Top stories: Ferguson Township’s next manager, State College’s new ICE ordinance
Centre County’s top stories from Wednesday touched on local government, education and community life. From a possible new Bellefonte walking trail to a debate over ICE protections in State College, here’s a quick look at the day’s top stories.
Here’s what to know:
- Bellefonte Borough Council unanimously approved a $5,950 feasibility study to explore linking Talleyrand Park and Joseph Masullo Memorial Park with a pedestrian walking trail. Stahl Sheaffer Engineering will examine two options, including a single bridge across Spring Creek in a flood plain or a route using two bridges to avoid it. The path would run from the Bellefonte train station along an abandoned railroad spur next to South Potter Street.
- A proposed ordinance to protect the community from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be placed on the State College Borough Council’s agenda no later than July 6. The move follows local anti-ICE protests and resident demands for a binding ordinance prohibiting borough collaboration with ICE. Borough officials reiterated that State College police do not assist ICE.
- Ferguson Township appointed Warren Obenski as its new township manager after a five-month search involving 42 candidates from 18 states. Obenski, who previously served as manager of Honey Brook Township and as a police officer in Chester County, will earn $155,000 annually. He starts May 26, replacing interim manager Thomas King.
- The State of Hope Foundation, founded by former Penn State linebacker Nathan Stupar, is marking 10 years of helping disadvantaged youth and low-income families in Centre County. The nonprofit’s ninth annual golf tournament on June 27 aims to raise $150,000 and has already brought in nearly $122,000. State of Hope recently partnered with Bridge of Hope to raise $17,000 a year to support one family for two years.
- State College’s Community Oversight Board is approaching its fifth anniversary but struggling with community engagement, having received just 14 complaints since launching, most unrelated to the police department. The board was created after the 2019 police shooting death of Osaze Osagie, a 29-year-old Black man experiencing a mental health crisis. Officials and community members say greater awareness and outreach are needed for the COB to fulfill its accountability mission.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Jessica McAllister
Centre Daily Times