Sheriff Arrests 22 Deadbeat Parents
In the first three weeks of enforcing arrest warrants, Dauphin County Sheriff Jack Lotwick sent nearly two dozen people to prison for delinquent child support. Since June 11, Lotwick and Dauphin County Domestic Relations Director Rita Frealing-Shultz have made an effort to clear the county books of nearly $12 million in delinquent payments. The 22 individuals arrested in just the first three weeks owe a combined $303,585; six additional offenders who are currently incarcerated were also located, owing a combined $104,784.

“The county has thousands of dads who aren’t man enough to live up to their financial obligations,” said Lotwick. “More than 1,200 parents — including many mothers — have failed to pay child support. In some cases, these parents have even fled the state.”

Three deputies who were part of the fugitive taskforce with the U.S. Marshals are working with Domestic Relations enforcement officers to track down the delinquent parents; there are also 64 other deputies on duty. Lotwick is also enlisting the help of federal agencies to retrieve deadbeat parents who have left the state.

A listing of the top 10 child support offenders will be posted on the county’s website at dauphincounty.org.

Brown Adds Another Restaurant to the Row
Fire House Restaurant owner Donny Brown has cut the ribbon on his newest establishment. Fisaga — which is named after a mythological South Pacific diety and means “gentle breeze” — is located at 201 North Second Street, in the heart of what has come to be known as downtown Harrisburg’s Restaurant Row.

A modern establishment, Fisaga is the first of its kind in the downtown, with a unique open-air atmosphere created with large garage-style and remote control screen doors. Those doors will be opened in warmer months, allowing diners to eat indoors with an outdoor feel.

Brown and his wife Tina were also operators of Zephyr’s Express Restaurant, which the couple recently closed when their lease for the building expired. As such, Fisaga’s menu will be much like the popular Zephyr’s menu, featuring contemporary American cuisine including pastas, salads, sandwiches, and their specialty California pizzas.

“This is a terrific addition to downtown’s growing Restaurant Row District,” said Mayor Stephen R. Reed. “Donny and Tina Brown’s extensive experience in the dining and entertainment fields, coupled with a very strategic location in the heart of downtown, are a sure recipe for success and future growth. We are delighted to welcome Fisaga to Harrisburg and extend our grateful appreciation for the Browns’ continued investment in Harrisburg.”

At 3,500 square feet, Fisaga will seat 125 diners indoors and 50 diners outdoors and will employ 45 full and part-time workers. Fisaga will be open daily from 11 a.m.-2 a.m., including Sundays.

Steelton Mayor Honors Five Public Servants
Steelton Mayor George Hartwick, III recently issued commendations to three firefighters and two police officers for their acts of bravery during a recent house fire in the borough.

Seven individuals were at home at the time of the early morning fire and the five honored individuals were critical in ensuring their safe rescue, according to the Mayor.

“Police officers Robert Gaither and Scott Spangler immediately arrived on the scene along with Steelton Fire Chief Eugene Vance, III and immediately began to evacuate the occupants.” When word spread that an individual still remained trapped inside, Vance, Highspire Fire Chief John Peskie and Assistant Fire Chief Roy Slusser returned to the home and rescued the remaining individual, saving his life.

“Thanks to the courageous heroism of these individuals, a man’s life was saved and he only suffered smoke exposure,” said Hartwick. “These men are to be commended for their efforts. They risked their lives to save another individual’s life and we are very proud of them.”

Continued Hartwick, “It is because of individuals such as these in all of our police and local volunteer fire departments that we can sleep soundly at night, knowing that they will be there in our time of need.”

City Traffic Study Begins in Harrisburg
Mayor Stephen R. Reed has announced that the City of Harrisburg is undertaking a major study of motorists’ travel plans in efforts to determine how roadways in the South Harrisburg area should be redesigned. Select roadways in the city will be temporarily targeted for the survey effort, which will continue through August 1.

Conducted by Trans Associates Engineering Consultants, Inc., the confidential survey involves the distribution of self-mailing postcards to passing motorists. Participating motorists will be eligible for a special drawing of a $50 U.S. Savings Bond via the serial number listed on the postcard they return. Winners will be notified through the Patriot-News’ classified advertisements after August 1.

Reed said the survey effort is a prelude to the city’s planned expansion of South Third Street to connect to Paxton Street and provide an additional ingress and egress point into and from Center City. The survey will help planners determine the volume of traffic to be expected and other travel patterns.

“This survey is an important part of our overall traffic management planning efforts,” said Reed, “and we encourage everyone to cooperate by sending back their completed survey cards.” The eight-question survey cards address generic topics, such as motorists’ stopping and starting points, parking locations, etc.

Targeted survey roads include the eastbound lanes of the Harvey Taylor Bridge; Paxton Street, east of South Second and Second Street Ramp of I-83; and the Mulberry Street Bridge, east of Chestnut Street.