Tag Archives: Harrisburg School District

Harrisburg School District receiver, board member in favor of extended receivership to continue improvements

June 22, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District Receiver Dr. Lori Suski

The Harrisburg School District will remain under state receivership for three more years, but according to Receiver Dr. Lori Suski, that’s not a bad thing.

In a meeting with TheBurg on Tuesday, Suski said that district has had some recent success achieving its financial and academic goals, but that the receivership has not completed its mission.

“I think we in the district would agree that the extension of the receivership is a positive thing,” she said. “There’s still a lot of work that has to be done both financially and academically to make sure the district is positioned for success moving forward.”

On Monday, Judge William T. Tully of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas signed an order for the extended receivership period, which was originally set to expire on June 17. In the order, Tully reappointed Suski through June 17, 2025.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (DEP) filed the petition for the extension in late May, stating that the district was in “mid-stream” with many of its initiatives. The district was initially placed under receivership in 2019 for failing to meet goals in the 2016 Financial Recovery Plan. Suski took her position in January, following the departure of former receiver Dr. Janet Samuels.

Suski described the past three years as a “stabilization” period, which the district has used to build procedures and policies that didn’t previously exist. The court only approved the district’s Amended Financial Recovery Plan in July 2021, giving the district less than a year to begin to implement it, she explained.

“A lot of the areas are not just a matter of checking a box of compliance,” she said. “It’s really the ongoing sustained efforts and accomplishments that have to be realized before the district is out of receivership.”

The next three years will consist of continuing those efforts.

Specifically, the district will continue to work on developing a five-year financial projection, creating a facility utilization plan, finding additional revenue sources through its tax-exempt entities and improving academics, according to Suski.

In a phone call with TheBurg, school board Vice President Steven Williams said that he’s in favor of the receivership extension, explaining how COVID affected the past three years.

“There was a lot of progress made during the three years, but it was really hampered by the pandemic,” he said. “That really threw a wrench into the receivership process.”

Harrisburg had less than a year of receivership under its belt before pandemic shutdowns began in March 2020. Williams said, because of that, the district didn’t get to experience the “full effect” of receivership.

Suski added that COVID was a major contributing factor to why students’ test scores, attendance rates and grades remained low in recent years.

“Students need consistent instruction in order to be successful,” she said. “Urban environments, as a whole, have been hit very hard by the pandemic. But we are very hopeful that we can move in the right direction.”

This will include revamping Harrisburg’s science and social studies curriculum, as well as updating classroom resources and focusing on project-based learning initiatives, Suski said.

According to Suski, the district will be poised to exit receivership in three years if it follows the 2021 Amended Financial Recovery Plan and gets community buy-in.

By 2025, Harrisburg could return to local control after six years under the state. That would return authority to the school board of directors, who currently only hold the power to levy taxes. In the meantime, Suski plans to partner with the board and assist with providing professional development opportunities.

Williams also explained that, while the board may not have its full range of power, members plan to act as advocates for the community.

“I think it’s been an honor to serve and be part of the district’s recovery,” he said. “This is about generations of students that were getting shortchanged, but will now see opportunities coming their way.”

For more information, visit the Harrisburg School District’s website.

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Judge signs order extending receivership for Harrisburg School District for three more years

June 20, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

The Harrisburg School District Lincoln Administration Building

The Harrisburg School District’s receivership has been extended for three more years.

On Monday, the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas approved an extension of the receivership, which was slated to end on June 17.

In late May, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) filed a petition for an extension of the receivership for another three years, asking the court to reappoint Dr. Lori Suski, the current receiver of the district, to serve until June 17, 2025.

Judge William T. Tully signed the order on June 20, reappointing Suski for the extended term.

Suski was initially appointed as the receiver in January, following the departure of Dr. Janet Samuels who had served in the role since the beginning of the three-year receivership period in June 2019. The court originally placed the district under state control due to its failure to meet 2016 Financial Recovery Plan goals.

The PDE petition stated that while “the District has made initial progress toward financial and academic recovery,” the district’s long-term recovery still needs work. The department said that the receiver is “mid-stream” in many of her current initiatives to meet 2021 Amended Financial Recovery Plan goals.

According to the petition, the district has improved its financial status, developed a K-12 math and English language arts standards-aligned curriculum and has hired several top officials in the district. However, PDE has several items that it wants the district to address before exiting receivership. These include continuing to develop a five-year financial projection and facility utilization plan, improving student PSSA and Keystone Exam scores and making progress with graduation rates and attendance goals.

