Incumbents Ousted In Penn State Trustees Election

Counties constituting the Happy Valley Region of Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In what one newly elected member called a referendum on the Penn State board of trustees, alumni chose three new members and ousted veteran members Paul Suhey and Stephanie Deviney.

Endorsed by the family of former head football coach Joe Paterno and vocal alumni critical of the board’s response to the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal, the election winners emerged from a field of 39 candidates, including the two incumbents.

The election results came during a meeting Friday on the University Park campus, where the board voted to adopt sweeping changes as Penn State University continues its effort to revamp procedures following Sandusky’s conviction last summer for molesting 10 boys.  Sandusky is serving 30 to 60 years in state prison.

The winners in the monthlong election, which saw nearly 34,000 alumni cast ballots, are Edward “Ted” Brown III of State College, Barbara Doran of New York and William F. Oldsey of Basking Ridge, N.J.

Read more:

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-penn-state-trustees-election-20130503,0,1472995.story

Bellefonte’s Victorian Christmas

Counties constituting the Happy Valley Region of Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  This is a great example of taking your strengths and maximizing them!

BELLEFONTE – This weekend you will find Bellefonte full of activity everywhere you look; it is the 31st annual Victorian Christmas. There will be something for everyone. Just some of the highlights are a Breakfast With Santa, arts and crafts at three locations, carriage rides, the home tour, walking tours and wonderful concerts.

The event’s opening ceremony is Friday at the Bellefonte Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.. featuring the Bellefonte Community Band, the Nittany Knights, the Bellefonte Elementary School fourth and Fifth Grade Choir, middle school Women’s Chorale, St. John’s Elementary School Choir, and other special performances including a preview performance of “Dickens’ Holiday.”

Mayor Kent Addis will officially open the event.

This year the Bellefonte Historic and Cultural Association offers historic walking tours downtown on both Saturday and Sunday.  The tours meet at 2 p.m. at the courthouse both days.

Read more:   http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/542378/Bellefonte-s-Victorian-Christmas.html?nav=5164

Bedford, Blair, Center And Huntington Counties Brace For Hurricane Sandy

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Blair County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As Hurricane Sandy continued to batter the East Coast and mid-Atlantic states, county officials in central Pennsylvania moved Monday to enact emergency disaster declarations ahead of the storm’s expected turn toward the area.

Bedford, Blair, Centre and Huntingdon counties issued emergency disaster declarations, and other Pennsylvania counties are expected to follow suit.

The declarations mean emergency management officials and first responders have greater access to resources necessary for relief efforts without the “red tape” of soliciting bids or other typical government procedures, Bedford County Director of Emergency Services Dave Cubbison said.

“We’re definitely going to have water,” Cubbison said.

Read more: http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/565622/Counties-brace-for-Hurricane-Sandy.html?nav=742

Jerry Sandusky Sentenced To At Least 30 Years In Prison

BELLEFONTE, PA – Jerry Sandusky was sentenced today to at least 30 years in prison — effectively a life sentence — in the child sexual abuse scandal that brought shame to Penn State and led to coach Joe Paterno‘s downfall.

A defiant Sandusky gave a rambling statement in which he denied the allegations and talked about his life in prison and the pain of being away from his family.

Three victims spoke, often fighting back tears. One looked Sandusky in the eyes at times.

The 68-year-old former Penn State assistant coach was found guilty in June of 45 counts of child sexual abuse, convicted of molesting 10 boys over a 15-year period. Witnesses said Sandusky used the charitable organization he founded for troubled children as his personal hunting ground to find and groom boys to become his victims.

His arrest 11 months ago, and the details that came out during his trial over the summer, transformed Sandusky’s public image from a college coach who had been widely admired for his work with The Second Mile charity into that of a reviled pervert who preyed on the very youngsters who sought his help.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=419736

Penn State Punishment: 112 Wins Vacated, 4-Year Bowl Ban, $60 Million Fine, Lost Scholarships

English: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) logo. Source: http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/Public/mlp/promotions_special_events/pe_web/promo_manual/memos/identity.pdf Converted by User:King of Hearts from :Image:National Collegiate Athletic Association logo.png using Inkscape. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA slammed Penn State for the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal today with an unprecedented series of penalties, including a $60 million fine and the loss of all the school’s victories from 1998-2011, knocking Joe Paterno from his spot as major college football’s winningest coach.

