Local Business

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Retail networking event set

Blair County Retail, an innovative program of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, will host a retailers networking event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 13 at

the U.S. Hotel and Tavern in Hollidaysburg.

This networking event will provide a great opportunity for those in the retail community to discuss similar challenges with other retailers in a relaxed environment.

The cost to attend the event is $10 for chamber members and $12 for nonmembers. This event will feature hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

For additional information or to register, contact the chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

Local foreclosure rates drop

CoreLogic data reveals that the rate of Altoona area foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans was 1.26 percent for January, a decrease of 0.04 percentage points compared with January 2015 when the rate was 1.30 percent. Foreclosure activity in Altoona was higher than the national foreclosure rate, which was 1.15 percent for January.

Also in Altoona, the mortgage delinquency rate decreased. According to CoreLogic data for January, 3.20 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent compared with 3.83 percent for the same period last year, representing a decrease of 0.63 percentage points.

Local Business

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Urology group opens at JC Blair

HUNTINGDON – J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital has appointed urologists George B. Boline Jr. Frank C. D’Amico and Peter J. Tucker to its medical staff.

The trio has opened a new urology practice at the hospital.

Boline, D’Amico and Tucker will see patients in Suite 1 at 820 Bryan St. on the hospital campus starting today in the new J.C. Blair Urologic Care Center. They also will perform surgical procedures at J.C. Blair Hospital.

SFU sets planning seminars

LORETTO – The Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center has scheduled two free pre-business planning seminars for April.

Feasibility issues, marketing, recordkeeping, business plans, legal issues, regulations/taxes and financing will be discussed.

Seminars will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 12 at the JARI Center for Business Development, 160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, and from 5 to 8 p.m. April 27 at the SBDC, 117 Evergreen Drive, Loretto.

Preregistration is required for the seminar 48 hours prior to scheduled date. Interested people may contact the SBDC at 472-3200 or by email at sbdc@francis.edu.

Wegmans supports food banks

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – During the winter 2016 checkout scanning campaign at 27 Wegmans stores in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, hunger relief donations rose to $1,095,336, a 6 percent increase over the winter 2015 total.

Check Out Hunger allows customers to donate $2, $3, $5 or any other amount at checkout with 100 percent of the proceeds going to each store’s local food bank.

Locally, the State College Wegmans raised $31,816 for the Food Bank of the State College Area.

Local News

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MARTINSBURG

Curry Supply builds new truck

Curry Supply Co. has begun producing a truck-mounted crash attenuator truck, designed to protect the lives of job site workers and motorists.

The truck also reduces the damage caused to structures and vehicles resulting from a motor vehicle collision at job sites and in high-traffic areas, the company said in a release.

The attenuator device, which extends from the back of the truck, is crash rated up to 65 mph and meets all federal and state regulations for impact. Curved siderails are designed to direct vehicles away from the back of the truck, and other components are designed to absorb the energy from the crash.

Eye clinic gets fee increase

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have notified the Laurel Eye Clinic that the physicians will receive higher Medicare physician fee schedule payments in 2016.

The Laurel Eye Clinic is one of only 128 physician practices (10 or more physicians) nationwide that met the Medicare reporting criteria to receive the incentive.

Laurel Eye Clinic will receive a 15.92 percent increase in Medicare reimbursements in 2016.

JOHNSTOWN

JARI sets lunch & Learn

Lou Mihalko, the owner, founder, and president of Mihalko’s General Contracting, will speak with Lunch & Learn attendees about business diversification and growth at noon March 30 at the JARI Center for Business Development in Richland Township

During the session, Mihalko will also discuss how to go about partnerships, expand geographically and penetrate the market, as well as when to acquire or sell.

The cost to register is $5 per person, and lunch will be provided. To register, visit www.jari.com and click on the calendar to access the registration forms or contact Suzanne Grove at sgrove@jari.com.

Chamber hosts simulcast

The Blair County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Partners program, in partnership with Express Employment Professionals, will host a simulcast event from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 13 at The Arc of Blair County, 431 Jackson Ave.

