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Martinsburg water system gets $11 million in state funding

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority awarded the Martinsburg Municipal Authority $11 million in grants and loans Wednesday for a new water tank, refurbishment of its existing tank and replacement of pipes. The 300,000-gallon water tank will sit near the Altoona-Blair County Airport, according to Martinsburg Borough manager Rich Brantner Jr. Because they recently found out that they received the award, he said the borough will put out bids this fall and start the project in late winter or early spring. Having a water tank on the airport premises will significantly ...

Share and share alike

Kim Stein (right) shares her water bottle with her mother, Sonja Stein, both of Altoona, as both approach Flowing Spring Station of the Lower Trail after a 40-minute walk/ride on Wednesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Details released on event planned to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11

A moving observance rooted in faith, patriotism and civic pride will take place Sept. 11 at the Jaffa Shrine Center to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, officials said during a press conference Wednesday. Patrick White, a past president of the Friends of Flight 93 ...

Heavy smoke from wildfires blankets parts of US

Thousands of visitors were told to evacuate a remote Minnesota wilderness area accessible only by boat as wildfires send dangerously heavy smoke over the U.S. Midwest and Northeast this week. More than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, where a train crew in northern Ontario filmed ...

Code Red air quality alert issued

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5) for today, Thursday, July 16. Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota will be entering Pennsylvania’s northernmost counties and pushing into southern counties, creating Code Red concentrations of PM2.5, DEP said in a news release. Residents are strongly encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area. The state DEP has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Friday, July 17, for all of central Pennsylvania. ...

Hollidaysburg Borough appoints Wertz as new council member

The Hollidaysburg Borough Council appointed a new member to fill the council seat left vacant by the resignation of Clay Gingrich, who represented the third ward. It was noted during Thursday evening’s meeting that Gingrich had recommended Stephanie Wertz as his replacement. The council agreed with this recommendation and unanimously appointed Wertz to the seat. Gingrich was elected to the council in 2023 and tendered his resignation June 11 after moving out of the borough. Wertz will serve in the seat until the next election, when she can run to retain the seat, according to ...