News

Antis Township to get new fire hydrants

Local News August 25, 2026

Antis Township, Excelsior Fire Department No. 1 of Bellwood and the Altoona Water Authority are working together to install eight new fire hydrants in the township. Five hydrants have been installed so far: along Spruce, Kingdom and Reed streets in Tipton and on Grandview Road near Reightown Road and on Becker Road at the top of a hill where an authority water line crosses, according to township Manager Doug Brown. Officials are working to determine the other locations. The hydrants are generally being placed in underserved areas where firefighters would need to use tankers or where ...

Burns: Dolly Parton touched lives of many

Local News August 25, 2026

State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, who worked to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Cambria County five years ago, praised Dolly Parton as a champion of child literacy who left a legacy of educating children to achieve their dreams. “Dolly Parton touched the lives of many children — and many right here in Cambria County,” Burns said. “She had a vision to foster a love of reading in all children and she made it happen. Like her, I’ve always believed that reading is a gateway skill that makes all other learning possible, which is why I wanted to help bring the Dolly ...

Wildfire rips through ranchlands

National News August 25, 2026

A wildfire that exploded in size in a matter of hours ripped through wide swaths of ranchland in rural Texas, burning structures at a youth camp while forcing evacuations and closing schools Tuesday. The fire, which began early Monday afternoon, charred more than 78 square miles in less than a day across lightly populated areas in two counties in north central Texas. Fueled by whipping winds along with extremely hot and dry conditions, the Ross Fire jumped creeks and rivers, residents said. “It just took off way too fast,” said Katie Rochelle, whose fifth-generation family canoe ...

Parties seek additional footage in bar fight case

Local News August 25, 2026

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The defense and prosecution in the case of the city man charged with third-degree murder told a Blair County judge Tuesday morning that they are working to obtain additional surveillance footage of the alleged bar fight that left another man dead in January. Corey Lexus ...

Ticker: Canada strikes back at US with retaliatory tariffs

Local Business August 25, 2026

Canada struck back at the United States with retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of American goods. The duties announced Tuesday included steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment, as the trade war between the once -friendly neighbors escalated sharply. The confrontation threatened one of the world’s largest trading relationships and further strained ties between the United States and a country long considered one of its closest allies. A prolonged dispute could raise costs for American businesses and consumers less than 2½ months before the midterm elections. ...

Target faces backlash over costumes

Local Business August 25, 2026

Retailer Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves Monday after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures. Critics say the costume, along with its promotional image of a Black child modeling the get-up, is reminiscent of caricatures from Jim Crow-era minstrel shows that embedded stereotypes into popular culture and helped justify discrimination, segregation and racial violence. “As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have ...