The event features a lineup of leadership experts including Marshall Goldsmith, author, professor and executive coach; NBA all-star Shaquille O’Neal; and Kaplan Mobray, author, motivational speaker and career consultant.

The cost to attend the event is $20 for chamber members and $30 for nonmembers. A continental breakfast is included. For additional information or to register, contact the chamber at 943-8151, or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

Local Business

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PITTSBURGH

FNB Corporation recognized

FNB Corp. was recently named as a winner of nine 2015 Greenwich Associates Excellence in Banking awards.

In its fourth consecutive year of recognition by Greenwich Associates, FNB received both national and regional honors for Small Business and Middle Market Banking. Of the more than 600 banks evaluated in each category, FNB was one of less than 6 percent to be recognized.

In the awards for Small Business, defined by Greenwich Associates as businesses with sales of $1 million to $10 million, FNB was a national winner in the categories of branch satisfaction and industry expertise. The company also received national and Northeast regional honors for advice to help my business grow and relationship manager performance.

In the awards for the Middle Market, defined by Greenwich Associates as businesses with sales of $10 million to $500 million, FNB was recognized for overall satisfaction both nationally and in the Northeast. FNB also received regional recognition for cash management.

ROARING SPRING

Nason earns accreditation

Nason Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

Nason Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site survey in November. During the review, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management. Surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews.

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PITTSBURGH

UPMC CancerCenter accredited

UPMC CancerCenter has received reaccreditation by the American College of Radiation Oncology, maintaining its position as the largest comprehensive cancer network in the country to be accredited in radiation oncology.

Two of UPMC CancerCenter’s newer network sites, UPMC Altoona and Butler Radiation Oncology centers, each received accreditation for the first time.

“This three-year accreditation recognizes the high-quality radiation oncology care that our facilities provide to the patients in our communities each day,” said Dr. Dwight E. Heron, director of radiation oncology services at UPMC CancerCenter, partner with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute in a statement.

At its treatment locations in western Pennsylvania, UPMC CancerCenter uses a variety of techniques to provide care for about 7,000 cancer patients undergoing radiation at UPMC every year.

Advanced Vein Care accredited

Advanced Vein Care Altoona, located in Duncansville, has been granted a three-year accreditation in peripheral venous testing by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

The IAC accredits facilities that are providing quality patient care in compliance with national standards.

Vascular testing can provide early detection of the risk of heart disorders, strokes and other problems.

Local Business

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Cable adds high def channels

Atlantic Broadband has announced significant high definition channel additions are now available in the Altoona area as part of its $6.5 million “FastForward Altoona” initiative. New and existing customers now have access to 56 new HD channels, bringing the total to more than 115 HD channels.

Among the recent high definition additions are: AMC, Comedy Central, C-SPAN, Discovery Family Channel, Disney Junior, FOX Sports 1, Hallmark Movie & Mysteries, HLN, Investigation Discovery, MSNBC, Nick Jr., TCM, Travel Channel, The Weather Channel and TV Land.

Beauty school to host event

The Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held 5-7 p.m. March 31 at Altoona Beauty School, 1554 Valley View Blvd.

Altoona Beauty School is celebrating 60 years in business. Guests are encouraged to dress in a 1960s themed mod style.

Workplace violence session set

A workshop for responding to workplace violence is scheduled by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce for March 30.

The workshop, “Active Shooter, Workplace Violence and Personal Safety,” will be held 7:30-9:30 a.m. March 30 at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House in Duncansville. The presenter will be Trooper Jeff Petucci of the Pennsylvania State Police.

The cost to attend the safety program is $20 for chamber members and $30 for nonmembers.

STATE COLLEGE

Rex Energy sees drop, losses

Rex Energy Corp. saw its fourth quarter operating revenue from continuing operations plunge 51 percent to $34.5 million as compared with the same period in 2014.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended Dec. 31 was $100.5 million, or $1.85 per share.

For all of 2015, operating revenues were $172 million, which represents a decrease of 42 percent. Net loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders for full year 2015 was $372.9 million, or $6.85 per share.

Local Business

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Conemaugh Health System adds 3D mammography

JOHNSTOWN – The Conemaugh Health System has added new breast imaging technology called 3-D breast tomosynthesis for better breast cancer detection.

