Blair County’s Night Out Against Crime events set

July 31, 2026

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County residents are being urged to participate in the 40th annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, with activities planned in Altoona and Duncansville starting at 6 p.m. The Blair County Sheriff’s Office is promoting the events in both locations, as well as a related “Night at the Pool,” event scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Tyrone Community Pool. National Night Out Against Crime events are planned as ways to heighten community awareness of ongoing efforts to prevent crime and illegal drug use, according to a news release that ...

Bedford County America250 parade postponed

July 31, 2026

The Bedford County America250 parade scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 2, has been postponed due to the forecast of significant rain, including thunderstorms. The parade will take place on the previously determined weather date at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. Participants are asked to report to the Bedford County Fairgrounds for staging and line-up beginning at 1 p.m. on that date. The parade will begin at the Bedford County Fairgrounds, head east on Pitt Street, turn right onto Juliana Street and end at the National Museum of the American Coverlet. For more information, contact the Bedford ...

IFO report: Pa. electric defaults jump nearly 12%

July 31, 2026

The default price charged by electric utilities in Pennsylvania jumped almost 12% for the six-month period beginning in June, according to a new analysis by the state Independent Fiscal Office. It’s just the latest sign of the financial strain faced by ratepayers due to electric demand fueled by the growth of data centers needed for artificial intelligence infrastructure, the IFO report said. Over the last four years, when all costs and taxes are included, the average monthly household electric bill has increased 34.9% more than double the rate of inflation over the same period, ...

State Farm Bureau seeks moratorium on data centers

July 31, 2026

By the time Andy Bater held up a big map of the Gregg Township region during testimony to a state board on Wednesday, Pennsylvania’s farmers had already raised a red flag over the frenzy to build data centers. The previous day, the board of the 24,000-member Pennsylvania Farm Bureau had ...

Altoona Blair County Development Corp. seeks Gable’s building redevelopment proposals

July 31, 2026

The Altoona Blair County Development Corp. has opened a request for qualifications and concept proposals for a redevelopment opportunity of the Gable’s building, with an Oct. 1 deadline. In January, ABCD Corp. purchased the building with the goal of directing the next steps through a local ...

Weeds and all — God truly makes no mistakes

July 31, 2026

For those of you old enough to remember George Burns, you might remember the movie “Oh God” in which he portrayed God. If you don’t remember it or have not seen it, look it up; it was very well done. Funny, inspirational, thought-provoking and entertaining for the whole family. Of course it was made before movies were all about gruesome killings, constant explosions, violence or people having casual sex. By today’s present standards, it might not be considered popular, but I enjoyed it and I think you will too. In any event, George Burns portrayed God who makes contact with an ...