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Hollidaysburg Borough appoints Wertz as new council member

Local News

The Hollidaysburg Borough Council appointed a new member to fill the council seat left vacant by the resignation of Clay Gingrich, who represented the third ward. It was noted during Thursday evening’s meeting that Gingrich had recommended Stephanie Wertz as his replacement. The council agreed with this recommendation and unanimously appointed Wertz to the seat. Gingrich was elected to the council in 2023 and tendered his resignation June 11 after moving out of the borough. Wertz will serve in the seat until the next election, when she can run to retain the seat, according to ...

Martinsburg water system gets $11 million in state funding

Local News

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority awarded the Martinsburg Municipal Authority $11 million in grants and loans Wednesday for a new water tank, refurbishment of its existing tank and replacement of pipes. The 300,000-gallon water tank will sit near the Altoona-Blair County Airport, according to Martinsburg Borough manager Rich Brantner Jr. Because they recently found out that they received the award, he said the borough will put out bids this fall and start the project in late winter or early spring. Having a water tank on the airport premises will significantly ...

Code Red air quality alert issued

Local News

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5) for today, Thursday, July 16. Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota will be entering Pennsylvania’s northernmost counties and pushing into southern counties, creating Code Red concentrations of PM2.5, DEP said in a news release. Residents are strongly encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area. The state DEP has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Friday, July 17, for all of central Pennsylvania. ...

Group of employees sue Meta over layoffs

Local Business

A group of 26 Meta employees has sued the company, claiming it used artificial intelligence systems to select people for layoffs, disproportionately targeting those on medical, parental or family leave. They are among the 8,000 employees, or about 10% of its workforce, Meta said it would lay ...

Three members of Altoona drug ring sentenced in OD death

Local News

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Three members of an Altoona drug ring who were indicted on criminal charges following a statewide grand jury investigation in July 2025 were handed state prison sentences Tuesday in Blair County court. Rickey Sharief Joyner, 45, Matthew Lewis Rodriguez, 40, and Kirsten ...

Tyrone disaster response earns praise

Local News

TYRONE — Over the past two weeks, Tyrone Borough has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, Mayor John Harlow said during Monday’s council meeting. On July 4, more than 750 riders took their bikes from the American Legion Post 281 to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park and back for the 2026 Freedom Ride, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, raising $52,000 for the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Harlow said. The day after the borough celebrated America’s semiquincentennial, the town faced the lowest of lows, Harlow said, as the borough got three inches of rain in ...