Country has great things to celebrate

June 10, 2026

I can’t imagine I’m alone in thinking how ironic our nation’s 250-year anniversary is happening now during this time of division in our country. It can also be argued that it is depressing. If we Google trying times in U.S. history, we will find that our great nation has had inner division problems before, probably just as important to the people of those times as they are to us now. When I get confused on how to feel about important issues, I like to read articles about the world written by learned people. They say we shouldn’t define one’s life by a stroke of bad luck and I ...

Dog owners urged to control pets

June 8, 2026

By Thomas Hand As Postmaster of Altoona, I would like to ask our residents who are dog owners to assist us during Dog Bite Awareness Month. Although this campaign is highlighted in June, please know your letter carrier practices dog bite awareness year-round. Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled. Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents. Keep your dog in a separate closed room before opening the front door. If you step outside, ensure the door is ...

Military conflicts have consequences

June 9, 2026

As Americans struggle with rising prices, it is becoming increasingly clear that the war with Iran is carrying significant economic consequences here at home. Higher energy costs have pushed up gasoline prices, increased transportation expenses, and contributed to inflation throughout the economy. Families are paying more not only at the pumps but also at grocery stores and for everyday goods and services. Businesses are feeling the effects as well. Uncertainty in global markets, disruptions to energy supplies, and rising costs have caused some employers to delay hiring and investment ...

UPMC portal switch frustrating

June 7, 2026

There is a frustrating and possibly harmful tech glitch between UPMC-Altoona and UPMC-Pittsburgh that has been going on for too many months. Last year, Altoona switched their patient portal from MyUPMC to MyChart, a nationwide portal used by over 250 medical groups. UPMC-Pittsburgh has not yet made the switch. Twenty-two days ago, I had tests, ordered by a UPMC-Pittsburgh physician, done at a Florida medical provider. Additional tests were done last week at UPMC Station Medical in Altoona. All results are available on MyChart. They can be viewed by UPMC-Altoona physicians, but not ...

Too much PDA over president hard to take

June 4, 2026

Perhaps nowhere was the blind spot of the Right toward President Donald Trump on such full display as it was at the religious gathering in D.C. on May 17 where a MAGA radio host said the man was “raised by God” to construct a new White House ballroom. If you believe in God, how can you believe He would “raise” such a vile human being to do anything? This is the epitome of blind love, a real and dangerous condition that cripples the brain’s critical thinking and social judgment centers. Sufferers can’t see or they choose to ignore flaws and negative traits, no matter how ...

Concerns over river disappointing

June 2, 2026

I read with great disappointment the Mirror article describing the “dangers” associated with children playing in the widened Juniata River running adjacent Dell Delight Park. Widening the river at that location made it visible from the park and ironically shallower. Just because you can see the river and it’s wider doesn’t mean it’s more dangerous than before. The thought of an organization — the American Legion — founded to support men who risked their lives to save the free world, would want to curtail children from engaging in exploratory play, outside, in a river, ...