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Articles by Joseph Klepeis
Senior Reflection
My first class at Allegheny was Journalism 100, a class that helped me learn the ropes of journalism and started me down a three-year-career with The Campus. I remember sitting in a contributing writer’s meeting when, then-Editor-in-Chief Sami Mirza, ’24, asked if I wanted to write anything for the paper. I had taken a few pitches before but nothing caught my eye that week. I asked if I could do a comedy corner, and there began years of jokes and tomfoolery.
Dam plan updated
Tamarack Lake Dam A has been classified as a high hazard dam by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. An emergency action plan has been developed. The dam is classified specifically as a Hazard Potential Category 1 dam which “present a substantial potential risk to life or property,” according to the Pennsylvania Code.
Six Campus staffers receive Keystone awards
Six staff members of The Campus were honored at the 2026 Student Keystone Media Awards, hosted by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association last week in Harrisburg. Campus writers took home prizes for both ongoing news coverage and editorial writing.
The Campus celebrates 150 years
Categories: An all-campus reception was held in the Tillotson room of the Tippie Alumni Center celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Campus on Thursday, Feb. 26. A crowd of over 100 people gathered for the event.
Standiford hopes to teach music class at women’s prison
Assistant Professor of Music Hannah Standiford is hoping to offer a new music appreciation course entitled “Discovering Music” on Friday afternoons next fall, but the course will not be taught in the usual Arnold Hall of Music. Rather, it will take place at the State Correctional Institution Cambridge Springs — a local minimum-security women’s prison.
Food review: So-Cal Tacos
For those unable to catch a flight to Los Angeles, look no further. On the main drag of nearby Conneaut Lake, you can get a taste of the West Coast. So-Cal Tacos has opened its first brick-and-mortar location, previously operating as a food truck in the parking lot of its current location.
Voices of The Campus: A legacy of student journalism
Kicking off a diverse slate of programming to honor the 150th anniversary of The Campus, a virtual panel titled “Voices of The Campus: A Legacy of Student Journalism at Allegheny,” took place on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The event focused on the different stories The Campus has covered throughout the years, with the panel consisting of five former editors-in-chief ranging from the 1960s to the 2020s. Anna Westbrook, ’26, the current editor-in-chief, moderated the event.
Erie News Now hosts 25th annual food drive
Categories: dozens of students volunteer their time About the Contributor Joseph Klepeis III, ’26, is from Bentleyville, Pennsylvania. He plans to major in English with a minor in Political Science. This is his third year on staff as a staff writer and copy editor. In his free time, Joe enjoys reading, traveling, and listening to music.
Comedy Corner: Horses, chimpanzees and pence
Categories: The Erie Times-News reported on Nov. 14 that local labor and food pantry leaders are pushing for “stable” funding to assist with local food aid. “People keep coming up to us, saying, ‘I’m so hungry I could eat a horse,’” said a food pantry volunteer.
Comedy Corner: Turkeys, octogenarians and the AI bubble
Categories: The Portland Press Herald reported on Nov. 8 that nearly 150 workers were laid off as Woodland Pulp faces a temporary shutdown. Remember this the next time you buy “no pulp.” The Idaho Statesman posed a question to its readers on Nov. 9. Under the “Big Beautiful Bill,” will Idaho subsidize other states’ growth?
Review: ‘Pig Hill’ brings Meadville to the big screen
Warning: this story may contain spoilers Last weekend, I saw the debut of “Pig Hill,” a horror movie based on the book, “Pig: A Supernatural Thriller” by Nancy Williams, ’90. I had the pleasure of seeing the movie on its second night at The Movies in Meadville, for a cool $10. I wouldn’t pay any more than that.
Chipper’s: The new ‘pub’lic library
Libations and the pleasure of a good book are being mixed in a new type of programming piloted by the Meadville Public Library. A chapter of the national Silent Book Club was established at the library hosted its first meeting on Sept. 10 at Chipper’s Pub on Chestnut St. “We’re trying to foster a culture of reading and joy around reading,” said Gabby Miller, ’20, a community librarian at MPL.
Comedy Corner: Mac DeMarco, Maine and the Veterans Association
Categories: The CBC reported on Aug. 25 about how Mac DeMarco went from an impish kid to an indie superstar. “The first thing I did was make a deal with a local wizard in Edmonton,” DeMarco said. “I had to bring him the eye of a newt, scales from a dragon and a poisonous apple, and in return he transformed me from an imp to a human.” The Edmonton Wizard was unavailable for comment as he was only able to be reached by magic messenger owl. According to The Hill on Aug.
