The Spark

Fireworks can be a trauma reminder for those whose served in combat, went through a fire, explosion or gun violence. Sam Peterson is a mental health patient-turned program founder at Altior Healthcare. Sam has founded both out-patient and in-patient treatment programs for veterans and first responders to receive more and effect treatment for mental health.

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The coronavirus pandemic not only changed everyday learning for high school students, but higher learning education expectations. Grace Halsey was a senior in high school when the COVID19 pandemic struck in 2020. Dr. Carrie Sipes is the Communications, Journalism, and Media Department head and professor at Shippensburg University. Piper Hull graduated from Shippensburg University in May of 2024.

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Tec Centro in Lancaster offers many workforce programs in Central Pennsylvania. It was founded in 2014 through the Spanish American Civic Association. Tec Centro also helps formally incarcerated individuals to reenter into the workforce. 

Reinaldo “Ray” Rivera is the Associate Director at Tec Centro. 

Frank Bailey completed the Electromechanical program offered at Tec Centro. Before attending the program, he spent 7.5 years in state prison, and wanted a fresh start. Bailey was convicted of illegal possession of a firearm in 2016.

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Shiremanstown in Cumberland County is about to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding. The borough's mayor, Tammie Dailey, joins us to talk about their celebration and some of the borough's history.

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2024 is an election year and WITF is approaching this election differently. WITF’s Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard, and Special Projects Editor Tim Lambert, spoke with The Spark’s Asia Tabb about their commitment to transparent journalism, how they will cover the 2024 election, and the thinking behind their decision. 
Blanchard also spoke with Asia about The Purple Buck, WITF’s new, weekly journalism newsletter. The Purple Buck offers a platform to talk about the massive amounts of news we come across daily from different sources, and sharing ideas on what makes for trustworthy news that can strengthen communities and promote civic participation and civic dialogue. 
You can subscribe to The Purple Buck at witf.org/purplebuck. Blanchard can be reached at 717-910-2805 or [email protected]. 
You can listen to the podcast below. 

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This week the high peaked in the high 90’s four days in a row. Extreme heat can make air quality worse, which is bad for the health. WHTM/ ABC 27 meteorologist Dan Tomoso sat down with WITF’s host Asia Tabb on the Spark to explain how the high temperatures could impact our air quality. 
Listen to the podcast below. 

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Saturday June 22 a gun buyback event will be taking place in Harrisburg. The event will be hosted by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Omega Chapter on 2020 State Street from noon until 5 p.m. The fraternity wanted to step up to unite the community and make a difference. No questions will be asked when returning any firearms.

For those who participate, they will receive a $100 gift card. Harrisburg police also announced they will not be tracing the serial numbers on the weapons retrieved at the gun buyback event.

Lance Freeman, Mike Elby, and Eugene Spells are all members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. They sat down with The Spark’s host Asia Tabb to express why they needed to host this event.

The interview can be heard here.

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Simply Yoga and Fitness in Carlisle is offering Goat Yoga in the Fall of 2024. Goat Yoga is lighthearted fun, yet gentle yoga class that combines floor movements for beginners while holding baby goats. The goats for the classes are sourced by Double MG Farm who are present to clean up after them behind the classes.

Michelle Landis with Simply Yoga and Fitness, and Marissa Grochalski, spoke with host Asia Tabb of the Spark about this new yoga trend that started in 2020. Listen to the conversation below.

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In June, we recognize and celebrate Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) as Pride Month. The month-long celebration typically brings events, marches, and parades to mark the occasion, while bringing a call for equality and unity.
Tesla Taliaferro the President of the Rainbow Rose Center in York joined Pastor Donte A Jones of Lift United Church of Christ, to highlight LGBT Christianity and spirituality, with the importance of being an ally. York Pride will kick off on Saturday, June 22. Taliaferro spoke The Spark’s Asia Tabb about what will be taking place during the pride event. The Rainbow Rose Center fosters inclusion, equity, and health where all LGBTQIA+ thrive in York, Pennsylvania.
Fairness Pennsylvania, a lobbying group launched the first week of Pride. It’s the state’s first full time lobbying group focused on LGBTQ+ issues. Sarah Hammond, the Fairness PA State Director spoke with Asia to address how Fairness PA will advocate for members of the LGBTQ+ community on The Spark

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Meet The Spark's new host Asia Tabb!  Join WITF's Fred Vigeant as he interviews Asia about her start and what we can expect to see from her and the rest of The Spark team in the future.

Asia began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.

Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.

Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.

Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.

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