The extended receivership means that the Harrisburg School Board will remain stripped of most authority, except for its power to vote on the district’s annual taxing proposal.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

June 17, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Owners Bryanna and Anthony Graham of Midtown Juice Lab, which is set to open in Harrisburg next week

After Thursday night’s downpour, it’s looking like warm, sunny days ahead for the weekend. Make sure to celebrate Juneteenth, share some love with your dad on Father’s Day, and catch up on all of the week’s local news, below.

Bob’s Art Blog has lots to share about local art events coming up, including a Broad Street Market sign re-lighting and Metropolis Collective gallery’s anniversary party.

The Broad Street Market will ceremonially re-light its iconic sign on Friday, during 3^rd in the Burg, our online story reported. The sign was refurbished and reinstalled in April, after suffering severe wind damage.

The Capital Area Greenbelt Association held its 2022 Tour de Belt on June 5 and raised $59,425 to support its beautification efforts, our online story reported. Nearly 1,200 people made the 20-mile loop around the Greenbelt.

Cordier Auctions & Appraisals will hold another in a series of auctions of artifacts acquired by long-time Harrisburg Mayor Steve Reed, our reporting found. The auction, featuring many items with ties to the historical American West and the U.S. military, will open next week.

Eniola African Food Store recently opened in Allison Hill in Harrisburg, our online story reported. The shop offers a wide range of African products, something that the city was previously missing, according to owner Eniola Iruaregbon.

Friends of Midtown announced the schedule for its free summer Outdoor Film Series, our online story reported. Throughout the season, animated, action and cult-favorite movies will hit the big screen outside Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg City Council voted to approve the use of about $15.6 million in federal COVID relief dollars, our online story reported. The city will use those funds to finance an HVAC upgrade for its Public Safety Building and for benefits for fire and police bureau employees.

The Harrisburg School District seems likely to remain in receivership, as the Pennsylvania Department of Education has filed a petition for an extension for another three years, our reporting found. If the extension is approved by the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski would remain in the post through mid-2025.

The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra announced that it will offer free concerts during the July 4^th weekend, our online story reported. The tour will travel to five local venues from June 30 to July 4 and conclude at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg.

Immigrant Heritage Month was celebrated in Harrisburg this week as the Dauphin County commissioners recognized several immigrant-owned businesses, our online story reported. Business owners also participated in a roundtable discussion.

The Jewish Federation of Harrisburg is moving into the former Dixon Center with big plans for the space. In our magazine story, read about the organization’s goals for its future and how it hopes to impact central PA.

Jubilee Day returned to Mechanicsburg this week with vendors, music, food and carnival rides. Read more about the significance and history of the day, in our magazine story.

Juneteenth will be celebrated by Harrisburg and Dauphin County on June 18 with food trucks, vendors and music, our online story reported. According to Mayor Wanda Williams, this is the first time the city will hold a festival for the holiday.

Loe Badgett, a Harrisburg rapper, released a new song in partnership with the city to promote anti-gun violence, our online story reported. Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter hopes the song, “Break the Cycle,” will inspire local youth.

The Lofts officially broke ground in the former Salvation Army building at Green and Cumberland streets in Midtown Harrisburg, our online story reported. The project, which is being developed by Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners, will feature 16 apartment units.

Midtown Juice Lab will open in Harrisburg on June 25, offering juices, smoothies and acai bowls, our reporting found. Owners Bryanna and Anthony Graham hope to inspire people to eat healthy.

Sara Bozich has a long list of this weekend’s events, including ways to spend Juneteenth and Father’s Day. Find out what’s happening in the Harrisburg area, here.

Stewed rhubarb with red berries is on the menu for June in Rosemary’s cooking column. Find out how to make the simple dessert, here.

Theatre Harrisburg’s season wraps up with “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” which portrays the family dynamics of three middle-aged, discontented siblings. The show runs through June 19. Read more, in our online story.

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State moves to keep Harrisburg School District in receivership for 3 more years, pending court approval

June 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

The Harrisburg School District Administration Building

The Harrisburg School District seems likely to remain under state receivership for several more years.

The state-appointed receivership period is set to expire this Friday, June 17. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has filed a petition for an extension of the receivership for another three years.

PDE filed the petition with the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas in late May. The court is expected to make a decision by Friday.

According to the document, PDE requests the reappointment of Dr. Lori Suski, the current receiver of the district, to serve until June 17, 2025.

Suski was appointed as the receiver in January, following the departure of Dr. Janet Samuels who served in the role since the beginning of the three-year receivership period in June 2019. The court originally placed the district under state control due to its failure to meet 2016 Financial Recovery Plan goals.

Suski confirmed that she was aware of the filed petition by the Department of Education. No objections to the petition were filed as of Monday.