National Wildlife Federation grant funds campus sustainability projects
Birds, bats and bees, oh my! The college was recently awarded an $8,500 grant from the National Wildlife Federation’s 2025 Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Grant Program, to support several sustainability initiatives according to an Aug. 7 press release from the college.
Allegheny opens ALIC @ Bessemer branch campus
Gov. Josh Shapiro was among the more than 250 people who gathered at 764 Bessemer St. for the ribbon cutting ceremony of Allegheny College’s new branch campus, the Allegheny Lab for Innovation & Creativity, on Thursday, April 24.
Critic of trans women in sports draws small audience, little controversy at Allegheny
A talk championing the fight to prevent transgender women from participating in women’s sports was met with repeated applause from a sympathetic audience of just over 40 students and community members Thursday evening.
Comedy Corner: Venture capital, roller coasters and crypto
Categories: Peter Grum, a founding board member of 43North — a venture capital company — has been named Chair, according to The Buffalo News on April 4. “I can’t believe this is happening,” Grum said. “I really liked being named Peter.” The Trump administration is planning a June 14 military parade through the streets of Washington, D.C., to mark the president’s 79th birthday, according to The Hill on April 7. Now I understand why he was laying off federal employees all willy-nilly.
Creek Connections holds research symposium
Tags: About the Contributor Joseph Klepeis III is a junior from Bentleyville, Pennsylvania. He plans to major in English with a minor in Political Science. This is his second year on staff as a staff writer and copy editor. In his free time, Joe enjoys reading, traveling, and listening to music.
Comedy Corner: Overdraft fees, LEGO and racism
Categories: Missouri US Sen. Josh Hawley was the only Republican senator to vote last week for lower bank fees, siding with Democrats in opposing the removal of a $5 cap on overdraft fees, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch on March 31. It seems behind all his history of hateful decisions and attacks on the less fortunate, there’s a glimmer of a backbone for the average citizen. The Senate voted to overturn the rule 52 to 48.
Playshop performs ‘This Random World’
Categories: The Playshop Theatre began its run of “This Random World” on Thursday, March 20 at 8 p.m. in the Gladys Mullenix Black Theatre. Promotional materials for the show describe it as “a bittersweet and tender play about interconnected lives, happenstance, and the tragi-comic potential of near-misses.
Comedy Corner: Ice cream, brawls and loans
Categories: The Buffalo Bills have agreed to deal with 5-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa, according to USA Today on March 11. “We’re going to deal with him alright,” said a Bills executive. “He doesn’t know what he’s got coming.” A 4-year-old boy in Wisconsin called 911 after his mother ate his ice cream, according to CNN on March 11. “I can’t believe he called the police on me,” the mother said.
Comedy Corner: Germany, NASCAR and Plan B
Categories: Reuters reported on Feb. 23 that the Christian Democratic Union has won over 28% of the vote in the German elections, with the Alternative for Deutschland coming in second, garnering over 20% of the vote. CDU leader Friedrich Merz has said he will not enter into coalition talks with the AfD.
Comedy Corner: Waste, transit and Superman
Categories: Politico reported on Feb. 14 that Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens eyes open Michigan senate seat. “I was just staring off into the distance when I made eye contact with the seat,” Stevens said. “It started folding and unfolding and flipping all around until it opened itself up.” West Mead township has approved a waste transfer, according to The Meadville Tribune on Feb. 13.
Comedy Corner: Meat sweats, coke and Medicaid
Categories: USA Today reported on Feb. 5 that people involved in anti-Trump rallies around the U.S. are feeling galvanized. “I feel ready to help with some construction,” one of the protestors said, “maybe even some irrigation.” The Baltimore Sun reported on Feb. 5 that the replacement for the Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in March will be Maryland’s first highway cable-stayed bridge. “Cable is the way to go,” said a Maryland Transportation Authority official.
Comedy Corner: Trade war, painkillers and the Grammys
Categories: A young shark whose species is normally found in southern waters has raised questions for researchers after its discovery off Charlestown in September of 2024, according to The Providence Journal on Jan. 31. “Spinner sharks like the one found here are commonly found closer to Florida,” said one of the researchers. “Maybe all that spinning caused the shark to get dizzy and lose its way.” CNN reported on Feb.
Comedy Corner: Elon Musk, groundhogs and JCPenney
Categories: The Meadville Tribune reported on Jan. 20 that the Meadville Area Recreation Complex will offer free swim lessons for up to 200 youngsters from around Crawford County. Whoever this MARC person is, they are going to have their hands full. CNN reported on Jan.
