Good morning, Harrisburg.

In Dauphin County, Jo Garvin leads a group that has crafted over 800 quilts since 2017 to honor veterans and service members at monthly meetings held at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 542 in Harrisburg.

The project provides veterans with tangible gratitude (a sign of community support).

For-profit thrift operator Savers opened its seventh central Pa store on Oct.

1 at Manor Shopping Center in Lancaster Township (1262 Millersville Pike) where shoppers find pre-owned clothing and household items while the chain donates $5,000 to support combat-wounded veterans.

This fall, many central Pennsylvania farmers markets are struggling to offer fresh apples after an April freeze wiped out much of the crop, forcing sellers to raise prices (half bushels went from $22 to $28) as they rely on out-of-area growers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced $10 million in recovery grants to help affected growers.

UGI reached a settlement with the Public Utility Commission that allows a 3.5% natural gas rate increase raising bills from $113.76 to $117.69 starting today—another increase to $120.21 will take effect in Oct.

2027 as the company also must improve services for low income customers.

A report from DCED released Thursday showed Pennsylvania's tourism industry grew by $6.4B since Governor Shapiro was appointed in 2023, adding 13,427 jobs and welcoming 206.2 million visitors — it also earned three national awards along with new state marketing funds.

The state Department of Human Services announced that starting Oct.

1 SNAP recipients will get higher benefits as food costs and inflation are adjusted. Most households will see an average increase of $18 with the minimum monthly benefit rising from $24 to $25.

Archery deer season opens Oct.

3 with new Game Commission rules requiring fluorescent orange gear for non-hunters and safe disposal of high-risk deer parts to curb disease spread. The season runs through Nov. 20 with Sunday hunts now allowed to encourage new participation.

A foundation planning a $3.8 million veteran housing and workforce development project at 1321 North Cameron Street said its mercantile license was denied due to residential zoning restrictions, with city staff demanding construction-level designs before zoning relief—a barrier the group argues contradicts state housing plans and local procedures.

Drivers near the I-81 and Route 22 interchange in Susquehanna Township and the City of Harrisburg will face restricted shoulder work as PennDOT inspects a bridge on the westbound Route 22 ramp to southbound I-81 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Friday (weather permitting).

Paxton Street in Harrisburg is closed today from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for utility work on the westbound lanes under I83 between 13th and 17th streets (the final scheduled day), and drivers should follow work zone signs.

A new CDC report (covering cases from 2020 to 2024) shows that nearly 73% of sudden unexpected infant deaths involved unsafe sleep factors, prompting Harrisburg caregivers to follow safe sleep practices by placing babies on backs in a crib or bassinet with a firm sleep surface free of soft bedding.