GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
Lady Eagles fly high
The Bald Eagle Area High School softball team got its season off to a flying start with a 10-0 win over Penns Valley in its season opener. The Lady Eagles dominated in the Centre County clash./Page 23
March 31-April 6, 2016
Volume 8, Issue 13
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Renovation projects at Memorial Field advance By GEOFF RUSHTON
rector Ed Poprik said is budgeted for in the State High Project’s soft costs, according to a release from the district. By a 7-2 vote the board approved the continuation of the Supplementary Property Tax Rebate Program. First introduced for 2015-16, the district has budgeted $100,000 for the program for 2016-17. The district had allocated $200,000 for the current year, but with participation leading to $62,000 in rebates to date, a smaller amount was determined to be adequate. The program provides tax relief for eligible households in the district and the maximum annual rebate is $650. To qualify, a resident must be a homeowner and household income cannot exceed $35,000 per year, with half of Social Security income excluded from the calculation. The claimant or his or her spouse must be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older
StateCollege.com
STATE COLLEGE — The State College Area School Board on March 28 approved an architectural firm for the next phase of the Memorial Field renovation projects. Weber Murphy Fox was selected as the design professional for plans to renovate Memorial Field’s locker room facilities and stands. The decision comes after a request for proposal was first approved for release in January. The board will receive a contract for approval at a future meeting. The board also approved low bids for asbestos removal from State College Area High School’s North and South buildings, to be completed over the summer. Bids were awarded to American Contracting Enterprises for the North Building and KLA Roofing & Construction for the South Building. Combined, the removal cost is $154,077, which district physical plant di-
Renovation, Page 8
CHRIS MORELLI/Gazette file photo
CHANGES COMING: State College’s Memorial Field will undergo another renovation, including upgrades to the locker room facilities and stands.
St. Joe’s finds new baseball facility By G. KERRY WEBSTER correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
BOALSBURG — The interest in baseball is definitely growing at St. Joseph’s Academy in Boalsburg. Two years ago, everything was in place for the Wolves to open their inaugural season. A schedule was established and uniforms were purchased. Unfortunately, there were only seven student athletes interested in playing. The season had to be canceled. Last season, the Wolves found themselves with a roster boasting 13 names. The team played a full season, finished with an even 8-8 record and was invited to play in the district playoffs. The program is continuing its growth in 2016. Head coach Greg Herman’s roster boasts 20 names now and there’s al-
ready talk of starting a junior varsity program in 2017. Perhaps most importantly, the Wolves have found a home. Last year, the team was granted permission to play its home games at the Shaner Sports Complex, and this season, the school has entered into a partnership with The Shaner Corporation and the State College Baseball Club to make the complex its full-time home. Herman and St. Joe’s athletic director Chad Walsh discussed the partnership with Centre County Gazette last week. “It is very important that the St. Joseph’s baseball program has a quality facility to play games and develop baseball players,” said Herman. “The baseball program strives to be a premier program that will attract scholarly Christian athletes. “The Shaner Sports Complex is a quality facility and the St. Joe’s, Page 5
IN LIKE A LAMB IT’S SPRING lambing season at Penn State’s agriculture facilities. On March 28, these lambs were born, happy, healthy and ready to keep their mom very busy. Exactly 100 healthy newborns arrived during spring lambing season. The facility is used to educate students in the College of Agriculture about breeding, feeding and overall management and care of the herd.
PATRICK MANSELL/Penn State University
Opinion .................................. 9 Health & Wellness .......... 10, 11
Education ....................... 12, 13 Community .................... 14-18
Home Show .................... 19-22 Sports .............................. 23-28
Spring Home Improvement 29 Women’s Corner ............ 30, 31
Submitted photo
DOG’S DAY: Nykky, a therapy dog in Centre County, is in need of surgery. Her owner, Debby Jones, has started a GoFundMe page for the popular Siberian husky.
Beloved dog in need of help for surgery By CHRIS MORELLI editor@centrecountygazette.com
BELLEFONTE — The Borough of Bellefonte doesn’t have an official mascot. If it did, a Siberian husky named Nykky would probably be it. Nykky is a therapy dog owned by Debby Jones, who works at the Faith Centre in Bellefonte. On most days, you can find Nykky with Jones inside the doors of the Faith Centre. And while Nykky is well-loved in the community, the soon-to-be 9-year-old husky needs some help. According to Jones, Nykky is in need of surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus in her right hind leg. The surgery is expected to cost between $4,000 and $6,000. With that in mind, Jones has set up a GoFundMe page. As of press time, the page has raised $1,200 toward the goal of $5,000. Dog, Page 5
Around & In Town ......... 32-34 What’s Happening ......... 34, 35
Puzzles .................................. 36 Business .......................... 37, 38