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Immigrant files federal petition for release from Moshannon Valley Processing Center

Local News

An immigrant who has lived in the United States for more than 35 years, but who is now a detainee of the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County, has fled a federal petition seeking his release. Cesar Julio Soto Zapata, a native of Colombia, indicated in his petition that he arrived in the United States in May 1991. His petition, filed on Tuesday in the federal District Court in Johnstown, stated that during his lengthy stay in America, he “has never been arrested, has deep ties to the community and has always taken care of his family.” Attorney Rizwan M. Khalid of ...

Blair County will apply for grant for mosquito control

Local News

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The Blair County commissioners approved Thursday morning the submission of a 2027 Mosquito-Borne Disease Control Grant application to the state Department of Environmental Protection for nearly $75,000. Blair County 911 Coordinator Emily States made the motion on behalf of Blair EMA during the commissioners’ meeting. Commissioner Laura Burke said it was a good program that the county participates in every year, but they’ve “had some spirited discussions this year because of controversy about spraying.” “There were a lot of challenges because of the amount ...

State AG investigation takes down drug-trafficking ring

Local News

A drug-trafficking ring distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl and other drugs, as well as firearms, was taken down this week, according to the state Office of Attorney General. Officials said five individuals were charged after a long-term investigation revealed drug-dealing activities in ...

Altoona Water Authority to waive lien payments for redevelopment authority properties

Local News

The Altoona Water Authority on Thursday agreed to waive liens from unpaid water bills, along with tap fees, for properties that the Altoona Redevelopment Authority wants to rehabilitate — although the Water Authority will recover those amounts by subtracting them from what it owes each year to the city for operating the city-owned water and sewer systems. The authority’s action was in response to a request last month on behalf of the Redevelopment Authority from city Community Development Director Eric Luchansky to forgive a $9,500 water lien for a former convenience store building ...

Tech giants offering big promises

Local News

With host communities across the U.S. turning against their gargantuan data centers, America’s technology giants are promising to take fewer taxpayer handouts, keep fewer secrets or shower more money onto the communities willing to allow the server warehouses. The new raft of promises from the world’s richest companies comes as anti-data center sentiment has become a potent issue in the midterm elections, with control of Congress and 36 governors’ offices on the line. Despite backing from President Donald Trump, the data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom have ...

Helping hand

Local News

Ron Hamm of St. Louis, Mo., paints vent registers in the front yard of his daughter’s home along Fiore Lane in Frankstown Township on Thursday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski