Breaking News

Armed standoff in Altoona ends without injuries

An Eldorado man who had allegedly threatened to kill family members with a shotgun was arrested midmorning Wednesday at a relative’s house after an eight-hour standoff with police that closed down Pleasant Valley Boulevard near Seventh Street. No one was hurt. Suspect Patrick A. McIntire, ...

Duncansville residents air concerns about police officer

Many residents crowded the Duncansville Borough Council meeting Wednesday night, searching for answers concerning a police officer speeding through traffic signs in front of a school bus before school. Kristina McIntire, the mother of a child who boarded that bus, asked the board about the ...

Portage Area School District budget approved with 2-mill tax hike

PORTAGE — The final 2026-27 general fund budget was unanimously approved with a 2-mill tax increase during Wednesday’s Portage Area School Board meeting. Traditionally, the district raises taxes every other year to maintain its local effort, which determines the amount of money the state gives back or withholds from the district each year, business manager Jeff Vasilko explained. Since the district didn’t raise taxes last year, the board voted to approve the tax increase this year, which will generate about $70,385 in revenue for the district and set its new school real estate ...

Inflation reaches 3-year high point; Trump praises report: ‘I love it’

WASHINGTON — Rising gas prices pushed inflation to its highest level in three years last month, a headache for the Federal Reserve and a potential political challenge for the Trump administration as midterm elections near. Consumer prices rose 4.2% in May from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Wednesday, up from 3.8% in April and the third straight monthly increase. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.5% last month, after big gains of 0.6% in April and 0.9% in March. Prices have now risen faster than wages for several months, pressuring many Americans’ finances and causing ...

Hilemans supported ag community, students

The local agriculture community has lost one of its key players with the passing of David Hileman. Hileman, 81, of Sinking Valley, peacefully passed away on June 7. David passed away less than a month after the passing of his wife of 47 years, Janet, 93, who died May 13 at Homewood Living ...

Myrtle Beach flight sees strong sales

MARTINSBURG — Over 40% of available tickets have already been sold within a week of Contour Airlines offering seasonal nonstop service from the Altoona-Blair County Airport to Myrtle Beach International Airport. Beginning July 1 through Aug. 22, the route will operate every Wednesday and Saturday with one-way fares starting at $139. Tracy Plessinger, the Altoona airport’s manager, said he’s hopeful the service will sell out by the end of the month, so airport officials can encourage Contour Airlines to extend the service, which is a common request he’s received since the ...