GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
THE ROAD BACK
Gray’s Vehicle Clinic in Bellefonte was hit by a devastating fire in February 2016, 25 years after rebuilding from another catastrophic blaze. But Sam Gray, who has been “cranking wrenches” for about 60 years, is on the road back again./Page 29
March 23-29, 2017
Volume 9, Issue 12
FREE COPY
Plan would close Philipsburg barracks
BANNER WEEKEND
Calls for state police to merge in Benner Twp. By G. KERRY WEBSTER kerry.ccgazette@gmail.com
PHILIPSBURG — It looks like there is truth to a rumor concerning the closing of a local Pennsylvania state police barracks. The office of state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Philipsburg, received correspondence from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office the week of March 20 reporting the state government’s intent to close the Philipsburg barracks and consolidate it with Rockview-based state police at a new facility to be constructed in Benner Township. “The governor is proposing to consolidate barracks around the state so there is one barracks for each county,” said Tor Michaels, Conklin’s chief of staff. “It’s a cost-saving measure that we just aren’t comfortable with at all. In fact, we’re furious.” CARLOS OSORIO/AP photo
TOM GANNAM/AP photo
IT WAS A banner weekend for Penn State sports, as the wrestling team won its sixth NCAA title in seven years — crowning five individual champions in the process — and the hockey team won the Big Ten title with a double-overtime victory over Wisconsin. At left, Liam Folkes, left, and David Thompson celebrate Folkes’ game-winning goal March 18. At right, wrestling head coach Cael Sanderson celebrates as Penn State’s Vincenzo Joseph pinned Illinois’ Isaiah Martinez in the 165-pound title match. Full coverage, page 23.
Philipsburg, Page 5
Calls pour in on medical marijuana By MARK BRACKENBURY editor@centrecountygazette.com
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP — The township has been “inundated” with calls from prospective operators of medical marijuana facilities and has issued one business registration for a potential dispensary, according to zoning officer Mark Gabrovsek. That registration — formally known as a zoning verification of use — does not mean that the dispensary will become a reality. It means that the potential business meets zoning requirements for that commercial location, Gabrovsek recently told the township council. Gabrovsek declined comment on the name or location of the entity that got a zoning certification from the township,
saying it was too early in the process to know whether the applicant will receive a state permit. “We have received numerous inquiries about locations for dispensaries,” Gabrovsek told the council. “There is a likelihood that when all is said and done there very well may be one, possibly more, somewhere within the township.” Gabrovsek told the Gazette he had fielded “a minimum of 20 calls, probably many more than that” from people inquiring about locating a dispensary in the township. While he had not heard from officials in other communities, he said he expected that there was great interest throughout the Centre Region. Marijuana, Page 7
G. KERRY WEBSTER/The Gazette
A PLAN calls for the state police barracks in Philipsburg to close, with state police consolidating at a new barracks in Benner Township.
New Temple Court gets staff, visitors out of ‘phone booth’ By G. KERRY WEBSTER kerry.ccgazette@gmail.com
G. KERRY WEBSTER/The Gazette
CENTRE COUNTY COMMISSIONER Steve Dershem discussed the renovation process of the Temple Court building in Bellefonte with visitors during an open house March 17. Police Blotter ........................ 2 Opinion ................................ 9
Health & Wellness .............. 10 Education ........................... 13
BELLEFONTE — Relief is now in sight for two county offices that are confined in some pretty cramped quarters at the Centre County Courthouse. March 17 marked the ceremonial opening of the county’s Temple Court building at 106 E. High St. The recently renovated former mercantile/office building will soon host the county’s
Community ........................ 14 Women’s Corner ................ 18
Probation and Parole Department, as well as the District Attorney’s Office. “Certainly Centre County has grown, and certainly as it grows, as you introduce new citizens to the community, some will get divorced and some will get in trouble,” said President Judge Thomas King Kistler, after greeting the audience in his best Leprechaun voice on St. Patrick’s Day. “But, also, things have become more complex when you add things
Home and Garden Show ... 20 Sports .................................. 23
like domestic violence that weren’t maybe addressed in the courthouse in generations past. “There is a lot of work that goes on here, so the space we’re gaining today is really necessary. Necessary for not only the employees, who have been sitting on top of each other, at times, almost, but also to the public that has to access those offices. They have to be safe. There Temple Court, Page 6
Spring Car Care .................. 29 Around & In Town ............. 32
What’s Happening ............. 35 Business .............................. 37