Back in the days of 1955, driver education instructor Archie Umstead teaches students how to install tire chains on a car so they could travel on the snow-covered roads. The photo was submitted by Leonard Alwine of Altoona from his collection of vintage photos.

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. 10, 1951

A buck jumped through the window of the home of Joseph J. Harris of 2003 12th Ave. while the family was upstairs sleeping. The deer broke its back and was unable to stand, although it was still alive. District game protector Claud Richards of Duncansville removed the animal which had to be destroyed.

Jan. 10, 1975

The Blair County Gasoline Retailers Association was to meet with a panel of state legislators at the Sheraton Motor Inn, arranged by Rep. John Milliron, to address concerns like oil companies opening their own service stations hurting private owners and reducing taxes for gasoline evaporation.

Jan. 10, 2001

Blair County was applying to the state Department of Environmental Protection for $30,676 to protect against the Nile Virus which was spread by mosquitoes. No cases were found last year. Rodney Bohner was emergency management director.

Jan. 10, 2016

Showmasters Inc., Chelsea Gelles administrator, held a gun show at the Blair County Convention Center. Customers and dealers interviewed said that anti-

gun executive action by President Barack Obama would not prevent crime or shootings.

Jan. 11, 1951

W. Stanley Truby, chairman of the clothing division of downtown Altoona stores, held a rally at the Strand Theatre for employees of downtown businesses as a fundraiser for the Altoona Hospital expansion. The film “You’re the Doctor” would be shown, Altoona Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Richard Magee would speak and the Keith Jr. High band would play. $650,000 was needed.

Pennsylvania Railroad Altoona Works manager Clair Clugh reported that 15,000 rail cars were repaired in Altoona in 1950, including 119 passenger cars, 132 diners, 483 coaches,190 steam locomotives and more than 11,000 freight cars.

Jan. 11, 1976

The Masonic Hall Association of Altoona, which represented the Hiram, Logan and Mountain Lodges of Altoona, proposed building a new Masonic building at 12th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues which the Altoona Redevelopment Authority agreed to.

The Altoona Mirror ran pictures of the three fatal accidents that occurred at the board track at the former Altoona Speedway at Tipton in the early part of the century. Photos were owned by Max Charlesworth of Altoona. All involved Duesenberg autos and Howard Wilcox, Joseph Boyer and Ray Keech were the drivers who were killed.

Jan. 11, 2001

Altoona Police Chief John Treese was retiring after 40 years on the job. He helped set up the Altoona Drug and Crime Commission, served with Blair County Crime Solvers and was a member of the Victim/Witness Board, PA Chief of Police Association and Central PA Chiefs of Police Association.

Former Altoona Controller Eugene “Stu” Duncan filed a complaint with the state attorney general saying the city used a recreation assessment to overtax residents by $2.7 million since 1997. Mayor Tom Martin said that annual audits proved that the city did no wrong.

Jan. 11, 2016

James Barnett of Wayne, N.J.. won the fall semester Penn State Altoona Trading Club Competition held at the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the campus. The contest involved trading stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures and spot contacts for world currencies and commodities on 30-plus global exchanges.

Altoona native Cliff Long of Westchester, 90, a fighter pilot during World War II with 104 combat missions, received an overdue medal from the Chinese government, where he was stationed with the Flying Tigers against the Japanese. Some Flying Tigers traveled to China for their medal.

National, world news on this date

Jan. 10

In 1946, the United Nations convened its first General Assembly session in London with 51 nations represented. The proceedings defined the scope and purpose of the world body.

In 1982, San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark caught a touchdown pass from Joe Montana with 58 seconds left in the NFC Championship Game; one of the most famous plays in NFL history,

“The Catch,” led the 49ers to a 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys and a berth in Super Bowl XVI, where they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals for their first Super Bowl victory.

Jan. 11

In 1908, the Grand Canyon was established as a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt. The move protected it from mining and other activities until it became a national park in 1919.

In 1935, aviator Amelia Earhart began what would be the first solo flight from Hawaii to California, completing the 2,400-mile flight across the Pacific to Oakland in just under 19 hours.

In 1964, U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issued “Smoking and Health,” a report that concluded that “cigarette smoking contributes substantially to mortality from certain specific diseases and to the overall death rate.”

Local news compiled by Tim Doyle. National, world news from The Associated Press.