Gazette The Centre County
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
Special Services
If you’re looking for services for Passover or Easter Sunday, be sure to check out the Gazette’s listings. It’s the most comprehensive guide you’ll find in Centre County./Pages 16, 17
April 2-8, 2015
Volume 7, Issue 13
FREE COPY
Protestors march on Kappa Delta Rho By ALEXA LEWIS correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — As the investigation into Penn State’s chapter of Kappa Delta Rho continues, another group of protestors gathered asking for more answers on March 25. “It’s not over,” said Araelia Lopatic, a high school student in State College who attended the protest. And protestors plan to meet again, in what they hope to be greater numbers, on Friday, April 3, at 5 p.m. When news broke that an alleged invite-only Facebook page operated by brothers at Kappa Delta Rho exploited nude women who were either unconscious or sleeping, a coalition of activists, groups and students began speaking out about the larger issues in the U.S. President Eric Barron said he is working to form a task force to review fraternity and sorority life at Penn State, according to a Penn State press release on March 23.
It’s a good step, said Cara Pentoney, a high school student who attended the protest. But, many of these protestors hope their message invites the community to reevaluate what they call a “rape culture.” “That main issue is that this is just one example of multiple attacks on women using social media cyber bullying,” said Joanne Tosti-Vasey, the midAtlantic regional director for the National Organization for Women. “It’s part of a culture that needs to be stopped.” During the March 25 protest, chants of “we are not safe” resonated in downtown State College as the group marched from the Allen Street Gates, through Fraternity Row and then to Kappa Delta Row. The protest ended back at Allen Street Gates. “I want to be safe in my own hometown,” said Lopatic, who was taught in fifth-grade health class to stay away from the fraternity houses. Protestors, Page 6
ALEXA LEWIS/For the Gazette
ON A MISSION: Protestors march around downtown State College on March 25 in response to allegations of a Facebook page with images of nude and unconscious women that was operated by the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity.
Provan enjoys life in ‘his community’ By GREGG KOHLHEPP correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
Submitted photo
COMING SOON: Kepler Pool will re-open this summer, according to Howard Long, president and CEO of the YMCA of Centre County. The fate of the pool was in limbo after a pump broke at the end of the 2014 season.
BELLEFONTE — When Dave Provan arrived in Bellefonte late in the summer of 1972 to interview for a teaching position, he never imagined it would become “his community.” “It was a desolate town,” remembered Provan. “It looked like a scene out of one of those nuclear holocaust movies. It was very hot. The wind was blowing hot.”
CENTRE COUNTY SPOTLIGHT When Provan asked the administrators why the town was so barren and desolate, they explained that it was Grange Fair week. Provan laughed and said that he now fully understands his surroundings. Provan, Page 5
Kepler Pool to open this summer By CHRIS MORELLI editor@centrecountygazette.com
BELLEFONTE — With summer looming, families in Bellefonte and the surrounding communities can take a sigh of relief — Kepler Pool will open this summer. “That is 100 percent correct,” Howard Long, president and CEO of the YMCA of Centre County said. The pool is expected to open on the last day of school in the Bellefonte Area School District. Long wanted to get the word out to the residents because Kepler Pool is such a big part of the Bellefonte community. “The community, as of right now, is absolutely under the impression that the pool is closed for Opinion ............................. 7 Health & Wellness .......... 8, 9
good,” Long said. That’s not true, Long said. At the end of the 2014 season, the pool closed a week early when the pool’s main pump failed. “It actually burned up and there wasn’t enough time to repair it or replace it,” Long explained, “so the pool closed a week earlier.” When the pump failed, that left the future of the pool in limbo, Long said. Last June, the Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority made a presentation asking area townships — Benner, Spring and Walker — to consider a “recreation tax.” The tax would have been roughly $25 per household, according to Long. Kepler Pool, Page 4
Education ................... 10, 11 Community ................ 12-15
Easter Listings ............ 16, 17 Medical Viewpoints ........ 18
TIM WEIGHT/For the Gazette
MAN ABOUT TOWN: Dave Provan, owner and operator of Provan Enterprises, sits with miniature Nittany Lions that he constructs. Provan, who has lived in Bellefonte since 1972, said he truly values the community.
Sports .......................... 19-23 Arts & Entertainment .25, 26
What’s Happening ..... 26, 27 Puzzles ............................. 28
Business ...................... 29, 30 Classified ......................... 31