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Shining rays of sun on some good news:
The Central Blair Recreation Commission has made an excellent decision in asking Altoona City Council to name a basketball court at 13th Avenue and 19th Street for the late NAACP President Don Witherspoon.
CBRC Executive Director Mike Hofer confirmed the intention at the organization's annual Community Classic Dinner and Auction.
Witherspoon was a driving force behind the refurbishment of the basketball courts, where many of the city's past greats honed their skills.
The improvements led to a renovation of the dilapidated court, construction of a playground and a fitness park on different corners of the same intersection for the benefit of the 5th Ward neighborhood.
Witherspoon, who served as NAACP president for the better part of three decades, died in 2020 from COVID-19. He is more than deserving of this gesture.
City Council must still provide formal approval.
Penn State keeps raising the bar when it comes to building on THON.
This year's 46-hour dance marathon -- its 50th anniversary -- raised a record $13,756,374, eclipsing the previous high of $13.3 million set in 2014.
What an incredible effort of organization, commitment and passion -- a true showcase of Penn State at its absolute best.
THON is the largest student-run philanthropy and raises money for pediatric cancer research. Since its inception, THON has raised more than $200 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Health Children's Hospital.
Congratulations to Bette Slayton, president and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association, who was recently named 2021 Economic Developer of the Year by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association.
Projects she's involved with have resulted in more than 4,000 new jobs and about $3 million in annual property taxes, according to the PEDA.
Slayton has been a respected leader in Bedford County and Central Pennsylvania for more than 30 years, and it's nice to see her work recognized.
The Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company celebrated an addition to its fire hall, which is now 50 years old.
Late Cove philanthropist Gene Henry contributed $750,000 to the project, including $250,000 for the latest 5,248 square-foot addition.
The addition was deemed necessary as fire trucks keep increasing in size and will allow for quicker response time.
At the risk of a little self-promotion, the Altoona Mirror's Season of Sharing campaign raised $31,556 for the Blair County Library System.
It's the 18th year of our program, which has now raised $339,056 for area non-profit agencies.
The Blair County Library System Board dispersed the money evenly among its eight member libraries -- Altoona, Bellwood-Antis, Claysburg, Hollidaysburg, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Tyrone and Williamsburg.
The Mirror thanks the community for its generosity.