Dr. Lori Suski, receiver for the Harrisburg School District

The document states that while “the District has made initial progress toward financial and academic recovery,” the district’s long-term recovery still needs work to improve financial health and academics. The department said that the receiver is “mid-stream” in many of her current initiatives to meet goals outlined in the district’s 2021 Amended Financial Recovery Plan.

According to the petition, the district has improved its financial status—PDE noting the proposed 2022-23 balanced budget, with a possible budget surplus. It also outlined the district’s development of a K-12 math and English language arts standards-aligned curriculum and the hiring of several top officials in the district, such as Superintendent Eric Turman.

However, PDE has a number of items that it wants the district to address before exiting receivership. This includes continuing to develop a five-year financial projection and facility utilization plan, improving student PSSA and Keystone Exam scores and making progress with graduation rates and attendance goals, among other objectives.

While under receivership, the Harrisburg School Board is essentially stripped of all authority, except for the power to vote on the district’s annual taxing proposal.

Jim Thompson, a district board director, told TheBurg that he supports the petition of extension for the receivership. According to Thompson, the board isn’t prepared to resume control and needs “professional development” before he feels confident that they can do so.

“I’m completely supportive of the extension,” he said. “The current plan has no specific element to prepare the board for local control.”

Thompson said that he felt confident in Suski’s abilities as the receiver, but would hope to see more student performance goals achieved in the coming years than in the past three.

“In the next three years we will need to really scrutinize what we are doing and if it’s working,” he said.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

June 10, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

District officials ceremoniously broke ground on a project to improve Harrisburg High School-John Harris campus’s Severance Field.

The month of June brings lots of outdoor events and happenings in the Harrisburg area. Read about a few upcoming festivities and catch up on other local news from the week, below.

TheBurg Podcast for June is focused on revitalization. Tune in to hear from several organizations on how they are beautifying and impacting Harrisburg and the state.

Boho Hoarder opened in Paxtonia with a collection of vintage and thrifted items for sale, our online story reported. Owner Rebecca Babish shares her love for second-hand shopping and offers clothing, home décor and accessories, among other items.

Free Shakespeare in the Park returned for its 29^th year, presenting “The Winter’s Tale,” our online story reported. Gamut Theatre and Narcisse Theatre Co. have partnered to bring the annual event to Reservoir Park.

The Harrisburg School District ceremoniously broke ground on a project to replace the turf football field and the track at the Harrisburg High School-John Harris campus’s Severance Field. The project will include the addition of lights to the area, which will allow for use of the field after sunset, our online story reported.

The Harrisburg School District proposed its 2022-23 budget, which includes a 3.36% property tax hike, our reporting found. The $224.2 million budget includes the use of millions of dollars in federal COVID relief funds.

The Historic Harrisburg Association is devoting the entire month of June to commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Agnes and the historic flood that devastated the city in 1972. To find out more about the history, and to hear from those who were impacted, read our magazine story.

The Jackson Lick pool is set to open in Harrisburg this weekend, our online story reported. The city will also offer several summer programs for youth.

Juneteenth is coming up and Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg is ready to celebrate. The organization has several events planned for the week ahead, including its Juneteenth Jubilee. Find out what’s happening, in our magazine story.

A March Against Social Injustice and Gun Violence took place recently at the state Capitol with the goal of bringing awareness to the issue, our online story reported. All You Can Inc. and Be a Man Inc. hosted the march, followed by a panel discussion.

“Memoria” is playing this month at Midtown Cinema. In her column, read why our movie reviewer was disappointed by the “excruciatingly slow-paced” film.

Philadelphia has one of the largest collections of outdoor murals in the country, our magazine story reported. Mural Arts Philadelphia is the organization behind the art—with a tally of over 4,000 projects.

Sara Bozich has plenty of summer events for your weekend. From concerts to craft shows, she’s got it all, right here.

The “Secret Gardens of Historic Harrisburg” Garden Tour will return this weekend, our online story reported. The self-guided tour will take place on June 12, and lead tour-goers to 20 gardens and outdoor spaces in the historic Midtown and Shipoke neighborhoods.

Spotted lanternflies are headed back to Harrisburg, our online story reported. The city is offering free traps and advice on how to eliminate the invasive species.

Summer concerts are headed to Harrisburg for what could be the “best” lineup yet, according to Harrisburg University Presents. Check out what bands will play in the Harrisburg area in the coming months, here.

A Youth Commission will be reinstated in Harrisburg, as the city is currently accepting applications for board members, our online story reported. Selected residents, ages 14 to 18, will advise the city on issues concerning the youth.

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Harrisburg School District breaks ground on new football field, track

June 8, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District officials on Wednesday broke ground on Severance Field.

