With thousands of dams scattered across its waterways, Pennsylvania has a complicated relationship with its aquatic infrastructure. But a growing number of those dams—especially small, aging, and obsolete ones—are being taken down. And for good reason.

With thousands of dams scattered across its waterways, Pennsylvania has a complicated relationship with its aquatic infrastructure. But a growing number of those dams&mdash;especially small, aging, and obsolete ones&mdash;are being taken down. And for good reason.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

Why Pennsylvania Is Removing Its Dams—And How It’s Helping Fish, Rivers, and Communities

On today’s edition of The Spark, former host Scott LaMar returned to the show for a wide-ranging conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson. The discussion centered around Atkinson’s latest volume in his Revolutionary War trilogy, which explores not only national figures like George Washington but also the critical role Central Pennsylvania played during the war.

Atkinson, whose ties to the region run deep—his father once taught at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle—spoke about the strategic importance of towns like Lancaster, York, and Reading during the revolution. He noted that the Second Continental Congress even relocated to York for several months when threatened by advancing British forces, although not all delegates had kind words about the temporary capital.

The conversation also focused on how Atkinson brings familiar historical figures to life in nuanced ways. He described George Washington as “the indispensable man,” but not without flaws—highlighting his tactical missteps, limited early experience, and evolving leadership style. Atkinson also acknowledged Washington’s connection to slavery and how that legacy remains deeply intertwined with the nation’s founding.

The full interview offered both historical insight and personal reflection, bringing new perspective to the Revolutionary era through a local lens.

 

On today&rsquo;s edition of The Spark, former host Scott LaMar returned to the show for a wide-ranging conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson. The discussion centered around Atkinson&rsquo;s latest volume in his Revolutionary War trilogy, which explores not only national figures like George Washington but also the critical role Central Pennsylvania played during the war.
Atkinson, whose ties to the region run deep&mdash;his father once taught at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle&mdash;spoke about the strategic importance of towns like Lancaster, York, and Reading during the revolution. He noted that the Second Continental Congress even relocated to York for several months when threatened by advancing British forces, although not all delegates had kind words about the temporary capital.
The conversation also focused on how Atkinson brings familiar historical figures to life in nuanced ways. He described George Washington as &ldquo;the indispensable man,&rdquo; but not without flaws&mdash;highlighting his tactical missteps, limited early experience, and evolving leadership style. Atkinson also acknowledged Washington&rsquo;s connection to slavery and how that legacy remains deeply intertwined with the nation&rsquo;s founding.
The full interview offered both historical insight and personal reflection, bringing new perspective to the Revolutionary era through a local lens.
&nbsp;

Author Rick Atkinson Reflects on Central PA’s Revolutionary War History with Scott LaMar

Downtown York is celebrating a major milestone in its journey toward revitalization — earning both state and national accreditation through the Main Street America program and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.

The recognition signals a significant accomplishment for Downtown Inc, the organization leading the charge to support small businesses, public art, economic development, and community safety in York’s core. “Accreditation is kind of the gold standard in downtown revitalization programs,” said Sarah O’Brien, Director of Downtown Inc. “York has actually been doing the work to meet those standards for many years. We just took a step back this last year and went through the process to get the recognition we’ve earned.”

This is the first time in over a decade — since 2013 — that York has held the prestigious designation.

Since stepping into her role in April 2024, O’Brien has worked to strengthen York’s ties to national revitalization standards and broaden the community’s participation in the process. “I worked for three different Main Street programs in Texas, and we always worked really hard to get accredited,” she said. “It was kind of a personal and team goal to get back on track with our reporting and demonstrate that we’re doing the hard work to successfully revitalize a community.”

