News

Spiritual Notes

Religion August 20, 2026

Gospel study starts Sept. 9 The gospel according to Mark will be the focus of an 8-week study that begins Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Christ Community UMC, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona. To register, contact Pastor Rich Hanlon at RHANLON@SUSUMC.ORG. Participants will have the opportunity to consider how God is at work in their life while exploring the shortest, most action-packed gospel account in the Bible. Bring a Bible and a pencil or pen. Widow Warriors group to start A new group is forming to encourage and support widows as they move from grief toward renewed purpose, confidence in ...

Airline pilot killed in police helicopter collision

Local News August 20, 2026

An airplane pilot died Wednesday after a violent collision with a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter near a runway at a small airport, but both state troopers aboard the helicopter survived, authorities said. The plane was coming down on the runway and veered into the helicopter that was ...

Court upholds lengthy sentence for man who traded drugs for sexual favors with minors

Local News August 20, 2026

The Pennsylvania Superior Court this week upheld a lengthy prison sentence imposed on a Tyrone man convicted of trading marijuana for sexual favors from eight minor female victims. According to the opinion issued by the appeals court, Paul Robert Holpit, 28, was the perpetrator of what it ...

On a roll

Local News August 20, 2026

Ethan Clark of Altoona dodges branches as he travels south on along Broad Avenue on Thursday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Sheriff’s office to get rolling on e-bike

Local News August 20, 2026

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County is accepting the donation of an e-bike for use by the sheriff’s office during special events and situations. Commissioners Dave Kessling, Amy Webster and Laura Burke voted Thursday to accept the donation, after Sheriff James Ott addressed plans for the e-bike’s usage and liability insurance. “We’re going to utilize it for special events, special purposes,” Ott said as he spoke of the e-bike’s potential value in searching for a lost hiker or hunter in areas inaccessible to vehicles. “There are some events we go to where you just can’t ...

Man who kidnapped woman at gunpoint gets 7.5 to 20 years

Local News August 20, 2026

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The ex-girlfriend of a city man who kidnapped her at gunpoint last year told him that he was an “egotistical idiot who thrives on women’s suffering.” Landon Robert Fagan, 23, cried throughout Thursday’s sentencing hearing held in front of Judge Paula M. Aigner. Fagan ...