A Plague of Flies

STATE COLLEGE -- Remember the much-discussed stench that swept parts of the Centre Region early this month, just about the time that Penn State spread some powerful manure on nearby farm fields?
Consider this Chapter Two.

In the past two weeks or so, since the stink dissipated, locals have said houseflies are appearing at startling rates -- indoors, at picnics, everywhere. Steve Jacobs, a Penn State extension associate who specializes in entomology, confirmed the reports Wednesday and said that, at least in his anecdotal observations, the housefly population in and around State College seems unusually abundant.