Here’s a look back at a few of the county’s most notable moments from each month of 2025.

January set the tone for a year of change in Centre County with the Bellefonte Area School Board’s decision to close two of its four elementary schools. Ahead of the planned 2026 opening of the district’s new $50 million elementary school, the board voted to close both Benner and Bellefonte Elementary, citing the need to direct resources to facilities that can serve students’ long-term needs. Both will close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

January also brought the opening of Terrapin, Bellefonte’s first medical marijuana dispensary, a sign of shifting national attitudes towards marijuana. That trend culminated in President Donald Trump’s executive order in December reclassifying the drug as a less dangerous substance.

The theme of closures continued into February when the Shapiro administration recommended shutting down the 110-year-old State Correctional Institution at Rockview. The announcement drew rare bipartisan criticism, as hundreds of residents, employees and inmates expressed concerns to state officials and The Express about a decision county commissioners estimated would cost more than 700 jobs and nearly $118 million in economic activity.

HUNTER SMITH / THE EXPRESS BASD Superintendent Roy Rakszawski, School Board President Jon Guizar and SitelogIQ Consultant Tami Burnaford stand outside the under construction Bellefonte Elementary School in August 2025. The school has been under construction throughout 2025.

Though that announcement threatened a major economic hit, February also brought major public safety investment, with more than $157,000 awarded to county fire and EMS organizations.

In March, Bellefonte Borough Council approved a new design for the Bellefonte Waterfront. Construction on the hotel and restaurant project is expected to begin next year.

Though the month brought good news for development, it also marked a bittersweet farewell. Bellefonte’s Borough Manager Ralph Stewart retired on March 28 after more than 30 years with the borough. He was shortly thereafter named the new executive director of the Centre County Airport Authority, succeeding James Meyer, who had held the position since 1997.

The prison-closure saga continued March into April, as state Rep. Paul Takac (D-Centre) hosted five well-attended community forums, giving residents an opportunity to share how they might be affected by the proposed closures of SCI Rockview and the nearby Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County.

On April 15, the community had the opportunity to share those concerns directly with Department of Corrections Secretary Laurel Harry at Bald Eagle Area High School. Hundreds attended the two-hour, legally mandated public hearing to express support for the prison and raise concerns about the potential impact of closing two public safety facilities in central Pennsylvania. Despite the overwhelming public opposition, the state announced in September that the prison would close. Since the decision, the prison has been gradually vacated, but questions remain about the fate of the property and the long-term effects of the closure.

PHOTO PROVIDED The proposed closure of SCI Rockview, which is now underway, threw the lives of its hundreds of employees and inmates into disarray in 2025.

Earlier that month, on Friday, April 4, Bellefonte School Board member Jack Bechdel II resigned following his arrest in connection with a violent domestic dispute. Local dental hygienist Holly Hopkins was appointed to fill his seat. After losing the position to Joe Yech in the November election, Hopkins was reappointed in December following the resignation of member Patrick Buck, in a sequence reminiscent of the events of April.

In May, after months of debate over the future of public transportation in Bellefonte, the borough voted to withdraw from CATA services. Since then, Centre County Transportation has launched a shared-ride, on-demand transit service for borough residents that has proven more cost-effective.

May also brought record-breaking philanthropy, as the Centre Foundation raised $2.8 million for local nonprofits through Centre Gives. Hundreds attended Centre Gives Fest on May 15, the annual grand finale of the 36-hour online fundraiser, to celebrate the achievement.

The month also saw significant developments in higher education. Penn State trustees in State College voted 25 to 8 to approve the recommended closure of seven of the university’s Commonwealth campuses, the first of several decisions that sparked statewide outcry. Later, in September, the board’s vote to close WPSU ignited controversy, as it would have made the local public media station the first casualty of the Trump administration’s plan to cut federal funding for NPR and PBS. They ultimately backtracked, allowing Philadelphia-based WHYY to take over operations in northcentral Pennsylvania.

June brought area high school graduations, along with the Centre Crisis Intervention Team’s milestone graduation of its 500th first responder. That same month, hundreds of athletes competed in the Ironman 70.3, traversing Centre and Clinton counties.

July meanwhile saw St. Mark’s Lutheran Church celebrate 200 years of fellowship in the Nittany Valley. The church was among many marking milestone anniversaries in the lead-up to America’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.

In August, Centre County welcomed back the beloved Grange Fair, celebrating its 151st year. Howard teenager Grace Novosel was crowned Fair Queen.

On Aug. 29, the Centre Hope Initiative held a moving ceremony in Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, where people impacted by opioid addiction shared their stories, highlighting the success of local treatment programs funded in part by pharmaceutical company settlements.

Earlier in the month, Bellefonte participated in National Night Out for the first time, joining police departments nationwide in promoting community engagement.

September was one of the most eventful months of 2025 in Centre County. It saw strong community engagement in Marion Township, where residents voiced concerns about zoning changes for highway commercial development that they feared would disrupt their way of life. Their efforts continue to influence the ongoing rezoning process.

Another milestone came in the Nittany Valley, as Nittany Valley Alliance Church celebrated 150 years of ministry.

County government wrapped up a major project with the completion of the $30 million Community Services Building in Bellefonte’s former Centre Crest facility. The office is now a central hub, offering services all in one convenient location.

In State College, the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County announced the State College Air Service Alliance at a CBICC forum. The partnership between CBICC, the Airport Authority, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Penn State University and other community partners aims to expand air service from the regional airport.

In October, the Centre County United Way held a community-wide volunteer event benefiting local nonprofits. Projects involved Penn State students and staff, athletic teams, local businesses and clubs, faith-based groups, regional school districts and individual volunteers.

The charity work didn’t stop there though. Throughout the month, the Mattie family of Bellefonte raised funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital with their skeletal lawn display.

October also brought seasonal fun, from holiday parades and local festivals to Halloween trick-or-treating, giving Centre Countians plenty of opportunities to celebrate.

On Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day, Union Cemetery in Bellefonte held its second annual service to honor the community’s many veterans. Dozens of community members paid their respects to the hundreds of interred veterans, which include Civil War generals and a Medal of Honor recipient.

The town also celebrated its history in other ways. When the Bellefonte Area School Board proposed demolishing the Beaver Farmhouse, one of the community’s oldest structures, residents rallied to save it. Bellefonte Borough Council ultimately supported the effort, compelling the district to consider alternatives to demolition.

November also marked the arrival of Centre County’s first bells as part of the America250 Bells Across PA project. Bells were placed at Centre Furnace Mansion in State College, Bald Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village in Howard, Phillipsburg and outside the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society headquarters in Talleyrand Park.

The tumultuous year ended on a festive note in snowy December, as Downtown Bellefonte transformed into a scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the 44th annual Victorian Christmas. The signature event brought artisans and food vendors to Talleyrand Park, featured festive rides on the Candy Cane Express and Sugar Plum Limited, showcased historical vignettes and offered more decorations than ever. Meanwhile, at CPI, the Festival of the Trees added to the holiday spirit with a beautiful display benefiting student organizations.

In reflecting on 2025, Centre County Commissioners issued the following statement: “2025 has been filled with many successes for Centre County Government: the completion of the Community Services Building, record turnout for the municipal election, full operationalization of the humane officer position, several capital improvements within the Courthouse complex and securing funding for the Eagle Creek community water project. We thank our staff and partners for their steadfast work and commitment to making these successes possible. We know this commitment will carry over into 2026, and we look forward to continuing to serve the people of Centre County.”