While standard 2-D mammograms take an image of the top and bottom side of a patient’s breast, True Breast Tomosynthesis takes 25 images of the breast from many angles as the X-ray tube moves across the breast in a 50-degree arc, said Dr. Michele Cacek, director of mammography at Conemaugh and lead interpreting radiologist.

PA CareerLink Blair County to hold job fair April 6

DUNCANSVILLE – PA CareerLink Blair County will conduct a job fair on April 6 at the National Guard Readiness Center in Duncansville. Veterans only will be admitted from 10 to 10:30 a.m. The fair is open to the general public from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Scheduled to participate are Adecco, Advantage Resource Group, Aerotek, Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, American Customer Care, Asurion, Atlantic Broadband, Balfurd Inc., Bayada, Blair Companies, Blair County Homemakers, Blair Family Solutions, Bedford County Correctional Facility, Bureau Of Blindness and Visual Services, Comfort Keepers, Community Resources For Independent Living, Cove Forge, DBD Staffing, DelGrosso’s, Family Services, FedEx Ground, Figure 8 Communications, First National Bank, Guardian Home Care, HH Brown, H&R Block, HR Office Inc., Helpmates, Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, Home Depot, Home Helpers, Home Solutions Of PA, Hoss’s restaurant, Leonard S. Fiore, Manpower, Maybrook-C Valley View, Medical Staffing Network, New Pig, NPC, PA Careerlink Youth & Young Adult Program, Pennsylvania National Guard, PennDOT, Pennstress, Private Care Resources, Regis Corp., State Correctional Instution Benner, Skills Of Central PA, Sunset Support Services, United Datacom Network and UPMC Altoona.

Local News

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Bobs Creek spring cleanup April 2

The 15th annual Bobs Creek spring cleanup will be held from 8 a.m. to noon April 2.

Volunteers will meet at the pull-off along Route 869 between Pavia and Weyant. Those interested in participating are asked to contact Tim at tcctcc@embarqmail.com or 733-2394.

Sponsors for the cleanup are Bobs Creek Stream Guardians; Pavia Sportsmen; Pavia, Lincoln, King, Greenfield and East St. Clair townships; Blue Knob State Park; REI; PennDOT; Bedford County Conservation District; Keep Bedford County Beautiful; and Fort Bedford Trout Unlimited.

LORETTO

SFU to host inspirational speaker

Michael Gershe, a stand-up comedian, college educator and inspirational speaker, will present “The Magic of Life” at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Saint Francis University’s John F. Kennedy Student Center auditorium.

Gershe survived a drunken driving accident that killed his mother when he was barely 8 weeks old. Despite breaking almost every bone in his body, Gershe went on to become a collegiate swimmer, stand-up comedian and college educator.

The program is open to the public. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Brianne McCabe at 472-3332 or bmccabe@francis.edu.

Senate marks Housing Awareness

Cheryl Johns, executive director of the Altoona Housing Authority and president of the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies, was at the state Capitol recently to mark Housing Awareness Day, as designated by the state Senate.

Pennsylvania has more than 200,000 subsidized, assisted or affordable housing units, but there’s a demand for more, according to the organization.

Such housing helps low-income and disabled people, including seniors, the working poor and their children and veterans, according to the organization.

Hollidaysburg

Dunnings Highway bridge project set

PennDOT will conduct an open house and plans display on the proposed Dunnings Highway bridge replacement project in Blair Township. During construction, the bridge is expected to be closed and a detour will be in place for 13 days.

The meeting will be held in an open house format from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at St. Patrick Grade School, 731 Patrick Lane, Newry.

Parking authority meeting canceled

The Altoona Parking Authority has canceled its meeting scheduled for March 25, because that day is Good Friday and because of a lack of issues to consider.

The authority will meet next on April 29.

Dump truck, plow purchased

Logan Township supervisors have approved the purchase of an International dump truck with a 10-foot plow.

The truck will be purchased through the state’s cooperative purchasing program, Manager Tim Brown reported Thursday to township supervisors.

