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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...
The People Behind the Scenes Who Made Ironman Happy Valley a Success
This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette. STATE COLLEGE — Though the athletes who competed in this year’s Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley were the stars of the show, the spotlight shown on them would not have been possible without the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time and talents to make the event a success. “Bringing an event like the Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon to life would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers,” said Eric Engelbarts, executive director of the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance. “Their commitment is a crucial...
Abuse and Neglect Investigations of Aging Pennsylvanians Are Woefully Slow. The Results Can Be Devastating
This story will be highlighted in How We Care, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life. Sign up for free here. Christiana Blake’s fever had been raging for days. On that day in early April last year, a doctor who examined her at an outpatient center became concerned that a family member was refusing to take her to the emergency room, even though the 76-year-old Dauphin County woman could barely keep her eyes open. In the haze of dementia brought on by a stroke, Blake couldn’t communicate or advocate for...
Bivens in the Big Leagues: It Just Gets Better
Wait a second, you may be thinking. Didn’t you write about Spencer Bivens in your last column? I did, but the story of the State College kid who arrived in the Major Leagues after years of wandering in the baseball wilderness keeps getting better. I’ll let San Francisco Giants play-by-play man Dave Fleming summarize Spencer’s day at the ballpark this past Sunday: “Spencer Bivens: all he’s been through, striking out the best hitter in the world.” “Best hitter in the world” would be Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. Bivens, a State High grad and a Big Leaguer for less than a fortnight, retired Ohtani...
Penn State Athletics Releases Renderings of Practice Bubble and Soccer Operations Center
Penn State Athletics released renderings on Tuesday evening showcasing a better look at the incoming soccer operations center and the multi-sport seasonal indoor practice bubble, both to be located next to Jeffrey Field. The operations center is part of a $21.25 million project approved last year by the university’s Board of Trustees for renovations and additions to the home of the Nittany Lion men’s and women’s soccer team. “This project will allow the teams to have all facets of their program to be housed in one area, while also improving the student-athlete experience with permanent facilities,” the university wrote in a...
Cruise into 4th Fest at a New Classic Car Show
This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette. STATE COLLEGE — While Central PA 4th Fest will feature the return of many fan favorites — the Firecracker 4k race, parade and fireworks display — this year will have a new addition to its lineup. From noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, classic cars will be on display in Penn State’s Jordan East Lot at the inaugural Firecracker Car Show. A wide range of vintage vehicles are expected to make an appearance, from BMW Zs and Camaros to Pontiac GTOs. This year’s car classes include: · Class 1...
4th Fest Returns to Celebrate Independence Day in State College
Central PA 4th Fest returns on Thursday in State College with a daylong Independence Day celebration featuring old favorites and new additions, all culminating in a Fourth of July fireworks spectacular. Festivities kick off with the 20th anniversary Firecracker 4k run/walk through the Penn State campus, starting near the Bryce Jordan Center. Sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race steps off at 9 a.m. Registration ($20 for ages 5 to 18 and $35 for 19 and older) is online only and is available until 8:45 a.m. on Thursday. Lots around Medlar Field will open at 9 a.m. Parking options ranging...
University Drive Bridge to Be Closed for Preservation Work
A detour will be in place for about a month as a State College bridge near the Penn State campus is closed for preservation work, according to PennDOT. The University Drive overpass above East College Avenue will be closed beginning Monday, July 8. PennDOT anticipates the project to be completed by mid-August, but all work is weather-dependent. PennDOT's official detour during the closure will utilize East College Avenue, Porter Road and East Park Avenue. The project "will improve safety and ride quality for motorists by bringing the quality to a higher standard," according to PennDOT. The 66-foot-long bridge carries an average of 11,688 vehicles daily. Charles S. Hann, Inc. is the contractor for the $2 million project. The University Drive bridge is one of three to be improved under the contract, with work on the other two to take place in 2025. The post University Drive Bridge to Be Closed for Preservation Work appeared first on StateCollege.com.
ADHD Patients in Pa. Struggle to Find Medication and Maintain Normalcy Amid Ongoing Shortage
This story first appeared in How We Care, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life. Sign up for free here. Pittsburgh neurologist Wesley Kerr was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder at the age of 35. He’d recently moved with his wife and two young sons from California to take a fellowship at the University of Michigan, and work was stressful. Kerr said he previously dealt with heavy workloads by relying on caffeine pills, which helped him focus as he completed a dual MD and Ph.D. program at...
State College Author Chronicles Migrants’ Journey in Debut Novel
This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette. STATE COLLEGE — Local author and Penn State professor of English and African studies Samuel Kọ́láwọlé's debut novel, “The Road to the Salt Sea,” is set to be released by publisher HarperCollins on Tuesday, July 2. The gripping story follows the character Able God as he embarks on a journey from Nigeria to Tripoli, Libya, in hopes of reaching Italy. Able God, a man who loves chess and self-help books, was working at a four-star hotel, trying to build a life for himself in Nigeria. Despite his education, the skill he uses most...
A Night of Champions
Talk about a hat trick for sport watching. Monday, June 24, was an absolutely fantastic night of sports for me. Three — count’em, three — championship games on the same evening. I settled in to watch on my television, laptop and iPhone so I could simultaneously follow all 3 contests. When the evening ended the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup, the NCAA Men’s College World Series Trophy and, most importantly for this lifelong hockey junkie, Lord Stanley’s Cup, the best trophy in all of sports, were awarded. I mean, regardless of the sports, how often does that happen in one night? OK, I...
