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In the news on this date: July 31

Local history 50 years ago: July 31, 1976 Merisela H. Escobar, 19, a Rotary exchange student from Mexico, was finishing her senior year at Altoona Area High School and staying at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Carn. 25 years ago: July 31, 2001 The Tour de ‘Toona bicycle races began in Altoona and race director Kirk Leidy said that 1,500 volunteers were needed, with the race still short of several hundred. 10 years ago: July 31, 2016 The Altoona Water Authority, Mike Bianconi crewman, repaired a water break in an 80-year-old pipe that flooded Logan Blvd., causing Sheetz ...

West Suburban meets Trump in White House

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series champions — West Suburban from Johnstown — recently visited the White House as guests of U.S. Rep. John Joyce who introduced the team to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. “Last year, these talented young ladies from Johnstown made ...

City native’s ‘Summer of ’85’ back in print

City native Richard Fellinger’s fiction novel, “Summer of ’85,” is back in print. Independent literary press Serving House Books re-released Fellinger’s award-winning novel on Sunday with a new preface written by the author, now available in paperback through Bookshop.com, Barnes ...

Somerset celebrates, remembers

Somerset County will host a week of remembrance, patriotism and community celebration as residents and visitors gather for five days of events commemorating two historic milestones: America’s 250th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the events at Flight 93. From Wednesday, Aug. 5, through Sunday, Aug. 9, community organizations, first responders, musicians and volunteers have partnered to present a series of events honoring courage, sacrifice and unity. Events are free and open to the public. Events begin with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Somerset ...

Area briefs

Bedford hosts America250 parade Bedford County will celebrate America250 with a parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. The parade will include local marching bands, musical groups, dance companies, antique vehicles, floats and more, all with an emphasis on Bedford County, Pennsylvania and American history. The parade will form at the Bedford County Fairgrounds, 729 W. Pitt St., Bedford, and proceed to downtown Bedford via Route 30 (Pitt Street), to Juliana Street. The parade will end at the National Museum of the American Coverlet on South Juliana Street. Ebensburg hosts Rumble ...

UPMC expands robotic technology

PITTSBURGH — UPMC is expanding access to advanced lung cancer diagnostic technology across Pennsylvania with the addition of the Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy at UPMC East, UPMC Passavant, UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Washington and UPMC Altoona. The expansion demonstrates UPMC’s commitment to continued investment in advanced technology and providing world-class care throughout the communities it serves. This platform uses minimally invasive technology and enables physicians to navigate deep into the lungs with greater precision than traditional bronchoscopy, ...