Penn Highlands Health opens State College
BY LIV SUYDAM Sentinel reporter
STATE COLLEGE —
For over two years, construction on the new Penn Highlands State College building has continued, slowly but surely bringing the hospital of tomorrow to Colonnade Boulevard.
Penn Highlands’s other hospitals are located in Brookville, Clearfield, Connellsville, DuBois, Elk, Huntingdon, Mon Valley and Tyrone, making State College the ninth hospital location to offer a state-ofthe art facility to surrounding communities.
Penn Highlands Healthcare broke ground for the new hospital in May of 2022 and finally, in July 2024 Penn Highlands State College facility opened for business as a “one-stop medical office building.”
“This is the first hospital we’ve built from the ground up that met our specifications; we’ll be able to design workflows, the culture, everything to meet the needs of Centre County,” shared Regional Market President for the Central Region at Penn Highlands Healthcare, Rhonda Halstead.
This $90 million stateof-the-art facility offers a number of services including cancer care, emergency care, general surgery, orthopedic care, primary care, pulmonary care, radiation oncology, surgical services and much more.
According to Halstead, the new facility is conveniently located, making them “easily accessible for the people in the tri-county area so they can have expert care in advanced facilities without having to travel far.”
Penn Highlands State College is comprised of an Emergency Department that is open 24/7 and provides 10 treatment rooms as well as a trauma room, 18 private inpatient rooms, designed specifically for patient comfort, three hightech operating suites, and Endoscopy Procedure room, a Post-Anesthesia Care
in the facility.
Unit, an Imagining Suite with Ct Scan, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiology, according to their website.
Not only does the new Penn Highlands location home a hospital, there is also a Medical Office Building that contains a QCare to provide “excellent walkin care” for everyone ranging from infants to senior citizens, family medicine, pediatric and specialty care, breast care services “staffed by individuals who understand a woman’s special needs”, Cardiology services offering specialized heart care, laboratory services for quick, convenient and accurate diagnosis, and a retail pharmacy with convenient drive-thru service.
The Medical Office Building also includes the Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center, complete with cutting-edge technology with a personalized approach, nationally respected oncologists, multidisciplinary care such as advanced medical oncology and infusion services, state-of-the-art radiation services, and technologically advanced linear ac-
celerator for precision accuracy.
“At Penn Highlands State College, people receive medical care from their friends and neighbors including Dr. James V. Lieb (Oncology/Hematology); Dr. Jason Clark (Orthopedics and Sports Medicine) and Dr. Jack D. Schocker (Radiation Oncology),” said Corinne G. Laboon System Communications Manager at Penn Highlands Healthcare.
“The hospital and medical office building provide advanced care in an environment that is healing, calm and convenient.”
“We have a beautiful facility where people in the Centre County region can receive the latest therapies from expert providers and that should be a source of pride for everyone employed by our health system,” said Halstead. “You’ve heard the expression that it takes a village, well it took the untiring commitment of our entire health system and the enthusiastic support from the community to make Penn Highlands State College a reality.”
PennDOT contines studies on State College area connector
BY BROOKE CROUSE City Editor
bcrouse@lewistownsentinel.com
STATE COLLEGE — Ac-
cording to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, PennDOT officials proposed the construction of the State College Area Connector.
This connector is an approximately 8-mile fourlane limited access facility connecting the Mount Nittany Expressway near Boalsburg to the newly constructed limited access portion of U.S. 322 at Potters Mills.
PennDOT stated via press release that a Planning and Environmental Linkages study was recently completed and it identified three alternative corridors to advance for further study.
These three Planning and Environmental Linkages studies Build Alternatives corridors provide the foundation for outlining the current study area for which preliminary engineering and detailed environmental investigations will occur under the National Environmental Policy Act process.
PennDOT’s District 2
Portfolio Manager Eric Murnyack said that while PennDOT is in the preliminary engineering phase
(National Environmental Policy Act process) of the project the construction phase will not begin until 2030.
Murnyack said that the project is funded by the state of Pennsylvania with a roughly $500 to $700 million budget.
“The purpose is to address safety and mobility,” Murnyack said regarding the State College Area Connector project.
He added that another project aim for the connector is to reduce congestion on the roadway.
