By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

The Joe Paterno statue, located outside Gate F at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, has become a national shrine.

In wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal which led to the ousting of the legendary coach back in November, fans flocked to the monument in a show of support for Paterno, who spent six decades at the university.

Now, days after Paterno succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 85, the statue has become more than that. Hundreds, if not thousands, have flocked to the front gates of Beaver Stadium to pay their respects, leaving flowers, candles and football memorabilia by the seven-foot likeness of Paterno to mourn his passing.

To look into the eyes of local sculptors Yesid Gomez and Wilfred Buitrago, of course there is sadness in regards to the above scene, but also a great amount of pride. That’s because 11 years ago, they, along with Reading area artist Angelo DiMaria, were

Photo by Stan Hall
Warwick players (left to right) Chris Weiser (3), Jonathan Wenger (7), Jordan Smith (2), Asher Klahold, Shawn Mearig, Armin Efendic and Ryan Bertrando mob teammate Jordan Loose (center) after his kick went off a Hempfield player for the only goal of the game last Saturday.Photo by Stan Hall
Warwick players (left to right) Chris Weiser (3), Jonathan Wenger (7), Jordan Smith (2), Asher Klahold, Shawn Mearig, Armin Efendic and Ryan Bertrando mob teammate Jordan Loose (center) after his kick went off a Hempfield player for the only goal of the game last Saturday.

Nearly 25 percent of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) employees in Akron will be jobless due to agency restructuring.

As previously published in the Intelligencer Journal/Lancas