A major Harrisburg School District construction project is a touchdown in the eyes of staff and students.

On Wednesday, at the Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus’s Severance Field, district officials ceremoniously broke ground on a project to replace the turf football field and the track.

“I’m ecstatic that our students will finally get what they deserve,” said Athletic Director Calvin Everett. “With these new facilities, the best is yet to come.”

Besides the new field and track, the district will add lighting to the stadium. Currently, the stadium has no lighting, which has restricted the use of the field after dark. Other improvements include constructing new field goal posts and soccer goals.

According to Everett, the field was last upgraded about 20 years ago.

The district is funding the $2 million capital project through its reserve funds. Everett said that the field will be ready for use in the fall, though summer practices will need to be relocated.

“We look forward to having everyone return in August to see the finished product,” said district Receiver Lori Suski.

Harrisburg football player Kyle Williams is looking forward to games on the new field for his senior year in the fall. In the past, the team was not able to have Friday night games like most school districts due to its lack of lighting, he said.

“It brings us a lot of joy knowing we will have this,” he said. “I’m really excited about the new field.”

On Monday night at a school board meeting, Turman also announced the return of middle school sports to the district, starting this fall. The district said they may offer football, cheerleading, wrestling, basketball, track and field, volleyball and soccer to students.

According to Turman, the groundbreaking of the Severance Field project is just another initiative of the district to improve programs for students.

“This is just one small step of many that we will do in the coming years to continue to bring pride to our district and city,” he said.

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Harrisburg School District proposes 2022-23 budget, plan includes property tax increase

June 6, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dr. Marcia Stokes, business administrator, presented the proposed 2022-23 budget for the Harrisburg School District on Monday at a school board meeting.

Some area property owners soon may see a tax increase, as the Harrisburg School District has proposed a 3.36% hike for the coming year.

At a board meeting on Monday night, district officials presented the proposed $224.2 million 2022-23 budget, which includes a tax increase for the school portion of the property tax.

The district has proposed increasing the millage rate from 29.78 in 2021-22 to 30.78 in the coming fiscal year. If the increase is approved, taxpayers would pay $30.78 per every $1,000 in assessed property value.

However, Dr. Marcia Stokes, the district’s business administrator, explained that the 5,609 households in Harrisburg that receive the homestead exemption will actually see a decrease in their taxes. Additional property tax relief funds this year will increase the exemption, she said.

According to Stokes, the Recovery Plan for the district calls for an annual tax increase, which would’ve been 5.1% this coming year. The district did not want to recommend that great of a hike, Stokes said, but did need some increase for the operations of the district.

“We do look beyond just the one budget when it comes to tax increases because they do have a lasting impact,” she said. “Every year that you don’t increase taxes, you can never recover that revenue.”

The school board will need to approve the proposed tax hike, which is virtually the only power that the board has left since the district entered into state receivership in 2019. That vote is expected to occur before the end of the month.

Overall, the district proposed a $224.2 million balanced budget that includes the use of millions of federal COVID-19 relief dollars.

According to Stokes, this year’s proposed budget is much higher than last year’s $184.8 million budget due to the influx of about $50 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding.

The proposed budget includes normal expenditures such as regular instruction, special instruction and staffing costs. However, this year, it also includes special projects such as the renovation of the district’s Steele Elementary School, which they plan to reopen, and the replacement of HVAC systems across schools. Both would utilize ESSER funds.

“I’m so happy that we will be able to move forward with the project at Steele Elementary,” Superintendent Eric Turman said.

Additional ESSER dollars would support upgrades to district playground equipment, furniture, restrooms and fitness equipment, among other items.

Receiver Dr. Lori Suski is expected to make a decision on the adoption of the proposed budget at a June 27 board meeting.

In other news, Turman announced that the district plans to reinstate after-school sports to its middle schools in the coming year. The district is considering football, cheerleading, wrestling, basketball, track and field, volleyball and soccer as potential activities for students.

To view the Harrisburg School District’s 2022-23 proposed budget, click here.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

April 22, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Harrisburg School District to keep 5th grade students at elementary level for upcoming school year

April 18, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Superintendent Eric Turman speaks at Monday’s school board meeting.

The Harrisburg School District is making a significant change for the next school year.

At a school board meeting on Monday, district officials announced a plan to move fifth-grade students from its middle schools back to the elementary level.

“The data is showing that the 5^th grade being at the mid-level is problematic,” district Superintendent Eric Turman said.

According to Turman, the move has been under discussion since the fall, after the district noticed negative declines from 4^th to 5^th grade in academic and behavioral data.

