Local News 11-23-12

Residence Halls………11 23 12

 Residence Halls will open at 5pm today to accommodate the students who plan to return for Penn State’s senior day clash with Wisconsin at Beaver Stadium tomorrow.

 Students who plan to wait until tomorrow to return should avoid Park Avenue due to game day patterns blocking the residence halls.

 Instead, students are asked to approach campus using Atherton Street and College Avenue. 

Gas Prices

 Though driver paid more at the pump this Thanksgiving, they could be paying less by the end of the year.AAA estimates that the national average price of gas could fall somewhere between $3.10 and $3.30 by years end.

 Gas is currently $3.43 nationally and about $3.60 statewide. As of this morning in Happy Valley, a gallon of regular gas will cost you between $3.57 and $3.59. 

Black Friday

 Several places will remain closed today while others operate in a lighter schedule.All township offices are closed and will reopen Monday. State College borough offices and Centre Region Council of Governments offices will also be closed today.

 Cata will operate on a reduced schedule. They will resume full service tomorrow. 

Lion Shrine

 One of Penn State’s most popular spots will see some improvements next year.

 According to the Centre Daily Times, The mound of mulch that surrounds the Nittany Lion shrine will be replaced by a ramp to make the site more accessible for times like graduation or home football games.Steps and Sidewalks will also be added to the shrine among other things.

 The improvements are the senior gift from the class of 2012.  The cost of the project is not yet available. 

Rich to Poor Gap

 A new study shows that the rich and indeed getting richer in the commonwealth, but what about the others?

 A report released by the Keystone Research Center and Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center finds that low and middle wage families in Pennsylvania are losing financial ground to those making the highest incomes.

 The report titled “Pulling Apart: A State by State Analysis of Income Trends,” finds that between the late 90’s and the mid 2000’s, annual incomes of the richest fifth of Pa households grew by 7 point 2 percent, while those who made the least saw their incomes fall by 7 point 9 percent.

 The KRC believes unemployment and the current minimum wage are the major cause of the income gap.   

Internet Shopping

 With Black Friday shoppers out today finding the best deals, the attention will soon turn to Cyber Monday, but online shoppers should be cautious.

 If you do plan to purchase Christmas gifts online, Michael Kaiser, the executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance says to make sure you review any merchants you have not dealt with in the past and watch out for red flags.

 Kaiser also reminds you to beware of public wi fi hotspots that are not secure and watch for phishing scams coming into your inbox.