MIDDAY REPORT: Lifeguards needed at state parks?; BEA shines in Envirothon; Rose takes Preakness shot

LIFEGUARDS at state parks?

Interim director of State College DID named
Your turn: Send well wishes to PSU graduates

Are lifeguards needed at state parks?

They're needed, says the state auditor general in a report released yesterday.

This is no time for "open swim" at Bald Eagle and Black Moshannon state parks along with others. All but Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie are scheduled to eliminate lifeguards starting this summer.

Auditor General Jack Wagner issued the report critical of the decision by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Read the department's response in Sara Ganim's story today and share your comments with other Web readers. We started a poll on the issue too.

This tops the midday report on a mild Happy Valley Thursday. Thanks for joining us.

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CONGRATULATIONS to Bald Eagle Area students for winning the 24th annual Centre County Envirothon.

They'll advance to state competition right here at Penn State with a chance to move on to nationals in Arizona.

See Chris Weddle's photos and read about this today.

Sticking with education, you can comment today just like state senators did on the proposal for new graduation tests in Pennsylvania.

Do we need this new plan?

And today online you can send well wishes to Penn State graduates. Look for coverage of the weekend commencement ceremonies in the Centre Daily Times and back here online.

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BELLEFONTE'S Jeremy Rose will be aboard Icabad Crane Saturday at the Preakness in Baltimore.

Can Rose and Icabad pull the upset?

Why not?

Best wishes to our local jockey.

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NEW today is the announcement that David Wells will serve as interim executive director of the Downtown State College Improvement District.

Wells has been active with DID for years and is a champion of downtown. We wish him well in the new role.

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THANKS for reading us in a big way and joining a community of 280,000 unique visitors so far in May here online. Have a great Thursday, everyone.

Look for the midday report from the newsroom each weekday. Send questions, comments or suggestions to bheisse@centredaily.com.