Centre County Man Sues Geisinger, Microsoft-Owned Company over Data Breach
A Centre County man has filed a federal lawsuit against Geisinger Health and a Microsoft-owned information technology provider for a data security beach that may have affected more than 1 million patients. James Wierbowski claims in the lawsuit entered Monday in the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania that the Montour County-based health system and third-party vendor Nuance Communications Inc. failed to maintain adequate security measures to safeguard personally identifiable and personal health information. That included "names, dates of birth, address, admit and discharge or transfer codes, medical record numbers, race, gender, phone numbers and care location information," according to...
Penn State Athletics: As Expenses Grow, Kraft Still Committed to 31 Sports at Penn State
In the face of growing spending for Penn State athletics and athletic departments across the nation, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft is committed to keeping all 31 varsity sports programs, he told StateCollege.com last week. "What I always tell people is the football [and] basketball, is the national brand national piece," Kraft said. "Our Olympic sports, especially here where you're uber competitive — think 22 of our teams made the NCAA this year in the postseason — they build our culture, they build the community. Now when you reach a wrestling status like we have, we're the best in...
Pennsylvania Missed Its Budget Deadline. What’s Next?
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — For the second straight year, Pennsylvania’s budget is late, although top lawmakers say they’re hoping for a quick deal after a weekend of closed-door talks. “I am encouraged by the progress that has been made over the past several days,” state Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) said in remarks Thursday as lawmakers filed out of the chamber. The Senate adjourned soon after, while the state House adjourned Friday just...
More Funding Could Be Coming to a Pa. Affordable Housing Program
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — State legislators are haggling over what to do with Pennsylvania’s $14 billion budget surplus. A funding increase for an affordable housing program is a prime contender for a piece of the pie. The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, or PHARE, provides grants to municipalities to build and repair homes and provide rental assistance to low-income families, among other things. Available funds are currently capped at $60 million each year, but...
Senior Volunteers Watch Over Centre County Waterways
This story originally appeared in the June 2024 edition of Town&Gown Magazine. On a crisp, sunny morning in April, a small group of retirees congregated along the banks of Little Fishing Creek in Walker Township. Although these five individuals were clearly familiar with each other, as evidenced by plenty of friendly banter and laughter, they weren’t gathered there to fish or to hike or even to simply enjoy the scenery together. They were there to provide a valuable service as members of the Centre County Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps. According to CCPaSEC President Bill Smith, the organization is made up of about 40...
Deed Transfers
This report originally appeared in the June 27-July 3, 2024 edition of the Centre County Gazette. The following property transactions were compiled from information provided by the Centre County recorder of deeds, Joseph Davidson. The Gazette is not responsible for typographical errors. The published information is believed to be accurate; however, the Gazette neither warrants nor accepts any liability or responsibility for inaccurate information. RECORDED JUNE 3-7, 2024 The post Deed Transfers appeared first on StateCollege.com.
Scenes from the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley
About 1,600 athletes from across the United States and abroad competed in the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley on a humid Sunday in Centre County. Marking its second year, the 70.3-mile triathlon started with a 1.2 mile swim in Sayers Lake at Bald Eagle State Park and continued with a 56-mile bike ride that went into Clinton County before coming back through the Nittany Valley and over Centre Hall Mountain. After descending into Centre Hall, participants made their way toward State College and the Penn State campus, where a 13.1-mile run concluded the race with the finish line at the 50-yard line of Beaver Stadium. Kiel Bur, of Savannah, Georgia, was the top overall finisher with a time of 4:25:02. Caroline Moyer, of Malvern, was the top women's finisher for the second consecutive year with a time of 5:02:11. See full results at ironman.com/im703-pennsylvania-results. Check out the scenes from the second annual Half Ironman in Centre County. The post Scenes from the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley appeared first on StateCollege.com.
‘A Home Run for Happy Valley.’ 1,600 Compete in Centre County’s Second Ironman 70.3
The Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley returned for its second year on a humid Sunday as 1,600 competitors supported by nearly 1,000 volunteers swam, biked and ran through Centre County. Athletes from 12 countries and 41 states participated in what is dubbed a "Half Ironman" (at 70.3, miles it is half the distance of a full Ironman). Starting at 7 a.m., competitors swam a 1.2-mile, single loop in Sayers Lake at Bald Eagle State Park. From there they embarked on a 56-mile bike ride that swung into Clinton County before traveling through Nittany and Penns valleys and into the State College...
Settling the Frontier: The First Land Grabs of Centre County
This story originally appeared in the June 2024 edition of Town&Gown magazine. In the chaotic times of the 1760s, many settlers attempted to forge a homestead from the isolated frontier in the heart of the Pennsylvania wilderness. Decades before the iron boom of the 19th century, future Revolutionary War figure James Potter blazed a trail through Native American lands, proclaiming he’d “discovered an empire.” The years that followed highlight one of America’s great land grabs, which quite literally carved out the communities of today’s Centre County. The land rush followed a time of limited westward mobility. The British Empire, in the wake...
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