News for 3/22/13

Hearing                                                                            3 22 13

A federal judge has scheduled a hearing in Philadelphia next Tuesday for arguments about potentially staying the lawsuit filed by Victim 6 in the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case. 

Penn State and the Second Mile want the case delayed. They argue that the criminal prosecutions of Tim Curley, Gary Schultz and Graham Spanier will prejudice the defense of the civil suit and lawyers for the university and charity are looking to stay the case until the criminal cases are settled.

Penn State argues the men will be critical witnesses in the case, but are expected to refuse to testify since they will not go to trial until 2014. Lawyers for Victim 6 want the civil case to proceed immediately saying that he has waited long enough. 

The hearing will be held at 2pm. Anita Brody will be the presiding judge. 

Rape

Penn State police are investigating the reported rape of a female student on Campus. Police said an individual reported being sexually assaulted by a known individual in a residence hall sometime between January 1 and February 10.The individual didn’t report the alleged assault until Wednesday morning. Police said they have the suspects name but cannot confirm if an arrest has been made. 

Inmate

 A suspended corrections officer at the State correctional Institution at Rockview pleaded no contest yesterday to charges that he forced an inmate to perform sexual acts on him.

 According to the Centre Daily Times, Marlin E. Freeman of Clearfield County entered the plea to a felony charge of institutional assault during a pre-trial conference in Centre County Court yesterday.

 State Police at Rockview said the Freeman, who police have DNA evidence connecting him to the case, forced the inmate to perform sex acts in the prison chapel between September 2009 and April 2012. He also threatened to take away the inmate’s janitorial job in the prison’s medical facility or get him placed in solitary confinement if he didn’t agree to perform the acts.

Road Work

The State College Borough Public Works Department will install several storm sewer inlets and pipe at the intersection of South Fraser Street and West Prospect Avenue again today. This work will delay traffic at this intersection between the hours of 7:30am and 5:00pm.

Altoona

The city of Altoona was declared financially distressed last year, but it will be getting help on the road to recovery.

 The Department of Community and Economics Development announced yesterday that it will award a Municipalities Financial Recovery Act Grant of $519,000 to the city.

 The grant will help support the implementation of new technologies that will help Altoona implement its financial recovery plan. 

CVC

 The 14^th annual Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer Run/Walk will be held tonight at Medlar Field. Those who haven’t registered can still do so this morning. Registration is $15 for team registration and $18 for individuals.The event begins at 6pm. All proceeds will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer-Penn State.

Colyer Lake

 Colyer Lake will be drained soon. According to the Centre Daily Times, Eric Levis, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission confirmed yesterday that the lake will be drained at a rate of about 2 feet a week and could take 3 months.

 Levis said that the lake is one of a number of lakes statewide that has to be drained. He also emphasized that Colyer Lake will not be abandoned and the Commission has every intention of rebuilding it.