Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Is Harrisburg’s tax break costing schools millions in lost classroom funding?

Also check out Tiny Park Concert: RalphReal & The Family Jam on the Harrisburg Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday September 11th Patch AM
Friday September 11th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi there, Harrisburg! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Is Harrisburg's tax break costing schools millions in lost classroom funding?
  • How new student ID badges will change daily life in Harrisburg schools
  • Harrisburg and Steelton remember beloved coach and principal Jim Deibler.

Also on today's calendar: Gimme Gimme Disco and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Clouds, then sun; less humid, with a high of 82 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Saturday: Not as warm but humid, temps: high: 74, low: 68.
  • Sunday: Humid; a morning thunderstorm, with a high of 85 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Official provides a closer look at the Harrisburg School District's issues with city tax abatement program (theburgnews.com) — Harrisburg school leaders say the city's LERTA tax abatement is costing the district about $278,000 a year and an estimated $2.7 million over a decade, money they argue could fund dozens of teachers. As city, county, and school officials renegotiate the program, they're weighing lost revenue, added students in LERTA housing, and whether generous abatements still make sense for Harrisburg's future.
   

2. Harrisburg schools to implement student ID badge system for security, operations (theburgnews.com) — Harrisburg School District is rolling out mandatory student ID badges for grades 3–12 this week, with younger students getting them in early November, to tighten security and streamline daily operations. Students will use the badges for bus boarding, meals, library checkouts, activity entry, and discipline tracking, so families should expect new routines and keep an eye on district guidance.
   

3. Jim Deibler, inspirational football coach, teacher and administrator, dies (pennlive.com) — Harrisburg and Steelton are mourning James R. "Jim" Deibler Jr., the longtime coach, principal and mentor who shaped generations of local students and athletes and recently entered the Harrisburg School District Athletic Hall of Fame. The 84-year-old former Steelton-Highspire principal and Harrisburg head football coach is remembered for his emphasis on work ethic, leadership and service, with visitation planned Wednesday in Oberlin.
   

4. Harrisburg judge says ex hit him. She says he choked her (pennlive.com) — A Harrisburg magisterial district judge and his ex-partner now have temporary protection-from-abuse orders against each other after a confrontation at his Harrisburg home led to conflicting allegations of assault. A York County senior judge, brought in to avoid conflicts, granted the orders while Harrisburg police continue their investigation and the Dauphin County district attorney seeks an outside agency to review the case.
   

5. Actor, comedian Patrick Warburton coming to central Pennsylvania (abc27.com) — Patrick Warburton is scheduled to bring two shows to the Harrisburg Comedy Zone on Sunday, January 24, 2027, giving local fans plenty of time to plan a night out. Tickets for the early show are already limited to preferred seating, while the later show still offers general admission, preferred seats, and a meet-and-greet option for central Pennsylvania comedy lovers.
   

📸 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 ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

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:

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

  • i just tried a mimosa today.
    tasted strong but i loved it. any other sweet alcoholic drinks you recommend i try ? (Nextdoor 7th Street Gateway)
  • today was such an amazing day for me and i'm so happy a lot of things went in my favor 🥹
    anyways, does anyone happen to know anywhere that is hiring? except waitressing/cleaning. please and thank you!! (Nextdoor 7th Street Gateway)
  • Kid to Kid posted a job opening for Uptown Cheapskate Harrisburg Store Manager in Harrisburg. Apply here.
  • TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Kitchen Utility Worker - Manor At Oakridge 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: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Harrisburg