BELLEFONTE — Centre County commissioners on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding between the county transportation office and CATA to provide rides for residents traveling to government and court appointments in the Borough of Bellefonte.

Under the agreement, riders will pay a flat co-pay of $5 each way, with CATA covering the remaining cost. The agreement, which runs through June 30, 2026, could be extended in the future.

These transportation services cover rides from nearly the entire State College area to government offices in the Borough of Bellefonte, which include the Willowbank Building (420 Holmes St.), the Centre County Courthouse (102 S. Allegheny St.) and the Community Services Building (502 E. Howard St.).

“It is only those three facilities, and it’s only funded for those individuals that don’t have any funding,” said Centre County Transportation Director Dave Lomison, noting the program is for people who don’t qualify for other discounted transportation rates, like senior citizens or those with disabilities.

Previously, CATA’s CATAGO! and CATA RIDE services provided transportation to these locations, but the services ended in July with the cessation of service to the Borough of Bellefonte.

Commissioner Mark Higgins called the deal “fabulous news.”

“We’d really like to thank your department and CATA for working together,” he said.

Commissioner Amber Concepcion also said she was glad the agreement came to fruition, noting her past concern about residents’ ability to access government services after some townships and Bellefonte ended their membership in CATA.

“This, I think, really helps meet some of those needs we were worried about with making sure people throughout the county have access to transportation to our facilities,” said Concepcion.

Rides to government facilities in Bellefonte must be scheduled in advance, and riders must verify their appointments. Lomison said the transportation office stops taking requests at 2 p.m. the day before, though reservations can be made up to two months in advance.

To schedule a ride to government and court locations within the Borough of Bellefonte, please contact the Centre County Office of Transportation at 814-355-6807.

In other business:

— Commissioners opened their weekly meeting with multiple proclamations, naming Aug. 31, 2025 Overdose Awareness Day; Sept. 10, 2025 Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day; and September 2025 as National Recovery Month and Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month.

Both overdose and suicide are public health concerns posing significant threats throughout the country.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, overdose is the leading cause of accidental death. Karri Hull, Director of Criminal Justice Planning, noted that one Pennsylvanian dies from overdose every two hours.

Suicide is in the top three causes of death for people between the ages of 15 and 34, with one person dying of suicide every five hours.

These proclamations aim to call attention to these health and safety threats. To highlight resources and people available to those who may be struggling with substance use and those contemplating self-harm.

The proclamations also highlight the possibility of recovery, noting that approximately 23 million people in the US are living and thriving in long-term recovery. These proclamations sought to not only show services that are available, but also to show the potential for long, healthy lives.

In the spirit of these proclamations, there are multiple upcoming events around the county to support overdose awareness, recovery and suicide awareness and prevention:

— Today, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Talleyrand Park will be the Hope Remembrance Ceremony.

— Sept. 2 there will be a Suicide Prevention Rally at 12 p.m. at the Courthouse steps.

— Sept. 10, An Evening of Hope, Healing and Remembrance will be held at the Boalsburg Fire

Hall/Community with a meal at 5:30 pm.

— Sept. 20 the Jana Marie Foundation will host their annual concert at Arena Sports & Entertainment Bar and Grill from 6-11 p.m.