Centre renews partnership to support emergency responder scholarships

June 11, 2026

BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Board of Commissioners has approved a five-year agreement with the Centre Foundation to continue administering a scholarship program aimed at training and supporting volunteer emergency responders. The Centre County Emergency Responder Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for residents pursuing education and training in fire, EMS and other emergency services fields. The fund currently has about $15,000 available for distribution, with individual awards of up to $2,500 per recipient each academic year. The commissioners said the program has ...

Pa. House votes to fund property tax cut for seniors with a levy targeting big tech

June 11, 2026

The state House voted Tuesday to tax tech companies that run digital advertisements in the commonwealth, and use the revenue to fund a property tax rebate for seniors. The Department of Revenue estimates the measure could bring in roughly $329 million in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. While a number of Republicans spoke against the bill, it ultimately garnered bipartisan support with a 139-63 vote. Thirty-nine Republicans joined all but two Democrats in supporting it. The measure would expand the state’s existing a 5% gross receipts tax to include revenue made from digital ...

Lawmakers urge Pa. Senate to split up public, private high school school playoffs

June 11, 2026

House lawmakers are calling on the state Senate to pass legislation that would allow Pennsylvania’s high school athletics governing body to split up playoff competition for public and private schools. House Bill 41, first introduced by Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre), would give the ...

Services for crime victims face funding cuts after drop in white-collar prosecutions

June 11, 2026

HARRISBURG — Across Pennsylvania, organizations that provide resources for crime victims are scaling back services, cutting positions, and leaving key roles vacant after the federal fund supporting them has received record-low deposits during President Donald Trump’s second ...

‘Passion…for something greater’: Penns Valley graduates 93

June 10, 2026

SPRING MILLS — It was a warm evening for the Penns Valley Area High School’s 74th annual graduation ceremony held on Friday, June 5. Family and friends packed the bleachers on the home side of the Ram’s football field, anxious to get a glimpse of their beloved graduates as the ...

Centre to add second solar array at correctional facility

June 10, 2026

BELLEFONTE — Centre County is taking another step toward its goal of running its government operations on solar power with the launch of the third phase of its long-term renewable energy initiative. On Tuesday, county commissioners approved a Solar Energy Power Service Agreement with Centre County Solar Partners Phase 3, LLC. The agreement paves the way for construction of an approximately one-megawatt solar array at the Centre County Correctional Facility. County officials said the array, the second at the correctional facility, will offset all electricity use at the county’s ...