BELLEFONTE — Centre County Commissioners on Tuesday, May 12 issued three proclamations and shared information related to next week’s Primary Election.
Peace Officers’ Memorial
Commissioners opened the meeting with a joint proclamation of Police Week on May 10-16, and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day on May 15.
Both elements of the proclamation honor the steadfast and dutiful service of law enforcement in Centre County. This week, residents and organizations throughout the county will hold ceremonies and observances to honor the people who protect and serve our community.
One such ceremony includes the Peace Officers’ Memorial event held on Wednesday, May 13 at Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte. The memorial pays homage to the Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in the past year. Sheriff Bryan Sampsel reported that this year the event will honor 113 officers.
Mental Health Awareness Month
The annual proclamation was passed in collaboration with the Jana Marie Foundation, whose representatives joined the BOC meeting.
Marisa Vicere, President of the Jana Marie Foundation, shared the significant impact of mental health challenges can have on individuals and the larger community. Vicere offered hopeful remarks, noting the positive results of learning the symptoms of mental health
struggles, engaging in open dialogue about mental health, and pushing to reduce stigma related to mental health.
Commissioners echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of individuals, providers, institutions, and local leaders in effecting meaningful change in how we approach mental well-being. In addition to the proclamation, Centre County Government will have the Community Services Building lit up purple throughout May to signify Mental Health Awareness Month.
Residents can join in the festivities this weekend at J.A.M. Fest, which will be held on Saturday, May 16, from noon to 5 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Plaza, 100 block of Fraser
Street in State College. For more information, visit https://janamariefoundation.org/jam fest/.
Emergency Medical Services Week
The final proclamation recognized community members and medical professionals who work tirelessly to provide lifesaving care to the residents and visitors of Centre County.
Emergency Medical Services Week dedicates May 17, 2026, through May 23, 2026, to the teams who work challenging hours and, sometimes, in even more challenging situations. From paramedics to emergency nurses and from first responders to trained members of the public, emergency medical practitioners help fill gaps in out-of-hospital healthcare.
Commissioners recognized how valuable these services and servicemembers are for keeping people in Centre County safe and well. Emergency medical professionals undergo thousands of hours of specialized training and education, and we are very fortunate to have many skilled professionals at the ready in our community.
Josh Fremberg, President of the Centre County Ambulance Association, praised his fellow EMS professionals for their dedication despite operational challenges. Fremberg noted that
workforce shortages, high turnover rates, and funding and reimbursement discrepancies pose challenges to EMS organizations nationwide.
“And yet, despite these challenges, EMS providers continue to show up. They show up at 2 a.m. They show up in bad weather. They show up for neighbors, friends, and complete strangers. That commitment is what makes EMS not just a service, but a calling,” Fremberg said, closing by stating, “It is an honor to serve this community!”
Election updates
The 2026 Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, May 19. Centre County voters can return mail ballots to one of the designated drop boxes until 9 a.m. on Monday, May 18. You can find a listing of designated drop boxes on the county’s Elections website at www.centrecountypa.gov/3506/Secure-Ballot-Drop-Boxes. After Monday morning, mail ballots can be returned in person at the Elections Office at 502 E. Howard St. in Bellefonte.
The weekly commissioner meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, has been cancelled. This cancellation allows the commissioners, who also make up the Board of Elections, to attend to the needs of the election.
Livestreams of the Vote-by-Mail Center and Board of Elections meetings are available through C-NET. Here is the viewing schedule:
- Mail-in Ballot Counting Livestream – Tuesday, May 19, beginning at 7 a.m. (www.youtube.com/live/p8XSznaMSmE?feature=share)
- Board of Elections Meeting – Thursday, May 21, beginning at 10 a.m. (www.youtube.com/live/NSgbJCQKmwU?feature=share)
- Board of Elections Meeting – Friday, May 22, beginning at 10 a.m. (www.youtube.com/live/qEGJ2KQpNLo?feature=share)
