless polish, and smartly engineered denim, Liverpool Los Angeles is one of America’s most beloved apparel brands. Their signature jeans, structured knit blazers, and eco-friendly fabrics combine comfort with sophistication—pieces that move with you from work to weekend with ease.

Now, thanks to the Liverpool “Shop-in-Shop” inside TLB Hershey, Central Pennsylvania shoppers can access nearly the entire Liverpool collection each season. From classic denim silhouettes and wide-leg trousers to modern suiting and sustainable fabrics, it’s a one-stop destination for discovering Liverpool’s best.

“Liverpool’s commitment to quality and fit aligns perfectly with our philosophy,” says Margaret Miller, owner of Three Little Birds Boutique. “They design clothes for real women—Being selected for this program allows us to give our customers access to a collection they can’t find anywhere else in the region.”

VP of Liverpool Retail, Pam Marcheski comments, “Three Little Birds is pure Liverpool energy — confident, connected, and doing it like no one else. The people there bring the brand to life every single day — full of heart, style, and genuine joy. We’re so proud and grateful to have them in our Destination Liverpool family.

Shoppers who visit the Hershey location will find the full Liverpool lifestyle wardrobe complete with expert stylists to help with sizing, layering, and outfit pairing. Whether you’re searching for that perfect holiday party look or a polished everyday ensemble, Liverpool at TLB offers luxury-quality style without the luxury price tag.

A Boutique That Balances Variety and Vision

While Liverpool may be the headliner, it’s only one chapter in TLB’s larger story. Across its three locations—Hershey, Mechanicsburg, and Lancaster—the boutique carries a thoughtfully balanced collection of brands that reflect different price points, personalities, and body types.

Labels like Liverpool, Free People, and Z Supply, bring recognized quality and versatility, while boutique-exclusive lines like JoFlower—TLB’s brand label designed by owner Margaret Miller—adds a personal and distinctive touch. JoFlower pieces are produced in limited runs, 100 units per design, ensuring every piece feels special and rare.

This mix of premium names and curated exclusives allows TLB to serve women across generations and lifestyles. “We want a mother and daughter to shop together and both find something they love,” Miller explains. “It’s about celebrating individuality—no two women are the same, so their wardrobes shouldn’t be either.”

Whether you prefer modern minimalism, boho romance, or effortless casual chic, TLB’s racks tell a story of balance—between trend and timelessness, sophistication and comfort, quality and affordability.

A Shopping Experience That Feels Personal

What truly sets Three Little Birds apart, though, is its experience. Shoppers are greeted by stylists who remember their names, know their favorite brands, and genuinely care about helping them look and feel their best.

Each location reflects its surroundings, too: Hershey’s vibrant charm, Mechanicsburg’s modern edge, and Lancaster’s creative energy. And while the boutique’s online store continues to grow, the in-person experience remains at the heart of its success.

Customers describe it as “shopping with friends”—where conversation, laughter, and honest advice replace the impersonal click of an online cart. Seasonal events, private styling sessions, and local collaborations add to the boutique’s sense of community.

The Magic of Shopping Local

In a retail world dominated by online scrolling, TLB has built its reputation on something more meaningful: connection. Each brand, from Liverpool to JoFlower, is chosen not just for how it looks on the rack, but for how it makes women feel when they wear it—confident, comfortable, and authentically themselves. Every client who walks through the door becomes part of the TLB Story—a growing circle of women who appreciate quality, service, and heart.

This Holiday Season: Discover Your New Favorite Destination

As the holiday season unfolds, Three Little Birds Boutique invites you to experience shopping the way it was meant to be—joyful, inspiring, and beautifully personal. Come explore the new Liverpool “Shop-in-Shop” in Hershey, or discover your next favorite outfit at any TLB location.

Visit Three Little Birds Boutique:

  • Hershey: 131 W. Chocolate Avenue (featuring Liverpool Shop-in-Shop)
  • Mechanicsburg: 6455 Carlisle Pike, Suite C
  • Lancaster: 1200 Gilbert Way, Suite D111

Or shop online at TLBBoutique.com

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