PennDOT stated in a press release that after the State College Area Connector Planning and Environmental Linkages study or planning phase of project development, PennDOT requested that the Federal Highway Administration publish a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
This notice initiates the National Environmental Policy Act phase of project development, which includes conducting detailed field investigations and traffic analysis and refining engineering alternatives.
PennDOT stated that the National Environmental Policy Act phase has a twoyear time frame for receiving an official decision on the alternative to advance for final design, right-of-
We
way acquisition, and construction.
PennDOT anticipates holding its second of two public meetings and a public hearing for the State College Area Connector project.
National Environmental
Policy Act
PennDOT stated that the refined connector project details will be presented at a second public meeting anticipated in early 2025. This meeting aims to identify the alternative alignments to be studied
in the draft Environmental Impact Study and present the draft recommended preferred alternative alignment.
A public hearing will be held after the release of the drafted study for public and agency review. The fi-
nal impact study and decision is anticipated in June 2026. For more information and updates on the State College Area Connector project visit www.penndot. pa.gov.
Submitted photos
Penn Highlands ninth hospital is up and running in State College. Pictured, above and right, the outside of the new facility, below, a room
Courthouse construction continues
BY BROOKE CROUSE
City Editor bcrouse@lewistownsentinel. com
BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Courthouse underwent major improvements beginning in 2023 and the more than $2.1 million construction project on the historic building will likely conclude in November 2024.
According to Kendra Miknis, the District Court administrator of Centre County, “The Centre County Courthouse is one of the oldest courthouses, still performing judicial operations, in Pennsylvania.”
Miknis added that the courthouse was originally built in 1805, with significant renovations in 1835, 1855, and 1909. In 1963-64 an addition was added to the back of the historic courthouse.
According to the Centre County Historic file:///Users/lts01/Downloads/NewCourthouse-1024x678.jpg al Society, the courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located within the Bellefonte National Historic District.
Miknis shared that the courthouse required major reconstruction due to the structural integrity of
the walls which were more than 100 years old.
“In 2024, a significant restoration and repair project was completed involving the retaining walls on both sides
of the courthouse. The courthouse is now undergoing an extensive exterior restoration project that includes the sealing of windows and doors, refinishing of the front
Mount Nittany Health Toftrees opens for patients
From staff reports
STATE COLLEGE — Mount Nittany
Health hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 27, 2024, to formally celebrate Mount Nittany Health Toftrees, a facility that will serve as a new home for a range of essential healthcare services.
The 125,000-square-foot facility will house nine Mount Nittany Health practices, including Obstetrics and Gynecology; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Fitness and Rehabilitation (formerly Fit for Play); Neurology (including the Headache Clinic); Ear, Nose, and Throat; Surgical Associates (formerly General Surgery); Urology; Primary Care (formerly Green Tech Family Medicine); and Gastroenterology. Additionally, the facility will introduce a new Pediatrics practice and an Outpatient Endoscopy Center to better serve the community’s healthcare needs.
According to a Mount Nittany Health press release, Kathleen Rhine, president and CEO of Mount Nittany Health, addressed attendees, highlighting the significance of this new facility in enhancing healthcare access and improving the patient experience.
“We are thrilled to open the doors of Mount Nittany Health Toftrees to our
community,” said Rhine. “This facility represents our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services in a convenient, accessible location. Today’s ribbon cutting marks a new chapter in our mission of ‘Healthier people, stronger community.’”
The opening of Mount Nittany Health Toftrees is part of Mount Nittany Health’s aim to expand and modernize healthcare services across the region. With the new Patient Tower at Mount Nittany Medical Center also underway and the recent opening of Mount Nittany Health ExpressCARE, the organization is confident in its ability to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community for years to come.
According to Christopher Hester, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Mount Nittany Physician Group, “By bringing these services together, we are enhancing the patient experience, ensuring that our community receives comprehensive, coordinated care in a modern, welcoming environment.”
Mount Nittany Health Toftrees officially opened to patients on Sept. 3, 2024.
For more information about the services offered at this new location, please visit mountnittany.org/toftrees.
doors, repairs to the front granite steps, and overall painting of the exterior of the courthouse,” Miknis said.
Miknis said that this reconstruction was necessary
because the courthouse suffered many leaks from the old windows and worn portions of the building.
