SCI Huntingdon reports inmate death

October 6, 2026

John Rivello, superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon, reported that inmate Geraldo J. Maldonado Jr., 43, was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday. Prison staff and medical personnel immediately responded to the scene and provided life-saving measures. EMS arrived at the facility and advanced life support measures were continued as he was transferred to Penn Highlands Hospital, where he passed away at 1:44 a.m. Maldonado was serving a 24- to 52-year sentence for rape of a child following a Lancaster County conviction. In accordance with state policy, ...

Shapiro endorses bill to open state primaries

October 6, 2026

Gov. Josh Shapiro backs a bill that would open Pennsylvania’s primary elections to unaffiliated voters. House Bill 280, authored by state Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, passed the state House by a 115-88 vote on Tuesday. “I support it,” Shapiro told The Center Square in an interview on Saturday. Only registered Democrats and registered Republicans can vote for candidates who are running in their respective party’s primaries, under Pennsylvania’s current laws. Shapiro previously signaled his support for open primaries, telling The Center Square in May that he “made ...

Marking a milestone: State ag department recognizes Centre County farm as Bicentennial Farm

October 6, 2026

WARRIORS MARK — A Centre County farm was recently recognized as a Bicentennial Farm. The Barron and Lynn Stine farm on Halfmoon Valley Road in Halfmoon Township near Warriors Mark dates back to 1813, when Jonas and Samuel Stine purchased the farm from Richard and Rebecca Saddler. The Stine ...

Agriculture briefs: 4 Seasons bull named champion

October 6, 2026

TYRONE 4 Seasons Red Moose of 4 Seasons Farm LLC, Tyrone, owned by Bob VanKirk, was named the National Grand Champion Red Devon bull at the show in Remington, Va. Moose is a 2200 premiere herd sire at the farm and is well known for his characteristics that fit perfectly into grass-finished beef operations. “This bull is the biggest, stoutest, deep bodied, most masculine bull here today, not much in comparison. We just think he’s a really good example of what a mature bull should be,” said judge Will Clark. “This bull is a good way to end the day because I don’t care what ...

FFA spotlight: Emma Walizer

October 6, 2026

Age and school: 16, Bellefonte Area High School Family: Parents: Cliff Walizer, Sarah Walizer and Rachael Kerstetter; siblings: Maverick, Seth, James and Lilymae FFA chapter: Bellefonte FFA Years involved with FFA: Two years Amount of time spent on FFA: Two years FFA projects: Two Market ...

Touching up

October 5, 2026

David Gildea paints the front porch steps of his North Juniata Street home in Hollidaysburg on Thursday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski