Summer Briefs

AIDS Project to charge fees

The AIDS Project, 315 S. Allen St., had to begin charging $25 for HIV testing.

Since the program began in 1994, the service was free. However, due to government funding cutbacks in the health industry, The AIDS Project needed to initiate a $25 fee for the HIV-antibody test.

Free HIV tests are still available through University Health Services located in Ritenour Building.


Growth rapid for area retail

The State College retail scene continued signs of rapid growth June 10 when the Patton Township Board of Supervisors saw plans for the largest commercial development in the Centre Region since the Nittany Mall.

Developers introduced plans for Patton Square, a shopping center located on about 70 acres of land near North Atherton Street. The center would include a Target department store, a Wegmans supermarket, a Carmike Cinemas theater with at least 10 screens, a relocated Dairy Queen and several other stores.

Retail expansion was also seen in other parts of the State College area.

Construction continued at the Nittany Mall on a 95,000-square-foot Kaufmann's department store set to open in March. The State College Borough Council also envisioned plans for a Rite Aid Pharmacy and smaller shopping center near South Atherton Street.

Older retailers also began plans to compete with their newer rivals.

Kmart, 100 Valley Vista Drive, finished a conversion into a Big K store earlier this month. The Wal-Mart in the North Atherton Place shopping center also began an expansion and remodeling project expected to be finished by the Christmas shopping season.


Borough approves rezoning

The State College Borough Council voted July 20 in favor of the controversial rezoning of the Highlands neighborhood.

The new amendment prevents future high-density housing, such as high-rise apartment complexes, from being developed in the neighborhood. Current structure uses are not affected by the rezoning.

The Highlands neighborhood borders downtown and is roughly defined as the area enclosed by South Atherton Street, Easterly Parkway, University Drive and Beaver Avenue.

"This is a massive rezoning," said Council President Jean McManis.

Unlike the last large rezoning in the downtown area, which regulated the housing of non-Penn State students, the Highlands rezoning affects housing density, not the tenants of the structures.


Judge delays Dawson trial

The trial of the 35-year-old Boalsburg resident who allegedly held his former fiancee captive and raped her was postponed in July. Shane A. Dawson allegedly held her captive in November after she broke off their engagement. The couple later married.

Dawson's attorney filed the uncontested motion, which was accepted, because of negative and false publicity surrounding the trial.

The new trial will take place in Blair County.


Trash fires may be related

A rash of dumpster fires that began in late April continued through the summer. The State College Police Department believes up to 40 fires may be related and is continuing to investigate several building fires.

A "suspicious" building fire occurred in an abandoned home on the 300 block of South Allen Street. Another structure fire occurred at Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, 403 Locust Lane. In addition, a fire began in a building on the 100 block of North Gill Street. Causes of the fires have yet to be determined.