A.M.BRIEFING: Wednesday

Man gets long jail term for bank robberies

A former Allegheny County man was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for his conviction on nine armed bank robberies, including one in McAlevys Fort, Huntingdon County.

Authorities say 60-year-old William F. Perry used a replica handgun to rob Kish Valley National Bank on March 26, June 4, and August 16, 2004.

He also was convicted on robbing four other banks several times in 2004 and 2005.

Chief United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose sentenced Perry on June 8.

Two local bars cited for liquor code violations

Two State College-area bars have been cited by the State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for liquor code violations.

Police allege that on May 8, the American Ale House & Grill, at 821 Cricklewood Drive in Patton Township, was playing music so loudly that it could be heard outside the establishment, in violation of the law.

Police say the Phyrst, at 111 and 1111/2 E. Beaver Avenue, in State College, was cited for the same noise violation that occurred May 7.

The charge will be brought before an Administrative Law Judge who could impose penalties ranging from $50 to $5,000 and can impose a license suspension or revocation, or mandate training.

County appeals Village tax assessment

BELLEFONTE — Centre County has appealed a decision by Senior Judge Charles C. Brown Jr. on the tax assessment of The Village at Penn State property.

The case is pending in Commonwealth Court. The assessment determines how much a property owner pays in taxes. Brown issued an opinion in October 2008 and clarification of that in January 2009, putting the market value of the property at $29 million in 2008 with an assessed value of $8.5 million.

In his decision, Brown said that the property should receive deductions for “service-related income.” The county argued the property has a market value of $42 million. The county’s appeal is that the discount was applied incorrectly.

Since Brown’s decision, The Village has been paying taxes at the lower assessment rate.

Couple lauded for conservation easement

BELLEFONTE — Centre County commissioners recognized Patrick and Kathleen Hillard for putting their 30-acre Ferguson Township farm in a conservation easement.

Norm Lathbury, county coordinator of farm land preservation, said the farm is the 36th in Centre County to be permanently preserved. It is next to several other farms that are also preserved from development.

The state, county and Ferguson Township contributed to the $105,000 cost. Patrick Hillard said he was glad the 30 acres could be kept as farmland.

“Agricultural land is disappearing at an alarming rate, and it doesn’t come back,” he said.