Linglestown Gazette

03/15/2026

Op-Ed – This situation with the stormwater bill just doesn’t sit right

By Anthony Cristillo

Let me bring up something again that I think is a real problem in Lower Paxton Township.

There’s a stormwater bill tied to the Harrisburg Police Athletic League (PAL) property. At one point it was over $10,000. From what I understand, it’s now just under $5,000.

The nonprofit that runs that property is led by Charles Stuart – who is now a Lower Paxton Township supervisor.

First off, the PAL does a lot of good things for kids. Nobody is arguing that. Programs like that help the community.

But here’s the issue.

How does it look when a sitting township supervisor is connected to a nonprofit that owes thousands of dollars to a township authority?

To me, that’s a bad look. Plain and simple.

Before he was elected, Stuart spoke at a public meeting and said he wasn’t planning to pay that bill. That’s on the record in the meeting minutes.

Maybe he thinks the charge is wrong. Maybe he believes the township authority messed up. If that’s the case, then fight it in court and get it settled. But with that said, Stuart going to court opens up several ethical, political, and public trust issues that come into play.

But leaving a bill hanging out there while you’re serving as a township supervisor just doesn’t pass the smell test.

If the bill is legit, it should be paid.

If it isn’t legit, then challenge it and get it resolved.

Residents shouldn’t have to wonder whether the rules apply to everyone the same way.

That’s my opinion.

What do you think?
____
Anthony Cristillo, a Colonial Park resident and a Gazette donor, has raised questions about the Harrisburg Police Athletic League stormwater bill at recent Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors meetings.

Disclaimer: Gazette readers and followers are not required to be a donor to submit news items or op-eds for publication.

03/15/2026

CD Rams boys basketball has been grabbing attention and headlines in recent weeks, but here's another CD team that brought home a big win. (Hat tip to Miguelito Tirado II for submitting this post.)

03/15/2026

A busy day is shaping up at Colonial Park Mall on March 21.

A vendor event planned for Saturday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to about 8 p.m. will bring more than 30 small businesses together at the mall. Organizers say shoppers can expect a mix of vendors featuring handmade items, crafts, soaps, candles, food-related products, woodworking, and more.

The event will be set up in the wing toward the former Bon-Ton area. Other activity is also expected at the mall that day, which could help draw added foot traffic. It is another example of efforts to bring community activity and small-business energy into a familiar local gathering place.

Question: Do you still enjoy spending time at Colonial Park Mall?

03/15/2026

From the title sponsor of Linglestown Gazette LIVE podcast, Mondays at 7 p.m. on Facebook and YouTube, featuring host Bill Bostic and sidekick Anthony Cristillo ...

Share with your friends and family. This offer won’t last long. If you’re looking to make your home address a destination now is your chance. Call 223-240-1622 and get scheduled for a free estimate.

*applies to certain time periods of 2027 season - cannot be combined with any other offers*

03/15/2026

Great restaurant along Jonestown Road needs a few helping hands...

Join Our Team at Gabriella’s Italian Restaurant!

We are currently looking for Bartenders and Servers who are passionate about hospitality and great service.

If you enjoy working with people and being part of a great team, we would love to hear from you.

Swing by the restaurant to fill out an application and give us a call at (717)540-0040 if you have any questions. We look forward to meeting you!

03/15/2026

Linglestown American Legion Post 272 serves our community in ways that go beyond helping veterans, including sponsoring a baseball team for older teenagers.

Post 272 also gives local students an opportunity to participate in the annual American Legion Department of Pennsylvania State Oratorical Contest, which is an annual competition for Pennsylvania high school students (grades 9-12) to deliver speeches on the U.S. Constitution. Winners earn scholarships and advance to the national competition, aimed at promoting civic knowledge and leadership.

Cingratulations to the State Oratorical Finalists. Job well done.

03/14/2026

🏀 STATE SEMIFINAL BOUND!

The Central Dauphin Rams boys basketball team is headed to the PIAA Class 6A semifinal round after defeating the New Castle Red Hurricanes, 54–43, Saturday evening in Johnstown.

The Rams controlled the game down the stretch to secure the state tournament victory and keep their championship run alive.

Central Dauphin advances to its first state semifinal since 2012 and will face Upper St. Clair, a team from the Pittsburgh region, on Tuesday. The game’s time and location will be announced later.

📖 Read the full game report from PennLive:
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2026/03/lockdown-fourth-bench-heroics-lead-central-dauphin-past-new-castle-to-first-state-semifinal-since-2012.html?gift=0482d945-b501-421e-ba5a-39fb6bef8b90

🏀 Rams fans: Are you planning to attend Tuesday’s semifinal? Let us know in the comments and show your support for Central Dauphin!

03/14/2026

GAZETTE EXPANSION PLANNED – Linglestown Gazette has been publishing local news about Lower Paxton Township and the Central Dauphin School District area on and off since 2006.

The fourth — and likely final — version of the Gazette launched in early 2025 with a goal of working with volunteer watchdogs to expand coverage to all seven municipalities in the school district.

Next up: West Hanover Township, which has experienced significant suburban growth over the past decade — with more development on the way.

Do you, or someone you know, keep tabs on West Hanover Township government? If so, please contact the Gazette. We’re looking for community watchdogs to help keep residents informed.

Your Community. Your News.

03/14/2026

Local businesses can tell their story for free through Linglestown Gazette LIVE.

This week’s podcast included another Business Spotlight segment, which gives local business owners a chance to talk about what they do, share upcoming events, and connect with the community. The goal is simple: help residents learn more about the people and businesses that help make this area run.

From shops and services to events and special projects, the spotlight shines a light on local activity in a straightforward way. It is one more way the Gazette is working to build community connections through useful local information.

Question: What local business would you like to see featured in a future spotlight?

03/14/2026

At Road to Emmaus Church in the village of Linglestown, it's our honor to gather on Sunday mornings for worship at 10:15 a.m. There will be a variety of music, prayer, Bible readings, and a message.

This Sunday, we will be looking at Mark 5, where Jesus heals the daughter of a devoted dad and the sick woman. What does it mean that Jesus heals today?

We do hope that you might join us in person, and we have a live stream available here: https://youtube.com/live/b6fq8Gyuvbk.

Pause for Lent. Taking Lent seriously requires courage and commitment. An opportunity for such effort can be found in our midweek Lenten gatherings. Join us on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. and each Wednesday through Lent.

03/13/2026

GOVERNMENT UPDATE BEYOND CD SCHOOL DISTRICT — Longtime Lower Paxton–based activist Eric Epstein has posted an update on recent actions involving officials from Dauphin County, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the City of Harrisburg, and several state agencies.

The Linglestown Gazette has begun monitoring the RocktheCapital website and social media pages for developments that may impact communities within the Gazette’s coverage area. Epstein founded Rock the Capital and leads the government watchdog group.

Have you followed any of Rock the Capital’s work over the years?

03/13/2026

Did you know there once was a beautiful mountainside golf course just north of Lower Paxton Township in the Fishing Creek Valley?

The course was BLUE MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB, which opened in 1960. In its later years, before closing in 2013, the course operated under the name FELICITA.

The photos below show one of the course’s memorable holes – it was probably hole #15. From the tee, golfers hit down a steep slope, across a pond, and onto the green (the flag is in the center of the top photo). The bottom image shows what the same hole looks like today, taken from near the tee box.

If you played Blue Mountain Golf Club / Felicita, what were your favorite — or least favorite — holes, and why? ⛳