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Claysburg-Kimmel School District sees $744K deficit

Claysburg-Kimmel School District is facing a $744,703 deficit as board members continue to work to balance the 2026-27 budget. Before the board approves the final budget on June 17, they’re looking at the district’s revenue total of $16,350,813 and its expenditures total of $17,095,516. According to Dena Burket, the board weighs three different budgets during their budget presentation, including a best-case scenario, a moderate option and a worst-case scenario. With the worst-case scenario creating a $1.4 million deficit, she said board members are tasked with choosing what ...

Honoring a great dad as Father’s Day approaches

Fathers Day is celebrated next weekend and I want to honor, in my estimation, a great man, my Dad. William McKinley Wentz was born to Elizabeth and John Henry Wentz 129 years ago in a log house at Ore Hill. William McKinley was the U.S. president at the time, hence the name. Dad was the ...

Beating the heat

Ozias Jones, 5, of Altoona cools off at the Juniata Memorial Spray Park on Thursday afternoon. Temperatures reached the lower 90s in some parts of the region and are forecast to remain in the upper 80s today with high humidity and a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Mirror photo by Patrick ...

Blair County settles foster care case for $97,500

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County is paying $97,500 to resolve a lawsuit filed by three former foster children removed from an Altoona residence in 2008 and housed in Clearfield County where they were abused by foster parents. Commissioners Dave Kessling, Amy Webster and Laura Burke voted ...

Blair County OKs hazardous mitigation plan

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners voted Thursday to adopt a hazardous mitigation plan replacing the outdated version that led to a controversy over management of the Blair County Planning Commission and a pending request for the state to examine the planning commission’s operations. Commissioners Chairman Dave Kessling said Thursday that he would “happily approve” the countywide plan that took effect May 26 and will be in effect through May 25, 2031. Because the prior plan expired in February 2025, the state was declining to award select grants to local municipal ...

E-bikes, vandalism by youths spurring concerns in Duncansville

DUNCANSVILLE — Police patrol became a hot topic at a Duncansville Borough Council meeting Wednesday night when board members said they would reevaluate their on-duty coverage. A few residents in the crowd voiced concerns about individuals allegedly riding electric bicycles and scooters at ...