Breaking News

Community

WISE Women announces fall semester scholarship winners

WISE Women of Blair County is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for the fall 2025 scholarship application period. These scholarships are available to women residents of Blair County, 21 years of age and older who have overcome adversity or discrimination in their lives and are pursuing post-secondary education. A total of $11,000 was awarded to the following five women: Leah Hostler, who is a student in the bachelor’s degree program in secondary education with a minor in history at Penn State University – University Park; Madison Peck, who is a student in the ...

Altoona library announces December programs

- Our third annual 12 Days of Ornaments started on Dec. 1 at the Altoona Area Public Library. Pick up your ornament making kit on the days listed below, while supplies last. These kits are free for our adult patrons with your Blair County library card. Limit one kit per library card. - Dec. 6: Snowmen Melting - Dec. 8: Bottled Wishes - Dec. 9: Festive Tree Stars - Dec. 10: Snowy Pinecones - Dec. 11: Painted Baubles - Dec. 12: Button Snowmen - Dec. 13: Candy Houses - Folklore: Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas with Michael Allison in the library theater at 2 p.m. Dec. ...

Interfaith leaders organize community Thanksgiving service

Dozens of people filled the pews at Christ Community United Methodist Church on Nov. 20 for the 94th annual Greater Altoona Interfaith Thanksgiving service. Participants shared reflections from their own faith traditions, guest speaker the Rev. Dr. Lillian Smith spoke of hope at this harvest season and the blessing of caring for others, and donations were collected for the IvySide Eats Food Bank at Penn State Altoona, which provides meals to food insecure students.

On campus

Winchester, Va. Shenandoah announces 2026 orientation leaders Shenandoah University has announced the 38 students who will serve as summer orientation leaders in 2026. Those selected include: - Layla Kurtz of Bellwood - Alison Griffith of Alum Bank - Madison Cavalet of Lilly Orientation leaders serve as liaisons for new students as they arrive at Shenandoah, and play a vital role in helping incoming first-year and transfer students make the transition to SU by offering mentorship and guidance. The 2026 head orientation leaders are Blain Griffin, Jailynn Rivera and Layla ...

Provost scholars

Students from the area have been recognized as Provost Scholars at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Provost Scholar status is achieved when students complete a minimum of 45 semester hours at IUP and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Provost Scholar recognition is given only once during a student’s time of study at IUP. Provost Scholars from this area and their majors include: Altoona: Mason Yingling, marketing; Madison Brinkman, English studies; Emma Chirdon, nursing; Peyton Daniel, nursing; Brooke Hann, biology; Taylor Lane, mathematics education; ...

Keep your paint can neat by trying this rubber band trick

Among the most annoying things when painting a room are all of the drips along the edges of the can. It can become extremely messy and make it difficult to reseal the can when you’re finished. To prevent drips, do this: Stretch a rubber band over the paint and across the center of the opening. Each time you dip the brush, run it across the rubber band so excess paint drips back into the can and not over the sides. How easy is that? - - - When storing your recyclables outdoors, be sure to keep them in a shaded area and not in direct sunlight. In the warmer months (and in ...