Comedy Corner: Pluto, rats and Nintendo
Categories: CNN reported on Jan. 10 that Astronomers have for decades tried to figure out how Pluto captured its largest moon. Now, there’s a new theory. “We’re pretty certain Pluto used a big net,” said a NASA official, “like they use in seine fishing.” Luxury condos are rising in West Hartford Center according to The Hartford Courant on Jan. 14. “It was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever seen,” said a Hartford resident.
Comedy Corner: SEPTA, climate change and PennDOT
Categories: The Hill reported on Nov. 12 that Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman (D) said he would vote to confirm Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) as secretary of State if selected by President-elect Donald Trump. “I’m not just going to toe the party line,” Fetterman said. “That would make too much sense.” SEPTA is proposing a 21.5% fare increase that will take place on New Year’s Day that will be followed by severe service cuts in July, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer on Nov. 12.
Comedy Corner: Grover Cleveland, amendments and the Senate
Categories: Donald Trump has won the election, making him the president-elect and the second U.S. president to serve non-consecutive presidential terms since Grover Cleveland, who won the 1884 and 1892 presidential elections. Cleveland, unlike Trump, knew that imposing tariffs on imported goods would push the cost onto American consumers so he refused to propose any. This is not a joke. CBS News posed the question, “When will Trump take office as president?” to readers on Nov. 6.
Comedy Corner: Baseball, Bonanza and Shakespeare
Categories: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported on Oct. 31 that $1 million in gambling revenue will be used to help Southwest Greensburg build a new public works complex. “There’s a lot we can do with a million dollars,” said Mayor Carol Palcic. “Imagine if we put it all on black and won. We could do even more with two million dollars.” The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series defeating the New York Yankees on Oct. 30, winning the series 4-1.
Comedy Corner: Joe Rogan, Cocaine and Marvel
Categories: Business Insider reported on Oct. 20 that Donald Trump traveled to Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, and briefly worked at a McDonald’s branch, cooking fries and serving drive-through customers. “This is fun work, I can’t imagine why anyone would complain about working hard at McDonald’s,” Trump said. “Sure I’m not working a whole shift or getting yelled at for taking too long with a customer’s order, but who cares?” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and former Rep.
Progress starts at home
It’s a presidential election year and that means — for those of us residing in Pennsylvania or other swing states — being bombarded with political ads. The majority of these ads are solely focused on the top of the ticket. There’s a great deal of importance in voting for the president. I don’t disagree with that notion, but I find most people unaware of the multitude of other races on the ballot that can and will impact their everyday lives.
Comedy Corner: Pandas, FanDuel and Ohio
David Plouffe, senior adviser to the Harris-Walz campaign, said most public polls are “horses—” according to The Hill on Oct. 14. “A lot of polls come from Gallup,” Plouffe said. “And everyone knows horses gallop.” NASA has launched a mission to investigate a potentially habitable ocean world, according to CNN on Oct. 14. “The planet has been dubbed Kamino by folks in the office,” said an anonymous NASA employee.
Comedy Corner: Ghost Shark, Healthcare and Flip-Flops
Former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele predicts that Vice President Kamala Harris will flip Florida and North Carolina, according to The Hill on Sept. 23. “Sounds good to me,” said a North Carolina resident. “I’m looking forward to having nicer weather year-round.” Folks in Florida were less receptive to the idea. “I don’t even own a pair of plain old pants,” said a Florida resident.
‘An Afternoon of Crankies’ coming to campus
Categories: The Allegheny Playshop Theatre will present “An Afternoon of Crankies” on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Montgomery Performance Space. Not a series of monologues about the passionate political beliefs of old men, the show foregrounds a little-known form of theatrical technology. The performance is directed by and starring Beth Watkins, professor of communication arts/theatre. The cast of the show consists of family and friends of Watkins as well as numerous alumni.
Comedy Corner: Teamsters, Records and Oklahoma
Surveillance video showed masked robbers plunging through the ceiling of an Atlanta business, in which they stole $150,000 in cash, according to USA Today on Sept. 18. “I have never seen such a thing before,” said an Atlanta police officer.
The Comedy Corner
Categories: The Hill reported on Sept. 8 that Miami Dolphins player Tyreek Hill was detained by police hours before the season opener. “I had the Jaguars to cover the spread,” said one of the arresting officers. “I bet my mortgage payment this month on them. I had to do something.” The University of Pittsburgh has cut ties with Athletic Director Heather Lyke, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Sept. 9. “It was a bit odd, but overall quite fun,” Lyke said.
