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In the news on this date: Nov. 3

Local history 50 years ago: Nov. 3, 1975 Desmond Shura, Penn State Altoona veterans coordinator, reported that there were 242 military veterans registered for classes at the Altoona Campus, five of them women. 25 years ago: Nov. 3, 2000 Democratic National Committee General Chairman — and future Pennsylvania Governor — Edward G. Rendell was to stop in Altoona in support of Democratic Presidential Candidate Al Gore. 10 years ago: Nov. 3, 2015 The Blair County Planning Commission announced that Norfolk Southern Railroad would install a 63-foot railroad tower outside Tyrone ...

Puddle jumping

Sebastopol geese gather around a puddle of water along W. Loop road in Frankstown Township on Thursday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

AFSCME retirees to meet Wednesday

Across the area AFSCME retirees to meet Wednesday The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Retirees Subchapter 8306 will meet at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Union Hall on Patch Way Road, Duncansville. The executive board will meet at 12:30 p.m. Railway employees to meet Wednesday The National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday Nov. 5, at Prime Sirloin Buffet, Duncansville. Blair County Sheriff Jim Ott will be the guest speaker. He will discuss scams and frauds. NARVRE is the only chartered ...

‘Dare to Dream’

Courtesy photo The Altoona Chorus of Sweet Adelines, under the direction of Mary Kay Parrish, will present its annual show, “Dare To Dream,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1401 12th Ave., Altoona. The show will feature the award-winning chorus singing a ...

Badges for Bugling

Courtesy photo Bugling merit badge is the rarest of Scouting’s merit badges. Only 375 bugling merit badges (7.5 per state) were awarded in 2024. Recenty, 12 Scouts from central Pennsylvania participated in the first of two Bugling Merit Badge classes at St. Mary Catholic Church in Hollidaysburg. Shown are (from left): John Elder (Merit Badge counselor), Seth Caldwell, Andrew Lloyd, Bryleigh Holcomb, Alex Runk, Reiley Helsel, Will Stuckey, Simon Stephens, Calum Noonan, Jacob Pochak, Owen Jancula, Dean Pochak, Michael Elder (bugling instructor) and Avery Smith.

GACTC takes first at bricklayer contest

Students from the masonry program at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center secured the first place title at the 2025 Western Pennsylvania Regional Junior Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 competition. The event, which showcases excellence in the masonry and construction trades, took place ...