The Spark

Prosecutors allege Heller ran a multimillion-dollar ATM investment scheme that defrauded investors out of millions. “It’s a really complex case,” Umble explained, “but at its core, investors thought they were buying into profitable ATMs that didn’t exist.”

According to Umble’s reporting, Heller allegedly diverted funds for personal use and to prop up his businesses. Federal investigators say the fraud reached into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Umble emphasized the local impact, noting that many Lancaster County residents and businesses were among those who lost money. “This isn’t just a headline-grabbing national case—it has real consequences here at home,” he said.

The case is ongoing as federal prosecutors pursue charges.

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What does it mean to protect your family when the world itself is falling apart? That question is at the heart of Megha Majumdar’s new novel, A Guardian and a Thief.

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The soothing aroma of freshly brewed tea will once again fill downtown Mechanicsburg as the 8th annual Pennsylvania Tea Festival returns September 19th and 20th. Held in the lush herb gardens of The Rosemary House and Sweet Remembrances Tea Room, the event promises two days steeped in flavor, culture, and community.

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As downtown Harrisburg continues to evolve, local planning experts see both challenges and opportunities in shaping the city’s future. Vern McKissick, a 30-year member of the Harrisburg Planning Commission who helped develop the city’s first Comprehensive Development Plan since the 1970s, reflects on how the energy around downtown projects has shifted over the decades.

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At the heart of WITF’s mission to provide trusted news, cultural programming, and educational content lies a dedicated team working behind the scenes: the development department. Leading the charge is Elisa Balestra, Vice President of Philanthropy, who joined the station 11 months ago and has quickly immersed herself in connecting the community to the station’s mission.

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A collaborative study by the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has identified an ultra-rare genetic disorder called complement factor I (CFI) deficiency, which is significantly more prevalent in individuals of Old Order Amish ancestry.

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When the dancers of A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation take the stage in Central Pennsylvania this October, they’ll be bringing with them not only high-energy choreography but also centuries of cultural history.

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More than two months past Pennsylvania’s budget deadline, school districts across the state are grappling with uncertainty, borrowing costs, and the possibility of program cuts as they wait for billions in state funding.

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Education in Ancient Rome was far from the structured classrooms we think of today. Historian Chrissy Senecal joined The Spark to explain how the system evolved over centuries—and how issues of class, gender, and respect for teachers shaped who actually got to learn.

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Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly.

The Braver Angels National organization launched a two-year initiative around the topic of immigration - The Citizens Commission on Immigration. The goal is to demonstrate to our US Congress that Americans with differing views can find common ground.  The initiative was launched after our 2024 convention and the result of a vote by a balanced red-blue group of about 750 delegates.  It will culminate with a "Report to the Nation."  The process is similar to the previous two-year initiative on Trustworthy Elections. 

Also on the program...

The idea of a “traditional” college student — 18 to 24 years old, living on campus, and attending classes full-time — may no longer match reality. 

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