Evan Halfen
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Commissioners Recognize Hunger Action Month in Centre County, Where 1 in 8 Face Food Insecurity
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The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is preparing to release the results of a yearlong Community Hunger Mapping project examining food insecurity and access to assistance throughout Centre County.
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Centre County Commissioners Award $215K for Affordable Housing Rehabilitation Projects
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Centre County commissioners on Tuesday approved $215,000 for four projects aimed at creating and repairing affordable housing across the county. The funding will support the rehabilitation of three homes in State College and Patton Township and provide additional money for a Habitat for Humanity program that helps lower-income homeowners make needed repairs. The awards come…
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New Multi-Roaster Coffee Shop Third Planet Opening in State College This Fall
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A longtime State College resident and coffee expert is preparing to open a new downtown shop centered on a rotating selection of light-roast, single-origin coffees from roasters across the country. Third Planet Coffee Brewers, a new multi-roaster coffee shop owned by State College native Frank Yeager, is currently undergoing construction at 300 S. Allen St.…
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Bottle Shop Expands With New Blue & White Pub in Downtown State College
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What began as a plan to purchase and renovate a longtime West Beaver Avenue bottle shop has grown into a new pub six years later. The Blue & White Bottle Shop, which has operated at 222 W. Beaver Ave. since September 2021, opened the attached Blue & White Pub at the end of August, completing…
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State College Teen Turns Passion for Card Games Into New Downtown State College Business
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Just over a year after graduating from State College Area High School, a 19-year-old entrepreneur is preparing to open a new trading card, tabletop and retro gaming store in downtown State College. Crown Lotus Games will officially open on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 206 E. Calder Way, offering gaming products and a free space for…
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Centre County United Way Bringing Community Together for Annual Day of Caring to Help Local Nonprofits
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Centre County United Way will once again bring together hundreds of community members to help support local businesses and organizations for its annual “Day of Caring” on Thursday, Oct. 1. The event will connect volunteers with local nonprofits for hands-on service projects including landscaping, painting, cleaning, organizing and facility improvements. Now in its 32nd year,…
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Big Ten Blood Drive Puts Penn State in Race for $1M Grant, Seeks to Boost Supply Amid Critical Shortage
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Penn State is asking students, alumni and fans to donate blood as the university joins all 18 Big Ten schools in a competition that could bring a $1 million grant to support student and community health. The Abbott and Big Ten “We Give Blood” drive campaign officially started Tuesday and runs through Dec. 4. The…
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Events, Emphasis on Resources to Mark Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in Centre County
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Centre County’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday designated September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and Sept. 10 as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day in the county Marisa Vicere, president and founder of the Jana Marie Foundation, joined the board to discuss suicide prevention efforts and upcoming community events. “Each September, we pause to recognize…
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Centre County Recognizes National Recovery Month; Vigil to Remember Lives Lost to Overdose
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The Centre County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday proclaimed September as National Recovery Month and Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day, highlighting local efforts to prevent overdose deaths and expand access to addiction recovery services. Karri Hull, Centre County director of criminal justice planning, told commissioners that since 2013 more than 53,000 people in…
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Shaquille ‘DJ Diesel’ O’Neal to Headline Penn State’s LightsUP Festival
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Shaquille O’Neal will bring his DJ Diesel act to Penn State next week for a free concert on the HUB Lawn. The Basketball Hall of Famer will headline the sixth annual LightsUP festival on Friday, Aug. 28, with indie pop and alternative duo Between Friends opening the event at 6:30 p.m. The festival is organized…