The improvement project blocked off the East High Street roadway for many
months to work on the retaining walls of the courthouse. East High Street, the portion of the road that spans the courthouse, remains closed as of October 2024.
This restoration project will keep the property functioning for decades to come for the many workers and individuals who utilize the Centre County Courthouse every day.
Many cosmetic upgrades were also made to the courthouse to display the building’s historic past and create a more visually pleasing interior.
“In 2023, significant cosmetic improvements were started to the interior. The once gray and bare hallways have been repainted. And, historic court documents and photographs have been added to the walls. Currently, the flooring in the 1963-64 portion of the courthouse is being replaced and will complement the original marble flooring in the historic section of the courthouse,” Miknis said.
These improvements benefit Centre County as a whole for all those who pass through the courthouse each day to try cases, acquire important documents/licenses, work, and more.
Photo courtesy of CENTRE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Pictured is the historic Centre County Courthouse originally built in 1805. The courthouse is currently undergoing a $2 million construction project.
Photo courtesy of MOUNT NITTANY HEALTH
Pictured is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Mount Nittany Health Toftreesheld on Aug. 27, 2024.
New community college opens in Bellefonte
BY LIV SUYDAM Sentinel reporter osuydam@lewistownseninel.
BELLEFONTE — Pennsylvania Highlands Community College continues to branch out and touch the minds of many as they opened their seventh location, in Bellefonte, just in time for the fall 2024 semester.
“We believe the College plays a vital role in workforce development and significantly contributes to the region’s economic growth,” shared Raymond Weible Jr., executive director of marketing and communications.
According to Weible, bids for the new facility were opened on April 12, with the bid awarded April 16. Official work began on May 6 and was completed on July 5.
“Choosing Bellefonte as a location offered several advantages,” shared Weible, crediting the Bellefonte Borough administration’s “enthusiasm and collaboration” as they welcome the idea of adding a community college to the area.
Weible also shared that due to Bellefonte being centrally located, there is easy access to major interstates and roads, ensuring convenience for everyone as well as affordable real estate prices that “provide a cost-effective opportunity for expansion.”
On Aug. 16, the college unveiled its new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by an open house event.
In a press release, Penn Highlands President Steve Nunez said he was “honored to witness this milestone that was several years in the making.” He spoke of the “commitment to affordable, accessible, and quality education, to community enrichment, and to local economic development” and how those values remain unwavering.
Nunez also thanked the many partners that made this possible including CBICC, the Borough of Bellefonte, and the Bellefonte Intervalley Chamber of Commerce.
At the event, Bellefonte borough manager and College Board of Trustees member Ralph Stewart shared that “it is going to be great to see Penn Highlands help people get the education and training they need in order to be
competitive and to thrive.”
The facility officially opened in August 2024, offering “a range of in-person, transfer-ready courses,” including English, microcomputer applications, history, public speaking, and more. As well as in-person classes, Penn Highlands also offers a variety of online degrees and certificates.
According to Weible, Penn Highlands has “transformed the second floor of the Match Factory in Bellefonte, into a state-of-the-art educational space.”
The new facility spans 5,200 square feet, and fea-
tures three classrooms, a computer lab, a conference room, and five offices for faculty and staff, along with a dedicated area for student activities.
With engineering services from Hoffman Leakey as well as general construction, electrical work, plumbing, furniture, and computer equipment the total cost of the project ended up being over $200,000.
“Everyone in the area has been so welcoming and supportive of Penn Highlands becoming part of Centre County,” stated Marissa Davis, Regional Center Director,
at the open house event.
“Business and industry, county school districts, local government, and so many others have supported our arrival. We’ve already made so many great partnerships. I’m looking forward to build -
ing more as we serve the area.”
Pennsylvania Highlands mission is to offer affordable, accessible, and high-quality education to all the communities it serves.
“This mission compels
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Greg Winger, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees Chairperson;
Davis, Regional Center Director
Pennsylvania
us to serve the community to the best of our abilities,” shared Weible. “ We believe the College plays a vital role in workforce development and significantly contributes to the region’s economic growth.”
Submitted photos
Left, The ribbon cutting at the Penn Highlands Centre County location in Bellefonte. Left to right: Mark Higgins, Centre County Commissioner Chair; Greg Scott, President and CEO of the CBICC; Ralph Stewart, Borough of Bellefonte Manager; Steve Nunez, President of
Marissa
at
Highlands Community College; and Kerry Benninghoff, District 171 Pennsylvania State Representative
Left, below, Penn Highlands Centre County entrance signage at the Match Factory in Bellefonte.
