GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
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July 28-August 3, 2016
Volume 8, Issue 30
With summer winding down, it’s time once again to start thinking about sending the kids back to school. Find out everything you need to know for the upcoming school year: From finances to healthy lunches, the Gazette has you covered./Pages 17-24
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Meeting addresses heroin epidemic By G. KERRY WEBSTER kwebster@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — As the heroin and opioid epidemic continues to sweep across America, the Centre County HOPE (Heroin/Opiate Prevention and Education) Initiative took its first steps in battle with a problem that has cost 43 Centre County residents their lives in the past 30 months. On Tuesday, July 26, a town hall meeting was held in the Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis auditorium at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Moderated by Stephanie Bradley, Ph.D., managing director of evidencebased prevention and intervention support center at Penn State University, the panel consisted of a who’s who of state and local specialists, each with a different perspective to offer. The meeting was the first in a series of three and covered topics design to educate about the heroin and opioid problem in the county.
The evening opened with remarks from Centre County Commissioner Steve Dershem, who was a driving force in collaborating efforts between what has now become 13 local organizations, to form HOPE; Centre County Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Ruest, who discussed the ongoing work to bring a drug court to Centre County, with a goal of reducing recidivism in the criminal justice system; and a short video message from state Sen. Jake Corman, who was unable to attend the meeting as his son was playing in the state final of the Little League tournament in Bradford. Dr. Bradley moderated the panel discussion and, following brief introductions of the panelists, got into the heart of the discussion asking each what their agency or organization is seeing in regards to heroin and the effects of opioid addiction. Heroin, Page 6
TIM WEIGHT/For the Gazette
TAKING ACTION: There was a packed house at the Mount Nittany Medical Center on July 26 for a Town Hall meeting about the heroin/opioid crisis in Centre County.
We’ve got spirits: Barrel 21 to reopen with new chef, menu BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT By CHRIS MORELLI editor@centrecountygazette.com
Submitted photo
FOR A CAUSE: Bicyclists prepare to begin Leg 2 of the MS 150 race on Sunday morning, July 24, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
State College serves as halfway point for MS 150 By G. KERRY WEBSTER kwebster@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — More than 300 bicyclists pedaling for a cause cruised into the Centre Region last Saturday evening, July 23, and made their stop at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, signifying the mid point of the MS 150. The MS 150 is an annual benefit bicycle tour designed to raise funds for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Opinion ............................ 9 Health & Wellness ..... 10, 11
The event began on the morning of Saturday, July 23, at the Hollidaysburg Area High School, where riders embarked on the first leg of the 150-mile trek. The route took pedalists through several meandering roads through the hearts of scenic Pennsylvania. According to Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, a participant in the event, the hot weather didn’t keep people MS 150, Page 4
Education ....................... 12 Community ............... 13-16
Back to School ........... 17-24 Sports ......................... 25-29
STATE COLLEGE — To say that Barrel 21 is unique would be an understatement. It is in fact the first — and only — State College distillery. It is also the only restaurant of its kind in central Pennsylvania because it has a fully-functioning distillery on the premises. The State College-based restaurant/distillery will reopen its doors for business at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, after a two-week hiatus to fine tune service standards and allow the new chef to create a new menu. Otto’s chef, Chris Mohr, has made the trek across the parking lot to set up shop inside Barrel 21. Partner Roger Garthwaite is excited to see what customers think of the changes taking place at Barrel 21. “I think we’re at a point, one year into Barrel 21, where we’ve had an opportunity to act on feedback we have received from our guests,” Garthwaite said. “We put some new things in place that our guests have suggested. I think the thing we’re most excited about is that we have a chance to showcase the high level of customer service that has been an Otto’s standard for years at Barrel 21.” According to Garthwaite, Barrel 21 has made considerable changes to its menu. Women’s Corner ............ 31 Around & In Town .... 32-34
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Diners will find more entree-style meals, which is something guests have been clamoring for since its opening. Small plates are still an integral part of the menu, he said. “We’ve listened to our guests and this is what they’ve asked for,” Garthwaite said. There are some things that will not change. Barrel 21 will continue to distill some of the finest spirits in the state. They Barrel 21, Page 7
What’s Happening ......... 35 Puzzles ............................. 36
STATE COLLEGE NOW OPEN! (eggs, your choice of breakfast meats and veggies)
TIM WEIGHT/For the Gazette
IN CHARGE: Chef Chris Mohr will move across the lot from Otto’s to Barrel 21 as it unveils a new menu.
Sun-Thu 9am-11pm Fri & Sat 9am-Midnight Delivery $10 Minimum
FREE, FAST AND ACCURATE DELIVERY TO ALL OF STATE COLLEGE & BELLEFONTE AREAS
Business ..................... 37, 38 Classified ........................ 39