Turman cited that, under the current model, when students move to 5^th grade, the district has seen decreased attendance, increased suspensions and decreased academic improvement.

The district believes that keeping fifth-grade students in elementary schools will provide a better structure and environment for students, while also fitting better with the current curriculum. Turman said that this also will benefit the “jam packed” middle schools by decreasing the overall student population in those buildings.

In a recent survey issued by the district, a majority, 72%, of teachers and parents who responded believed that the transition would be beneficial.

Turman said that elementary students moving into 5^th grade will remain in the same elementary school that they were previously in.

Additionally, kindergarten will be added to Cougar Academy.

The new school grade configuration will affect the following schools and will be as follows:

Ben Franklin Elementary School, grades K-5
Scott Elementary School, grades K-5
Melrose Elementary School, grades K-5
Foose Elementary School, grades K-5
Downey Elementary School, grades K-5
Rowland Academy Middle School, grades 6-8
Camp Curtin Middle School, grades 6-8
Cougar Academy, grades K-12

Turman explained that all of the district’s elementary schools have enough space to accommodate the additional grade. Many of the schools have several unused classrooms that will be utilized, he said.

At Monday’s meeting, district Receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved the plan. It will go into effect in the coming school year.

According to the district, further communication on the plan will be sent to parents beginning on Tuesday.

“We are very excited about the opportunity,” Turman said. “This was well thought out.”

In other news, Suski also approved the hiring of Heidi Zula as the district’s new director of human resources. Her salary will be $125,000.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

March 25, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

A Verizon 5G pole in front of the Susquehanna Art Museum became a work of art, this week.

This week brought lots of stories on new businesses, projects and even unique new art installations. For any of these that you might have missed, all of our coverage is linked, below.

Glitz Soap Co. in Mechanicsburg offers an abundance of unique, handmade vegan products ranging from soap and shampoo bars to soothing lotions. In our magazine story, read about how owner Alicia Miller transformed a hobby into a successful business.

Halotherapy, or salt therapy, allows you to immerse your body in salt and fill your lungs with concentrated salty air to harness its curative properties. In our magazine story, find information about salt rooms in the area.

Harrisburg Academy held a fundraiser to support Ukrainian refugees, our online story reported. They also plan to offer scholarships to any displaced Ukrainian students that may arrive in the area.

Harrisburg City Council has two new members this year as Jocelyn Rawls and Ralph Rodriguez were elected to serve. Our magazine story introduces readers to the new officials and shares their backgrounds, interests and hopes for the city.

The Harrisburg School District held its first in-person board meeting in two years, since the pandemic began, our online story reported. At the meeting, officials discussed staffing shortages and recent violence.

Harrisburg University announced an official opening date for its new academic building in downtown Harrisburg, our reporting found. HU President Eric Darr said that he expects the 11-story building at S. 3^rd and Chestnut streets to debut for the university’s spring 2023 semester.

Jeff Nichols noticed that the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg was looking for a new CEO and saw it as a chance to return to his passion for history, our magazine story reported. In his new position, Nichols has been working to rebuild the museum’s attendance, which dropped during the pandemic.

Jennie Jenkins-Dallas announced her candidacy as a Republican for the 103^rd legislative district, our online story reported. Last year, Jenkins ran unsuccessfully for City Council as a Democrat and previously ran unsuccessfully for mayor.

In Mechanicsburg, a $5.3 million, three-phase revitalization plan is set to begin on March 26, our online story reported. A vacant building at 1 W. Main St. will be demolished to make way for a town park—honoring the town founder’s original vision.

The Millworks received zoning approval to move its brewery operations into a brick building at the rear of the restaurant, directly across Sayford Street, our online story reported. With the extra space in the Millworks restaurant, owner Joshua Kesler plans to expand the dining area.

A mobile barbershop will visit Harrisburg neighborhoods with resident Anthony Pierce-Rodriguez offering free haircuts, our reporting found. He plans to use the mobile shop as a way to build relationships with community members and share his story to encourage others.

Rob Mort of Harrisburg, is a caring, mild-mannered van driver for Boyo Transportation Services by day. By night, he is “Rob Noxious,” an aggressive, loud-mouthed professional wrestler, who now is a fan favorite. Read about the two faces of Mort, in our magazine story.

Sara Bozich has lots of fun ways for you to spend your weekend in central PA. Find them, here.

The Susquehanna Art Museum partnered with Verizon to transform a large 5G pole by the museum into a work of art, our online story reported. The bright, colorful design was created by local artist Stephen Michael Haas.

Trader Joe’s is set to open at a new location in Mechanicsburg next week, our online story reported. The grocery store will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and officially open for shopping on March 31.

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