PHOTO PROVIDED Pictured, from left, are Commissioner Amber Concepcion, Commissioner Chair Mark Higgins, Vicki Fong, Thilini Rupasinghe and Commissioner Steve Dershem pose for a photo following the proclamation of Feb. 17 as Lunar New Year.

BELLEFONTE — At their meeting this week, the Centre County Commissioners recognized Feb. 17 as Lunar New Year, among other agenda items.

The Commissioners also highlighted grant funding for hazardous waste education and took steps to support local transportation infrastructure.

The meeting opened with a proclamation marking the start of the new year on lunar calendars. The holiday, which has origins in East and Southeast Asia, is observed by thousands of residents of Centre County with ties to Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan,

Mongolian, Singaporean, Malaysian and Filipino traditions. Lunar New Year celebrations traditionally focus on honoring ancestors, strengthening community ties and welcoming a hopeful future.

Representing the local Pan APIDA Circle, which serves as a liaison and advocate for the APIDA community in Centre County, Vicki Fong and Thilini Rupasinghe joined the commissioners for the proclamation.

The holiday on Tuesday marked the transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse, which is symbolized by energy, perseverance, resilience and forward momentum.

The Board of Commissioners wished the Centre County APIDA community a prosperous new year and encouraged the community to join in the celebrations.

Around the county, exhibits and events were planned to usher in the Lunar New Year. Traditionally, the Penn State School of Music and Schlow Library have hosted Lunar New Year events.

In the coming months, other events celebrating Asian cultures are happening in Centre County. The Bellefonte Art Museum, for example, will feature an exhibit by Korean American artist Taylor Moon Castagnari. The exhibit, “Identity Playgrounds,” will be on display from May 1 through June 28, 2026.

The Pan APIDA Circle will also host its annual Spring Festival on April 18 from noon to 5 .m. at MLK Plaza in State College. Food, music, art and entertainment will be offered at the festival, with performers from various APIDA backgrounds, including Sri Lanka, India, China and Korea.

Hazardous Waste Education

The Centre County Commissioners also accepted $75,000 in grant funding to support hazardous waste education programs operated by the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRA) on Tuesday.

Authority officials said the funding will help expand outreach and public education around the safe disposal of household hazardous waste. Each year, the CCRRA conducts education sessions and hosts drop-off events aimed at preventing dangerous materials from entering the regular waste stream.

According to CCRRA representatives Mimi Cooper and Amy Schirf, the authority collected more than 19 tons of hazardous waste and 1,600 tires during its most recent collection events. Those events served more than 1,000 county residents and helped keep harmful materials out of local watersheds.

The funding comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 901B Municipal Waste Planning Grant program. The grant will cover $75,000 of the project’s $84,375 total cost for education initiatives scheduled from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. The remaining $9,375 will be funded by the authority.

Transportation

infrastructure

The Board also issued a letter of support for College Township’s application for PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Funds.

If awarded, the funds would be used to improve infrastructure along the Shiloh Road corridor in both College Township and Benner Township.

College Township officials proposed a package of corridor upgrades, including intersection improvements, traffic control enhancements and access modifications designed to improve traffic flow and safety.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the support letter, citing the project’s potential to strengthen transportation infrastructure and accommodate continued residential and commercial growth in one of the county’s fastest-developing areas while maintaining safety standards.