A.M. BRIEFING: Thursday

From CDT staff reports

New bridge on Route 2012 eliminates detour

A new bridge has opened, spanning Muddy Creek on state Route 2012 in Gregg Township, about two miles southeast of the road’s intersection with state Route 45.

With the opening of the bridge, the state Department of Transportation has lifted a detour that had been in place since June.

PennDOT replaced the old bridge with a new, single-span composite-concrete box beam bridge. Other project work included guide rail updates, approach work, paving and bank cover. Nestlerode Contracting Co. Inc. was the contractor on this $1.1 million project.

PennDOT takes out Route 45 passing zone

The state Department of Transportation has eliminated a passing zone along state Route 45 in Haines Township, east of the village of Aaronsburg, near the PennDOT stockpile.

PennDOT decided to eliminate the zone after conducting a traffic study along the road, as requested by Haines Township residents. New paint lines eliminating the zone were put in place Tuesday.

Huntingdon couple to hold benefit open house

Two retired teachers are holding a benefit open house this weekend at their restored Italianate mansion in Huntingdon.

Done by Cook’s Painting and Restoration, of Altoona, Barb and Joel Brown’s renovation of the historic 1874 home at the corner of Washington and 10th streets was finished this summer. The opulent interior features 14-foot ceilings on two floors, walnut arches and woodwork, paneled pocket doors, hand-stenciled walls, trompe l’oeil curtains and a ceiling mural depicting the nine Muses over the 30-foot dining room.

The Browns will give tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is limited to adults. A donation to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association is requested.

Penn State’s IST college to mark anniversary

Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology will celebrate its 10th anniversary during events 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the IST Building cafe on the second floor.

President Graham Spanier will be the keynote speaker at the event. It will also feature an appearance by the Nittany Lion and demonstration of state-of-the art classrooms and labs.

Continental Congress rep to be voted on

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, any Pennsylvania citizen will be able to cast a vote at Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center to help determine who will represent Pennsylvania at Continental Congress ’09, a gathering in November in Illinois.

The voting site at Toftrees is one of six around Pennsylvania to choose delegates to the the November convention being organized by We The People and Give Me Liberty organizations, and sponsored locally by The 9-12 Project of Central Pennsylvania.

The stated purpose of organizers of the convention is to allow those attending to “express their concerns as free people in pursuit of liberty and order to our public” and restore obedience to the Constitution. The convention is planned for Nov. 9-22 at the Pheasant Run Conference Center in St. Charles, Ill.

Biographies and backgrounds of delegate candidates are at www.GetMeLiberty.org. Any Pennsylvania resident, regardless of political affiliation, 18 or older may vote, organizers say. Photo ID will be required.

Logan Fire Company to hold open house, party

As part of Fire Prevention Week, Logan Fire Company 1, of Bellefonte, will hold an open house/Halloween party and costume contest from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the firehouse, 120 E. Howard St. Food and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 355-3100 and ask for anyone on the Fire Prevention Committee.