|
⭐ Support local investigative journalism! If each Talk of the Town subscriber gives just $15/month, we will meet our fundraising goal for Spotlight PA’s State College regional bureau this year! Contribute now. |
|
|
| Inside this edition: Sandy Township wants to delay its merger with the City of DuBois, what to know about Pa. budget season, and State College Pride is this weekend 🌈 |
|
Real quick: A Pennsylvania township wants to pause its consolidation with its scandal-ridden neighbor city, Spotlight PA Local Accountability Reporter Min Xian reports.
A little more: In an unusual legal filing, Sandy Township seeks to pause its voter-approved consolidation with the City of DuBois as a result of corruption allegations against the city’s suspended manager and alarming financial oversight issues.
The consolidation, a rarity in Pennsylvania’s patchwork of more than 2,500 municipalities, was approved by DuBois and Sandy Township voters in a 2021 referendum — by a razor-thin margin of 1% among township electors — after three failed attempts in previous decades.
Now, Sandy Township officials argue in a new court filing that the sweeping fraud allegations against Herm Suplizio, one of DuBois’ most politically connected government officials, and mounting questions about city oversight and ongoing investigations necessitate an intervention.
“Given the unique and extraordinary circumstances presented here, including serious criminal malfeasance, absent a permanent injunction the township will suffer substantial financial losses and harm,” officials wrote in the complaint, filed in Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas.
The state attorney general’s office in March accused Suplizio of stealing more than $600,000 in taxpayer money over a decade. Suplizio has yet to enter a plea in the case or appear in court. Contrary to the allegations, the city’s mayor and solicitor have told the public there is “no money missing” from the city.
The full story: Read more here. |
|
» Pa. budget 2023: Your guide to what’s on the table, what comes next, and how to follow along
» Pa. officials spent $12.6M on private lawyers to fight challenge to state’s education funding
» WATCH: A free panel on Pennsylvania’s troubled guardianship system |
|
A sunset made smoky by the Canadian wildfires, as seen from Moore Hill in Cameron County — by Brian Reid of Eventide Light Photography.
Want to be featured here? Send your best local pics to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. |
|
Want us to list your event? Send it to us.
» June 8-10: Special Olympics Pennsylvania hosts its annual Summer Games at Penn State.
» June 9-10: Barbecuers compete in Smoke On The Mountain in Tioga County. Tasting passports are available for $5.
» June 9-11: State College Pride features a parade, festival, Drag Queen Story Hour, Pride Alleycat Bike Race, and more.
» June 10-18: Wellsboro celebrates the 81st Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival, highlighted by an arts and crafts fair, parade, concerts, and more.
» June 11: Curwensville-Pike Township Historical Society hosts its annual history tour.
» June 11-24: Penn’s Woods Music Festival features chamber, orchestral, and jazz music. |
|
An anagram is a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another. For example, “spotlight” also forms “stoplight.”
Decode the anagram and send your answer to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. We’ll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA State College swag.
A G R E E
Good luck!
Last week’s answer: Zoned
Congrats to Randolph J., who will receive Spotlight PA State College swag. Others who answered correctly: Samantha S., Amy Z., Don H., Tish M., Martina M., Jon W., Brendan D., Karen A., Elizabeth B., Kevin M., Jeffrey F., Linda A., Leann T., and Jay G.
|
|
Do you have events, community shoutouts, questions about our region, or tips on stories that we should pursue? Email our team.
|
|
|
| |
|
