Centre Daily Times week in review

Manny’s finds its groove in State College

Manny’s Live Performance Space, located at 101 Hiester St. in State College, has grown into a thriving hub for diverse musical acts since opening in early 2025. Owner Corey Elbin, whose company Gorinto Productions participates in the Secret Planet music series, curates a wide range of acts spanning alternative-country, metal and international artists from Colombia, Morocco, and beyond. The basement venue, formerly the Saloon bar, required extensive renovation before opening. In order to serve alcoholic beverages, Manny’s has partnered with Bellefonte’s Big Springs Spirits as a satellite location, allowing it to serve only Pennsylvania-made beverages under tighter hours. Elbin is also planning a nonprofit to help community groups access programming and run events, while pursuing partnerships with local festivals including the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

Reported by Matt DiSanto, published May 11

Casino opens with charity check ceremony

Happy Valley Casino held its grand opening May 8, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and presenting two oversized checks to local nonprofits. The YMCA of Centre County and State College Food Bank each received $81,124.94, representing proceeds from the casino’s two test days last month. YMCA of Centre County CEO Scott Mitchell expressed surprise at the amount, saying the funds would support significant work. Founding casino partner Ira Lubert, a Penn State alum, noted he had envisioned a Centre County casino for nearly nine years. Since opening April 27, the nonsmoking casino has welcomed over 24,000 visitors and more than 10,000 have signed up for players club cards.

Reported by Josh Moyer, published May 8

Nature center seeks input on boardwalk replacement

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center is seeking community input on plans to replace its aging boardwalk, which studies have found to be in critical condition. The 24-year-old structure, built between 2002 and 2004 using pressure-treated wood designed to last 15 to 20 years, has suffered repeated flooding, downed trees, severe weather, and erosion that have compromised its foundational stability. The center is also considering making the new structure ADA accessible. A community survey remains open through May 22, and a capital campaign is planned once the project scope is finalized. Millbrook Marsh’s 62-acre site includes a 12-acre farmstead area and an adjacent 50-acre wetland area that supports a diverse range of wildlife.

Reported by Paloma Pimentel, published May 11

Centre Gives 2026 breaks $3M fundraising mark

Centre Gives 2026 has wrapped up its 36-hour online fundraising event, setting a new record by surpassing $3 million in total community impact for the first time in the event’s history. Organized by the Centre Foundation, the campaign raised $3.08 million for more than 230 Centre County nonprofits through 18,330 total gifts, topping last year’s $2.84 million. Since launching in 2012, Centre Gives has generated over $25.5 million for local nonprofits and has broken its fundraising record every year. The top five earners were Centre County PAWS, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Schlow Library Foundation, State College Food Bank, and ClearWater Conservancy. A $500,000 stretch pool from the Centre Foundation and the Hamer Foundation further boosted donations.

Reported by Jacob Michael, published May 8

Mom of Penn State hockey star faces charges

Krystal D. McKenna, 44, mother of Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to minors after a liquor control enforcement officer said surveillance footage showed her providing alcoholic drinks to her son and two underage females at Doggie’s Pub in State College on Jan. 31. Gavin McKenna, 18 and projected as the consensus first overall NHL draft pick, is separately accused of twice punching a 21-year-old man roughly 80 minutes after his last documented drink, fracturing the man’s jaw. He faces misdemeanor simple assault and summary charges. Several NHL evaluators told ESPN they were not concerned about the incident’s impact on his draft stock.

Reported by Bret Pallotto, published May 8

Penn State alumni elect two new trustees to board

Penn State alumni have elected Karen Keller and Joseph S. DeRenzo to the Board of Trustees while reelecting incumbent Jay Paterno, following this year’s alumni trustee race. Incumbent Ali Krieger, a former Penn State and professional soccer player, received the fewest votes and was not reelected. Of 767,909 eligible alumni, 17,281 ballots were cast. Outgoing trustee Anthony Lubrano questioned whether recent bylaw changes had discouraged alumni participation. Keller, managing partner at an IP and commercial litigation firm, and DeRenzo, a senior leader at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, each succeeded on their second attempts to join the board. The newly elected trustees will begin their three-year terms on July 1.

Reported by Paloma Pimentel, published May 8

This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Centre Daily Times week in review."