Breaking News

Life

Yesteryear: In the news on July 7

Community

Local history 50 years ago: July 7, 1976 A railroad caboose called “Mae West,” on display at the Horseshoe Curve for the past 15 years, was destroyed by fire. The caboose was built in the Altoona PRR shops in 1916 and donated to the Curve by the Blair County Tourist Bureau. 25 years ago: July 7, 2001 Mike Little, director of the Central Blair Recreation Commission, said that the installation of the $117,000, 21-foot water slide at Memorial Pool in Juniata had doubled attendance, with more than 600 people attending in one day. 10 years ago: July 7, 2016 Multiple law ...

Blair County’s largest blood drive is set for July 21

Community

The 38th Annual Blair Media Blood Blitz blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at the Altoona Area Junior High School Fieldhouse, 1400 Seventh Ave., Altoona. The 10-hour event is the largest blood drive in Blair County with a goal to collect 130 units of blood. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for donors and is counting on people to act now and book a time to give lifesaving blood. Donors of all blood types are essential in keeping the blood supply strong enough to withstand summer challenges. Book a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, ...

Nittany Valley Running Club’s Arts Festival Races return to Arts Fest

Community

The Nittany Valley Running Club’s Arts Festival Races are set for Sunday, July 12, and will once again feature 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run events, said Pamela Snyder Etters, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. “We are excited to welcome both new and returning racers for what promises to be a fun but challenging race and to welcome back Mount Nittany Health as the Presenting Sponsor of the Arts Festival Races again in 2026,” Etters said. From start to finish, runners will enjoy some of the area’s most beautiful scenery at the 48th Annual Sue ...

Community

NEW YORK — Doctors and others are sounding an alarm: More U.S. children have been drowning in recent years. “When drowning occurs, seconds matter,” said Dr. Rohit Shenoi, the lead author of a recent American Academy of Pediatrics warning. “Quick rescue and resuscitation can mean the difference between life, death and lifelong disability.” About 4,000 to 5,000 Americans drown each year. Most are adults who die in natural bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds or oceans. But statistically speaking, drowning is a much larger danger to children. It’s the No. 1 cause of death ...

In the news on this date: July 6

Community

Local history 50 years ago: About 150 Altoona residents held Town Meeting ’76 to discuss problems facing the city like economics, too much political power in the hands of few, lack of communication and other issues. Establishment of a youth corps was discussed. 25 years ago: A group called Citizens Action, which favored the legalization of industrial hemp, sponsored a visit by a Solution to Pollution hemp-powered Mercedes Benz at the K-Mart parking lot. An Industrial Hemp Festival was being held at the Sinking Valley Fairgrounds. 10 years ago: A statue of Johnny Robertson, an ...