Port Matilda
GOVERNMENT
A Real Book Drop in Port Matilda Elementary
Last spring, Port Matilda Elementary School in the Bald Eagle Area School District obtained a new tool to encourage students to read — a book vending machine in the school lobby. The machine is on loan from the Lemont-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Random Acts of Reading (RoAR), which partners...
PennDOT: Bridge replacement scheduled for Centre County
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A bridge replacement project in Centre County will be kicking off on July 8, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation(PennDOT). PennDOT is alerting drivers that starting on Monday work will begin on the replacement project for the bridge on Route 504 (Black Moshannon Road) in Rush Township. The project […]
Centre County Sheetz to close for rebuild
Bellefonte, Pa. — A Sheetz store in Centre County will close this weekend for several months for a complete rebuild. The Bellefonte Sheetz store at 2850 Benner Pike will close its doors on July 7 in preparation for the project. Nick Ruffner, spokesperson for Sheetz, said the employees will be offered positions at other nearby locations. "When it reopens in December, the new building will be 6,139 sq. ft. with...
Centre County family to dedicate veteran tribute project
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — On May 30, 1968, Major Lewis P. Smith II, of Bellefonte and a pilot for the U.S. Airforce, was shot down during the Vietnam War. Decades later the family is still searching for Smith. The five brothers and sisters are now honoring him and other veterans with a new memorial. […]
Buffalo Wild Wings Seeking Liquor License Transfer for Downtown State College Location
Seven years after scrapping plans for a location in Ferguson Township, Buffalo Wild Wings may finally be coming to the Centre Region. The national restaurant chain has applied for a liquor license transfer to The Maxxen building, 131 Hiester Street in downtown State College, according to the agenda for Monday's borough council work session. The liquor license would be acquired and transferred from the former Don Patron Mexican Grill, which closed its restaurant at 1653 N. Atherton St. in Patton Township in 2017 and has held the license in safekeeping. Buffalo Wild Wings public relations did not immediately respond to a request...
Annual Central PA Fourth Fest continues to provide one of state's largest fireworks shows
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — In State College, and on the Penn State campus, it's been a full day of activities for the annual Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest. Now, the stage is set for one of the state's largest fireworks shows. It’s that time of year again when the...
Annual Blair County 'Freedom Ride' raises money for local VA center
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Around 500 bicycle riders took to the streets of Blair County Thursday morning for the annual Fourth of July Freedom Ride. The ride started at the Howard Gardner American Legion in downtown Tyrone and went to DelGrosso's Amusement Park before returning. Money raised by...
Central PA’s 4th fest returns, brings back classic events
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) – Central PA’s 4th Fest returned bringing back the events that the community has come to expect. Kicking off the day was the 4K run. If running was not quite your style, the event’s big car show ran for several hours. At 1 p.m., many vehicles drove down E. College Ave. […]
Behind the Scenes: Fireworks at Summer Thunder 2024
TIPTON, Pa. (WTAJ) — Almost everyone expects to see fireworks on the Fourth of July. But have you ever wondered what it takes to get the fireworks ready for Summer Thunder at DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash? WTAJ went behind the scenes and met the team responsible for the fireworks spectacular. “It’s all about tradition. […]
Developer Presents Final Plan for Condo Hotel in Downtown State College
A developer has submitted final plans for a condominium hotel in downtown State College, with the start of construction anticipated in early 2025. James Venture and Jamison Morse, of Sewickley-based VS Development Consultants, presented to the State College Planning Commission on Wednesday the final land development plan for the nine-story, mixed-use building called Nittany Residence Club. Pending approvals and permitting, the building will be constructed at 321 W. Beaver Ave., at the corner of South Atherton Street and West Beaver Avenue. The existing building on the property, which was most recently home to BioLife Plasma, will be demolished. BioLife closed its location...
Blair County to host ‘Katy’s Karnival’ for third year in a row
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — “Katy’s Karnival” is gearing up to kick off its third annual celebration, which will be held on July 5 and 6. The carnival will be held at the Excelsior Fire Company Firehall, located at 399 S. First Street, Bellwood. This year, the theme is “Christmas in July,” and festivities will […]
Downtown State College Launches Third Year of Military Banner Program
Families and friends will once again have the opportunity to honor the military heroes in their lives with banners that will be on display in downtown State College during Military Appreciation Month in November. The Downtown State College Improvement District on Monday launched the third year of the banner program in partnership with Penn State's Military Appreciation Committee. "This program was born out of a desire to express our appreciation for the individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation," Lee Anne Jeffries, DSCID executive director, said in a statement. "Through this gesture, we not only honor their service but...
Columbia Volunteer Fire Company holds annual fireman’s parade
CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Across America families, friends, and communities celebrated the Fourth of July, including the Columbia Volunteer Fire Company. For the last 102 years, the Columbia Fire Company has hosted its annual fireman’s parade on the Fourth of July. The town fills with past and present residents as this is one of […]
Renderings Offer Look at Renovation Plans for Penn State’s Greenberg Sports Complex, East Area Locker Room
Penn State Athletics is moving ahead with a series of facilities projects, beyond the $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium. The athletic department on Tuesday evening released design renderings for a new soccer operations center, an air-supported indoor practice structure and major renovations to the Greenberg Indoor Sports Complex and East Area Locker Room. All four projects, totaling $68 million, were approved by the university's Board of Trustees in May 2023. No tuition or state dollars are being used for the projects. Details on the soccer operations center and multi-sport practice bubble, both of which will be constructed near Jeffrey Field, can be...
Supporting the Arts All Through the Year
In Centre County, July is synonymous with art. For 54 years, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has welcomed emerging and established fine artisans, along with tens of thousands of attendees, to downtown State College for the four-day mid-summer celebration. Growing alongside it, People’s Choice is celebrating 30 years...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.