A man walks out of the Porch restaurant with his takeout order on Thursday, July 9, 2020 in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Due to a spike in COVID-19 infections, service at restaurants has been limited to takeout for the past week. Beginning Friday, restaurants will re-open for outside dining only.
Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
A man walks out of the Porch restaurant with his takeout order on Thursday, July 9, 2020 in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Due to a spike in COVID-19 infections, service at restaurants has been limited to takeout for the past week. Beginning Friday, restaurants will re-open for outside dining only.
A coalition of central Pennsylvania restaurant and bar owners are encouraging lawmakers to support a bill that would make changes to Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest coronavirus mitigation restrictions.
Earlier this week, the establishments were allowed to host half as many customers as normal inside their businesses — if they certify with the state.
The bars and restaurant owners say the rules are onerous and is still costing them business and many may not survive.
They are asking that restaurant operations and private events be restored to a minimum of 50% capacity with continued social distancing and health barriers, eliminate the requirement that a meal must be purchased to get an alcoholic beverage, allow for bar seating with social distancing and health barriers.
Two restaurant owners appear on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to explain why they’re seeking the changes.