As released by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police:Type of Incident: Abduction and sexual assault .

Date / Time: 12-04-2012 at about 1600 hrs. . Location: 1800 block of Chestnut St. . Investigating Officer: Det. Rodney Shoeman . Victim R/S/A: Black female, 15, Allison Hill resident .

Suspect: Hispanic male with a long braid in his hair and wearing a black mask and black hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up. . Black male – no other features noted. . Charges: Pending .

Narrative: On the night of 12-04-2012. a patrol officer was dispatched to handle a report of an abduction and sexual assault. The officer gathered information from the girl’s mother and evidence from the emergency room of the Harrisburg Hospital. . Reportedly, the girl was walking to the home of a relative. A man driving a dark gray large SUV slowed as he drove by and then stopped. The driver, a Hispanic man wearing a mask and hooded sweatshirt, got out and grabbed the girl. He forced her into the back seat of the car as the other man, a black male, drove off. The Hispanic male tore the girl’s clothing off and sexually assaulted her. Somehow the girl was able to get away and went for help. . The information is a bit limited for now. The girl will be interviewed by a child abuse specialist and more information is expected to follow. .

The investigation continues and anyone having any information on this is asked to contact Det. Rodney Shoeman at 717-255- 3182 or email HYPERLINK "mailto:rshoeman@cityofhbg.com" rshoeman@cityofhbg.com or Cpl. Todd Abromitis at 717-255-3115 or email HYPERLINK "mailto:tabromitis@cityofhbg.com" tabromitis@cityofhbg.com. . Anyone may also call the Dauphin County Police dispatch at 717-558-6900 and ask for a City detective.

During the 2012-2013 Mid Year Budget briefing, Secretary of Budget Charles Zogby declared, "Potentially furloughs & layoffs may be the outcome" of Commonwealth of PA agencies developing their budgets with a directive to reduce spending by 7-8%.

Photo by Natalie Cake

As released by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police:

Type of Incident: Robbery – home invasion Date / Time: 12-04-2012 at about 2020 hrs. Location: 1600 block of Paxton St. Investigating Officer: Sgt. Thomas Carter

Victim" Black female, 45, and her children ages 13 and 07.

Suspect: Three black males, 20’s, about 5’4” to 5’7” tall, medium build, and all wearing black clothing, gloves and blue bandanas covering their faces. Charges: Pending

Narrative:

On night 12-04-2012. patrol officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1600 block of Paxton St. on a report of a home invasion robbery. The victim said that her 13 year old daughter answered a knock at their back door at about 2020 hrs. Three masked robbers forced their way into the home. Each robber brandished a handgun. The robbers demanded money. They searched through the victim’s residence, taking cash, a handgun and the victim’s purse. No one was harmed.

The investigation continues and anyone having any information on this is asked to contact Sgt. Thomas Carter at 717-255-6586 or email tccarter@cityofhbg.com

Anyone may also call the Dauphin County Police dispatch at 717-558-6900 and ask for a City detective.

With a vacant Harrisburg City Council seat needing to be filled because of Councilor Patty Kim's election to the PA House, on December 3rd City Council called thirty-two applicants to City Council Chambers to introduce themselves in two minute presentations. After the presentations, each City Councilor nominated one candidate from the applicants in a secret ballot process.

Once the six nominees were decided, City Council interviewed them individually, asking each nominee a series of questions relating to City Council duties and responsibilities, legislation, and knowledge of the City's current situation.

A vote will take place on December 11th to decide who will fill the vacant seat. Once the appointment is decided, the new Councilor will be sworn in that very evening.

Here are the videos of the interviews of the six nominees:

Latasha Frye, school-based coordinator at Big Brothers, Big Sisters: "I'm definitely a team player."

Floyd Stokes, Executive Director at the American Literacy Group: "I'm really optimistic about Harrisburg."

Joseph Solomon, former City of Harrisburg District Judge: "I think I could bring those same talents here to the City of Harrisburg."

Michael Parker, former Community Policing Coordinator for the City of Harrisburg: "My love of the City."

Bruce Weber, fiscal analyst for Department of Revenue, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: "I feel this is a unique time for the City."

Julie Bancroft, chapter founder, SheSays Central PA: "We need to strive to keep people in the City."

by Tara Leo Auchey

photo by Natalie Cake