Right, below, pictured is a classroom in the new Penn Highlands Community College facility.
Penn State invests in Beaver stadium upgrades
BY SIERRA BOLGER Sentinel reporter sbolger@lewistownsentinel.
com
Earlier this year, the Penn State Board of Trustees agreed to invest in a renovation of Beaver Stadium.
According to the board, Beaver Stadium was in need of repairs and maintenance upgrades to give Penn State the capability to host future College Football Playoff games.
This will grow revenue-generating opportunities, transform the fan and community experience, and fuel the future funding for all 31 athletics programs at Penn State.
The approved renovations will enable yearround use of Beaver Stadium with the help of the winterization installation they had done in June of 2023.
Winterization installation consists of installing insulation on pipes and other upgrades to allow the building to be occupied when temperatures are below freezing. Winterization will give Penn State the capability to host other potential events beyond Penn State football games in the winter months.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to share there is overwhelming support for the University’s recommendation to renovate Beaver Stadium,” said Board of Trustees Chair Matt Schuyler.
“I’m pleased that the renovation will benefit our student-athletes, elevate Beaver Stadium’s significance in driving local and state economies, and ensure Beaver Stadium remains a premier facility in all of college athletics.”
The renovations will bring in significant additional revenue to Intercollegiate Athletics, the university and the local community as the stadium is modernized and capable of being used in the winter months and for additional activities other than football as stated in their press release.
None of these costs will be paid by the university because Penn State Athletics is one of a handful of self-sustaining intercollegiate athletics departments nationwide, which means the department’s revenues are equal to or exceed its operating costs.
The Intercollegiate Athletics budget is completely separate from the university’s budget and this project will be paid for entirely by Intercollegiate Athletics, using no tuition
dollars or funding from the educational budget.
Construction on the west side renovation is expected to begin in January 2025 and the project is hoped to be completed in advance of the 2027 season in August of that year.
Penn State takes great pride in having one of the largest stadium capacities in the world, which is one of the reasons they are pursuing a renovation rather than a rebuild.
Schuyler said a rebuild would have been more expensive and resulted in a facility with a much smaller seating capacity. Plus a renovation is more economical than a new build.
The stadium’s footprint will not change, nor will the atmosphere or experience fans expect at a Penn State football game.
Since January 2024, when the initial expenditure of $70 million for the Beaver Stadium renovation was approved, steps have been underway at the stadium and will continue leading up to the 2024 college football season.
Initial construction has taken place prioritizing safety and accessibility by widening select concourses and installing new escalators, as well as field lighting performance and video board replacements.
“Many recognize Beaver Stadium as the best stadium in college football, and we want to preserve the atmosphere that our fans, alumni and community have come to expect while building on
this history of excellence for generations to come,” said Neeli Bendapudi, Penn State president.
“The renovations will have a wide variety of positive impacts on our community, help us remain a national leader by attracting top student-athletes, and continue serving as a symbol for belonging and pride for students across the Commonwealth.” Bendapudi adds.
The project plans encompass three distinct phases over the course of the next three football offseasons and will offer a new mix of seating options and improved amenities, such as restrooms and concessions.
“With home football games averaging $16.2 million in tourism and economic growth in our region, the potential return on investing in a premier football stadium is significant,” said Patrick Kraft, vice president for intercollegiate athletics.
“Beyond the increased ability to host major events year-round as we winterize the stadium and build inventory, the experience for our fans will be greatly enhanced while providing the facilities our football program needs to continue competing at the highest level. I am grateful for the support of President Bendapudi and Penn State’s Board of Trustees in making this investment for the future of our university community and athletics programs.”
A new welcome center is planned for the commu-
nity with a 21,000-squarefoot facility for events and many other uses.
Including the first stage of the Beaver Stadium renovation, which was approved in May 2023, the total project will cost no more than $700 million and will be completed before the 2027 college football season.
This multi-year project is financed and paid for entirely by Intercollegiate Athletics.
The entire project will be paid for through fundraising, concessions, naming opportunities, sponsorships and ticket sales, including new premium seating options to be added during the renovation.
