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Burns collecting for Toys for Tots

State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is partnering with the Toys for Tots Program to collect holiday gifts to help economically disadvantaged children in Cambria County enjoy a merry Christmas. Burns’ office is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys at either of his district offices through Nov. 30. Burns’ Johnstown office is at 535 Fairfield Ave. (Lower Yoder Township), and his Ebensburg office is at 123 W. High St. “This is a really special program, one that dates back to 1947 when the U.S. Marine Corps started it,” Burns said. “With today’s rising prices and tight ...

Looking back in anger: What’s it take to get my idea heard?

Author’s note: This column you are about to read is unlike anything I have done before. Since 2009 when I was first asked to write something for “Mirror Moms,” these columns approached my life as a dad and husband. They evolved over the years, and moved to the Altoona Mirror weekend edition, and I’ve been blessed with many humorous stories involving four kids and a wonderful wife. I was also blessed with many kind words from family and friends, and a few awards have come my way, too. Below is a column I wrote last weekend … when I was angry. But since that time, some things ...

Shawnee State Park celebrates 75th anniversary

Once lauded as a “vacation wonderland” by state and local officials and criticized by Bedford County residents as a “Two Million Dollar Folly,” Shawnee State Park is marking its 75th anniversary Saturday with special afternoon and evening activities. Events begin at 1 p.m. with a ...

UPMC settles with blacklisted travel nurse

UPMC has reached a settlement with a travel nurse whom the organization blacklisted in 2022, after she spoke to the media about pressure on nurses at UPMC Altoona to care for more patients than they believed they could handle safely. The hospital must reimburse Dina Norris of Bellwood for ...

Logan Township police chief accepted into ARD program

BELLEFONTE — Suspended Logan Township Police Chief Devon Moran was accepted into Centre County’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first offenders Wednesday on charges of tampering with public records — charges related to his departure from a sergeant’s position in the ...

Altoona Area High School graduate returns to ‘Halloween Wars’

The third time might just be the charm for Altoona Area graduate Anthony Pater, who is back competing on the Food Network’s “Halloween Wars,” a show that pits teams of pumpkin carvers against each other until the field is narrowed down and a champion is named. Pater, who has loved ...