News for 3/1/13

Erickson                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3 1 13

 Penn State President Rodney Erickson is still facing criticism for his part in potentially accepting the Freeh report a little prematurely.

 At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing yesterday, Erickson faced tough questions primarily from Senator Jake Corman about the Freeh report mainly questioning if the university president still believes Freeh’s conclusions are accurate.

 Senator John Yudichak also expressed his displeasure with the university and its board of trustees for not yet addressing the glaring deficiencies in the report. Yudichak believes if this is done is would not only make Penn State a stronger institution, but it could appropriately address the victims of the Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

 Erickson opted not to comment on the matter due to the pending criminal and civil cases that have to play out.     

Trustees

 Thirty-Nine Candidates are vying for the three open seats on Penn State’s Board of Trustees.

 The number on the 2013 ballot was much lower then last years record 86 candidates. Incumbents Paul Suhey and Stephanie Deviney are among the 39.

 Voting will begin on April 10 and conclude May 2. 

Hilltop

 The deadline has officially passed for residents at the Hilltop Mobile Home Park in College Township to move, but not everyone is packing up without the help of relocation assistance. The State Attorney General’s office is in talks with the owners of the park in an effort to provide residents with the financial assistance they were previously denied.

 A hilltop resident told the Centre Daily Times that movers were given $4000 by the owners if they could prove they were relocating their homes to another park. Those who couldn’t were told they would have to pay $750 to abandon their homes.

 A new law passed last years says if in compliance, a mobile home park owner has to give nearly 6 months notice before evicting residents and pay relocation expenses that could range between $2500 and $4000.

 Owners Kenneth and Sharon Mayes informed the residents last fall that the park would be closed or sold and Trinitas Ventures, an Indiana based company plans to develop the land into luxury student housing. 

PSU Military Agreement

Earlier this week, Penn State signed the new U.S. Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership agreement. The agreement re-authorizes the University through all campus and learning centers—to provide higher education opportunities to active-duty military service members, veterans and family members who use military tuition assistance programs. 

Bomb Threat

 State Police are investigating a bomb threat made at West Branch Elementary School in Clearfield County yesterday.

 Police said a note was found in a third grade hallway at 10:15 saying that a bomb would be placed in the same hallway today. The school was evacuated as a precaution and classes were cancelled for the rest of the day. 

Spirit

Contrary to previous reports, Spirit Airlines said yesterday that a cut in government spending will not yet affect flights at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe. 

Spirit announced yesterday that they are planning to operate on a normal schedule and they are waiting to see the full impact of the cuts which may close certain air traffic controllers.Recent reports suggested that sequestering could lead to a close of the airport's control tower.

The company is already authorized by the FAA top operate at both the Arnold Palmer Airport in Latrobe and the Niagara Falls International Airport when the control tower is close.

Seger

 Bon Jovi rocked the Bryce Jordan Center last Saturday night and another major rock band is on their way to the BJC in May.

 As announced by 93-7 the bus yesterday, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band will rock State College on Thursday night May 2.

 Tickets are priced at $75 and will go on sale next Saturday.