Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How new Harrisburg-led overdose and mental health plans could help you
Also check out Beers & Business at The Ball Park on the Harrisburg Patch calendar
What's up Harrisburg! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How new Harrisburg-led overdose and mental health plans could help you
- How Harrisburg's delay on felony murder sentences leaves hundreds in limbo
- Why unpaid tolls and big debt could keep Turnpike costs climbing
Also on today's calendar: House of Heavy and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a snowman that is having a temper tantrum? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Monday: Humid with a shower or two, with a high of 87 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 86, low: 64.
- Wednesday: Sunshine mixing with clouds, with a high of 86 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Pa. overdose prevention network expands to 100 partner organizations (ems1.com) — From Harrisburg, state officials report Pennsylvania's overdose prevention network has grown to 100 partners distributing free naloxone and test strips, contributing to a nearly 30% drop in overdose deaths. The Shapiro administration also unveiled a sweeping behavioral health action plan to fix fragmented care, workforce shortages, and service gaps statewide. These changes shape how Harrisburg‑area residents can access addiction and mental health support. 
2. Pennsylvania ended automatic life sentences for felony murder. Here's what happens next. (inquirer.com) — State lawmakers in Harrisburg have missed a key deadline to replace Pennsylvania's now-unconstitutional automatic life sentences for felony murder, leaving judges without clear guidance and more than 1,000 people in legal limbo. Courts, public defenders, and victims' families now face uncertainty as resentencing petitions mount and competing House and Senate proposals remain far apart. Expect more debate in Harrisburg this fall.
3. Turnpike Audit Flags $229 Million in Unpaid Tolls (mychesco.com) — From Harrisburg, state auditors report the Pennsylvania Turnpike still faces $229 million in unpaid tolls and a heavy long-term debt load, even after some financial improvements since 2022. The audit urges tougher collection efforts, new payment options, and possible legislative action to ease obligations that are expected to keep tolls rising for decades. Harrisburg-area drivers using the Turnpike will feel the impact of these ongoing financial pressures.
4. Harrisburg Store Operators, 58 SNAP Recipients Charged in $61K Fraud Scheme (townhall.com) — State and Dauphin County officials have charged two Harrisburg store operators and 58 SNAP recipients in an alleged $61,000 public benefits fraud scheme tied to a North 6th Street grocery. Investigators say the operators used rogue EBT terminals and recipients' cards to buy store stock and exchange benefits for cash. Defendants face potential jail time, restitution, fines, and SNAP disqualification if convicted.
📸 Around Harrisburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisburg
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Beers & Business at The Ball Park →
Harrisburg Senators, 1 Championship Way, Harrisburg
5:00 pm
Thursday August 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Borough Caucus Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:30 pm - Stormwater Authority Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:30 pm - Penbrook Revitalization Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:00 pm - House of Heavy →
Capital City Music Hall - Lower Level 234 N 2nd St Harrisburg, PA 17101
8:00 pm - Cowboy Mouth →
XL Live, 801 S 10th St, Harrisburg
8:00 pm - Keyshia Cole →
Riverfront Park, 200 S Front St, Harrisburg
8:00 pm - SilverSneakers® Classes at Juniper Village at Mount Joy →
Juniper Village at Mount Joy, 607 Hearthstone Ln, Mount Joy
11:00 am
Monday August 17
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Saturday August 22
Saturday August 29
Thursday September 3
📣 Harrisburg Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- HS - Freshman Orientation
Susquehanna Township SD Harrisburg, PA 17109
5:00 pm - Borough Caucus Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:30 pm - School Board Regular Meeting
Susquehanna Township SD STSD Admin Building
7:00 pm - New Teacher Orientation
Susquehanna Township SD STHS Library
Monday August 17
Tuesday August 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Harrisburg PatchAM possible:
- Creative Building Concepts — (717) 563-6248
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Just saw my Grandson Chase in a Harrisburg Theater production of Legally Blonde Jr.
The cast was exceptional .., 3 sold out performances (Nextdoor Progress Ave) - We just returned from Mr.
Tomato Man with quite a bounty! He has just restocked watermelon, cantaloupe, peppers, hot peppers, beautiful corn, jalapenos, cucumbers, zucchini,… (Nextdoor Beaufort)
- PM Hotel Group posted a job opening for Hotel Night Auditor | Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg. Apply here.
- David's Bridal, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Alterations Specialist in Harrisburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisburg here.
Ok Harrisburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A meltdown ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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