50 YEARS AGO: Oct. 30, 1970 U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Edwin H. Burba, who was to inspect the Altoona Area High School’s new Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program (ROTC) next week, was killed in an airplane crash in Huntingdon, W.Va. along with two other soldiers. Gen. Burba was a ...
Roland Welker may be a nomad of North America, yet the man’s heart is in Pennsylvania. In August, the world watched the Clearfield County native win HISTORY’s seventh season of “Alone” by surviving the northern Canadian winter for 100 days. His prize? A cool $1 million. Welker had an ...
Seven-time Grammy Award Winner Paul Winter has released a new album to showcase his signature sax voice in a “testament” to his beloved soprano saxophone. “Light of the Sun” is the first album he has made in which he is the featured soloist. It’s his most “personal musical ...
50 YEARS AGO Oct. 23, 1970 Altoona Hospital received a $130,000 federal grant to open a family planning center at 326 Howard Ave., administrator Barbara Bilek saying “this center is not a birth control clinic, it is a family planning center.” There was no charge for its services. 25 ...
Trunk or Treat planned Wehnwood United Methodist Church, 2511 Juniata Gap Road, will hold its annual Trunk or Treat/ Light Up the Night event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Due to the pandemic, participants are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. There will be no games, ...
Many are in a serious battle today with their health, finances and relationships and are being attacked with anxiety, fear and depression, however there is great news. We have been given the hope of restoration and deliverance in Jesus Christ, who is the great physician, is absolute truth ...
The Altoona Community Theatre has announced three virtual productions beginning with the return of Rail City Improv at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 with “Live, Distanced, and (probably) Drunk.” Rail City Improv’s online performance is free but donations are encouraged, according to ACT’s Michelle ...
The world and human’s relationship to it have changed profoundly in the last two centuries. Though a tiny fraction of total human existence, it’s a very long time in individual human terms. This was hammered home to me this summer as I read historian Stephen Ambrose’s Undaunted Courage, ...
Concert planned Jim Worthing, International recording artist, will present a gospel concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at New Grenada Church of God, 275 Gracey Road, Waterfall. All are welcome. Free lunches --Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will distribute free ...
Rosary rallies planned -- Rosary Rally for Fatima will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 10, at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, Duncansville. Those participating should meet at the shrine for rosary and prayers for the nation. Safety precautions of mask wearing and social distancing is ...
This October marks the 76th year anniversary of the World War II Battle of Hurtgen. Never heard about it in history class? Two Blair County brothers hope to raise awareness of this battle and of the brave men who endured months of mud, cold and enemy fire in a thick forest along the ...
Every four years at about this time, I make a plea, not just for civil political discourse, but a recognition that the environment should be part of that dialog. While prompted by the quadrennial presidential election, this challenge confronts us perennially from coast to coast. The COVID-19 ...
Rosary rallies planned Rosary Rally for Fatima will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 10, at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, Duncansville. Those participating should meet at the shrine for rosary and prayers for the nation. Safety precautions of mask wearing and social distancing is ...
A recap: Last year, I returned to the U.S. after spending two years in Spain. I made a stop in Germany to visit close family friends. In the German airport, I had my guitar and was told I had a 50/50 chance of getting it on the airplane as a carry-on. But, I decided to take the risk. “All I ...
Chicken barbecue available The annual St. Demetrius chicken barbecue will be held Sunday, Sept. 27, at St. Mary’s gym, 608 Church St., Gallitzin. The meal will be ready for pick up at 11 a.m. and will be available while supplies last. While there will be no indoor dining or activities this ...
Mount Aloysius College will wrap up its annual Mercy Week celebration today, Friday, Sept. 25, with a 3 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark L. Bartchak in the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel. The college is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States that are affiliated with the ...
ROME — Pope Francis is giving his blessing to a new Vatican think tank that is seeking to prevent the Mafia and organized crime groups from exploiting the image of the Virgin Mary for their own illicit ends. The Vatican’s Pontifical Marian Academy launched the think tank Friday at a ...
50 YEARS AGO: Sept. 25, 1970 A junior Army ROTC military program was started at Altoona Area High School initiated by retired Brig. Gen. W.A. Morgan and his staff with retired Lt. Col. Norman E. Day senior instructor with an enrollment target of 150 students. 25 YEARS AGO: Sept. 25, ...
The Altoona Symphony Orchestra kicks off a three-concert “Musician Spotlight” series Oct. 4 featuring ASO Concertmaster Genaro Medina on the violin, with internationally-acclaimed pianist Hugh Sung performing the music of Mozart, Gluck, Strauss and others. Tickets are on sale for either ...
Contrary to the contentions of environmental contrarians, much of what we know about our environmental struggles has been known for many decades. Much of the fundamental scientific knowledge goes back centuries. Depending so much on the land on which we grew our food and the natural world we ...