Snow Emergency Declared

Harris Township has declared a snow emergency effective January 24, 2026 at 10:00 PM. Ticketing under the ordinance will begin at 1:00 AM, January 25, 2026. The snow emergency will remain in effect until it is lifted by the Township. Please move all vehicles from our public streets prior to 1:00 AM, January 25, 2026. The ordinance prohibits reparking on our streets until after the snow emergency has ended. Please stay alert to social media for notification of when the snow emergency is lifted.

Public parking for those without off street parking options is available in Nittany View Park, Blue Spring Park, Yoder Preserve, and the municipal building parking lot. We do not typically plow the parking areas in our parks, so please be aware that you may experience difficult driving conditions.

Residents are urged to avoid any unnecessary travel during the storm. Please help our crews and first responders by staying out of the storm.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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Weekend Storm Update

The Centre Region is under a winter storm warning. The National Weather Service is forecasting 10 to 18 inches of snow from late Saturday night through Sunday morning. Wind and bitterly cold temperatures will linger into next week.

The time to prepare for this storm is now.

Residents are encouraged to take the following actions:

Centre County uses the Alert Center app to communicate important information. Download this app now via this direct link: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=centrecountypa

If you lose power at your home, please report that directly to West Penn Power. Outages can be reported in the following ways:

Online at:

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html

Via Text Message:

·        To report an outage: Text OUT to 544487 (LIGHTS).

·        If you’re not enrolled in text messaging, text REG to 544487 to get started.

·        To receive the latest update for your reported outage: Text STAT to 544487.

Via Telephone:

To report an outage call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877).

Accessibility

Customers with a communication disability can report an outage using the appropriate TTY/TDD relay service.

When you call, please provide the following information:

·        Street address of the outage location

·        Knowledge of whether or not your neighbors have power (if possible)

·        Phone number where you can be reached

Residents are advised to stay off the road during the storm. Travel may be extremely difficult during the height of the storm, with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour forecast. It will be difficult for road crews to keep up with the storm.



Important phone numbers to keep on hand during the storm:

·        Emergencies – call 911

·        Non emergencies – 1-800-479-0050

·        Reporting Power Outages – 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)

Please follow the Harris Township Facebook page and the Centre Region Ready Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/centreregionready) or CR Emergency Alerts on X (https://x.com/cremalerts) for information during the storm. PA511 has information on roadway conditions and restrictions for highways.

Additional helpful information:

·        Creating an Emergency Kit for your home - https://www.ready.gov/kit

·        Creating an Emergency Car Kit- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/ready/get-prepared/gather-supplies#car

·        Latest weather information - https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?x=162&y=145&site=ctp&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=162&map_y=145

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CataGO Service Expansion!

CataGO is launching a new pilot program that will extend micro‑transit service farther than ever before—reaching the outer edges of our member municipalities and providing more riders with convenient, flexible transportation.

To see the updated service zones, see how the expansion zones work, see what this means for riders and fares, see the link below.

To learn more about the new program, click here.

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Schlow Library Drop Box

Schlow Library now has an additional remote book return located outside of the Harris Township Municipal Building at 224 E. Main Street in Boalsburg. We now have 7 remote book returns located throughout the Centre Region.

For more information about all of our remote book returns, please visit https://www.schlowlibrary.org/using-schlow/remote-book-drop

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Short-Term Rental License Ordinance Adopted

At their December 8, 2025, meeting, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 382, establishing licensing regulations for short-term rentals. Property owners wishing to rent on a short-term basis, which is defined as 29 consecutive days or less in duration, must obtain a Rental Housing Permit from the Centre Region Code Administration (CRCA) and a Short-Term Rental License from Harris Township. Properties containing a short-term rental must be owner-occupied unless otherwise permitted by the ordinance.

The Township’s website has a page dedicated to short-term rental licensing and includes a copy of the adopted ordinance and applications. The site can be accessed by clicking here.

The short-term rental license process is new for both applicants and Township staff, so we expect a learning curve on both sides. Staff is happy to assist applicants throughout the process and will communicate any questions that arise throughout the review of applications. Applicants are welcome to contact the Zoning Officer, who also serves as the Short-Term Rental Officer, with any questions or concerns.