Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 17th of December.
Good morning, Harrisburg.
🏘️ Community
Fulton Forward Foundation, funded by Fulton Bank, is awarding $20,000 each to local nonprofits—HDC Mid Atlantic in Lancaster, Community Progress Council in York, and York Habitat for Humanity—to boost community resilience as part of a $480,000 grant package across the region.
💼 Business
The Pennsylvania Lottery confirmed three Powerball tickets sold in Lehigh, Wayne, and Dauphin counties won a prize boosted to $200,000 by a Power Play multiplier drawn for the Dec.
15 drawing — retailers including Whitehall Mini-Mart, Weis Markets, and Rutter’s received a $500 bonus for each winning ticket.
A new Sheetz opens Thursday, Dec.
18 at 8 a.m. at 4415 Carlisle Pike in Camp Hill. Opening events starting at 9 a.m. include free self-serve coffee and soda, a $2,500 gift card giveaway, plus $2,500 donations to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (and Special Olympics of Pennsylvania).
🎓 Education
Mackenzie Maley '26, a senior in Environmental Science & Sustainability at Harrisburg University (HU), presented her oysters in space research at the ASGSR Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on Dec.
16. The initiative explores a closed-loop aquaculture system designed for long-duration space missions.
Dickinson College in Carlisle announced it will offer free tuition to domestic students from families earning up to $125K per year for the incoming class of 2030 — an expansion of last spring’s Dickinson Promise that replaced loans with grants.
Penn State will waive tuition surcharges and student fees for campuses closing after spring 2027, including York and Mont Alto, starting spring 2026, as students with a GPA of 2.0 or higher may register for up to 24 credits on Jan.
12 and save $315 per semester for the 2026-27 school year.
PSECU is developing a virtual Financial Reality Fair to offer free financial education workshops and expand partnerships with local schools and nonprofits.
The credit union aims to equip members with essential budgeting and saving skills.
🏛️ Government
Governor Josh Shapiro expressed frustration with delays to the Broad Street Market reconstruction during his speech at the Harrisburg Fire Bureau on Tuesday.
He said local leaders must act quickly while capital resources are being allocated, with the project now scheduled for completion by May 2027.
On Tuesday, TSA officials visited Harrisburg International Airport + HIA to remind passengers of holiday travel tips as the busy season runs Dec.
20 to Jan. 3. They announced that REAL ID alternatives will be available starting in Feb. 2026.
The TSA reminded travelers (at Harrisburg International Airport) to follow proper travel etiquette ahead of busier holiday weeks.
The agency shared tips to help ensure smooth security and baggage processing during the busy season.
🏥 Health
Penn State Health appointed John Goodyear as regional chief operating officer and Tara Gardner as chief nursing officer for its West Shore locations.
Goodyear will oversee day-to-day operations at Hampden Medical Center in Enola + Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill, while Gardner will guide nursing teams.
🎉 Harrisburg Events
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Holiday Variety Show
The Strawberry Square Music Series Holiday Variety Show is a free event featuring an all-local lineup of music, theatre, comedy, dance, and magic, plus festive vendors and holiday gift wrapping. Happening Friday, Dec. 19 from 6–9 PM at the UPMC Stage in Strawberry Square, the event also includes a community coat drive supporting Coats in the Cart.
Holiday Variety Show
The Strawberry Square Music Series Holiday Variety Show is a free event featuring an all-local lineup of music, theatre, comedy, dance, and magic, plus festive vendors and holiday gift wrapping. Happening Friday, Dec. 19 from 6–9 PM at the UPMC Stage in Strawberry Square, the event also includes a community coat drive supporting Coats in the Cart.
National Christmas Center Train Ride
5-8 p.m. — Stone Gables Estate — Check website for pricing — Experience a festive train ride featuring the Snow Princess and Queen in a winter wonderland setting.
New Year's Eve Celebration
3-8:30 p.m. — Hershey's Chocolate World — Free entry with pre-registration — Celebrate with a DJ and HERSHEY'S Characters at a festive countdown.
🏠 Harrisburg Real Estate
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