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 Due to the early winter snow storm, the Borough sustained extensive damage to public and private trees and shrubs. The Public Works Department has been working daily to collect and remove the large volumes of brush as efficiently as possible. Unfortunately, the large volumes have also hampered fall leaf collection. Residents can assist crews by having all brush to the curb, with the butt end of the limbs facing the curb for collection. Once brush has been removed, residents are then asked to rake leaves and place them loosely between the sidewalk and the curb. PLEASE DO NOT COVER LEAVES WITH BRUSH OR MIX BRUSH AND LEAVES TOGETHER.
As of Friday October 30, Public Works crews will have collected brush from all Borough streets at least once. Borough crews will continue to collect brush throughout the month of November following the leaf collection schedule. Crews will be chipping brush in Area #1 first, and then move into Area # 2.
Beginning November 2, crews will collect leaves in Area #1 and will be following the leaf collection schedule as posted here.
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Borough tree crews have been chipping brush, pruning damaged branches and removing hazardous trees since the storm. Over 700 street trees incurred significant damage, including 43 that had to be completely removed. Holmes-Foster, Sunset and Lederer Parks still remain closed due to hazardous conditions.
The tree crew has already addressed priority hangers in trees and should soon complete removal of trees damaged in the storm. They will then address less significant hangers identified by our office or reported by Borough Residents. A Borough contractor is working in parks pulling or cutting broken branches out of the park trees and Park & Rec crews are following up by chipping all the downed limbs. Holmes-Foster should be the first Park to reopen followed by Sunset.
Residents are encouraged to use extreme caution when dealing with storm damaged trees and limbs. Trees and limbs may still be in contact with live electrical wires which could cause severe injury or death. If residents suspect damaged lines or poles then should call Allegheny Power at 1-800-255-3443. Also, many people unaccustomed to or with little experience are using chainsaws to clear brush on their property or to help neighbors. Chainsaws are very dangerous even in controlled circumstances. Storm damaged trees create unique situations and should be addressed by experienced professionals.
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Next Saturday's game with Ohio State is shaping up to be another exciting contest between these two Big 10 universities. In preparation for this big event, Borough and University officials are working diligently to make the weekend fun and safe for all. Numerous proactive strategies are being employed by the Borough and Penn State for this event.
 Within the State College community Penn State has some of the greatest fans in college football. In keeping with this "greatness," it is important for the student and non-student residents of State College to show their enthusiasm, but at the same time display "class" by respecting the opposing fans, other Penn State students and non-students, our neighborhoods, and themselves.
State College Borough Police along with Penn State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and other local police agencies will have a more visible presence in our Borough neighborhoods and downtown. The objective is to provide for a fun, safe atmosphere for everyone to enjoy the weekend and to do so in a respectful and safe manner. While we are hopeful there will be few problems in our neighborhoods and downtown, we continue to encourage persons to report illegal and unsafe activities to the police when they are occurring. Of course, for safety reasons citizens are discouraged from confronting persons who are engaging in disorderly or other criminal conduct.
While the police department will increase the number of police officers in our neighborhoods for this and many other big event weekends, what truly will make a lasting difference is for current students, alumni, non student residents, and visitors alike to speak up and discourage a friend who is conducting himself/herself in a manner that is illegal, disrespectful, or unsafe. Speaking up helps our community and is likely to prevent a friend from arrest, school expulsion, injury, or even death. We all can make a big difference one person at a time, but we have to be willing to speak up and help keep each other safe.
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