Officials evaluate sinkhole near Centre prison

July 30, 2026

BELLEFONTE — Centre County officials are continuing to evaluate a sinkhole which opened up near its correctional facility early last week. Chief Administrator John Franek told the county’s board of commissioners this week that a consultant engineer is working with officials for the overall evaluation of the sinkhole, which formed on July 21 near the entryway to the prison. “We’ve reached out to multiple excavation companies on hourly rates. Once we’ve identified a good price for that work we intend to start doing some exploratory digging,” Franek said on Tuesday morning. ...

Coalition calling for a ‘healthcare cost freeze’ in Pa. as insurers request rate increases

July 30, 2026

Advocates are urging the state agency tasked with reviewing health insurer applications for rate changes to reject proposed increases for 2027 that would apply to plans purchased by individuals and small businesses. On average, insurers are asking for a 17.1% increase for individuals and 11.5% for small businesses, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. The submissions include increases for Pennie plans available on the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace. Submitted premium increases range from single-digit growth to a 40% increase. More than 600 Pennsylvanians ...

Trump’s attacks on mail balloting and concerns over delays turn midterms spotlight on Postal Service

July 30, 2026

Roughly six weeks before the first midterm ballots are mailed out, the U.S. Postal Service is emerging as a pivotal player in an election season that will determine control of Congress. President Donald Trump is seeking greater control over mail balloting through an executive order while a ...

Twenty-one young ladies vie for crowns in Princess Contest at county fair

July 29, 2026

MACKEYVILLE — This year the Clinton County Fair Princess Contest has several beautiful young ladies who will be vying for a crown and for the title of “princess” in each of five age categories. The contest gets underway at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, at the main stage. Twenty-one ...

Clinton County Fair gets support for improvements; Local businesses make it happen

July 29, 2026

MACKEYVILLE — As you might imagine, the bustling, 65-acre Clinton County Fair complex in Mackeyville always has a lengthy to-do list. And support from friends is often key to making things happen for the nonprofit Clinton County Fair Association. Fair representatives recently thanked ...

Centre County highlights emergency housing initiative

July 29, 2026

BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Board of Commissioners addressed a number of items this week, including key community health and human services priorities. On Tuesday morning, the board adopted a proclamation to raise awareness for a chronic, oftentimes debilitating, illness. It also authorized federal grant funding to combat homelessness and housing instability within the County. Grant Actions to Prevent Evictions and Expand Emergency Shelter Access The board approved a submission to the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) ...