Distracted driving is extremely dangerous, claiming 3,166 lives in 2017 and causing many more life-threatening injuries. Texting while driving is the most alarming and growing driver distraction, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recently, our community ...
If you are in your mid-70s, you can remember when TV sets started showing up in our living rooms. We had two channels, WFBG in Altoona and WJAC in Johnstown (WFBG later became WTAJ). We used antennas to get reception. This was when we were kids 70 years ago. Since then, we have never had a ...
I’m incredibly impressed with the commitment Congressman John Joyce has shown to Altoona during his first few months on the job. Since he was sworn into office, he has been a consistent visitor to our area and, when he comes to town, he constantly makes himself available to his ...
I wonder how many people are aware of the wonderful service we have in the Blair Senior Service van. For as low as a dollar each way, (sometimes a little more) they pick you up at the door and drop you off at the door. Every driver — male or female — is extremely nice, helpful and ...
Recently, Americans were shown the terribly sad pictures of a father and child who died trying to enter the United States illegally. Based on past activity, it is estimated that this year over 700,000 American children will die at the border. The facts are shocking and something must be ...
In the U.S. today, we hear vile criticism by many of our politicians, and from nameless individuals on the internet of those others who have different ideas. Yet, we hear little of their ideas or a logical argument to convince others of their opinions. They continue to criticize and call ...
When the new fireworks law was passed, were they being considerate of all the military personnel living in Pennsylvania with post-traumatic stress disorder? I would say a definite “No!” The veterans gave of themselves for this country so the lawmakers could be where they are in ...
Recently some of the members of our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, helped in doing some upkeep at the Oakridge Cemetery. When we arrived, already working at the cemetery was a work crew of inmates from the Blair County Prison. We worked side by side with them. They ...
How well Dr. Nancy Kenney’s in-depth article explained the invaluable role of hospitalists and this specialty (since 1996) to the patients and to the primary care physicians. The hospitalist is well-trained, on site, available, knowledgeable, responsive and comforting to the patient and ...
Did you know that Pennsylvania is the second leading producer of natural gas in the U.S.? Or that Texans pay no state income tax? Oil rich Alaska issues its residents royalty checks each year. Our elected officials have a different approach. Although Pennsylvania ranks 38th in fiscal ...
This letter is in response to the three-part series by William Kibler concerning family care physicians. My husband and I recently moved to Hollidaysburg from Philadelphia. We are very happy in the area, with the exception of the availability of primary care physicians. We are fortunate to ...
Representative John Joyce’s lack of response to the appalling conditions of migrant detention camps is unconscionable. It has recently come to light that children as young as 2 years old are being denied basic human needs — soap, toothpaste and diapers. They are being forced to sleep on ...
My wife and I are daily readers of the Mirror and we find it to be informative and generally well-written. That said, in the Sunday, June 2 edition, the “Sunday Viewpoints” feature in particular, the manner in which responses to the question were presented was quite disturbing and ...
As I read the sad, sad stories of Altoona Area High School’s recent graduation, I’m thinking none of the writers were part of Hollidaysburg Area High School’s graduation, class of 2001. It has been an age-old practice of school districts to move graduation ceremonies indoors with the ...
If the representatives proposing this hunting legislation actually understood the science related to coyotes, they would understand that the population of coyotes is self- limiting related to availability of habitat and prey. No amount of hunting will reduce the population because birth rates ...
We have learned that California is spending $98 million of taxpayer’s money to supply illegal immigrants with health care. More is done for aliens than is done to help United States citizens. Who wouldn’t want to come here if everything is handed out at no cost? Give the immigrants ...
This administration is utilizing the drug problem to vilify populations of Latin Americans. These populations are desperate to escape violence and abject poverty in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. They risk dying of dehydration and other dangers to present themselves for asylum in the ...
Altoona Area School Board member Ed Kreuz stated that he “had” to vote for the “tax raise.” He did not have to vote for the raise. He chose to vote for the raise, and he could have instead looked inside at what could/should be eliminated. Because of today’s technology, office ...
Anyone who paid attention in school should be aware that our government –– created by far greater minds than those currently occupy the Oval Office or work in the White House –– consists of three co-equal branches. Each has a specific set of duties, responsibilities, and powers. Each ...
Is socialism, or even communism, inevitable in the United States? How else do you control a society that is in moral chaos, no foundation of right and wrong, and does not take responsibility for their actions? The backbone of what made our country the greatest power in the world, with ...