Latest news with #STATECOLLEGE
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Neil deGrasse Tyson coming to State College for one night only
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Neil deGrasse Tyson, a world-renowned astrophysicist, will be coming to State College to dissect science in movies. The show, titled 'An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies – Part 1,' will feature Tyson looking at the science in some popular films, such as Star Wars, Titanic and Armageddon, along with other films you might not have realized have science throughout. Tyson will hit the stage at Eisenhower Auditorium Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. For more information and tickets, click rose to fame as an expert with History Channel's 'The Universe,' which soon led to him hosting a remake of Carl Sagan's 'Cosmos' for two seasons. He's also an accomplished author and the host of the popular YouTube series 'StarTalk.' You can read more about Tyson by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Inmate accused of trying to rape two nurses while at Mount Nittany in State College
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — A State College inmate was arrested Friday for allegedly trying to rape two nurses at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Conner C. Patterson, 26, was charged with two counts of attempted rape and indecent assault and three counts of assault with deadly force. His bail was denied, citing his being homeless and for violent crimes against nursing staff. According to the criminal complaint, State College police were called to Mount Nittany on Wellness Way at 9:06 a.m. April 11, in regard to an assault of two nurses. While speaking with one of the victims, police were told Patterson was in a room and made a comment about needing sex. Roughly 20 minutes later, Patterson left the room, grabbed a nurse by the hair and dragged them back into the room, according to a victim's account with police. She went on to say Patterson pushed her against the bed and tried to pull her pants down. Thwarted State College school attack meant to coincide with Columbine anniversary Charging documents show that a second nurse heard the first one yelling for Patterson to get off of him and she hit an emergency button to alert security before running into the room to help. The second victim claimed Patterson pushed her against a wall and pulled her pants down. That's when hospital security showed up to step in. The Director of Emergency Services told police that as they tried to subdue Patterson, he pushed them against a wall, causing neck and shoulder pain, the complaint was in Centre County Prison awaiting criminal proceedings in a robbery case from March when he allegedly tried to steal a $3.50 can of beer from a State College store. He was then found to have a prescription bottle of Pantoprazole with someone else's name on it. That person told police she didn't know Patterson and she just noticed the bottle missing, a previous complaint reads. A preliminary hearing on the attempted rape charges is scheduled for April 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
REMARKABLE WOMEN: Amanda Strandburg serves others through dedication to community, country
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Throughout the month of March, WTAJ is honoring remarkable women who've made a positive impact in their community. Whether she's wearing a crown or camouflage, Amanda Strandburg, who was named Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2025, represents poise and purpose while inspiring others through her dedication to causes greater than herself. 'This pageant system means the world to me because it's about your platform not just about beauty,' Strandburg said. 'So, it's about what you're doing in your community.' For Strandburg, serving others doesn't stop at home as she's devoted years to protecting her country. 'I'm one of 42 women that are worn officers in the state of Pennsylvania for the national guard which is like 1% of the 1% serving,' she said. Dedicated to helping others, both in and out of uniform, Strandburg's mission of service recently expanded to providing support for other servicewomen. 'One day I saw a post from one of my prior female soldiers and although she's full-time military she was stating that she couldn't afford to buy her kids back to school supplies and that kind of started a fire in me,' she said. With that newly ignited passion, she decided to host a back-to-school drive to help others facing similar obstacles. 'Giving back to the community and showing them that you care and that you understand what they're going through or you know you're that helping hand I think that's vitally important,' she said. Last year, Strandburg started the non-profit 'Her Boots' to continue those efforts, and she recently partnered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to create care packages for a women's veterans conference in state college. 'It's the fastest growing demographic in the military is our women vets,' Amy MacKenzie of VFW Women Veterans Chairperson of Pa. said. 'We're very happy to be here both while they're serving and when they come out.' 'Creating that community, that connection, so they don't ever feel alone, and they can find solace in other female veterans because we do experience a lot of the same things,' Strandburg said. 'There are many different obstacles in military life or their civilian life.' For Strandburg, it's about keeping the conversation going and getting female veterans the services they need. 'Female veterans are actually 2 times more likely to have PTSD and they're 4 times more likely to commit suicide than male veterans,' She said. 'So, I think that's a call to action and that's where we need to step up.' Strandburg continues to step up through her many roles in life as a soldier, non-profit leader, donor and coach to show others that your actions are what define you. 'Pageantry has given me the courage to actually put my nonprofit on the map. It has opened me up. I'm kind of an introverted person. It has given me the confidence to be like, 'I'm going to do this and I'm going to do it now,'' She said. She hopes other women takeaway the same message: there's no limit to what you can do. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
State College moves forward with first phase of Urban Forest Master Plan
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) – State College is entering the first phase of its Urban Forest Master Plan, which they hope will let them make more informed environmental decisions in the future. The borough is currently on phase one of four in total. This first phase includes performing a tree canopy assessment, which indicates how much ground is covered by canopies when viewed from above. Elected officials continue to weigh in on proposed SCI Rockview closure 'The study helps the borough understand the distribution, the health and the density of the community's trees and how it has changed over time,' State College Borough Communications Specialist Kayla Lafferty said. The other phases include reviewing tree-related ordinances and taking inventory of the total number of trees. Lafferty says the assessment will allow for future planning and more community education about the 'importance of the urban forest.' 'It'll also focus on sustainability, so it will enhance the borough's efforts to combat climate change, improve air quality and provide shade,' Lafferty said. According to the borough's website, the first phase is set to be complete by the end of March – with the full plan expected in May 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
PSU confirms three cases of chickenpox at University Park campus
STATE COLLEGE — Three cases of chickenpox have been confirmed at Penn State's main campus according to University Health Services. According to a release from campus health officials, members of the campus community who have received two doses of the varicella vaccine or have had the disease are considered protected. Those unsure of their immunity should check their records, health officials said. University Health Services has identified the origin of the cases at University Park and is working to notify close contacts to help limit the spread. Students and staff who were in Mifflin Hall between Feb. 17 and Feb. 24 or in the Thomas Building on Feb. 20 between 1 and 3 p.m. may have been exposed. Individuals should check their immunization records and, if necessary, schedule a vaccination through myUHS, a local pharmacy or their health care provider. Anyone displaying symptoms of chickenpox should isolate immediately and contact University Health Services at 814-865-4UHS (4847) or their local health care provider. Those who believe they may have been exposed should also contact a health professional to discuss next steps. A varicella vaccination within three to five days of exposure can help reduce symptoms. Chickenpox, caused by the varicella zoster virus, is a highly contagious disease characterized by itchy blisters that cover the head and body. Symptoms often include a rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body, along with fatigue, headache and fever lasting several days. In rare cases, chickenpox can lead to serious complications such as infected blisters, pneumonia, bleeding disorders and brain swelling. The illness spreads through airborne particles and direct contact with an infected person. Symptoms typically develop within 10 to 21 days after exposure. Individuals are contagious one to two days before the rash appears and remain contagious until all blisters have dried. Given the approaching University spring break, individuals should be especially mindful of potential exposure and symptoms.
