Gazette The Centre County
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
AWARENESS
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in this week’s edition of Women’s Corner, Geisinger doctors discuss family history as it relates to breast cancer, and J.C. Blair memorial Hospital announces its annual “Wear Pink Luncheon.”/Pages 30-31
Volume 9, Issue 39 FREE COPY
September 28-October 4, 2017
Drone, body cams in plans for police By SEAN YODER syoder@centrecountygazette.com
FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — Ferguson Township supervisors passed a capital improvement plan Sept. 18 that includes a drone and body cameras for police. Chief Chris Albright said his department hopes to split the cost of a drone with Patton Township Police at a cost of about $8,000 for the model they want. It will give officers a bird’sTIM WEIGHT/For the Gazette
FISHERMEN ON Spring Creek can thank the efforts of the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited for giving them pristine trout waters to fish from. TU recently received federal funding to address three trouble areas in the Spring Creek Watershed. The projects will begin in Spring 2018.
eye view in situations that normally require a helicopter, Albright told The Gazette. He referenced a case from February 2016, where a woman’s body was dumped along Plainfield Drive. “Essentially, what we had to do was have PSP come up with a helicopter,” he said, referring to Pennsylvania State Police. But putting a helicopter in the air is massively expensive. Ferguson, Page 9
GENERATIONS OF GREATNESS
Group receives $160K grant Trout Unlimited continues to protect local waterways By G. KERRY WEBSTER editor@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — There’s just no stopping the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited and its mission to protect the pristine drinking water residents of State College and the surrounding areas enjoy. Since 2012, the group has completed, or is currently in the process of completing, 11 habitat restoration projects throughout Centre County. These projects were funded by a $69,800 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant, along with $165,000 in local matching money. They include riparian buffer planting at Milesburg, McCoy Dam, Deer Creek Lane and Fisherman’s Paradise, and bank stabilization projects at Oak Hall and near The Distillery. As these projects wrap up, TU already is planning its next step in continuing to keep the Spring Creek Watershed pristine. And, once again, the National Fish and Wildlife Federation has stepped up to help.
According to SCCTU president Robert K. Vierck, NFWF has awarded the chapter another grant, this time in the amount of $160,700 for more habitat improvement projects. Coupled with $100,640 in contributions from partner agencies such as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Centre County Conservation District, ClearWater Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Conservancy, the University Area Joint Authority and Centre Region Parks and Recreation, it looks as though TU volunteers will be busy for a few more years to come. “We need to keep the momentum going,” Vierck told Centre County Gazette. “This chapter has done a lot for the local watershed and has worked hard to keep the headwaters of Spring Creek clean. We’re going to keep doing that, and grants like this sure help out. We’re very fortunate to get it.” The money will be distributed for projects at three sites. Trout Unlimited, Page 5
Area woman to start local chapter for elk preservation By SEAN YODER syoder@centrecountygazette.com
Margie Ross fell in love with Pennsylvania’s elk country from horseback. She thinks others could connect with the natural beauty in their own ways, too, and hopes local residents will join her in her quest of preservation. Ross said she is looking for volunteers and committee members for a Centre County chapter of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance, which is connected to the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette. Elk and habitat preservation is serious busiPolice Blotter ..................... 2 Death Notices ................... 6
ness in the U.S. The elk, like many other wild animals, were nearly wiped out as European settlers moved across the continent. In places where there were still elk, they began to compete with cattle for grazing. With eastern elk now extinct, wildlife organizations, hunters and activists have Elk, Page 8
Opinion 1........................... 0 Health and Wellness ....... 11
Education ........................ 14 Community ..................... 15
Penn State image
MARGIE ROSS
THE PENN STATE Nittany Lions will have a new “old” look Sept. 30 when they take the field at Beaver Stadium against Big Ten opponent Indiana. The Lions will debut new uniforms that feature elements of uniforms worn throughout the decades of Penn State football. See story on page 5.
Gameday ......................... 19 Sports ............................... 23
Women’s Corner ............. 30 Around & In Town .......... 32
What’s Happening .......... 35 Business ........................... 37