Comedy Corner: Olives, Housing and Las Vegas
Vice President Kamala Harris pitched to union voters in “blue wall” states, according to The Washington Post on Sept. 2. The pitch was a fastball low and away going nearly 98 mph. James Carville lists “imperatives” for Harris to become a “certified fresh candidate,” according to The Hill on Sept 3. “She needs to have a cumulative review of 75% or higher after a certain number of reviews, between 20 and 80,” Carville said.
Comedy Corner
CNN reported on Aug. 26 that matching sets of dinosaur footprints have been discovered in Africa and South America. The footprints are over 3,700 miles apart on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. “This is huge news,” said one of the paleontologists who found the footprints. “Imagine how big this thing was if its feet were 3,700 miles apart!” Over 9,500 cases of 100% apple juice sold at Walmart have been recalled due to high levels of arsenic, according to ABC News on Aug. 26.
Comedy Corner: kangaroos, Starbucks and basketball
Categories: UPI reported on Aug. 19 that a kangaroo on the loose in Verdunville, West Virginia was causing a traffic jam. The real question is what DMV allowed a kangaroo to get a license. Thomson, Georgia Mayor Benjamin Cary Cranford was indicted on charges that he left a bottle of gin in a ditch for a state prison work crew. “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world,” said Cary Cranford. “The police found mine.” CNN reported on Aug.
Creek Connections holds annual Student Research Symposium
About the Contributor Joseph Klepeis III is a sophomore from Bentleyville, Pennsylvania. He plans to major in English with a minor in Political Science. This is his first year on staff as a staff writer. In his free time, Joe enjoys reading, traveling, and listening to music.
The Comedy Column: Rush, powdered gravy and drunk vultures
The Meadville Tribune reported on April 17 that the Cambridge Springs Borough Council awarded contracts for paving and seal coating during their meeting on April 15. “I’m glad we got the paving contract handled,” said one of the council members. “But why the hell have we given a contract to provide seals with coats? We don’t even have a zoo in town.” A Vanity Fair headline on April 16 read “Republicans Rush to Defend Trump in Blatant Bids for VP Pick.” Rush is from Canada.
The Comedy Corner
Boeing, a commuting racehorse and asteroid extremities The Fitchburg commuter rail line struck a boat that was on the tracks on April 10, according to the Boston Globe. There were no injuries reported and no damage to the train. “Clearly there was some sort of scheduling conflict,” said a passenger aboard the train. “I can’t think of any other reason the ferry was using the train tracks.” The Miami Herald reported on April 10 that Delta Air Lines is changing their boarding process.
The Comedy Corner
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized CNN on April 3 for allegedly cutting a quote he made about President Biden being a threat to democracy. “I never said that,” Kennedy said. “But that’s the way it made me look crazy to liberals.” (Real Quote) He said with the addition of context the quote makes much more sense. “If they would have kept the quote in its entirety,” Kennedy said.
‘Once in a lifetime’: Hundreds from community celebrate total solar eclipse at ‘Eclipse Fest’
Monday, April 8, 2024 was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Meadville and its residents. Literally. At 3:16 p.m., Meadville and the surrounding area went dark from a total solar eclipse. For just over two and a half minutes, the moon perfectly masked the sun, casting shadows on the land and chilling temperatures on the Earth below.
The Comedy Corner
James Carville, best known for his work as a strategist for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, has voiced his concern that the Democratic party may have “too many preachy females,” in an actual quote reported by The Hill on March 24. Thank goodness that Carville, still riding the coattails of a victory 32 years ago, has decided to stand up and preach. A preachy male is just what the Democratic Party needed.
The Comedy Corner: Unions, Filibusters and TikTok
Starbucks workers at Pittsburgh’s Sixth Street location voted for a union on March 6, according to the Pittsburgh Union Progress. In other news, Starbucks has announced that the Sixth Street location is unprofitable and are looking into closing the location. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty for a third time in an alleged bribery scheme on March 11, according to CNN. “I think I have a good chance this time,” said Menendez.
The Comedy Corner: Wizards, Dentists and Tipping
Police in Leicestershire, England, dispatched firearms officers to an Enderby hotel following a report of a man carrying a large knife — but it turned out to be a Harry Potter fan with a wand, the BBC reported on Feb. 12. “Thankfully the situation was resolved peacefully,” said one of the responding officers. “Our Auror unit was handling a dark wizard in Loughborough so this could have gone south quickly.” The Pittsburgh Union Progress reported on Feb.
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