Gazette The Centre County
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
REMEMBRANCE
The Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall is at Penn State until Sunday, Oct. 8. Pages 23-27
October 5-11, 2017
FREE COPY
Volume 9, Issue 40
County drug court secures $400K grant By SEAN YODER syoder@centrecountygazette.com
istrators wanted, said Josh Potter, educational operations manager. Some permitting issues kept the project on hold for a few months, but he said they’re looking forward now to the amenities and improved space the project will bring. The main building will see a huge add-on section for the welcoming center, bookstore, staff offices and facilities, accessible restrooms for the public and a new ADA entrance. The original building was constructed in 1938 as a three-season lodge used mostly by Penn State forestry students. By the early 1970s, the building fell into disuse until it became a functioning education field lab in 1976.
BELLEFONTE — Centre County’s much-anticipated drug court got a boost from the U.S. Department of Justice with a $400,000 grant. County commissioners on Oct. 3 announced the grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. It comes with a required 25 percent match and will be awarded over a three-year period. Catherine Arbogast, assistant drug and alcohol administrator for Centre County, said in-kind staff work will likely cover the requirements of the 25 percent match. Commissioner Michael Pipe credited Arbogast with much of the heavy lifting in organizing, writing and submitting the grant. Arbogast said the grant funds will be used to support two staff positions: one in the probation office and another in the county drug and alcohol office. The program, which is now slated for a January start, will have specific criteria for its first round of participants. “Our plan is to begin with approximately 25 individuals who have substance use disorders,” PAMELA RUEST Arbogast said. “We are also specifically identifying individuals who have already been sentenced, already on supervision and are struggling with their addiction and meeting the requirements and satisfying those details. They are facing revocation, they are facing jail time as a result, and by offering them the drug court program, we believe it provides a therapeutic alternative and gets them through this patch of challenge that they’re experiencing and gets them back to a sober and healthy lifestyle.” President Judge Pamela Ruest said, “We are thrilled
Shaver’s Creek, Page 7
Drug court, Page 8
SEAN YODER/The Gazette
JOSH POTTER shows off the new add-on section of Shaver’s Creek Environmental Education Center’s main building. Just behind him, out of frame, is the original building, constructed in 1938. Potter is the center’s educational operations manager.
Construction coming together at Shaver’s Creek By SEAN YODER syoder@centrecountygazette.com
PETERSBURG — Oh, to be in elementary school again. Those young enough to have gone to Shaver’s Creek Environmental Learning Center while still in grade school may want to make a plan to return once construction wraps up. If you’ve never been to Shaver’s Creek, you can’t go this year. The entire facility is closed until the construction phase wraps up. Right now, the area around the main building is a full-blown work zone, with heavy equipment moving dirt and materials and construction workers from J.C. Orr and Son, of Altoona, in hard hats and vests. Construction got off to a bit of later start than admin-
Team Ream donates new transport van By SEAN YODER syoder@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — The Team Ream Foundation is known for helping individuals and their families in the fight against cancer, giving more than $70,000 over the last three years. The foundation’s Sept. 28 donation was something a little different for them, said executive director Samantha Ream. Patients at the Lance and Ellen Shaner Cancer Pavilion at Mount Nittany Medical Center will be able to take advantage of Police Blotter ..................... 2 Death Notices ................... 6
THE TEAM Ream Foundation recently donated a transport van to Mount Nittany Medical Center. Pictured, from left, are Mike Martin, Team Ream board member; Kelsey Ream Napolitan, board member, holding daughter Wyatt Napolitan; Kathleen Rhine, Mount Nittany Health CEO; Richard Bell, Mount Nittany patient; and Samantha Ream, executive director of Team Ream.
a brand new Toyota Sienna van, which will be available to transport them to and from their frequently needed treatments and appointments. “It was a new idea, a new use of our funds,” Ream said. “We are really excited to be a part of this.” “We are thrilled that Team Ream’s gift was able to make the use of this van possible,” said Melissa Aungst, specialist at Mount Nittany Health Foundation. Team Ream, Page 6
Opinion ............................. 9 Super Fair ........................ 10
SEAN YODER/The Gazette
Health & Wellness ........... 14 Community ..................... 18
Sports ............................... 28 Gazette Gameday ........... 33
Hunting ........................... 37 Around & In Town .......... 40
Puzzles ............................. 44 Business ........................... 45