News

Divorces Oct. 17-18, 2026

Public Records October 17, 2026

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the prothonotary’s offices at area county courthouses. Blair County BECK — Joseph L.; Nicole G., both of Duncansville. Married March 22, 2015. PECK — Emmeline, Claysburg; Jonathan, Altoona. Married July 15, 2016. GRUNIN — Alexander; Olena Hrunina, both of Altoona. Married Dec. 20, 2020. SANDERS — Roget J., Altoona; Hadiiyah, Woodbridge, N.J. No date of marriage available. HOVANCE — Elizabeth, Hollidaysburg; David, no address available. Married Sept. 27, 2008. BETAR — Travis; Tasha Markel, both of ...

Marriage licenses Oct. 17-18, 2026

Public Records October 17, 2026

Editor’s note: the following information was provided by the prothonotary’s offices at area county courthouses. Blair County Dylan M. McClellan and Jadakiss M. Runk, both of Altoona. Jacob A. McCloskey and Amber N. Stich, both of Altoona. Zachary D. McClure, Duncansville, and Abby R. Allenbaugh, Patton. Brian R. McCracken Jr. and Emily J. Forshey, both of Bellwood. Samantha J. McCready and Brandon M. Bardell, both of Martinsburg. Wayne M. McFarland and Jennifer L. Bowser, both of Roaring Spring. Ethan S. McGee and Karson A. Swogger, both of Bellwood. Tyler M. McGray ...

Drone strikes concern NATO

International News October 16, 2026

SOFIA, Bulgaria — A string of drone attacks on at least seven cargo vessels in the Black Sea this month, off the coasts of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, has some members of the alliance wondering if Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking escalation to test their support for Ukraine in its war against Moscow’s full-scale invasion. The attacks in the two countries’ exclusive economic zones threaten a global shipping route and have left two people dead, with at least 25 still missing. They also run the risk of drawing other countries directly into the war for ...

Pakistan orders school inspections after collapse

International News October 16, 2026

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani authorities ordered inspections of all private schools in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a school roof collapsed and killed 34 children and a teacher, as some victims’ relatives said the structure previously was reported to be ...

Murdaugh retrial lawyers battle over DNA evidence

National News October 16, 2026

LEXINGTON, S.C. — Alex Murdaugh’s defense can do their own tests of unidentified DNA found under his wife’s fingernails after she and her son were shot to death in 2021, a judge said Friday, part of an increasingly bitter battle over what evidence can be used in his murder retrial next year. The DNA belonged to a male who was not a member of the Murdaugh family, and investigators haven’t found a match. Although this piece of DNA evidence didn’t feature prominently in the first trial in 2023, the defense wants to test it themselves at a private lab. The judge called Friday’s ...

Hollidaysburg Area School Board ‘disappointed’ by notice of strike vote

Local News October 16, 2026

The Hollidaysburg Area School Board said Friday it was “disappointed” to receive notice that the teachers’ union “feels the need to go to a strike authorization” due to stalled contract negotiations, district Superintendent Curtis Whitesel wrote in a statement. The Hollidaysburg ...