Other sanctions include a four-year ban on postseason games that will prevent Penn State from playing for the Big Ten title, the loss of 20 scholarships per year over four years and five years’ probation. The NCAA also said that any current or incoming football players are free to immediately transfer and compete at another school.

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the staggering sanctions at a news conference in Indianapolis. Though the NCAA stopped short of imposing the “death penalty” — shutting down the Nittany Lions‘ program completely. But the punishment is so severe, it’s more like a slow-death penalty.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=402015

Sandusky Convicted Of 45 Counts, Plans To Appeal

Counties constituting the Happy Valley Region of Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Jerry Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse Friday night and faces spending the rest of his life in state prison. His attorney said he would appeal the verdict.

Sandusky’s attorney, Joseph Amendola, asked Judge John Cleland to allow Sandusky to be released on house arrest, but Cleland summarily rejected the request, saying: “Bail is revoked. Mr. Sandusky is remanded to the custody of the sheriff.”

Sandusky was immediately led out of the courthouse in handcuffs as a large crowd of onlookers cheered. Sentencing was set for late September.

Read more: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12363955-sandusky-convicted-of-45-counts-plans-to-appeal?lite

RIP Joe Pa

Joe Paterno has passed away.  We offer our sincere sympathy to the Paterno family.

Our hope is that despite recent events, Joe Paterno will be remembered for all the good he did and not for a lapse in judgement.  To err is human; to forgive, divine.

WE ARE…PENN STATE!

Joe Pa Near Death

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Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is near death, a source close to the Paterno family told The Citizens’ Voice.

On Saturday afternoon, Paterno’s wife, Sue, called close friends of the former coach to the State College hospital where Paterno has been undergoing treatment since Jan. 13 for complications from his fight against cancer.

 

Paterno, 85, wanted to say a final goodbye, Sue said, according to the source.

 

Those close friends included his longtime secretary. Members of Paterno’s extended family were also summoned to the hospital.

 

His son, former assistant coach Jay Paterno, cancelled an appearance in Reading, Pa., telling organizers 15 minutes before the scheduled start that he would not be able to make it because “his wife” was sick.

 

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/source-paterno-in-grave-condition-1.1260839#ixzz1k8oscUrL

More Penn State News

Joe Paterno is having a bad month.  Not only has he been fired after 60+ years, but now PSU is taking down a 900-pound statue of JoePa that stands outside Beaver Stadium over Thanksgiving break.  It’s being done to avoid riots.  Hmmmmm.

In addition, the Big Ten will be removing JoePa’s name from the conference championship trophy.

Mr. McQueary’s statement that he notified the police about witnessing Jerry Sandusky sexually molesting a 10-year-old boy in the PSU showers has gotten the attention of local police.  State College Police Chief Tom King is sayin’ that ain’t so, Joe Mike.  There is no record on file that McQueary reported Sandusky to the State College popo. 

The Pennsylvania State Police are not commenting if McQueary spoke with them because of the ongoing investigation into the 2002 incident.  Guessing the answer is “no”.

Centre County Rabies Cases Climbing

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First rabid beavers in Philly, now drooling raccoons in State College???  Looks like 2011 is the year of the rabid animal.

Rocky Raccoon was tooling around the main campus at Penn State University on June 30^th when authorities shot the animal because it was drooling, running into things and falling down (guess only coeds are allowed to do that).  The raccoon tested positive for rabies (it hadn’t crashed a frat party).  This is rather alarming as there are tens of thousands of students at PSU’s main campus and a rabid raccoon throw into the mix could have been very dangerous.

So far this year there have been 8 diagnosed cases of rabies in Centre County.  In all of 2010 there were only 5 cases of rabies.  The next most recent rabies incident prior to last Thursday happened in nearby Gregg Township.  On June 27^th a dog and rabid raccoon fought.  The dog was vaccinated but is being quarantined.

Beaver Stadium Turns 50!

Growing up in North Central Pennsylvania, you can’t help but be a Penn State fan.  Question: Why is the sky is blue and white?  Answer: God is a Penn State fan.

My Dad was a Penn State alumni and Joe Pa’s name was said with reverence.  A big thrill for me was when our high school band participated in Band Day at Beaver Stadium.  Standing on that field, in front of that many people, was a rush!  I can’t drive by Beaver Stadium without looking at it.  It certainly stands out but even after all these years, it still makes me look.

So happy birthday Beaver Stadium.  Hopefully the Nittany Lions will have a banner season to commemorate your big 50.  After all, it is Happy Valley!