Joe Gehl of Altoona submitted the photo at left from the American Bowling Congress Championships in Buffalo, N.Y., from 1963. Shown are (from left): Louie Maier, John Mottner, Clete Stalter, Fred Gehl and Carl “Moonie” Maier.

Readers are encouraged to send or deliver old local photographs of general interest for use in Yesteryear. Information about people and places should be included. Photos must be 30 years old or older and should be sent to Yesteryear, Altoona Mirror, P.O. Box 2008, Altoona, PA 16603, or emailed to community@altoonamirror.com. For more information, call Brenda Carberry, community news coordinator, at 814-946-7459.

Local news on this date

Jan. 24, 1951

Joe Gehl of Altoona submitted the photo at left from the American Bowling Congress Championships in Buffalo, N.Y., from 1963. Shown are (from left): Louie Maier, John Mottner, Clete Stalter, Fred Gehl and Carl “Moonie” Maier.

G. Stanley Ruth, secretary-manager of the Altoona Chamber of Commerce, released figures that showed that 21,322 people were employed in 19 city manufacturing industries. This was 1,200 higher that were employed during the height of World War II. Many of the industries were connected to the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Jan. 24, 1976

The State Department of Environmental Resources said that it was not informed of the construction plans for the Park Hills Plaza and that it must conduct soil erosion and sedimentation tests by its Water Quality Division before construction could begin.

Jan. 24, 2001

Norfolk Southern Railroad, Randy Husband spokesman, said it would eliminate 2,000 jobs this year but wouldn’t say if it affected Altoona. Multimodel Applied Systems was hired to restructure and eliminate 12,000 freight cars, 4,000 miles of track and 10 shops, rail yards and support facilities.

Jan. 24, 2016

The Blair County Intermunicipal Relations Committee, John Frederick executive director, proposed adding a fee on area haulers to hire a recycling enforcement officer, a move immediately opposed by area haulers.

Jan. 25, 1951

The Blair County Production and Marketing Committee warned that “skinning” on farm land lowers the productivity of the land for raising crops and also causes erosion. Skinning was the cutting of strips of grass to be transplanted on city lawns, plots or parks.

The Altoona Quarterback Club, Joe Cohen president and toastmaster, held its annual banquet at the Juniata Memorial Pavilion attended by 200 football boosters. University of Pittsburgh football coach Len Casanova was the main speaker.

Jan. 25, 1976

Jane Bernard, past president of the Altoona School Guard Association, sewed and made a city flag for the Blair County Bicentennial and presented it to Mayor Bill Stouffer at City Hall. The first city flag was made in 1913 and was on display at Baker Mansion.

Logan Township Police Chief Vaul E. Rouzer explained the rotation list wreckers were called for towing at auto accident scenes. A total of 146 calls were made last year and towing depended on requests, impounds and the rotating list, firms with 24-hour service being called the most.

Jan. 25, 2001

St. Francis College, the Rev. Christian Oravec president, announced a $100 million renovation and expansion project at the school over the next 20 years using private funds, state grants and federal grants including for a new science building and dining hall.

J.C. Penney Co. announced the closing of 50 of its stores for underperformance but said the Logan Valley Mall location owned by Crown American Corp. would remain open. There were over 11,000 J.C. Penney stores in the U.S.

Jan. 25, 2016

Cindy Kinzey was hired as Blair County Veterans Affairs Director upon the retirement of Dan McIntyre. She was formerly his assistant. Kinzey was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

The Altoona Water Authority, Todd Musser environmental services manager, was updating its pre-treatment program so that nonresidents who discharge effluent the treatment plants can’t handle must treat it themselves or pay Altoona to treat it.

Local news compiled by Tim Doyle. National, world news from The Associated Press will return next week.