The cost is $117,772, which is $6,200 less than budgeted, Brown said.

From Mirror staff reports

Local Business

Briefcase

Zero Waste event planned

The Blair County Chamber of Commerce’s Coalition on Sustainability has scheduled a “Zero Waste” event at the U.S. Hotel, 401 S. Juniata St., Hollidaysburg. The event will take place from noon to

1 p.m. on March 18.

This event will include a presentation by the Penn State Altoona Enactus team, tours of U.S. Hotel Tavern and a buffet lunch.

The cost to attend the event is $5. To register, contact the Blair County Chamber of Commerce at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

DUNCANSVILLE

Burchfield’s adds car rentals

Burchfield’s Towing and Truck Sales has expanded its operation to offer Priceless Car Rental.

The rental agency, located at the company’s Route 764 location, will serve the local area, the Altoona-Blair County Airport and the Amtrak station in Altoona.

Priceless offers late model vehicles including cars, trucks and vans.

Hours for arranging car rentals at the Route 764 site will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. After-hours reservations are also available.

For more information, call 695-5005 or go to www.pricelesscar.com.

EVERETT

UPMC Bedford earns seal

UPMC Bedford Memorial has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

UPMC Bedford underwent an unannounced on-site survey in November.

During the review, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management. Surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews.

The Joint Commission has accredited hospitals for more than 60 years.

LORETTO

Pre-business seminar set

The Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center has scheduled pre-business planning seminar for 5-8 p.m. March 30 at its office at 117 Evergreen Drive. The seminar is free.

Feasibility issues, marketing, recordkeeping, business plans, legal issues, regulations/taxes and financing will be discussed.

Preregistration is required 48 hours prior to scheduled date. Interested persons may contact the Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center at 472-3200 or by email at sbdc@francis.edu.

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STATE COLLEGE

Addiction center joins group

St. Joseph Institute, recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s best addiction treatment centers, is merging with Summit BHC, a leading U.S. provider of addiction and behavioral health services.

“We have built St. Joseph Institute as a unique facility, providing high quality services with a very personalized approach. Our state-of-the-art methods of addressing the underlying causes that so often lead to drug and alcohol addiction have resulted in very positive outcomes for so many,” said Jenny Sheetz, the institute’s founder, in a release.

St. Joseph Institute was founded in 2005 by the husband and wife team of Jenny Sheetz and Michael Campbell. The resort-like facility offers detox and residential treatment for addiction. Among its areas of specialty are helping people who have experienced trauma, chronic pain, abuse, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

APPLETON, WIS.

Appvion sees sales decline

Appvion’s full-year 2015 net sales of $700 million decreased $64.7 million, or 8.5 percent, compared with 2014.

Shipment volumes during 2015 fell about 4 percent compared to 2014. Thermal papers net sales of $372.8 million were $42.5 million, or 10.2 percent, lower and shipment volumes declined about 2 percent. Carbonless papers net sales of $327.2 million were $22.2 million, or 6.4 percent, lower, with shipment volumes down about 6 percent.

Appvion’s 2015 fiscal year contained 52 weeks. The company’s 2014 fiscal year included 53 weeks, with the extra week occurring in the fourth quarter. Sales for full-year 2015 decreased 6.7 percent compared to full-year 2014 sales, excluding the extra week.

Appvion reported operating income of $10.5 million for 2015 compared with an operating loss of $56.9 million in 2014.

Firm offering risk analysis

Coach4Retirees Inc., a division of the Cashman Financial Group Inc. of Altoona, has implemented Riskalyze, an award-winning risk engineering technology that mathematically pinpoints a client’s risk number and aligns the client’s portfolio to match.

Riskalyze establishes a risk score between 1 and 99 that pinpoints a client’s comfort zone for downside risk and potential upside gain.

Advisers then build an investment portfolio to match that.

For more information, call 800-722-0610 or go to www.coach4retirees.com.

Coldwell Banker earns honor

Coldwell Banker Town & Country Real Estate in Altoona is now a Coldwell Banker Previews International Office.

