Latest news with #AmberConcepcion
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Centre officials respond to being on DHS sanctuary jurisdiction list
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) included Centre County and State College in a list of places violating federal law, but even after the list was taken down, it has officials wondering why they were on it in the first place. The DHS issued a list last week detailing several locations in Pennsylvania that were 'deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens.' But, going to the list now brings up a page not found notification. Centre County's commissioners have not forgotten they were on that list and wonder what got them on it to begin with. Centre County officials respond to delay on Rockview, Quehanna closure decision 'We haven't heard from the federal government in terms of why we were put on the list,' Commissioner Amber Concepcion said. 'There were a wide variety of jurisdictions that also don't know why they were put on the list.' According to the DHS, every place on the list will receive 'formal notification of its non-compliance,' but the commissioners say they have not gotten any such communication. The DHS described the jurisdictions on the list as protecting 'dangerous criminal illegal aliens from facing consequences,' and putting law enforcement in danger. Commissioners do not believe this describes the county or State College. 'To the best of our knowledge, we're complying with all the relevant federal laws based on what counties do,' Commissioner Chair Mark Higgins said. Commissioners say they have been in contact with elected officials, and while they have been 'helpful,' how the two locations ended up on the list is still a mystery to them. The DHS has not said when or if the list will be going back up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Centre County elections office to introduce new mobile unit
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WTAJ) – Voters in Centre County who may struggle to get to the polls will soon have a new method for casting ballots. Centre County's elections office got the approval to move forward with a new mobile unit. The refurbished van is set to include all the equipment needed for polling, including computers, printers and an awning for outside use. The unit will provide the typical services of a polling location like voter registration forms, mail in ballot applications and regular ballots. It will be able to bring these services to more rural areas of the county like Snow Shoe, or senior living buildings to save residents a trip. 'I think this will sort of be, in some ways, a bit of a PR push for voting itself,' Commissioner Amber Concepcion said. 'The importance of voting, the importance of being involved in your community in that way, and make it easier for people at the same time.' Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The elections office says they plan to have the unit running in time for the fall general election. According to the meeting agenda, the total contract cost is not to exceed $11,500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ -
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Centre County Commissioners recognize employees for their hard work and dedication
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Centre County officials are recognizing their employees for their dedication and service to the county by officially proclaiming April as National County Government and Centre County Employee Appreciation Month. The proclamation highlighted and celebrated the work of over 3,000 counties across the nation that provide services to more than 330 million people and keep communities healthy, safe, vibrant, and economically resilient. In Centre County Government alone, almost 600 employees work to enhance the lives of its residents. Clearfield County officials promote National Child Abuse Prevention Month 'Our employees are really impressive in how they bring a lot of empathy, care, and compassion to the work that they do,' Commissioner Amber Concepcion said. Concepcion noted Centre County Government employees also have a level of 'Professionalism in terms of making sure we provide services in accordance with a great deal of regulations.' John Franek, Jr., Centre County Administrator, thanked county employees and said, 'Your commitment to our community often goes above and beyond. Each of you plays a vital role in making our county a better place and we are grateful for your resilience, professionalism, and passion for serving the public. Thank you for your unwavering service.' Commissioner Steven Dershem also supported the proclamation saying county employees help make Centre County a better place to live. 'So it takes a lot of folks not only on the service end but on the compliance end to make sure that what we do here at Centre County Government follows our mission. And I think we've got a pretty crack team here, we're very proud. I think I join my fellow commissioners in saying thank you for everything that you do,' Dershem said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Under the baobab: Black History Month events continue in Centre County
Black history is American history. The Centre County Board of Commissioners — Mark Higgins, Amber Concepcion and Steve Dershem — issued a proclamation naming February as Black History Month. Accepting for the community was Leslie Laing, Carmen Wong, Kesla Elmore, Gary Abdullah and Terry Watson. In other Black History Month events, Marta Plumhoff, the food system coordinator for the Penn State Student Farm, hosted the documentary film 'Farming While Black,' produced by Mark and Liz Decena, which featured Soul Fire Farm, Black Dirt Farm Collective and Rise and Root Farm. I will be reading from my writing at The Print Factory bookstore in Bellefonte on Friday, Feb. 28 from 5-6:30 p.m. Before that, a tour of 'Defining the New Negro; Voices of the Harlem Renaissance a Century Later' will meet outside the Paterno Family Humanities reading room, second floor central Pattee Library, on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 11-11:30 a.m. It will be followed by an open house of the Charles Blockson Collection of African American and African Diaspora materials. Watson, director of CCU; Laing, NAACP officer; Chiluvya Zulu, State College DEI officer; and Jacqueline Watkins convened 'Strategies for Justice Symposium' at 3 Dots last week. Shawn Kennedy, retired Chicago police officer, Elinor McNeel from Los Angeles and others joined via Zoom. The group discussed innovative ways to expand the efforts of the organization. The Democratic Party also held their petition signing event at the Ramada Inn. About 100 supporters attended to hear remarks from candidates and party officials. Rayna Williams, conference chair, and Alana Nesmith, president of the Multicultural Undergraduate Law Association, held a Diversity in Law Conference at the Nittany Lion Inn. MULA's prelaw faculty advisor, Kathy Garren, conducted a personal statement workshop. Several law school admissions officers were available to advise on their schools' criteria for entrance. The first annual Juneteenth Sneaker Ball, which benefits the 1865 Freedom Legacy Scholarship, will be held at the Graduate Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 7-10 p.m. An unforgettable night of dinner, dancing and community is planned. Friday, former PSU visiting professor Ronnie Burrage and his group performed at 101 Heister St. The same night, top-ranked Penn State wrestling team closed out its home regular season against American at Rec Hall, hoping to finish the season with a 71-match win streak, the second longest in the history of NCAA Division I. Our men's basketball team broke a seven-game losing streak with a 89-72 victory over Nebraska at the BJC. Coming up, world renowned saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin will perform at Eisenhower Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The School of Theatre's production of 'How to Succeed in Business ...' directed by Christopher Campbell will open on Feb. 25 and runs until March 7. Acclaimed PSU professor Steve Broadnax directed 'A Raisin in The Sun' at the People's Light and Theatre Company. The play opened Feb. 19 and will close on March 30. Playwright Lorraine Hansberry was the first African American woman to have a play on Broadway. In 1997 it was the first play written by an African American to appear on the mainstage at Penn State. The production featured theatrical legend Frances Foster, Mitch Little, Carla Hargrove, Cynthia Henderson, Anthony Irons, Ephraim Lopez Walter Pagan and Carlton Currington. Finally, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is happening this weekend at the BJC. What started as a dance marathon with only 78 dancers back in 1973 has blossomed into the world's largest student-run philanthropy. This year an estimated 16,500 students will be taking part in a 46-hourlong, no-sitting, no-standing dance marathon to raise awareness and funds for children and families impacted by childhood cancer. In addition to participants there will be thousands of observers at the BJC and countless viewers of the Bellisario College student produced simulcast. Last year a record breaking $16.9 million dollars was raised ... for the kids. Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party's nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