According to O’Brien, the accreditation recognizes a collaborative effort between local government, businesses, nonprofits, and private citizens. “Downtown Inc is that connector between small businesses, nonprofit organizations, government, and individuals,” she said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Downtown York is celebrating a major milestone in its journey toward revitalization &mdash; earning both state and national accreditation through the Main Street America program and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.
The recognition signals a significant accomplishment for Downtown Inc, the organization leading the charge to support small businesses, public art, economic development, and community safety in York&rsquo;s core. &ldquo;Accreditation is kind of the gold standard in downtown revitalization programs,&rdquo; said Sarah O&rsquo;Brien, Director of Downtown Inc. &ldquo;York has actually been doing the work to meet those standards for many years. We just took a step back this last year and went through the process to get the recognition we&rsquo;ve earned.&rdquo;
This is the first time in over a decade &mdash; since 2013 &mdash; that York has held the prestigious designation.
Since stepping into her role in April 2024, O&rsquo;Brien has worked to strengthen York&rsquo;s ties to national revitalization standards and broaden the community&rsquo;s participation in the process. &ldquo;I worked for three different Main Street programs in Texas, and we always worked really hard to get accredited,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It was kind of a personal and team goal to get back on track with our reporting and demonstrate that we&rsquo;re doing the hard work to successfully revitalize a community.&rdquo;
According to O&rsquo;Brien, the accreditation recognizes a collaborative effort between local government, businesses, nonprofits, and private citizens. &ldquo;Downtown Inc is that connector between small businesses, nonprofit organizations, government, and individuals,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Without them, we wouldn&rsquo;t be where we are today.&rdquo;

York’s Downtown Earns “Gold Standard” Recognition for Revitalization

As the summer months heat up, so does the intake of stray and displaced animals at the York County SPCA, putting serious pressure on space, staff, and resources.

Steven Martinez, Executive Director of the York County SPCA, joined The Spark to shed light on how the shelter is navigating one of its busiest seasons of the year. "It's usually about this time of the year, towards the end of summer, that we start to get full," said Martinez. “You hit May, June, July — things start creeping up. And then by the time you get to August, suddenly we have 70, 80 dogs in the kennel at any given time.”

This influx of animals, particularly large dogs, is taking a toll on both the animals and the staff. “When our shelter starts to get too full, the animals get real stressed. They can get sick because there’s too many in too close of an environment. That extends their length of stay,” Martinez explained.

As the only animal shelter serving all 72 municipalities in York County, the organization is legally required to accept all stray and displaced animals. That volume alone creates consistent strain, but summer presents unique challenges.

“For cats, summer is their breeding season,” Martinez said. “By the time you get to the end of summer going into the fall, they’re in the third litter — and now we’re starting to get full.”

Inside the shelter, the noise and constant activity can cause stress for animals, especially dogs. That stress often leads to poor health, which then delays adoption. “Stress equals bad health. Our job is to manage their health through enrichment,” Martinez said. “We try to get dogs out two to three times a day for a walk, put them in play groups, and teach them manners so that they’re better candidates for adoption.”

As the summer months heat up, so does the intake of stray and displaced animals at the York County SPCA, putting serious pressure on space, staff, and resources.
Steven Martinez, Executive Director of the York County SPCA, joined The Spark to shed light on how the shelter is navigating one of its busiest seasons of the year. "It's usually about this time of the year, towards the end of summer, that we start to get full," said Martinez. &ldquo;You hit May, June, July &mdash; things start creeping up. And then by the time you get to August, suddenly we have 70, 80 dogs in the kennel at any given time.&rdquo;
This influx of animals, particularly large dogs, is taking a toll on both the animals and the staff. &ldquo;When our shelter starts to get too full, the animals get real stressed. They can get sick because there&rsquo;s too many in too close of an environment. That extends their length of stay,&rdquo; Martinez explained.
As the only animal shelter serving all 72 municipalities in York County, the organization is legally required to accept all stray and displaced animals. That volume alone creates consistent strain, but summer presents unique challenges.
&ldquo;For cats, summer is their breeding season,&rdquo; Martinez said. &ldquo;By the time you get to the end of summer going into the fall, they&rsquo;re in the third litter &mdash; and now we&rsquo;re starting to get full.&rdquo;
Inside the shelter, the noise and constant activity can cause stress for animals, especially dogs. That stress often leads to poor health, which then delays adoption. &ldquo;Stress equals bad health. Our job is to manage their health through enrichment,&rdquo; Martinez said. &ldquo;We try to get dogs out two to three times a day for a walk, put them in play groups, and teach them manners so that they&rsquo;re better candidates for adoption.&rdquo;

Why Pennsylvania Is Removing Its Dams—And How It’s Helping Fish, Rivers, and Communities

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