With consistently high closed dollars sales volume as demonstrated by 23 Premier Office Awards, the highest honor bestowed to a Coldwell Banker affiliate office, and six or more qualifying luxury home listings, 27 agents at Coldwell Banker Town & Country have been named luxury home specialists.

Robert F. Pennington is broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Town & Country Real Estate.

Galliker vying for awards

Galliker Dairy Co. of Johnstown is one of three finalists for both the 2016 Outstanding Marketing Achievement Award’s Best Single Product Campaign and Best Integrated Marketing Campaign categories, Quality Chekd Dairies announced.

Entries are judged by an independent panel that reviews each dairy’s marketing plan, goals, strategy, promotional materials, merchandising programs and ability to enhance brand awareness and generate positive sales results.

Quality Chekd, a member-owned organization of independent dairy processors, will announce the winners in April.

Local Business

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Altoona home prices fall

Home prices in Altoona, including distressed sales, declined by 2.1 percent in January compared with a year earlier, CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled services provider, said.

On a month-over-month basis, Altoona-area home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 0.3 percent in January compared with December.

Nationally home prices were up 6.9 percent in January 2016 on a year-over-year basis and 1.3 percent month over month, according to the CoreLogic HPI.

Bedford Couple open businesses

Town Hill Auto Sales & Service and Waves Hair Studio have opened at 3613 Business Route 220 in the building that formerly housed Fox Motors.

The businesses are owned by husband and wife Scott and Amber Hendershot.

Scott Hendershot’s Town Hill Auto, formerly located south of Breezewood, offers vehicle sales and rentals as well as a new service department, including no-appointment-needed express oil changes.

Waves Hair Studio is a salon led by owner Amber Hendershot, who specializes in hair color, painting, extensions, formal/wedding/special events styles and makeup application.

The two businesses share the building, and both have undergone major renovations.

For questions call Town Hill Auto at 310-2221 or Waves at 386-1529.

JOHNSTOWN

Workplace topic of luncheon

JARI’s Lunch & Learn session from noon to 1:15 p.m. March 16 will be “Creating a Positive and Engaging Workplace,” presented by Trish A. Corle of Corle Consulting.

The session at the JARI Center for Business Development will address questions that both employers and employees face while attempting to build a strong culture within their workplaces.

The cost to register is $5 per person, and lunch will be provided. To register please visit www.jari.com and click on the calendar to access the registration forms or contact Suzanne Grove at sgrove@jari.com. Register by March 15. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

Local Business

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Lunch ‘N’ Learn program set

The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is holding a Lunch ‘N’ Learn program from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 14 at Park Hills Golf Club.

The keynote speaker is Bernard Kavanagh, portfolio manager for EquityCompass Strategies. The presentation, “The Economy, the Stock Market, Your Money: How to Address Risk and Respond to Market Volatility,” will focus on the current health of the economy and its outlook, the stock market and ways to take advantage of the market’s unwillingness to settle down.

Corporate sponsor of the program is Stifel, Nicolaus & Co.

The cost is $25 for chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. To register, call the chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

Operation Our Town is focus

The accomplishments of Operation Our Town, a community and business partnership that promotes healthy neighborhoods and protects its citizens from illegal drug use and resulting crime, will be the focus of the March Blair County Chamber Breakfast Club.

The breakfast will be from 7:45-9 a.m. March 10 at The Casino at Lakemont Park, during which the 2016 Operation Our Town Community Partnership Award will be presented to Altoona Housing Authority and the 2016 Law Enforcement Award will be presented to the Blair County District Attorney’s office.

The cost to attend is $18 per person and includes a full breakfast buffet. To register, call the chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

DelGrosso’s plans job sessions

TIPTON – DelGrosso’s Park & Laguna Splash Water Park will hold job interview and informational sessions from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 12 at the Bellwood-Antis High School gym.

The park previously employed close to 500 seasonal workers each summer and will need to hire about 300 additional employees for the upcoming year.

People can apply for a variety of positions, including games attendants, lifeguards, food concessions, ticket sales, ride operators, security, first aid and the main office.

Interested job seekers can apply online at www.DelGrossos.com and click on the Employment Opportunities link at the bottom-middle of the page.