Renovating Beaver Stadium eliminates approximately $200 million in major maintenance backlog costs that build up over time and achieves significant cost efficiencies.
Additional updates will be shared with the Penn State community as the renovation progresses at GoPSUsports.com/beaver-stadium-revitalization.
Airport renamed to reflect location
BY BROOKE CROUSE City Editor bcrouse@lewistownsentinel.com
STATE COLLEGE — The Centre County Airport Authority announced that University Park Airport had been renamed State College Regional Airport on Nov. 3, 2023.
According to airport Executive Director James Meyer, the airport rebranding “was a long time coming.”
“The general public had renamed it first,” Meyer said. He added that board members at the airport and personnel from Penn State University, which owns the airport, okayed the name change. Meyer said that this name change cleared up a lot of confusion for those traveling in and out of State College.
He shared that many airport customers had expressed confusion as to where they must travel to get to the airport because University Park and State College are in two different zip codes.
Meyer added that most airports are named after the town or city they are located in like the Harrisburg National Airport or the Philadelphia National Airport.
Meyer said the project costs were minimal because the money was only required to change the signage at and around the airport.
“It took us about a year until we unveiled the name and the sign was up,” Meyer said. Services at the airport have not changed along with the name of the airport. The State College Regional Airport has non-stop flights to Philadelphia, Chicago, Newark International, and others.
The airport also offers ground transportation like buses, taxis, and other services to help guests get to their desired departure destination.
State College Regional Airport is located at 2493 Fox Hill Road, State College, PA 16803.
Photo courtesy of Chamber of Business and Industry Centre County Pictured is the unveiling of the State College Regional Airport sign in November 2023.
Sentinel photo by LIV SUYDAM Beaver Stadium.
Submitted photos
Monday, Sept. 30.
End in sight for construction on Atherton Street project
BY LIV SUYDAM Sentinel reporter
osuydam@lewistownseninel.com
STATE COLLEGE —
Over the past decade, there have been a number of construction projects along Atherton Street.
Currently, PennDOT is in the final stretch of the most recent project, which impacts construction between Curtin Road to just north of Westerly Parkway.
In spring 2022, the work to relocate underground utilities began, and then in July of the same year, physical construction started.
“In addition to the roadway reconstruction work, there is a significant amount of underground utility work, including water and sewer line replacement as well as improved storm water drainage,” shared PennDOT Press Officer Tim Nebgen.
The contract amount of this project is $30.7 million and with the financial aid from federal, state, and municipal government sources as well as contributions from Penn State University, the project is nearing completion, said Nebgen.
Anyone who has traveled to State College in the last few years, is sure to have crossed the Atherton Street construction a handful of times, and while it may have been a disadvantage at the time due to lane restrictions, the finished product will be well worth it.
“Once complete, the project will improve ride quality of the roadway and allow for future development in the area,” said
Nebgen. “The new traffic signal and ITS upgrades are also expected to enhance safety for pedestrians in the area.”
Throughout the duration of this two-year project, construction items included: resurfacing the roadway to improve the ride quality and extend the service life, as well as the installation of a new drainage system, underground gas, water, and sewer lines, and the relocation of some overhead power lines. Additionally, there were several upgrades to the traffic signals within the project limits that are expected to enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians.
The most recent updates included around-the-clockwork on Atherton Street, which began Sept. 30.
Nebgen said, “once paving between Curtin Road and Beaver Avenue wraps up in about two weeks, significant traffic impacts associated with this project will be over with all work expected to wrap before the end of October.”
The final step in this project is the milling and paving of the road. Pavement milling, also referred to as asphalt milling or cold milling, is the process of removing part of a paved surface so that the top layer can be repaired or replaced without having to complete full depth roadway reconstruction, explained Nebgen.
This process began with crews milling the roadway surface between Curtin Road and Beaver Avenue. Overnight,
crews paved the roadway surface within that same stretch.
Plans for milling are expected to continue the week of Oct. 7 under the same schedule, with milling during the day and paving through the night.
Once paving is complete, drivers may encounter short-term lane closures the week of Oct. 14, however significant traffic impacts associated with this project will have ended.
“This project represents a significant improvement to the quality of life of State College area residents that will benefit the community for years to come,” said Nebgen.
Pictured is milling operations that took place on Atherton Street