January
It was the year of the Sandusky scandal. As Centre County commissioners were sworn in, talk centered on how to pay the mounting costs for the upcoming trial.
For the first time in nearly five-decades of Penn State football a new Nittany Lion leader took over... January 6th Bill O'Brien, the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots was picked to lead the Nittany Lions.
January 17th - in Blair County Brandon Zeth was mistaken as an intruder and was shot and later died.
No charges were filed against the homeowner due to the state's Castle Doctrine.
The man who led one of the most-respected college football programs for 46-years - Joseph Vincent Paterno - died after a battle with lung cancer on January 22nd and Nittany Nation mourned.
February
In February, Penn State's THON raised a record total of close to $10.7 million despite the shadow of the Sandusky scandal.
March
In Blair County - Iraqi war veteran Nicholas Horner's trial for the April 2009 shooting deaths of Scott Garlick and Raymond Williams ended with 1st degree murder convictions and life in prison.
April
A Cambria County transgendered couple appeared before a federal Grand Jury about the University of Pittsburgh bomb threats. All charges were later dropped.
May
Hockey came back to Johnstown after the North American Hockey League announced in May the Tomahawks would hit the ice this fall.
June
Jury selection in early June brought the throngs of national media back and for one week in late June, the eyes of the nation were centered on Courtroom 1 in Bellefonte.
A Centre County jury convicted Jerry Sandusky on 45 of the 48 child sex abuse charges.
A fatal Johnstown police shooting in late June of Elip Cheatham was ruled justified but remains controversial.
July
The 8 month investigation by former FBI director Louis Freeh into Penn State's sex abuse scandal slammed the most powerful leaders at the university - with long term effects and more criminal charges.
Less than two weeks later, the NCAA levels unprecedented sanctions against Penn State University.
Joe Paterno's 7' 900 lb bronze statue was removed in late July from outside Beaver Stadium.
October
On a Sunday night in late October -Sandy - dubbed a "Superstorm" hit our state and the entire eastern part of our nation with a vengence . Heavy rain and snow hit here with high winds, downed trees, power lines, flooding and more.
November
On Election night - November 7th - incumbent 12th District Democrat Mark Critz was defeated by Republican challenger Keith Rothfus--- changing the political landscape for the newly redesigned district and putting the defense heavy Johnstown area in jeopardy.
November 15th 3 year old Darrel Etchison Junior died in an Altoona fire.
Police say Aaron Dishong set that fire. Dishong committed suicide in the Blair County prison just weeks later.
December
December 20th Altoona City Council voted to officially become a distressed city.
Officials hope it will allow the more freedom to get out of financial difficulties, but the fire fighters union says it will hurt their members.
December 21st Jeffrey Michael shot and killed 3 people near Geeseytown, Blair County.
He also shot at police who returned fire and killed him
The day after Christmas an Altoona teenager shot and killed his friend Jesse McElhinney.
Family members say the teens were playing with a gun that accidentally went off. The DA hasn't said if he'll file charges.
It was the year of the Sandusky scandal. As Centre County commissioners were sworn in, talk centered on how to pay the mounting costs for the upcoming trial.
For the first time in nearly five-decades of Penn State football a new Nittany Lion leader took over... January 6th Bill O'Brien, the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots was picked to lead the Nittany Lions.
January 17th - in Blair County Brandon Zeth was mistaken as an intruder and was shot and later died.
No charges were filed against the homeowner due to the state's Castle Doctrine.
The man who led one of the most-respected college football programs for 46-years - Joseph Vincent Paterno - died after a battle with lung cancer on January 22nd and Nittany Nation mourned.
February
In February, Penn State's THON raised a record total of close to $10.7 million despite the shadow of the Sandusky scandal.
March
In Blair County - Iraqi war veteran Nicholas Horner's trial for the April 2009 shooting deaths of Scott Garlick and Raymond Williams ended with 1st degree murder convictions and life in prison.
April
A Cambria County transgendered couple appeared before a federal Grand Jury about the University of Pittsburgh bomb threats. All charges were later dropped.
May
Hockey came back to Johnstown after the North American Hockey League announced in May the Tomahawks would hit the ice this fall.
June
Jury selection in early June brought the throngs of national media back and for one week in late June, the eyes of the nation were centered on Courtroom 1 in Bellefonte.
A Centre County jury convicted Jerry Sandusky on 45 of the 48 child sex abuse charges.
A fatal Johnstown police shooting in late June of Elip Cheatham was ruled justified but remains controversial.
July
The 8 month investigation by former FBI director Louis Freeh into Penn State's sex abuse scandal slammed the most powerful leaders at the university - with long term effects and more criminal charges.
Less than two weeks later, the NCAA levels unprecedented sanctions against Penn State University.
Joe Paterno's 7' 900 lb bronze statue was removed in late July from outside Beaver Stadium.
October
On a Sunday night in late October -Sandy - dubbed a "Superstorm" hit our state and the entire eastern part of our nation with a vengence . Heavy rain and snow hit here with high winds, downed trees, power lines, flooding and more.
November
On Election night - November 7th - incumbent 12th District Democrat Mark Critz was defeated by Republican challenger Keith Rothfus--- changing the political landscape for the newly redesigned district and putting the defense heavy Johnstown area in jeopardy.
November 15th 3 year old Darrel Etchison Junior died in an Altoona fire.
Police say Aaron Dishong set that fire. Dishong committed suicide in the Blair County prison just weeks later.
December
December 20th Altoona City Council voted to officially become a distressed city.
Officials hope it will allow the more freedom to get out of financial difficulties, but the fire fighters union says it will hurt their members.
December 21st Jeffrey Michael shot and killed 3 people near Geeseytown, Blair County.
He also shot at police who returned fire and killed him
The day after Christmas an Altoona teenager shot and killed his friend Jesse McElhinney.
Family members say the teens were playing with a gun that accidentally went off. The DA hasn't said if he'll file charges.
